Three wheel lane splitting?

"Baeromez" (Baeromez) 05/05/2015 at 18:25 • Filed to: None

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So I was watching the recent !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! featuring the !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! and I got to thinking about the significance of registering a three-wheeled car as a motorcycle. There are some strange implications depending on what state you’re in. For example, here in Florida, you don’t need insurance on a motorcycle if you own it outright. In Alabama, all motorcycle operators and passengers are required to wear a helmet. Perhaps most noteworthy though would be California’s allowance of lane splitting. Obviously it’s a very bad idea, but is it technically legal to lane split on a three wheeled vehicle like a trike? What about a Can-Am Spyder? Moving up in size, can a T-Rex or a Morgan lane split legally? If those two can, then surely the Davis Divan can.

What other strange implications of registering a vehicle like this as a motorcycle can you guys think of?

stuttgartobsessed > Baeromez 05/05/2015 at 18:29

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Perhaps legally, but not physically...

jariten1781 > Baeromez 05/05/2015 at 18:42

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Lane-splitting is only defacto-legal in CA. There’s no statute saying it is and the official guidelines have been revoked.

They choose not to enforce them on motorcycles at this point, but these still apply and I imagine they’d enforce them on 3 wheelers:

https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv/?1d…

https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv/det…

beardsbynelly - Rikerbeard > Baeromez 05/05/2015 at 18:47

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the problem with Californian lane splitting is they haven’t defined what lane filtering is, and they don’t have a law specifically preventing it.

The CHP could reasonably ticket anyone who lane splits in any of your examples for whatever their ticket for unsafe driving/riding is.

Mr. Ontop, No Strokes, No Smokes...Goes Fast. > beardsbynelly - Rikerbeard 05/05/2015 at 18:53

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They do have a law referencing the max speed allowed when doing it though. 10 mph over whatever speed traffic is going.

Baeromez > jariten1781 05/05/2015 at 19:01

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I’m sure they would, but I do wonder if anyone ever tries it on a trike.

Baeromez > Mr. Ontop, No Strokes, No Smokes...Goes Fast. 05/05/2015 at 19:09

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I think that’s a just a guideline actually. I checked the CHP lane splitting guidelines and, though it’s not actually a law, they do explicitly say “If you can’t fit, don’t split.”

Nisman > Baeromez 05/05/2015 at 19:18

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You don't need insurance on a bike in Florida. I'm stunned but not surprised because #Florida.

beardsbynelly - Rikerbeard > Baeromez 05/05/2015 at 19:27

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yeah, and the guidelines aren’t officially endorsed by the CHP any more.

They should adopt similar laws to what we have in my country.

traffic must be travelling below 30kph, the bike cannot exceed 30kph either.
you can only filter between two lanes, not on a curb side and not on a bicycle lane.
not in schoolzones or between large vehicles

and only “ when it is safe to do so ”

Which rules out bikes that are obviously too large, and also means the rider has to keep an eye out for pedestrian froggers.

By defining it they can control it and still book the riders who are giving everyone else a bad name.

Mr. Ontop, No Strokes, No Smokes...Goes Fast. > Baeromez 05/05/2015 at 19:28

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That sounds right.

Baeromez > Nisman 05/05/2015 at 19:55

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Florida: The weather’s great, the government is lax, and the liquor flows like wine.

RiceOwl > Baeromez 05/05/2015 at 20:39

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I’d assume that trying to lanesplit in any 3-wheeler could be considered reckless driving and ticketed as such.