Motorcycle have access to preferential lanes?

[vroc13091]

They do in Texas. What about your state?

While doing some other research in the Texas Transportation Code I ran across this little nugget. I had heard it was true but I have been skeptical until I found it in print.

You may operate a motorcycle in bus, HOV, and car pool lanes open to vehicular traffic.
This is an excerpt from the Texas Transportation Code Chapter 680. Below is the link if you wish to read it for yourself.

http://tlo2.tlc.state.tx.us/statutes/docs/TN/content/htm/tn.007.00.000680.00.htm#680.001.00


SUBCHAPTER B. USE OF PREFERENTIAL LANE BY MOTORCYCLE

§ 680.011. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter:
(1) "Motorcycle" has the meaning assigned by Section 502.001 and includes a motorcycle equipped with a sidecar.
(2) "Preferential lane" means a traffic lane on a street or highway where motor vehicle usage is limited to:
(A) buses;
(B) vehicles occupied by a minimum number of persons; or
(C) car pool vehicles.


§ 680.013. USE OF PREFERENTIAL LANE BY MOTORCYCLE. A motorcycle may be operated in a preferential lane that is not closed to all vehicular traffic.

[Idaho]

Idaho is such a rual state that we do not have any preferential lanes for busses or car pool cars. No lane splitting like California. Biggest traffic headache is on the left side of the state between Boise and Nampa during rush hours. I remember driving in Texas in the '70's when they had road signs I think that declared "Drive Friendly" or something like that. Do they still have them or have they been mowed down by road rage?

[dui546]

YES, motorcycles can use the HOV lanes in Virginia. I am unaware of any designated bus lanes anywhere in the state.

[ringadingh]

We can't use the HOV lanes unless you have a passenger, In Toronto however, you can park your bike for free at city owned carparks and parking meters. This is an attempt to ease downtown congestion.

[joesnomad]

Here in Pa. The idiots that run this state can't seem to be even to maintain the roads that we have now. Trying to get an extra lane created would be like hitting the powerball lottery 2 weeks in a row. Its more important that we build Casino's thats the newest thing that there up to. I have seen these lanes in other states to risk sounding like an idiot. What does HOV stand for?

[cactusjack]

I have seen these lanes in other states to risk sounding like an idiot. What does HOV stand for?

HOV = High Occupancy Vehicle. The only vehicles that can use the lanes during peak hours (see below) are alt fuel vehicles, motorcycles, buses, and vehicles with 2 or more occupants. One thing that bothers me about this is that the occupants can be anyone, a soccer mom and 4 children, for example. The true intent of HOV is to take cars off the roads. Having children in a vehicle does not accomplish this. I'd like to see the definition amended to include "two or more licensed drivers". That's my personal soapbox.

In Arizona, motorcycles are authorized to use the HOV lanes during peak hours (05:00-09:00 and 15:00-19:00 M-F), which are the only hours the lanes are restricted, off-peak they are just another lane for all to use.

[rlfaubion]

California allows MC's in all lanes at all times, and is one of the few if not the only that allows "lane sharing" or "lane splitting". My commute is cut well in half on the bike.

[dragon57]

In Georgia we're allowed to use HOV lanes; at least in Atlanta.

[Top Cat]

In New York I don't think drivers want us on the same roads with them let alone ride in special lanes ::)

[misunderstood]

In New York I don't think drivers want us on the same roads with them let alone ride in special lanes ::)

http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

[spirello]

YOU CAN ONLY USE HOV LANES IF IT IS NOTED. OREGON AND WASHINGTON.

No special use lanes in Nebraska. However, in the western part of the state one might have to share the road with cattle from time to time.

[vaccam]

Motorcycles are allowed in the HOV lanes in Maryland.

