California Lawmakers Consider Rules Pulling Lane-Splitting Out Of Legal Gray Area

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) — State lawmakers are trying to clarify what lane-splitting is and how to legalize it, even though bikers don't want it to be.

Currently lane-splitting isn't legal or illegal. The practice of motorcycles riding between lanes of traffic is a fuzzy area that opponents say is dangerous. Many riders disagree, saying it's safer than being a sitting duck behind cars who can't always see them.

The measure would allow motorcyclists to ride between cars at speeds up to 15 mph faster than the flow of traffic, up to 50 mph.

The California Highway Patrol and the Department of Motor Vehicles have previously posted guidelines on lane splitting, but they were removed after opponents claimed the agencies were endorsing the practice.

Other states have considered similar rules, but California would be the first in the nation to pass them.