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Hey California Riders - did you ever think about lane splitting on the Spyder?

SpyderGirl

SpyderGirl

New member
THINK AGAIN!

I would NEVER EVER do this, but California has a law that specifically prohibits all three-wheelers (yes this would include the MP3) from lane sharing.

http://dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/d11/vc21714.htm

There is also something in there about the use of HOV lanes though I am unclear on it and think it is total and complete BS.
 
i will split lanes if I can see that I can fit comfortably. I also sneak up on the shoulder if I see a long light at a red light and butt in front of the first car and take off.

I also ride the carpool lane and haven't ever gotten busted in CA (knock on wood).
 
MetroAsian said:
i will split lanes if I can see that I can fit comfortably. I also sneak up on the shoulder if I see a long light at a red light and butt in front of the first car and take off.

I also ride the carpool lane and haven't ever gotten busted in CA (knock on wood).
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you going to go to the west coast rally in san diego in july?
 
It is definitely illegal in California to lane split with a Spyder. And I agree with you, you would have to be a little crazy to try it... I think its scary watching the bikes do it.

However the Spyder does qualify for HOV lane, so there should not be an issue there. I ride the HOV lane whenever I can. I am in San Diego and was commuting up to Irvine for a bit.
 
MetroAsian said:
i will split lanes if I can see that I can fit comfortably. I also sneak up on the shoulder if I see a long light at a red light and butt in front of the first car and take off.

I also ride the carpool lane and haven't ever gotten busted in CA (knock on wood).
Click to expand...

I have squeezed ahead of a couple cars at a light and sped off when the light changed - only three times I can remember. Other than that, I don't dare do it. Not really enough room. I don't recommend it. I don't see why the MP3s can't do this though, seems goofy to me.

As for the carpool lane, I have ridden into work over the Bay Bridge in the HOV lane with no issues. I've also used the HOV lane on I-80 through Emeryville/Albany. I also park in the motorcycle parking in SF with no issues.
 
SpyderGirl said:
I have squeezed ahead of a couple cars at a light and sped off when the light changed - only three times I can remember. Other than that, I don't dare do it. Not really enough room. I don't recommend it. I don't see why the MP3s can't do this though, seems goofy to me.

As for the carpool lane, I have ridden into work over the Bay Bridge in the HOV lane with no issues. I've also used the HOV lane on I-80 through Emeryville/Albany. I also park in the motorcycle parking in SF with no issues.
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I do the lane splitting when in a gridlock, which is most of the time on the 580 but its on my 2 wheels:D
 
spyder can get on car pool lane legally by yourself in california and i have dreams about splitting lanes with spyder but no i will never do it.
 
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In MD, it's illegal...unless you're a police officer...

Lane splitting on a Spyder is foolish anyway as the bike is 5' wide...
 
adohring said:
However the Spyder does qualify for HOV lane, so there should not be an issue there. I ride the HOV lane whenever I can. I am in San Diego and was commuting up to Irvine for a bit.
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False.

I was thinking of getting a Can-Am just for the ability to use the carpool lane as well but I got a ton of different answers from a ton of different people. I asked the Can-Am dealer and he said 'no'. I wanted something a bit more authoritarian, so I went to the CHP office and asked the OOD. Here's how he explained it to me:

Since you do not need a motorcycle license to operate it, the Can-am classes as a normal vehicle and therefore falls under the same laws as any 4 wheeled vehicle. You can not ride a 3-wheel vehicle in the carpool lane UNLESS you have a passenger.

Originally, when there were no specific laws addressing 3-wheeled vehicles, this was a grey area and the option was there. This is no longer the case as California now specifically addresses these types of vehicles.

Now this is what the status of the law was roughly 2 years ago. I'm not sure if this has changed.

Sorry to burst your bubble. Just FYI.
 
sshrum said:
False.

I was thinking of getting a Can-Am just for the ability to use the carpool lane as well but I got a ton of different answers from a ton of different people. I asked the Can-Am dealer and he said 'no'. I wanted something a bit more authoritarian, so I went to the CHP office and asked the OOD. Here's how he explained it to me:

Since you do not need a motorcycle license to operate it, the Can-am classes as a normal vehicle and therefore falls under the same laws as any 4 wheeled vehicle. You can not ride a 3-wheel vehicle in the carpool lane UNLESS you have a passenger.

