Oregon may legalize lane-splitting

Oregon may legalize lane-splitting, in a move that could see the entire west coast of the US move towards motorcycle-friendly congestion busting.

Of course, lane-splitting has been legal in California for decades, and as we told you earlier this month, the state of Washington is also looking at the possibility. Now Asphalt & Rubber is reporting two state senators in Oregon have introduced separate bills that open the possibility of lane-splitting in that state as well.

You can read the full details of the possibility on A&R here.


CMG’s Slant (Zac Kurylyk)

Moves like this have been a long time coming. Several US states have kicked around the idea of legalizing lane-splitting, some of them quite seriously, but California remains the sole jurisdiction allowing it.

Why can’t we see this in Canada? Although it would potentially be hazardous, you’d think traffic gurus would be willing to do anything to take pressure off urban gridlock on highways like the 401. Could government leaders be convinced that allowing motorcycles and scooters to lane-split might reduce gridlock? There are plenty of studies that would show how allowing lane-splitting is a good way to cut traffic congestion, although making government leaders see that fact will always be tricky.

Maybe it’s time Canada’s motorcycle associations and organizations banded together on this issue, to pressure government into a move that could potentially benefit everyone, not just motorcyclists.

14 COMMENTS

  1. @Blackie’s Evil Twin

    “Fuel economy for motorcycles has been slightly improved in the nearly 40 years since you had your RD400.”

    The same is true for cars. A Prius gets better fuel economy, for example, than a CB1100. One could argue, therefore, that because a Prius requires 2 passengers to use HOV lanes, the same should hold true for the CB1100.

    Just sayin’. 🙂

    • No, you’re just being contrary to support your view. Try not to be so simplistic. You conveniently forget to take into account the greatly reduced congestion afforded by motorcycles versus cars in the HOV lanes. So, which country are you living in now which has you so interested in Canada 20 years after you moved?

      • “you’re just being contrary to support your view.”

        I’m not being contrary, I’m merely offering a differing perspective. I fully support and embrace the use of motorcycles in HOV lanes even with single passengers. I am just exploring why Ontario’s exclusionary thinking may have been constructed.

        “So, which country are you living in now which has you so interested in Canada 20 years after you moved?”

        I don’t recall actually being disinterested in Canada. 😉 Twenty-four years after leaving, I still mull over the possibility of returning. Japan has been home for the last couple of decades by way of love and marriage, but Tokyo sure as hell isn’t Muskoka. I miss nature. I miss the lakes. I miss the great riding.

        Don’t miss the ‘skeeters, though. :-p

        • “I am just exploring why Ontario’s exclusionary thinking may have been constructed.”
          In light of many of the decisions the Ontario Liberals have made, I’m not sure thinking entered into it.

          “Don’t miss the ‘skeeters, though.”
          Oh c’mon, everyone needs a good blood-letting once in awhile. 🙂

  2. “…you’d think traffic gurus would be willing to do anything to take pressure off urban gridlock on highways like the 401.”

    Ontario doesn’t allow for motorcycles in the HOV lane of your highways – the only jurisdiction in Canada or the US with such a restriction. Don’t expect logical thinking from the numbskulls you’ve elected.

    • You might want to review the rules. If a bike has 2 occupants, it is eligible to use HOV lanes as would any other vehicle:

      Who can use HOV lanes?

      HOV lanes on provincial highways are reserved for any of the following passenger vehicles carrying at least two people (often referred to as 2+):
      Car
      Commercial truck less than 6.5 metres long
      Minivan
      Motorcycle
      Taxi or limousine
      Vehicles with a special green licence plate (plug-in hybrid electric or battery electric vehicle)

      From here: http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/traveller/hov/index.shtml#whatis

      • And exactly what percentage of motorcycles are ridden to work two-up? Every other jurisdiction I referred to allows 1-up use of HOV lanes. Fess up – you voted Liberal, right?

        • LOL! I haven’t voted in Canada since I left the country in ’91. I can see your point about HOV and why bikes /might/ be granted access across the board, but when I recall my RD400 days and the abysmal fuel economy that bike netted on its rear wheel most of the time, I wouldn’t be inclined to complain about needing 2-up to qualify for an HOV lane.

          Context, as they say, is everything. 🙂

          • “…Context, as they say, is everything…”

            Yes, it is. Fuel economy for motorcycles has been slightly improved in the nearly 40 years since you had your RD400.

      • Pretty sure I used the HOV lanes quite a bit once upon a time, without a passenger … 🙂 Good thing I didn’t know any better.

  3. Out of curiosity, Would this fall under federal or provincial law?

    Either way, I don’t see this happening unless someone convinces the Gov that there is some elaborate way for them to make money off of this.

    Oh, and someone has to tell the squids that lane splitting doesn’t include a ’50k over’ clause.

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