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California's lane splitting law defines lane splitting as riding a motorcycle with two wheels in contact with the ground between rows of stopped or moving vehicles in the same lane. This is permissible on both divided and undivided streets, roads and highways. However, while lane splitting is legal, motorcyclists must follow safety guidelines issued by the California Highway Patrol (CHP) to minimize risks and ensure the safety of all road users.

Safety Guidelines for Lane Splitting in California

Motorcyclists should practice safety at all times when lane splitting. One way to practice safety is to monitor your speed differentials. It is safer to lane split when the speed difference between the motorcycle and surrounding vehicles is no more than 10 mph. Lane splitting at higher speed differentials increases the risk of accidents.

Minimize risk by paying attention to your overall speed and be mindful of the lane you're in. Motorcyclists should avoid lane splitting in traffic moving faster than 30 mph, as higher speeds generally result in greater risk. It's also generally safer to split between the far-left lanes rather than between other lanes of traffic.

In addition, motorcyclists should be aware of their surroundings and visibility. It's important to consider the width of lanes, the size of surrounding vehicles and the current roadway, weather and lighting conditions before deciding to lane split. Motorcyclists should also make themselves as visible as possible by wearing brightly colored or reflective gear and using their headlights as required.

Lane Splitting Laws and Legal Challenges

If you operate a motorcycle, remember that it's illegal to lane-split on the shoulder of the road. This area is not considered part of the lane splitting zone.

If a motorcyclist is involved in an accident while lane splitting, determining fault for the purpose of a settlement can be complicated. While lane splitting is legal, failure to adhere to safety guidelines can result in the motorcyclist being held liable. In addition, other drivers cannot legally impede or block a motorcyclist who is lane splitting. This could result in the driver being held responsible for any resulting accidents.