hotdram

http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlo/7...t/HB01522I.HTM

Relating to the operation and movement of motorcycles during periods of traffic congestion.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Section 545.060, Transportation Code, is amended by amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (e) to read as follows:

(a) An operator on a roadway divided into two or more clearly marked lanes for traffic:
(1) shall drive as nearly as practical entirely within
a single lane, except as provided by Subsection (e); and
(2) may not move from the lane unless that movement can be made safely.
(e) The operator of a motorcycle may operate the motorcycle
for a safe distance between lanes of traffic moving in
the same direction during periods of traffic congestion
if the operator:
(1) is at least 21 years old;
(2) has successfully completed a motorcycle operator
training and safety course under Chapter 662;
(3) is covered by a health insurance plan providing
the operator with at least $10,000 in medical benefits
for injuries incurred as a result of an accident while
operating a motorcycle; and
(4) operates the motorcycle:
(A) at a speed not more than five miles per
hour over the speed of the other traffic;
(B) in traffic that is moving at a speed of 20
miles per hour or less; and
(C) in a location other than a school crossing
zone or other than a location where the posted speed
limit is 20 miles per hour or less.

SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2005

Bunch of other laws take effect September 1 here in Texas. Big changes to drivers 21 and under (amount of non-relatives under 21 in car, when they can drive etc.)

~Rob

TTHA33

So now they can legally do what they have been doing all along.

TomW

Hmmm. Any word on the front plate issue? Last I heard, they were considering it, but the language was removed for some reason?

hotdram

Yeah,
They also forgot to add this part to the law:
"If the operator is on a crotch rocket, the manuever shall be done with the front tire in the air at twice the speed limit everyone else is doing"

~Rob

BigBlue

So is it illegal to open your door and accidentally hit one of these people? Officer, I was just stepping out to stretch my legs and next thing I know this bike slammed into my door.

P.J

Yeah, I know there is a lot of riders on here, but that is one of about 40 things that ticks me off on the highway. I feel like they should have to stay in the lanes just the same as everyone else! Really burns me when I see one flying down the middle of the shoulder. I'm with Blue, OMG, where did that bike come from?

hotdram

Click here for list of new laws

Didn't see anything about the front tag issue.

~Rob

NHDiesel

I wish lane splitting was legal here. When I'm riding on a 2' wide vehicle sitting in a lane with 4' of unused space staring at the back of all the people in "boxes" that are just taking up needless space. If prople don't like lane splitting, then how about motorcycle-only lanes that allow our smaller vehicles freedom of movement?

Jim

Hoss

I was wondering about that same thing.

TomW

I found a link that said it would go into effect on 1 November, but can't find anything on the legislative pages. Will keep looking.

gunracer1

well i feel it is about time some common sense showed up. would those of you that don't ride bikes expect some one who was walking to stop for a traffic jamb? and if one of you pops a door in front of me you better hope it put me down for a while. or you might find my tour glide up in the front seat of your truck. we are not talking about idiots lane splitting here, we are talking about slow speed traffic jambs.

NHDiesel

Thats one reason I used to enjoy riding my XR600 to work in the summer. The road i travelled had a dirt bike/ATV trail next to it. When traffic slowed to a stop I would just turn right and buzz along the trail at 50 mph instead of being stuck in traffic for 20 minutes. And thats mild...I know many of you have to sit in it for hours at a time! I was fortunate to have the trail sinze lane splitting isn't legal here.

Jim

BlackSunShyne

Yeah that is illegal, and probably really unhealthy too, I am able to get up.

Not trying to start an arguement just saying not all motorcyclists are bad...at the very least give them the benifit of the doubt. We actually lane split because it is far healthier for us to sit in stopped traffic than to be at the rear of a line of stopped traffic, hoping that the next guy coming down the road stops before he plows into the back tire. Which actually happens all the time.

Hoss

Lane splitting is kind of like cutting in line. If you're going to do it then you better be prepared for someone to give you grief over it.

That being said, lane splitting doesn't bother NEARLY as much as the guy driving down the shoulder of the road in his pickup only to cut in front of everyone right before he gets to the red light.

gitchesum

Lane splitting never bothered me. Considering there are still air cooled bikes out there, sitting in traffic does it absolutely no good. As long as it is done safely, I don't see why it would bother anyone.

They allow motorcycles on the HOV lanes too.

Now, I wouldn't split lanes personally. After reading some of these replies, you understand why.

And people wonder why motrocycle rider act like eveyone on the road is out to get them.