It's just so easy ...

Over the past month I've been setting up for the new riding season, after being away from motorcycles for nine years. Apart from finding a bike and scouring the land for the "least unbearable" insurance rates available, I've been wondering about an issue that before had seemed unresolved.

When I used to ride, it was my understanding that in Ontario, lane splitting was not illegal per se, but police officers were still able to find fault in a rider's road manners in other ways (e.g. reckless driving). Has anything changed?

I wonder if there are any Canadian jurisdictions where even specific instances of lane splitting could be classified as legal and "safe."

Thanks,

Marlon Hagerty

To the best of my knowledge, lane-splitting is illegal everywhere in Canada.

Larry

IN MY OPINION - Unless traffic is at a dead stop, lane splitting is stupid and dangerous, not to mention a terrible 'public relations' message to send out.
Let the flaming begin...

TK4

I believe Marlon is right – there's nothing to specifically say lane splitting is illegal, but the cops can throw other charges at it to make effectively so.

To counter TK4's opinion, having grown up in the UK where lane spliting is legal and actually accepted (I've had cars pull to the side in line ups to let me through!) then I see no reason why it shouldn't be legal. The trouble we have in Canada is that the other road users can't get their heads around the idea.

On the few times that I do do it here, invariably I get some jerk in a car trying to shift a few inches into the gap to block my way. Of course, that then leaves a gap behind them that I use to get aound – making the ensuing horn blaring as they lose it even sweeter.

But I digress. The bottom line for me is why can't we use a motorcycle to its full capabilites in such a situation? After all, if the gap was big enough for a car, then i'm sure it would be used. Likewise, when I'm sat there on my bike getting wet, I don't tap on a car's window and ask them to join me in the wetting process – they have a roof and thus don't need to get wet.

Likewise, since I'm not a fat, lardy rust bucket*, I don't need to sit there when there's a perfectly usable gap to go down.

Okay, end of rant.

Editor 'arris 

*reference to Editor 'arris's ride, not his body form. 

Users' Comments (17)

