# Lane sharing (motorcycle) **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [March 24, 2002, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lane-sharing-motorcycle/99857 "2002-03-24T15:17:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2002, 12:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lane-sharing-motorcycle/99857/21 "2002-03-25T12:36:31Z")
> [@](#): > > I hate to burst your bubble, Johnny L.A., but technically it’s not really legal in California, it’s just rarely enforced. > > This directly from a CHP Officer of my acquaintence: Then you talked to a different CHP officer than I did. I was told by the CHP that lane sharing is legal provided that it is not done at excessive speed (the officer mentioned 10 mph above traffic speed), the motorcyclist does not exceed the speed limit, and the motorcyclist not use either the right or the left shoulder. Also, the article I mentioned said nothing about it being illegal (I remember I was looking specifically for that). But here is a [cite:](http://www.ducatigirl.com/california/dmv_b_roulette.html) > [@](#): > > Here’s the text (verbatim) from the CHP’s site: “Lane splitting by motorcycles is permissible under California law but must done in a safe and prudent manner. The motorcycle should be traveling no more than 10 mph faster than surrounding traffic (without exceeding the speed limit) and not come close enough to that traffic to cause a collision.” Here is a link that says the same thing from [the CHP website](http://www.chp.ca.gov/html/answers.html#03). > [@](#): > > The smallest cars are at least 5 feet wide. If they remain in the center of the lane, that leaves 18 inches between the car and the lane divider. Motorcycle handlebars vary in width, but none are less than 2 feet wide. That means three feet between two cars. Perhaps lanes are wider in some areas, or cars are smaller, but it’s not unusual that there is a four-foot gap. > [@](#): > > Having said all that, though, my immediate thought when I’m sitting in traffic and watchng the bikes moving between the cars is now having to make sure there’s enough room for the bike to get through without my inadvertently moving into an adjoining lane and hitting THAT car. It’s not your responsibility to make sure there is enough room for the bike to get through. (Although we appreciate it when people move over a little and we usually give a wave of thanks.) It’s entirely up to the rider to judge if there is enough room. If contact is made, it’s the rider’s fault (unless the driver moves over on purpose and the rider can’t avoid it). If I’m driving and I see a rider coming (I’m one of those people who uses mirrors and looks around when I drive) I’ll move over; but it’s the rider’s responsibility to make sure there’s enough room. Really, I’d rather this thread not turn into a Great Debate or IMHO. Just looking for information. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2002, 12:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lane-sharing-motorcycle/99857/22 "2002-03-25T12:44:11Z")
No offense intended here, Johnny, but since your maneouver (that cannot be spelled right!) seems to be illegal in most states, feel free to take your chances. Most people rank “lane sharing” with tailgating and failure to signal turns (which seems to be universal). Good luck to you. ---
**Author:** ![Mersavets](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/aca169/32.png) [@Mersavets](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mersavets)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2002, 1:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lane-sharing-motorcycle/99857/23 "2002-03-25T13:07:48Z")
You’re right. Manoeuvre is a prick of a word and I blame the French as with everything else. They do, however, make nice bicycles. Just [Look](http://www.lookcyclesusa.com) at these!😃 OTOH, I doubt lanesplitting is ranked down with the other practices you mentioned by most other people. People take umbrage at those because they are both dangerous and aggressive in the case of tailgating. Your problem with lanesplitting is simple jealousy. Ask a motorcyclist nicely and one of them might take you for a spin. It will do you good and make you less sour about things, especially bikes. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2002, 1:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lane-sharing-motorcycle/99857/24 "2002-03-25T13:19:10Z")
> [@](#): > > Most people rank “lane sharing” with tailgating and failure to signal turns (which seems to be universal). The only time I’ve been yelled at was from a guy with Colorado plates. I pulled over since traffic was stopped and he said “straddling” was illegal. I didn’t point out to him that it’s rather difficult to “straddle” when you’re on a single-track vehicle, but I did point out to him that it’s not illegal in California. As for “most people”, did you take a poll? I’ve found that a large number of people move over to give riders a little more room. As I said, it’s easier on everyone to just let the rider pass. The rider will get by you anyway, and you’re less likely to burst a blood vessel. If you don’t like to sit in traffic, buy a motorcycle (if your state allows lane sharing). Okay, so we have California and Texas. Where else? ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2002, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lane-sharing-motorcycle/99857/25 "2002-03-25T13:52:20Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Mersavets \* > \*\*Your problem with lanesplitting is simple jealousy. \*\* He shoots. He misses! I’ve been on motorcycles, it ain’t jealousy, lemme tell ya! It’s more perceived arrogance of bikers. FTR, I don’t encounter a lot of bikers here in Savannah. Not to say that they don’t exist, but they are few and far between. True most people will let you by, but enough people won’t and will try to squeeze you in. Not a chance I want to take. ---
