Hey all, I was at a picnic the other day with my state senator. He is on the transportation commitee so I btought up lane sharing. He said they are always looking for ways to reduce congestion and increase fuel economy.
My email to him.
John,
Here is a website that speaks to the issue of lane sharing.
http://laneshare.org/index.html
It would be nice for motorcyclists to have this privilege. I like the California model, personnally, but any of the 5 lstates that have some type of lanesharing would be nice.
Thanks,
John
His reply
________________________________________
From: Sen.John Doll [Sen.John.Doll@senate.mn]
Sent: Monday, September 22, 2008 11:41 PM
Subject: Re: Motorcycle Lane sharing
Thanks, John.
I will investigate this further. It is intriguing and if I can get some preliminary thumbs up from other riders, law enforcement, and my transportation fellows I would be willing to author a bill for this next session. I'll keep you updated as we get closer. If you have other info or people I should talk with, shoot me an email.
John Doll
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
John Doll
State Senator District 40
State Capitol G9C
75 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd.
St.Paul, MN, 55155-1606
651-296-5975
Let John know how you feel.
I've done lanesplitting in Cali. and out there it's very common and expected by cagers so I was comfortable doing it. People actually move over for you a little when they see you coming up behind them. Minnesota "nice" however is a whole different game. I've driven in almost every state in this country and drivers here are by far the rudest, and most clueless jerks that I've ever had the displeasure of commuting next to.
My personal opinion is that it would be a disaster in this state. People here will move over to forcefully block you because they are upset that you are about to be seconds ahead of them. I imagine a whole lot of hurt riders because of upset cagers. Then there's the nasty habit that cagers here have of just not paying attention at all to what is around them. I don't want to split a lane where people are too busy texting, talking on phone, putting on makeup, etc. It's just too dangerous here in the land of MN "nice".
I think a better option might be to allow splitting on the shoulder like the busses can do. They have to stay under a speed limit to do it but that would be so much safer than actually splitting lanes. Then you only have to worry about the jackasses swerving into you from one side, not two sides. It's a much safer more controlled environment with more predictability and an actual place to get away (or run off) from a potential crash.
my two cents [beer]
I would applaud and strongly support a campaign to make lane splitting legal in Minnesota. Scooters and motorcycles should be able to use the empty space beteween the cages while waiting for a stop light or in very slow traffic. I agree that it is dangerous at normal road speed but in stop/go traffic it can be done very effectively. Minnesota drivers would get used to it if it was legal. [leo]
I learned to ride in Europe were lane splitting is very common and scooters and MC's filter nicely between the cars. Many people use 2 wheels because they can dramatically improve on the commuting time.
My 2cents
[wine]
I agree with blkduk. The mouth breathing cage driving population would have trouble adapting to it. Look in the paper today and see all of the bicycle-car deaths (and one by my office this afternoon). If people can't handle passing a slower object, than a faster moving one over-taking them would be far more dangerous. As far as the bus lane sholder passing I think that is just as bad. Now you have a huge mass with shit brakes plowing down a lane, throw a motorcycle in the mix and it sounds like a desaster to me. Just my 2cent. what do I know [bacon]
I agree that it will take a great deal of education. My first suggestion was a separate lane (just for me). [cheeky] I have seen great changes in attitude toward motorcycles in the 40 or so years I have been riding. Most people have noticed a change in the last few years because of the increase in riders. So every year that passes I find I get more respect on the bike.
I think that just getting someone to listen to the possibility of allowing us to move in very heavy traffic is a move in the right direction. The California model is, perhaps, a little extreme. If lane sharing is just allowed when traffic is moving less then 35 mph it would shorten my commute by 1/2 hour. It would also keep the sweat to a minimum on all those hot days. I would prefer a separate lane, or the shoulders, but that still doesn't keep someone from pulling over to keep you from getting ahead. I have had people try to block me from driving past them in legitimate lanes that were going to end in a 1/2 mile. I have had cages change lanes into me presumably because they knew I would have to yield. Some people are morons and I don't think any legislation or lack of legislation will change that.
Without the option of carrying a sawed off 12 gauge, Ala terminator, I don't think we will get respect from the "me first "crowd.
In any case it seems that we might have enough of the ear of someone on the transportation commitee that would be willing to author a bill which is a big step in the right direction.
There's always been a few MN motorcyclists who would like to lane-share, but I suspect that widespread support may be difficult to come by. Certainly today's growing number of 2-wheeled commuters could help push such a measure through the Legislature...
The MN Motorcycle Safety Advisory Committee (http://www.dps.state.mn.us/mmsc/latest/MMSCHomeSecondary.asp?cid=2&mid=52) might be a good place for you to start. This group, led by Pat Hahn, works with the MN DPS to advise on laws relating to motorcycles. The MMSC also works on MN motorcycle training measures. They may be able to help you make a case for lane-sharing in MN.
If I can help with any of your lobbying efforts, give me a shout. [thumbsup]
QuoteWithout the option of carrying a sawed off 12 gauge, Ala terminator, I don't think we will get respect from the "me first "crowd.
What about two sawed off 12 gauges, and grenades, ala Biker of the apocalypse? Seemed to work out for him ok.
(http://i35.tinypic.com/2qd94i0.jpg)
(http://i35.tinypic.com/20apf87.png)
Quote from: fasterblkduc on September 23, 2008, 03:01:29 PM
What about two sawed off 12 gauges, and grenades, ala Biker of the apocalypse? Seemed to work out for him ok.
(http://i35.tinypic.com/2qd94i0.jpg)
(http://i35.tinypic.com/20apf87.png)
I like the baby seat. [thumbsup]
I didn't know britney speers rode a motorcycle [bacon]