Motorcycle Laws

[OCGuy81]

Another oddity that my guests from Oregon noticed a few weeks ago when visiting.

In California, it's common to see motorcycles weave behind stopped traffic, and stop at a signal light between two cars then simply take off.  I suppose this ISN'T legal in some states, as my friend seemed a bit surprised when dirivng on PCH and a guy on a Kawasaki wedged between my car and another at a traffic light and then zipped off the second it turned green.

Can motorcycles "weave" in your respective areas?

[realjd]

My understanding is that California is the only state to allow motorcycles to split lanes of traffic. Being from out of state, it's bizarre having motorcycles fly between lanes at lights, in traffic, etc.

[agentsteel53]

it's kinda unnerving when they are doing so at 60-70-80mph in stop and go traffic.

[Brandon]

Another oddity that my guests from Oregon noticed a few weeks ago when visiting.

In California, it's common to see motorcycles weave behind stopped traffic, and stop at a signal light between two cars then simply take off.  I suppose this ISN'T legal in some states, as my friend seemed a bit surprised when dirivng on PCH and a guy on a Kawasaki wedged between my car and another at a traffic light and then zipped off the second it turned green.

Can motorcycles "weave" in your respective areas?

No.  That's dangerous and Illegal here in Illinois.  Plus, car and truck drivers here would cut these jerks off.  We have neither the patience nor the tolerance for these line jumpers.

[roadfro]

In California, it's common to see motorcycles weave behind stopped traffic, and stop at a signal light between two cars then simply take off. [snip]

Can motorcycles "weave" in your respective areas?

It's not legal in Nevada.

Reno hosts a festival downtown every fall called "Street Vibrations", which basically celebrates vintage motorcycles and we have bikers all over town for several days.  Many people come in from California on I-80. Every year, prior to and during the event, NDOT uses dynamic message signs (including a portable one right inside the state line) to display the alternating messages "MOTORCYCLE HELMETS REQUIRED" / "ILLEGAL TO SPLIT LANES".

[1995hoo]

It's illegal in Virginia and DC, but I've occasionally (maybe I should say "very rarely") seen them do it in stopped traffic or at red lights.

[myosh_tino]

it's kinda unnerving when they are doing so at 60-70-80mph in stop and go traffic.

IIRC, when motorcycles lane-split, they are only allowed to go 5-10 MPH faster than the flow of traffic.  If there is heavy traffic on the freeway moving at 10-15 MPH, then the lane-splitting motorcyclists are limited to at most 25 MPH.  If they are lane-splitting at 60-70-80 MPH in heavy traffic, that's illegal.

[agentsteel53]

so is popping wheelies doing 105 on a residential arterial, but no law prevents them from physically doing so.

I've noticed it's never the badass types riding Harleys that pull this sort of moronic shit.  they will split but at reasonable speed differentials.

conclusion: crotch rocketeers are idiots.