**Author:** ![Edward\_The\_Head](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ce73a5/32.png) [@Edward\_The\_Head](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Edward_The_Head)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2002, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lane-sharing-motorcycle/99857/26 "2002-03-25T14:34:16Z")
Actually it isn’t really leagle in CA either. From the Mailing lists that I’m on, that includes a number of biker cops and riders in CA, you are allowed to “share” a lane, which means two people can be in the same lane at the same time. I’ve also been informed that you can get a ticket for actaully going back and forth between lanes. I’d like a cite that says it’s legal in Texas as I’ve never heard this before. I’ve only ever heard it’s tolarated in CA. I do know one place you DON’T want to do it and that’s Virginia, I’ve heard horror stories of people trying it there and getting big tickets. That and you’re not supposed to even sit alond side one another at a traffic light. I’d like to be able to do it here in Maryland. ---
**Author:** ![Jman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jman/32/4416_2.png) [@Jman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jman)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2002, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lane-sharing-motorcycle/99857/27 "2002-03-25T14:59:59Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Johnny L.A. \* > \*\* > found that a large number of people move over to give riders a little more room. \*\* This is because the drivers are afraid that you’re going to come flying up, get blown a bit by wind and slam into their car…not because they’re nice. Well, some people might just be nice. While it might be your fault if you hit me, I still have to go to the body shop and get my car fixed, and often the car is never quite the same after an accident. I don’t want or need the hassle of a traffic investigation, car repair, and possible biker death just because you want to save 4 seconds over waiting for the rest of traffic to get over to the slower lane. ---
**Author:** ![Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e19adc/32.png) [@Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2002, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lane-sharing-motorcycle/99857/28 "2002-03-25T15:39:11Z")
If you decide to come up to Canada, don’t think about lane splitting here. That being said, I have been known to drive between parked cars and gridlocked traffic-- but only if traffic is so stuck that you can’t move a car length in 60 seconds. ---
**Author:** ![FallFast](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ba9def/32.png) [@FallFast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FallFast)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2002, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lane-sharing-motorcycle/99857/29 "2002-03-25T18:14:57Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Johnny L.A. \* > \*\* > The only time I’ve been yelled at was from a guy with Colorado plates. I pulled over since traffic was stopped and he said “straddling” was illegal. I didn’t point out to him that it’s rather difficult to “straddle” when you’re on a single-track vehicle, but I did point out to him that it’s not illegal in California. As for “most people”, did you take a poll? I’ve found that a large number of people move over to give riders a little more room. As I said, it’s easier on everyone to just let the rider pass. The rider will get by you anyway, and you’re less likely to burst a blood vessel. If you don’t like to sit in traffic, buy a motorcycle (if your state allows lane sharing). > > Okay, so we have California and Texas. Where else? \*\* Actually “straddling” the lanes in Ca. is illegal. Riding along that dotted white line with both wheels you are straddling both lanes. But, on the other hand when you are splitting lanes on a bike you usually don’t just ride down that white line. You tend to weave back and forth slightly from lane to lane depending on the position of the vehicles. And now this becomes lane “sharing”. Which is legal. But, must be done in a prudent fashion. I used to split lanes in the LA area all the time. But, usually only when the traffic was under 15 mph or dead stop. And my speed was usually just barely over the other vehicles. And I have been bumped by cars and blocked many times. And for those of you who get jealous, I do when I’m in a car, you’re in traffic. Everybody is not trying to get to the same place. It’s not like everybody is in line to get tickets and somebody jumps in line at the front.😃 ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2002, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lane-sharing-motorcycle/99857/30 "2002-03-25T18:41:24Z")
> [@](#): > > Actually it isn’t really leagle in CA either. From the Mailing lists that I’m on, that includes a number of biker cops and riders in CA, you are allowed to “share” a lane, which means two people can be in the same lane at the same time. I’ve also been informed that you can get a ticket for actaully going back and forth between lanes. Actually it _is_ legal. Please read the links I posted. ---