Originally, when there were no specific laws addressing 3-wheeled vehicles, this was a grey area and the option was there. This is no longer the case as California now specifically addresses these types of vehicles.

Now this is what the status of the law was roughly 2 years ago. I'm not sure if this has changed.

Sorry to burst your bubble. Just FYI.
Click to expand...

First of all, :welcome:. Second, (not to come off as being argumentative) I would have asked this same ODD that if the 3-wheeler (Spyder) classes as a normal vehicle, does this mean we do not need to wear a helmet (not that I would ever ryde without one)?
 
Maybe this will help. Per Vehicle code section 400, A "Motorcycle" is a motor vehicle having a seat or saddle for the use of the rider, designed to travel on not more than three wheels in contact with the ground. So, in reading this we are considered the same as a two wheel motorcycle which than allows us to travel in the HOV lane. Having said that, I would think it would require a M1 to drive it. I want to see what the dealer has that says something else on Friday.:dontknow:
 
motorcyclist HOV eligibility

redlightron said:
Maybe this will help. Per Vehicle code section 400, A "Motorcycle" is a motor vehicle having a seat or saddle for the use of the rider, designed to travel on not more than three wheels in contact with the ground. So, in reading this we are considered the same as a two wheel motorcycle which than allows us to travel in the HOV lane. Having said that, I would think it would require a M1 to drive it. I want to see what the dealer has that says something else on Friday.:dontknow:
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+The equivalent is New York's standard, with the Spyder classified as a motorcycle, and its operator a motorcyclist, via either two- or restricted three-wheeled qualified authorization.

Motorcycles are exempt on federally-funded highways. In New York, Spyders are motorcycles.

Don't lane split with your Spyder. Not only is it just plain stupid, it is detrimental to future hopes of nationwide acceptance of the practice by two-wheelers.

Ride on.
Roadkill
http://www.roadkillonline.net/imagedb_images/35_10319.JPG
 
sshrum said:
False.

I was thinking of getting a Can-Am just for the ability to use the carpool lane as well but I got a ton of different answers from a ton of different people. I asked the Can-Am dealer and he said 'no'. I wanted something a bit more authoritarian, so I went to the CHP office and asked the OOD. Here's how he explained it to me:

Since you do not need a motorcycle license to operate it, the Can-am classes as a normal vehicle and therefore falls under the same laws as any 4 wheeled vehicle. You can not ride a 3-wheel vehicle in the carpool lane UNLESS you have a passenger.

Originally, when there were no specific laws addressing 3-wheeled vehicles, this was a grey area and the option was there. This is no longer the case as California now specifically addresses these types of vehicles.

Now this is what the status of the law was roughly 2 years ago. I'm not sure if this has changed.

Sorry to burst your bubble. Just FYI.
Click to expand...
:welcome:

I guess I've been lucky because I just got back from a trip out west and rode in the HOV lanes from LA to San Diego with plenty of CHP around me and was never pulled over or ticketed. Oh and I was towing a trailer too. nojoke
 
On 2 wheels I've split lanes, but wouldn't even think about doing it on the spyder - that's just all kinds of stupid!
I haven't had the opportunity to use the HOV lane, but would if traffic were bad enough.
 
Lamonster said:
:welcome:

I guess I've been lucky because I just got back from a trip out west and rode in the HOV lanes from LA to San Diego with plenty of CHP around me and was never pulled over or ticketed. Oh and I was towing a trailer too. nojoke
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We use the carpool on a daily basis with the Spyder, no problems. The Spyder even qualifies for going over the state bridges during commute hours at the carpool rate.

And yes, we have also done this while pulling a trailer. nojoke
 
SpyderGirl said:
THINK AGAIN!

I would NEVER EVER do this, but California has a law that specifically prohibits all three-wheelers (yes this would include the MP3) from lane sharing.

http://dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/d11/vc21714.htm

There is also something in there about the use of HOV lanes though I am unclear on it and think it is total and complete BS.
Click to expand...

According to this section we're not even allowed to go stagger formation. I don't think so.
 
Why would you try. If you are in a big hurry, leave earlier next time. I almost took out a bike last year in Cali when he shot between me and another car and almost got my truck mirror. Sorry, but its not a safe practice. IMHO.............

Sent from my Xoom using Tapatalk
 
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