The operator and the passenger have to be wearing helmets. The operator has to operate the motorcycle not more than 5 miles-an-hour faster than the rest of traffic is going. Traffic can't be going over 20 miles-an-hour and it can't be done in a school crossing zone or somewhere where the speed limit is less than 20 miles-an-hour.
Actually, the bill was withdrawn: Motorcycle lane-splitting bill is withdrawnHere's a surprising fact... Until VERY recently, there has never been a law enacted in California making lane-splitting LEGAL. It's just that the police have allowed it over the years, and it became an institution.
This past May, that all changed, as a formal law was enacted...
Motorcycle lane-splitting bill passed by California Assembly
Interesting... I miss the "left" coast, lived there in the 1980's but haven't been back in a while.Actually, the bill was withdrawn: Motorcycle lane-splitting bill is withdrawn
Furthermore, it's not that the "police have allowed" it, so much as it's actually not illegal. Every other state has a law against it, making it illegal in those places. CA does not have such a law, so by definition it's already legal to do. If something isn't illegal, then it's legal. We don't need a law to say it's legal.
That's what we do here. Fun isn't it?Last year I rented a bike in Barcelona and it was amazing. Filtering to the font at every light, parking anywhere and everywhere, and so much lane splitting the greatest danger is pulling out in front of a lane splitter coming up fast behind you. I can see more traffic accidents in a day in Austin than the entire week I was in Barcelona.
One of the main reasons is they allow up to 150cc, not just 50, without an endorsement and car ownership and maintenance is more expensive in the states, so a lot more people ride. It is wild to pull up to a main intersection and see 10 to 20 bikes filter to the front.
I suppose the second half of that is just implying that you have to follow general passing guidelines of any vehicle.(4) A person operating a motorcycle, moped, low-speed vehicle, or electric personal assistive mobility device shall not pass between lines of traffic, but may pass on the left of traffic moving in his or her direction in the case of a 2-way street or on the left or right of traffic in the case of a 1-way street, in an unoccupied lane.