**Author:** ![bibliophage](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bibliophage/32/7615_2.png) [@bibliophage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bibliophage)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2002, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lane-sharing-motorcycle/99857/31 "2002-03-25T19:11:20Z")
The question is where the practice is legal. Let’s stick to that. The questions of whether it’s fair or unfair, rude or not rude, stupid or not stupid, are grist for different forums than GQ. bibliophage moderator GQ [fixed spelling and grammar] ---
**Author:** ![panamajack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/47e85d/32.png) [@panamajack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panamajack)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2002, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lane-sharing-motorcycle/99857/32 "2002-03-25T19:18:02Z")
Hey, it’s not like the CVC isn’t [online and searchable](http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/calaw.html) or anything. I think everyone’s in agreement that this practice is not hindered by any officers in authority ( so it’s not illegal in practice, even under a generic ‘reckless driving’ infringement). So if you want to claim it’s illegal, find the specific law that isn’t being enforced. Furthermore, I found this : > [@](#): > > 1. The driver of a vehicle described in subdivision (f) of > Section 27803 shall not do either of the following: > (a) Operate the vehicle in any lane established under Section > 21655.5 as an exclusive or preferential use lane for high-occupancy > vehicles. > (b) Operate the vehicle in either of the following: > (1) The area on, or immediately adjacent to, the striping or other > markers designating adjacent traffic lanes. > (2) The area between two or more vehicles that are traveling in > adjacent traffic lanes. 27803 is the helmet law (that’s a whole different issue). but here’s subdivision (f) : > [@](#): > > (f) This section does not apply to a person operating, or riding > as a passenger in, a fully enclosed three-wheeled motor vehicle that > is not less than seven feet in length and not less than four feet in > width, and has an unladen weight of 900 pounds or more, if the > vehicle meets or exceeds all of the requirements of this code, the > Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, and the rules and regulations > adopted by the United States Department of Transportation and the > National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Now, if in fact lane splitting were illegal for motorcycles, why is there only prohibition for the subdivision-(f) vehicles? Furthermore, there is an explicit statement (21655.5b) that motorcycles may use HOV lanes, which are prohibited for the tricycles, so this section could not apply to them. I’m glad to see motorcycles be able to take advantage of their, well, advantages in traffic. I don’t ride except for bicycles, so I do have a feel for what it’s like to be right next to a car, and I don’t find it a problem. It’s not a problem as the lane-splitting is limited to crowded, slow-moving traffic, and the motorcyclist isn’t weaving around cars just for the heck of it or recklessly speeding (all of which are likely to get them pulled over anyway). ---
**Author:** ![rsa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/839c29/32.png) [@rsa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rsa)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2002, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lane-sharing-motorcycle/99857/33 "2002-03-25T20:19:17Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Edward The Head \* > I’d like a cite that says it’s legal in Texas as I’ve never heard this before. I’ve only ever heard it’s tolarated in CA. I am sure that the instructor in my Motorcycle Safety course a few years ago stated that lane splitting was legal. I have now looked for a cite and can find nothing to back this up. So unless someone has some additional information, I withdraw my assertion that lane splitting is legal in Texas. