Lane Splitting

[Monster1954]

This is from svdownunder.com

http://www.ntc.gov.au/RFCList2004.aspx

Look for the project being administered by Greg Deimos, in order to send a
response you'll need to register but it doesn't take long to do. Then go for
it.

PLEASE READ, some of the reasons why not.

Greg

Firstly let me introduce myself; my name is Rob Smith and I am a lifelong
motorcyclist travelling over 40000kms annually. I have been and am still a
motorcycle safety instructor having taught for 22 Years, during which time I
have been Chief motorcycle Instructor and Motorcycle Consultant to VicRoads
for many of those years.

I have worked as a crash researcher for Monash University Accident Research
Centre (MUARC) and currently work as a Motorcycle Expert for a company of
forensic engineers in crash investigation and reconstruction. In addition I
hold a position on the Victorian Motorcycle Advisory Council. (VMAC)

I have some concerns regarding the proposed National Road Rule 151A relating
to motorcycles ‘lane splitting’.

At the present time motorcycling is enjoying rapid growth of around 40% per
annum, partly by people seeking greater mobility in increasingly congested
traffic environments, partly by people turning to motorcycles to avoid
massive increases in fuel costs and of course by those taking to riding as a
form of recreation. This growth is set to continue for the foreseeable
future with the largest growth being in small economy scooters, especially
in light of the steadily increasing cost of petrol.

I notice that lane splitting has been called “an inherently dangerous
practice”. Yet there is little evidence to support this other than a view
held by drivers and those unfamiliar with riding that it must be. Most of
those drivers dislike the proximity of riders and the fact that they
themselves have to stay in stationary traffic while riders move ahead.

They would be far more annoyed and considerably more inconvenienced if every
rider that passed them sat in front of their vehicle and held them up
further!

The use of motorcycles and in particular the practise of lane splitting in
heavy traffic environments has not resulted in a significant increase in
crash risk or incidence. In the MUARC 1995 Case Control Study (Howarth et
al) (which as you know I was involved in) although it doesn’t mention lane
splitting or ‘filtering’ explicitly, a statistically insignificant 0.9% of
crashes occurred. I know this because I attended all the crashes and helped
write the report. Of the 222 crashes involved, only 2 involved a filtering
rider. If you have evidence to support your statement, then let us see it
before this ill-considered piece of regulation goes ahead.

In almost every major city in the world filtering is tolerated and in some
advocated. Belgium for example, where I believe drivers are required to make
room for a lane splitting rider should they sound the horn. Britain is
currently considering making advance stop lines for riders to alleviate
traffic congestion and in California, a city with far more cars and
motorcycles than we have here, it is to the best of my knowledge legal.

By making the passage of motorcycles illegal in all
states NRR.151A will increase:

Illegal riding by those who will ignore the rule - As the numbers of riders
increase, riders will naturally wish to exploit the manoeuvrability of the
machine in order to cut the ever increasing travel times associated with
increased numbers of cars. Especially as they know there is little real risk
attached to the practice and also little chance of actually being caught.

Congestion - By making riders sit stationary in traffic they will simply add
to the static traffic environment and cause frustration to those forced to
wait behind vehicles that can easily make progress without impeding others
and adding to journey times.

Confusion – If a motorcycle is prohibited from passing another vehicle
within a lane does this then mean that when a rider comes up behind a
stationary bus/garbage truck/car reverse parking etc etc it cannot pass?
Will Postie riders and Police riders be exempt?

Collateral damage – Currently there are many motorcycle courier companies
operating nationally who rely on motorcycles and the manoeuvrability of
those motorcycles to deliver important packages. Overnight those businesses
will go out of business even though they employ skilled riders who
themselves will be forced into unemployment.

Difficult and largely unenforceable work for police officers - Police
officers currently have many tasks to carry out, many of which are of far
greater importance than handing out tickets to those who are riding safely,
but simply easing traffic flow. In practice it will be Police motorcyclists
that will be saddled with the task of enforcing the rule.

* Please note that many Police riders filter safely both on Police
motorcycles and in private.

Crash risk - By making motorcycles sit in traffic and travel at the same
stop start pace they are increasing exposure time and therefore crash risk.
Small low powered motorcycles will be forced into high risk situations more
of the time instead of getting out of the way of potential harm. Drivers
frustrated by being held up will start to take increasing risks by forcing
riders into dangerous situations.

