Just curious to see if any of you out there have been observing any trends that might lead to new motorcycle legislation - for better or worse. I noticed that for 2024 Nebraska surprisingly repealed their motorcycle helmet law making it optional for wear. Definitely raised an eyebrow as they still criminalize lane splitting.
I try to stay on the optimistic side for lane filtering eventually passing here in Virginia but seeing how we are one of only two states where radar detectors are illegal, I think it’s fair to say we may just stay in stasis for a while. Anyone else optimistic or pessimistic on new moto laws for this year?
I have a bit of a theory on this. I think most people associate lane splitting/filtering with sport bikes. Makes sense because they’re narrowers than cruisers/touring bikes, so they can take advantage of this more than those riders. So it can be a negative association type thing where its catering to squids, and that’s not going to go over well in states where people have stronger feelings about protecting an Americana roots.
Purely conjecture on my part tho.
For me it isn’t that. It’s really a matter of when people choose to do it. If traffic isn’t moving or is moving very slowly, I get it. But if I’m moving along at 70mph and a bike comes up splitting my lane and the lane next to me going 75, 80, 90 or whatever that’s just dangerous. It assumes I won’t see something in my lane that needs to be avoided that would cause me to hug one line or the other. I don’t like it when another bike does it to me, and I don’t like it when a bike does it while I’m driving a car either. And it’s definitely not just sport bikes.