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My lane-splitting experiences have been similar to yours, 'Arris.    I think TK4 would agree with you that lane-splitting makes sense in terms of traffic management. The problem is that in Ontario in general and especially in the COTU, the prevailing attitude is "I'm not getting anywhere, but I'm getting there ahead of you."    The open hostility shown towards motorcyclists in those situations is what makes lane splitting stupid and dangerous.    =-S-= Posted by Silverius 2008-04-10 05:51 After riding in EU and California for years I got used to lane splitting and never heard of anyone who was hurt while doing so. After moving to Ontario I continued with the habit for some time but eventually got a ticket for "improper lane change". tryied my luck at court but still had to pay the fine and points. Without the ability to split lanes I stopped using the bike for commute, what's the point when you don't get there any faster. One day when the roads in Ontario will get to clogged, lane splitting will become legal (at least de-facto) as a way to reduce traffic congestion. Posted by danb 2008-04-10 06:14 While lane splitting isn't specifically mentioned in the Ontario HTA, it is covered by such things as "Improper driving, where the road is devided into lanes (3 points)." I'm also aware of at least one person who has been charged under the Province's recent "racing and stunting" legislation for splitting. Posted by Rob MacLennan 2008-04-10 10:58 I do indeed agree wholeheartedly with what both Rob and Silverius have to say on the subject. My concern has more to do with the pathetic level of driver ability and general attitude. The act of lane splitting is not in and of itself dangerous, but the threat presented by the morons in the cages makes it so... Posted by TK4 2008-04-10 11:54 If it were legal, I still wouldn't lane split no matter how tempting it would be as I think we have the most incompetent drivers on the planet. You'd be sure to be brushed-up by a stressed out, late-for-something with cell phone plastered to ear idiot in an SUV. The driving skills in any third world country are even better than here, as they drive with confidence and with purpose, whilst here most are just oblivious and careless. Posted by Wes 2008-04-10 17:03 Good bad or otherwise, an officer can also consider Highway Traffic Act Ontario sec. 154, fail to drive in marked lane. It's tempting at times but it sure looks risky ! Bob Posted by Bob Paterson 2008-04-11 01:46 I have to agree with the esteemed editor, that other drivers are the problem, not lane-splitting, per se. When I was living in California, always held out as the shining example of lane-splitting's goodness, I personally witnessed two accidents, one a fatality, when cars closed off the lane used by the motorcyclist. Having little faith in my fellow motorists, I don't lane-split except on very rare occasions. Posted by Brad Babcock 2008-04-11 05:40 I've seen instances of lane-splitting in California and Italy where riders were traveling well over the speed limit in heavy, fast freeway traffic, and even had one guy in California tell me how he did that every morning, sometimes with his little boy on the back. That kind of lane-splitting is just plain dangerous, even when it's legal. Moving to the front of a line of cars at a red light is different, and I can see that working if there was a clear effort first of all to educate drivers about its reasonableness, so that they wouldn't freak out about riders jumping the queue. Posted by Bob Cram 2008-04-11 06:24 While lane splitting is unlawful - illegal is a sick bird - in Canada a recent study released in California - where it is legal - concluded that a bike lane splitting is safer than a bike sitting in its lane.     They were talking about main highways.    For myself if I am stopped and see a way to get around a large, slow truck or other obstacle, I will take it if I feel it can be done safely (and there isn't a copy watching). Posted by rdinning8713 2008-04-11 09:22 During rush hour when traffic is stopped due to red lights and congestion, I generally tend to lane-split. Most often when I am sweltering on a summer day in full gear. AND keeping a look out for police cars. Also when on the highway and traffic is COMPLETELY stopped due to a serious mishap and lanes are closed. In each instance, I have experienced people moving to make more room (they get a nod and/or a thanks) and others who try to block the path through (they get nothing). We need to lobby for leniency or change as we lessen the environmental impact by riding rather than driving cars. Yes?? Posted by BMV 2008-04-11 10:36 Being from Lisbon, it's incredible to see it in action - its advantages and even its acceptance by cagers. It clearly cuts down in all congestion.     It's horsesh*t that none of the retards in office would ever consider it. Posted by Rui 2008-04-11 10:39 The retards in office didn't even consult with any of the professional Motorcycle organizations when planning the laws for the HOV lanes or the new anti racing laws.    When asked why they didn't allow them input - despite dozens of letters from them - they had the nerve to say "We didn't know you existed".    The new anti-racing law is a lovely case in point. Lift your butt off the seat as you were taught to have more control over railway tracks or a rough patch of pavement and they've got you for racing even if you were only doing 15 kph. Posted by rdinning8713 2008-04-11 11:20 during my 401 commuting days, i had no hesitation going along the shoulder when traffic was at a standstill. i would just putt along at about 30kmph. As soon as traffic speed went over 40, i'd just file in.    If traffic is stopped, there's no reason to sit there and cook. like 'arris said, i don't go up to gents in convertables and expect them to drop the top in a rain storm.    Now in northern BC, i can drive 60 kms without passing a car/truck. only problem is the truck i do pass is usually cutting a corner and half in my lane haha.    kK Posted by koalaKid 2008-04-11 21:57 Last Summer on a trip to Ontario, I was stuck in traffic on the 401.  I was on an air cooled bike so I traveled down the shoulder to the head of the line. The cops where there at an accident. I was not going to sit there all day while every idiot in a car slowly drove by so they could have a good look at the accident.  So is what I did illegal ?????? Posted by Rob M 2008-04-11 23:29 Unfortunately driving on the shoulder of the road is unlawful. It has nothing to do with lane splitting. You are only allowed to pull on to the median in an emergency - which basically means either engine failure or a flat tire. Posted by rdinning8713 2008-04-12 04:22 I want to know why, bicycles and scooters get away with lane spliting all the time. And when the rod doesn't suit them they use the sidewalk. Posted by hman 2008-07-21 02:21 s/b be "road" not "rod". See, I'm getting upset now just thing about them. Posted by hman 2008-07-21 02:24