[joesnomad]

I only experienced lane splitting one time, I was in Boston Mass. visiting my daughter when she was in school. All traffic was going slow15-20 mph . All of sudden here came some dude on a bike between the cars going probably 25 maybe 30 mph scared the sh*t out of me my first thought was this guys an freakin idiot. I thought to myself that there is no way I would do something like that, seen to many drivers just switch lanes with out signal and cut off people. just because there was small opening and they thought that lane was going faster. I have ridden up the berm before when traffic was stopped but was very careful and drove real slow. I have always said its best to arrive alive. A few more minutes wont end the world but one stupid mistake could end mine. I only did this because there was a rest area 1/4 mile from were I was stopped, and if I didnt get there soon it was going to be an awful ugly ride the rest of the way home.

[jayc]

Yes in CT

[nomadd]

I only experienced lane splitting one time, I was in Boston Mass. visiting my daughter when she was in school. All traffic was going slow15-20 mph . All of sudden here came some dude on a bike between the cars going probably 25 maybe 30 mph scared the sh*t out of me my first thought was this guys an freakin idiot. I thought to myself that there is no way I would do something like that, seen to many drivers just switch lanes with out signal and cut off people. just because there was small opening and they thought that lane was going faster. I have ridden up the berm before when traffic was stopped but was very careful and drove real slow. I have always said its best to arrive alive. A few more minutes wont end the world but one stupid mistake could end mine. I only did this because there was a rest area 1/4 mile from were I was stopped, and if I didnt get there soon it was going to be an awful ugly ride the rest of the way home.

Lane splitting is illegal in Mass. The guy would have got a ticket if he got nabbed by the police.
HOV lane use in Massachusetts is permitted. We also have a deal here in the Commonwealth where during certain times of the day vehicles are allowed to use the breakdown lanes on designated highways as travel lanes. Blasting down the breakdown lane is a real freak ride IMHO.

[cactusjack]

Lane splitting is illegal in Mass. The guy would have got a ticket if he got nabbed by the police.
HOV lane use in Massachusetts is permitted. We also have a deal here in the Commonwealth where during certain times of the day vehicles are allowed to use the breakdown lanes on designated highways as travel lanes. Blasting down the breakdown lane is a real freak ride IMHO.

I've never heard of the "breakdown lane", would that be what is commonly referred to as a shoulder?

Do any of you have "suicide lanes" in your area? If you don't know what I'm referring to, these are streets where one or more lanes change direction at different times. For example, there are two of these streets in Phoenix leading to downtown, during morning rush hour(s), the center (left-turn) lane is an extra southbound lane heading toward downtown, during evening rush hour(s), the left turn lane is a northbound lane heading from downtown. I've never had the occasion to be on these streets during peak times, but I'll bet it can get exciting.

[donguer]

New York, Long Island Motorcycles can use HOV. When you think about it it should be the preferred lane for bikers. Minimizes cagers cutting you off. Most of the time when I'm on the highway,thats where you see the bikes.

[cactusjack]

New York, Long Island Motorcycles can use HOV. When you think about it it should be the preferred lane for bikers. Minimizes cagers cutting you off. Most of the time when I'm on the highway,thats where you see the bikes.

I don't know how these lanes are set up back east, but here in AZ, you can enter/exit them anywhere. People also use them illegally as passing lanes. One of my fears is tooling down the HOV lane, next to 3-4 lanes of creeping, bumper to bumper traffic, and some jerk decides he's had enough and turns his wheels and guns it into the HOV lane. You're on a bike, and you eat the New Jersey barrier to the left trying to avoid this guy. I see it all the time in my car.

Now true, in the HOV lane, they can only get you from one side, as opposed to all sides in a regular lane. It's a more calculated risk, I guess. When the traffic is slow, I sit there waiting to move and watch all the illegal vehicles pulling out and heading down the HOV lane. It's a $350 fine for unauthorized use of the lane, but it's seldom enforced out here. For the most part, the DPS officers are too busy with the rush hour fender benders and rollovers. People drive crazy out here. They say it's because 80% of the population came from other states and they bring their regional bad habits with them.

A couple of years ago, there was an elderly gentleman from Canada driving down one of the freeways here who stopped his car in the middle lane and got out of his car for some reason. Within seconds he was run over by 3 vehicles.