California drivers are used to seeing motorcyclists weave in and out of lanes in slow-moving traffic. It can certainly be frustrating to see someone cruising ahead to their destination while drivers are barely making any progress. However, this practice – at least when it’s done correctly and safely – is legal in California.
It’s commonly called “lane splitting,” although lane filtering, lane sharing and white-lining are other terms for it. The California Vehicle Code (CVC) covers lane splitting, which it defines as “driving a motorcycle…that has two wheels in contact with the ground, between rows of stopped or moving vehicles in the same lane, including on both divided and undivided streets, roads, or highways.”
Precautions that motorcyclists need to take
Motorcyclists are always at risk of suffering serious injury on the road, which is why the California Highway Patrol (CHP) provides multiple precautionary tips. These can save a motorcyclist’s life. They can also prevent a serious collision that could injure those in a car or larger vehicle as well. For example, riders should remember the following:
- Avoid lane splitting when traffic is moving at a high speed.
- Don’t travel significantly faster than surrounding vehicles.
- Don’t lane-split around large vehicles like trucks, RVs or buses.
- Don’t ride on the shoulder of the road (which is illegal).
- Use the lane(s) farthest left when possible.
- Make sure to avoid drivers’ blind spots.
Riders should also consider the overall weather and road conditions before attempting to lane split.
Just because lane splitting is legal in California (which it’s not in most other states) doesn’t mean that a rider can’t be at fault for a collision while they’re doing it. That’s why a motorist who has suffered injuries in a collision with a lane-splitting motorcyclist may need to prove that the motorcyclist was completely or primarily at fault because they were doing something unsafe. Getting experienced legal guidance as soon as possible can help motorists protect their right to compensation for medical costs and other expenses and damages.