If you’re from California or travel there any, you’ve probably noticed motorcycles riding between lanes of traffic. This is called lane splitting and it was legalized in California last year. I first noticed it last year when a few bikers rode between me and a lane of traffic to my left. I gave them a blast of my air horn to let them know of their lawlessness. I then heard on the CB that this was in fact legal.
Personally, I think this practice is very dangerous and it shouldn’t be legal. We’ve heard for years how motorcyclists want to be seen and treated as any other vehicle on the road in regards to lane position and so forth. Now, the motorcycle lobby in California has managed to get lane splitting legalized and allow motorcycles to operate differently in traffic.
Motorcyclists are advised to never lane split any faster than 10 mph faster than other traffic. They are also instructed to never lane split when traffic is moving 30 mph or faster. This information is put by the California Highway Patrol. However, the officers will have full discretion to determine if riding behavior and lane splitting were safe and prudent.
When in California, be aware of this law and be extra careful when changing lanes in slow traffic. After years of public service announcements to "watch out for motorcycles," I guess we're going to have to "watch out" even more.