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2002, 2:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lane-sharing-motorcycle/99857/34 "2002-03-26T02:38:12Z")
**rsa** : I did a quick search on google and found [this site](http://www.phuzzygnu.com/lanesplitting.html). The author wrote a letter to the Texas Department of Public Safety and received this reply: > [@](#): > > From: [clif.burdette@txdps.state.tx.us](mailto:clif.burdette@txdps.state.tx.us) (Burdette, Clifton) > > In similar fashion with California, lane splitting in Texas is neither legal nor illegal. The law does not address lane splitting. According to our Traffic Law Enforcement folks, you may split lanes but you may fall prey to several laws. > > 1. Driving too fast for conditions. > 2. Changing lanes without signaling. Every time you cross the dotted line, you must signal. > 3. Being responsible for an accident. If you are involved in an accident, you may be held responsible. > > The biggest concern is road rage. We riders never win an argument with a car or truck. > > Clif Burdette > Coordinator > Motorcycle Safety Unit > 512/424-2803 > 1-800-292-5787 I take exception to the sentence “In similar fashion with California, lane splitting in Texas is neither legal nor illegal.” The California Highway Patrol site I linked to earlier specifically says that lane sharing is permitted. Nevertheless, Mr. Burdette indicates that it is acceptable in Texas to share lanes. _However_ the page also contains responses from other Texas law enforcement agencies, and they all say that lane sharing is illegal in Texas. So although it is not specifically prohibited by Texas law, in practice it may not be done. Surely California can’t be the only state where this is allowed? ---
**Author:** ![Rhythmdvl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/85f322/32.png) [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2002, 4:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lane-sharing-motorcycle/99857/35 "2002-03-26T04:50:01Z")
Hey there I was looking for a bit of statute to back up Johnny LA, when I found this curious entry (bolding is mine): > [@](#): > > WEST’S ANNOTATED CALIFORNIA CODES > VEHICLE CODE > DIVISION 11. RULES OF THE ROAD > CHAPTER 3. DRIVING, OVERTAKING, AND PASSING > ARTICLE 2. ADDITIONAL DRIVING RULES > Copr. © West Group 2002. All rights reserved. > Current through ch. 10 of 2002 Reg.Sess. urgency > legislation & ch. 2 of 3rd Ex.Sess. > > § 21714. **Motorcyclists or motorized bicyclists** ; operation of vehicles; **prohibited areas** > > The driver of a vehicle **described in subdivision (f) of Section 27803** shall **not** do either of the following: > (a) Operate the vehicle in any lane established under Section 21655.5 as an exclusive or preferential use lane for high-occupancy vehicles. > (b) Operate the vehicle in either of the following: > (1) The area **on** , or **immediately adjacent** to, the **striping or other markers** designating adjacent traffic lanes. > (2) The **area between two or more vehicles** that are traveling in adjacent traffic lanes. I was a bit taken back at first. This appears to directly clash with the CHP cite above (which is a .gov cite, which I’d assume is credible) But it got weird when I looked up § 27803 (f). Turns out it is a helmet law. I’ll paste the whole thing below rather than just (f) so you can see it in context. Why does §21714, titled about motorcycles, point to an _exception_ to the general helmet law and preclude them from lane sharing/ straddling? Anyone want to make sense out of it? Seems to mean that only very specific three-wheelers that are exempt from helmet laws can’t share lanes. But if one can read that into it, than one could say that it is OK for regular cars to share lanes as well. Thoughts? > [@](#): > > § 27803. Safety helmets; required use by drivers and passengers on motorcycles, motor-driven cycles or motorized bicycles; > a) A driver and any passenger shall wear a safety helmet meeting requirements established pursuant to Section 27802 when riding on a motorcycle, motor-driven cycle, or motorized bicycle. > (b) It is unlawful to operate a motorcycle, motor-driven cycle, or motorized bicycle if the driver or any passenger is not wearing a safety helmet as required by subdivision (a). > © It is unlawful to ride as a passenger on a motorcycle, motor-driven cycles, or motorized bicycle if the driver or any passenger is not wearing a safety helmet as required by subdivision (a). > (d) This section applies to persons who are riding on motorcycles, motor- driven cycles, or motorized bicycles operated on the highways. > (e) For the purposes of this section, “wear a safety helmet” or “wearing a safety helmet” means having a safety helmet meeting the requirements of Section 27802 on the person’s head that is fastened with the helmet straps and that is of a size that fits the wearing person’s head securely without excessive lateral or vertical movement. > **(f) This section does not apply to a person operating, or riding as a passenger in, a fully enclosed three-wheeled motor vehicle that is not less than seven feet in length and not less than four feet in width, and has an unladen weight of 900 pounds or more, if the vehicle meets or exceeds all of the requirements of this code, the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, and the rules and regulations adopted by the United States Department of Transportation and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.** > (g) In enacting this section, it is the intent of the Legislature to ensure that all persons are provided with an additional safety benefit while operating or riding a motorcycle, motor-driven cycle, or motorized bicycle. … but again, this is not directly answering the OP - where _can_ you do it. If I have time in a bit I’ll continue the search from earlier and at least let you know where you definately _can’t_ and help with process of elimination. Ride Safe!!! Rhythmdvl Who never straddles a lane, but will _not_ let his air-cooled engine suffer in a traffic jam. And who maybe moves up front during long lights. But only safely. ---