The wearing of unsuitable/ non-protective clothing - this is already a
significant safety issue especially for commuters and one that VicRoads and
other safety stake holders have been battling with for years. By making many
riders wait in heavy traffic in full leather suits, boots gloves and helmets
(the ideal) on hot days they will quickly drop the protective clothing in
favour of cooler non-protective clothing.

(Try to imagine yourself in your car wearing a full leather suit, helmet,
gloves and boots, without the air-con with the windows open on a forty
degree day)

Health issues - In addition to this there will be an increase in heat stress
and consequent health issues. The risks to children and animals locked in
cars on hot days are well documented, the same kind of rapid heat build up,
dehydration and super heating will occur in riders wearing protective
clothing. This will lead to massively increased fatigue, poor decision
making, blurred vision, possibly loss of consciousness and even death if the
rider has a pre-existing medical condition.

For confirmation of the effects of heat stress, speak directly to Police
riders, many of whom do not wear protective clothing because of the heat in
the hotter states.

If this sounds like a motorcycle rant please do not consider it in that way.
As a motorcycle safety professional I absolutely support any regulation that
prevents ‘lane splitting’ between vehicles at speed, especially in multi
lane environments. In that regard I support the regulation requiring riders
to move into an adjacent lane when overtaking traffic moving above say
15km/h. I also advocate the wearing of protective clothing at all times and
safe riding behaviour.

NRR.151A needs to be re-examined and provision made for safe filtering. It
is my belief that a motorcycle should be allowed to pass to the right of any
vehicle that is stationary or moving at low speed in a queue in a safe
manner.

Safe manner – at a speed that enables a rider to come to a stop to avoid a
collision.

In order to achieve this there needs to be two definitions clarified.

Lane Splitting – the practice of overtaking with a motorcycle between two
moving vehicles travelling parallel to each other in an unsafe manner.

Filtering – the practice of passing with a motorcycle either to the left or
the right of stationary, queued or vehicles travelling at low speed in a
safe manner.

The benefits of safe filtering far outweigh the additional and pointless
regulation for the sake of regulation. Yes I agree it must be clarified.
Motorcycle numbers are increasing and will continue to do so. The issues
associated with a national rule such as this are many and complex.
Motorcyclists tend to be independent personalities who are unlikely to use
public transport, adding them to the growing gridlock and putting them at
greater risk will not make them safer or help in any useful way.

I urge you to consider the points I have raised and reconsider the rule 151A
as it stands.

I am available to discuss this matter at any time and welcome the
opportunity to be of assistance

I await your reply
Best regards

Rob Smith

[aardvark]

* Please note that many Police riders filter safely on Police motorcycles

Ever tried to cut between traffic stopped at lights on a fully laden BMW touring bike, with panniers???

Not only don't I do it at work, I won't be Policing this new law if it comes in because I wont be able to get my bike between the cars to catch the buggers that do it.

[Gosling1]

Well that response from Rob Smith is certainly well-written, and he seems to have a pretty good m/cycle background as well.

I was speaking to the ACT MRA President the other day about this recommendation from the NTC - she had some interesting observations about the whole debacle, not the least of which was the idea of 'advance' lane markings, specifically for motorcyclists at traffic-light controlled intersections. These sound like a great idea, low-cost modification, and are in use in a lot of other countries.......

Personally, here in ACT, bikers are already allowed to use the 'Bus Only' lanes on major roads, this is a good thing. We also have a *very* active pushbike community, which has resulted in many *cycle* lanes, of course these are also used on a *regular* basis by a lot of bikers.

I will continue to lane-filter for ever, because the bike-cops up here will have the same problem as Jase !!

[Monster1954]

Thank$ Jason,

I hope it is you behind me then if they bring this craziness in.

[mick_dundee]

You can read the MRA Vic's submission http://www.mraa.org.au/downloads/files/Congestion%20paper%20MRAA.pdf

[decoy]

Ever tried to cut between traffic stopped at lights on a fully laden BMW touring bike, with panniers???

You'll fit in a bicycle lane though!

Great write up there from Rob Smith, it would be safer if they taught filtering instead of it being all up in the air. good shiznit

[Stereo]

In NZ they allow motorcycles to ride in the run-off/emergency lane... this has significantly cut down accidents...