Comments on: Lane Splitting In Virginia???

By: Emilio

Emilio — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 23:45:55 +0000

How do we request to our congressmen to approve the lane splitting in VA?

By: Ace

Ace — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 17:18:22 +0000

I don’t ride cycles, but considering the terrible highway traffic we can have in the northern va and hampton roads areas, I am not opposed to allowing cycles to pass me as I’m sitting in my car. In fact, I say if you have that ability, you should keep moving since that will allow traffic to flow freer when/if it ever restarts. Obviously that is not something I would expect done at speed, but when traffic sucks. Be safe out there!

By: Jim Callahn

Jim Callahn — Sun, 01 May 2011 23:02:34 +0000

Actually, the VA law is ambivalent. The code does say that you cannot have two vehicles abreast in the same line but the MC operators manual only says that you “shouldn’t” share lanes with other vehicles and you should avoid “tempting” car drivers to share lanes with you by not riding too far to one side or the other of a lane. The auto operator’s manual says you “shouldn’t” share lines with an M/C “if possible” not to which certainly implies that a car driver will not be ticketed for invading an M/C lane. Seems to me that lane splitting is not prohibited within this language in the manuals (and how many drivers read the traffic code?).

By: Angelo

Angelo — Thu, 27 May 2010 09:55:58 +0000

I moved to VA recently after living in Eruope for years. Bought a motorcycle thinking I cold drive it like elsewhere in the world and that my commute would be more efficient, taking advantage of the bike without disturbing other vehicles. What a mistake! I am cooking in the sun, as I cannt do lane splitting. This is crazy! OK, include restictons on other vehicle speed and your speed related to those vehicles. But Recklesss driving? It is actually obliging us to waste fuel and pollute more fo no reason. No surprise everydy here buys huge SUVs….

By: Paul Hogroian

Paul Hogroian — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 16:32:15 +0000

Lane splitting shouldbe legal in VA. As the law now stands, two cycles side by side in a lane, even at a traffic light, is considered reckless driving! In my opinion as long as the traffic is moving about 15 mph or less, and the speed of the lane- splitting bike is no more than 15 mph faster than the cars that are being passed, it is plenty safe. It is incumbent upon the motorcyclist to yield to merging traffic ahead, but that should not be a problem given the low speed involved. What must we do to get legislation like this to move forward?

By: STROLR

STROLR — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 18:08:34 +0000

I started riding motorcycles in CA, over 40 years ago. Learned the ‘knack’ of lane-splitting, then had to leave state for employment reasons.

For over 12 years as a MC package courier, I did the ‘red-light split’ (wait til all others stop, then scoot up to front using dotted line) almost anywhere in DC Metro area. When light changed, my acceleration rate got me ahead of pack and out of trouble from PO’d cagers.

While I’d LIKE to see it in VA, I don’t think it’ll fly, because too many of ‘them’ can/will write to legislators, versus ‘us’ too few (and complacent). IF it does become OK in VA, we’ll have to learn to look out for that door opening to dump an ashtray, or flat Coke. (But we’re already watching for that jerk anyway, aren’t we??)

After riding over 25 years, I ALWAYS assume I’m invisible when around cagers, and its my job to stay out of their way. Not much different if I get (legal) chance to split the lane. I’ve been known to do it on rare occasion even now- (like to get away from that A..hole that’s trying to get it on with my taillight).

By: ed

ed — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 01:34:19 +0000

hey mike , yes va has some things not to like , but one of the reasons we havent been hit so hard with the suck ass obamaconomy is that we are a right to work
state, and if your employer doesnt like the way you look at him , yes he can fire you. better than a union state with long welfare lines

By: Travis Fox

Travis Fox — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 01:23:03 +0000

In addition, I have just recently wrote our congressman in the state of Virginia. Please. All do the same and something may become of it.