California is expected to become the first state in the nation to formalize the practice of lane splitting after state Assembly members on Thursday passed a bill authorizing the California Highway Patrol to establish guidelines for motorcyclists on how to do it safely. Lane splitting, in which a motorcyclist passes other vehicles by riding between them along the lane line, has long been a hot issue in the state. Other groups and individuals, who believe that lane splitting is dangerous regardless of the speed, objected to the proposal on principle. The bill, sponsored by Assembly member Bill Quirk (D-Hayward), passed Thursday with a 69-0 vote. “It will give the CHP the authority it needs to educate the drivers and riders of California on the safe guidelines.”

Source: Los Angeles Times August 04, 2016 16:45 UTC