**Author:** ![Rhythmdvl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/85f322/32.png) [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2002, 5:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lane-sharing-motorcycle/99857/36 "2002-03-26T05:35:28Z")
By the way, just to help narrow the search a bit – here is a list of 31 states (and Puerto Rico thrown in as well) that explicitly do _not_ allow lane sharing. If anyone wants I can pull the exact text from the statute, but didn’t want to do it 32 times. Note – just because I didn’t find a reference in the 19 other states doesn’t mean it is not there- just that my cursory search (via Westlaw) didn’t find it. Alabama Arizona Colorado Connecticut Florida Georgia Hawaii Iowa Kansas Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Minnesota Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New York North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Puerto Rico South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Utah Vermont Virginia Washington Wyoming Ride Safe! ---
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2002, 6:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lane-sharing-motorcycle/99857/37 "2002-03-26T06:52:14Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by rsa \* > \*\*Texas allows lane sharing. \*\* Do they? I’m not trying to say differently but I could swear that when I got my motorcycle license that the exact oppisite was true. But that was a long time ago. ---
**Author:** ![yastobaal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/258eb7/32.png) [@yastobaal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yastobaal)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2002, 12:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lane-sharing-motorcycle/99857/38 "2002-03-26T12:03:09Z")
Just thought I would join in this discusion. I don’t know if it’s legal or not in the UK but I do not know any biker who has been arrested or ticketed for doing it. Plus when stuck in a traffic jam I always keep an eye on what’s going on behind me. If a biker is coming then I move a bit to give more room then once every so often I get a little wave to say thanks. Makes me feel good inside helping out 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Coldfire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a587f6/32.png) [@Coldfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coldfire)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2002, 12:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lane-sharing-motorcycle/99857/39 "2002-03-26T12:33:02Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Spiny Norman \* > \*\*Here in Germany, lane splitting is technically not allowed, but when the queues (“stau”) hit the Autobahn, everybody uses “lane 1,5”. Most German motorists are really good about paying attention and making room. \*\* It’s similar in the Netherlands, with the caveat that Dutch motorists are terribly righteous when it comes to showing you what the law is _really_ like. In other words: you get blocked a lot. But hey, I’m wearing a helmet, and they’re not - you’d be surprised how scared people actually are when an annoyed biker pulls up alongside and gives a quick rap on the window. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2002, 1:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lane-sharing-motorcycle/99857/40 "2002-03-26T13:05:39Z")
> [@](#): > > But hey, I’m wearing a helmet, and they’re not - you’d be surprised how scared people actually are when an annoyed biker pulls up alongside and gives a quick rap on the window. On the other hand, they’re in a metal cage and you’re not! My sister has a 1962 Harley Davidson FLH chopper that she got from her ex-b/f. It has “straight pipes” (no muffler – gawd, I _hate_ Harleys that have no muffler!) and when people would annoy him he’d pull up beside them and cause the engine to backfire. It’s like a shotgun going off! By the way, I hate unmuffled Harleys period. When one pulls up beside me the sound hits my ear and – this is no joke – my vision “flutters” in time with the pressure waves. It’s extremely uncomfortable, and having a closed window doesn’t help. The same thing happens to a lesser degree when I put a telephone handset close to my ear and the ringer is especially loud. As far as people blocking motorcycles, I just look for another way around. **Rhythmdvl** : I tried going to [westlaw.com](http://westlaw.com), but it required a password so I didn’t get in. I see Texas isn’t in the list. It seems from the other site I recently linked that Texas law doesn’t _specifically_ say lane sharing is illegal, but law enforcement there seems to be of the opinion that “if it doesn’t say you can do it, then you can’t”. > [@](#): > > The question is where the practice is legal. Let’s stick to that. The questions of whether it’s fair or unfair, rude or not rude, stupid or not stupid, are grist for different forums than GQ. > > bibliophage > moderator GQ Thanks, **bibliophage**. I’ve started a new thread in IMHO so people can post their opinions. Please let’s use this thread to answer the OP. Thanks. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lane-sharing-motorcycle/99857.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lane-sharing-motorcycle/99857.md?page=3)