Is Motorcycle Lane Splitting Legal in California?

The term ‘lane splitting’ refers to the practice of a motorcycle operator moving their bike between two lanes of slower-moving traffic. Lane sharing is similar to lane splitting and refers to when a biker shares the same lane with another vehicle. Motorists operating passenger vehicles are prohibited from lane splitting. Many people, though, wonder if motorcycle lane splitting is legal in California.

However, California has recently passed a law that allows motorcyclists to split lanes in order to help relieve traffic congestion and allow traffic to move more smoothly. Even though lane splitting is legal in the state, it is still important for motorcyclists to understand the risks and how to lane split safely. Our experienced Riverside motorcycle accident lawyers explain the laws involving lane splitting in California.

When is Lane Splitting Legal in California?

Again, lane splitting is only legal for motorcyclists in California. There are many reasons bikers choose to split lanes in the state. Most commonly, bikers split lanes to move between two lanes of slow-moving traffic more quickly. In other instances, bikers may split lanes to avoid a rear-end collision. Lane sharing typically occurs when two bikers use the same lane to travel side-by-side.

This is not only legal in California, but it can also help make bikers more visible to other drivers. This is particularly true when bikers are riding at night.

Is Lane Splitting Legal in CA Only at Certain Speeds?

Due to the fact that lane splitting is usually done so bikers can travel between lanes of slow-moving traffic, motorcyclists typically travel faster than other vehicles when engaging in the practice. While it is not the law, legislators have recommended that bikers do not travel faster than ten miles per hour when there are vehicles on either side of them.

When passenger vehicles are traveling faster than 30 miles per hour, it is recommended that bikers refrain from lane splitting.

Is Motorcycle Lane Splitting Legal in California on Highways?

In California, motorcycle lane splitting is legal on highways. However, bikers should practice extreme caution when doing so and only engage in the practice when it is necessary. Motor vehicles on highways also generally travel faster than 30 miles per hour, a speed at which bikers are advised to refrain from lane splitting.

Why is Lane Splitting Legal in California?

The majority of states throughout the country make lane splitting illegal. However, lane splitting is legal in CA for many reasons. Lane splitting helps with the flow of traffic and reduces congestion.

This can make the roads safer for motorcyclists, as they have more space around them and are therefore less likely to be struck by another vehicle. When a biker splits lanes, they also do not have any vehicles directly behind them, which can help them avoid a rear-end collision, which can be fatal for motorcyclists.

When Should Motorcyclists Split Lanes?

Even though motorcycle lane splitting is legal in California, there are only certain times when bikers should engage in the practice. Motorcyclists should never try to split lanes when making a turn or traveling around a curve. In these instances, it is best to wait until the road straightens out again. It is also recommended that bikers only split lanes when they can assess the speed of other vehicles.

Lane splitting at the wrong time can startle other motorists and cause bikers to lose control of their vehicles. While lane splitting is legal in CA, it is an advanced practice and should only be attempted by experienced riders.

Tips for Lane Splitting in California

Although lane splitting is legal in the state, the California Highway Patrol offers some tips to keep riders safe. These are as follows:

• Factor in the environment when lane splitting, including the size of surrounding vehicles, the width of the lanes, and the conditions of the weather and road.
• Lane splitting becomes more dangerous the faster the surrounding vehicles are traveling.
• Lane splitting is more dangerous when there is a significant difference in the speed of the different vehicles involved.
• Splitting the far left lanes is generally safer than splitting other lanes of traffic.
• Bikers should avoid lane splitting next to large vehicles, such as buses, transport trucks, and motorhomes.
• Riding on the shoulder of the road is not considered lane splitting and is illegal.
• Bikers should take care to avoid the blind spots of other vehicles and they should not linger between other vehicles.
• Wearing reflective or brightly colored protective gear and using higher beams, even during the day, can make it easier for drivers to see bikers.

Our Personal Injury Lawyer in Riverside Can Advise On Your Case

Motorcycle lane splitting in California is legal, but just like any other time bikers are on their motorcycle, they can still be involved in a serious accident. At The JLF Firm, our Riverside personal injury lawyer can help. These cases often involve a great amount of bias from insurance companies and juries, and our experienced attorney can help you overcome them.

We can also prove that someone else was to blame for your injuries so you obtain the maximum damages that are rightfully yours. Contact us to schedule a free case evaluation and to learn more about how we can help with your case.