A copy of the lane sharing email sent to oregon legislature
Dear Mr. Clem,
I am writing you in support of Jett's proposal to legalize lane sharing in Oregon and in response to the email you sent him.
I fully support your recommendation for education of the public on motorcycling and the introduction of a new law. This education can come through several avenues like Driver's Education, DMV Driver's Pamphlet, community education, and pubic awareness through media outlets (television, advertisements, radio). Much like the recent introduction of the hands-free law in Oregon, a law such as lane sharing could be successfully introduced.
Part of that education would address the differences between lane sharing (moving through stopped traffic), lane filtering (moving through traffic below 20mph), and lane splitting (moving through traffic over 20mph). This would help quell your concerns about a motorcycle passing you in traffic. In fact, a motorcycle would not "fly" by you during stopped traffic. Like California, motorcyclists can pass through stopped or slowly moving traffic at a speed no more than 5-10mph over the speed of the traffic. It is your responsibility as a driver to be aware of your surroundings. In fact, this is something that you are tested on in order to obtain a driver's license, and graded on during the behind the wheel test. Just like a motorcyclist, drivers should be checking their mirrors, looking over their shoulders, and paying attention to traffic. A driver's negligence is not a valid reason to prevent reasonable legislation. Furthermore, if a driver needed to open a door, they should do as the DMV recommends and pull over to the side. A driver should never open doors or get out of their car while in traffic. If the driver is unable to pull over, they should look before they open their door. Again, this is the responsibility a driver assumes when they obtain a driver's license. Driving is a privilege, not a right. This privilege should be treated with care and responsibility.
Motorcyclists are trained to constantly have an escape route. The motorcyclist can be responsible for themselves, and have a route available to remove themselves from harm. Just like a stalled car, a stalled motorcycle could be in the way of traffic. However, a stalled motorcycle can easily be moved to a shoulder, whereas a car can not so easily be moved. In this way, a motorcycle having engine difficulties is hardly the problem that a car is with similar trouble.
If this legislation is legalized, motorcyclists would be obeying traffic laws put into place. Small cars are separate vehicles (four-wheeled) and will obey laws according to their vehicle type. Furthermore, bicyclists already share lanes and filter through traffic quite often.
It is important that car drivers stop thinking about lane sharing as "cheating" or "cutting in line". This is not an exemption. A motorcycle is a different type of vehicle, and they are already treated as such by the DMV, ODOT, and other drivers. There are numerous safety benefits to lane sharing. It is safer for the motorcyclist and better for traffic flow. A motorcycle can only avoid harm when moving. When stopped, the motorcyclist is at their most vulnerable point, subject to being rear-ended, overheating, or hit by other drivers. Most drivers do not give motorcyclists enough of a space cushion, but if the rider has the ability to control their space cushion (by lane sharing or filtering) they can better react to other drivers. The most conclusive study about lane sharing is the Hurt Report in 1981, which showed that lane sharing and filtering reduced crash frequency. Unfortunately, more recent studies have not been available. ODOT released a publication called Motorcycle Lane Sharing Literature Review exploring the existing studies and facts about lane sharing.
I fully believe that, given the chance, this legislation could pass. ODOT and Law Enforcement simply need to be educated about the matter, and shown that this practice is in fact more safe for motorcyclists. Please give motorcyclists this chance to educate and persuade people into a safer environment for everyone.
Thank you for your time and consideration,
[My name]
I am writing you in support of Jett's proposal to legalize lane sharing in Oregon and in response to the email you sent him.
I fully support your recommendation for education of the public on motorcycling and the introduction of a new law. This education can come through several avenues like Driver's Education, DMV Driver's Pamphlet, community education, and pubic awareness through media outlets (television, advertisements, radio). Much like the recent introduction of the hands-free law in Oregon, a law such as lane sharing could be successfully introduced.
Part of that education would address the differences between lane sharing (moving through stopped traffic), lane filtering (moving through traffic below 20mph), and lane splitting (moving through traffic over 20mph). This would help quell your concerns about a motorcycle passing you in traffic. In fact, a motorcycle would not "fly" by you during stopped traffic. Like California, motorcyclists can pass through stopped or slowly moving traffic at a speed no more than 5-10mph over the speed of the traffic. It is your responsibility as a driver to be aware of your surroundings. In fact, this is something that you are tested on in order to obtain a driver's license, and graded on during the behind the wheel test. Just like a motorcyclist, drivers should be checking their mirrors, looking over their shoulders, and paying attention to traffic. A driver's negligence is not a valid reason to prevent reasonable legislation. Furthermore, if a driver needed to open a door, they should do as the DMV recommends and pull over to the side. A driver should never open doors or get out of their car while in traffic. If the driver is unable to pull over, they should look before they open their door. Again, this is the responsibility a driver assumes when they obtain a driver's license. Driving is a privilege, not a right. This privilege should be treated with care and responsibility.
Motorcyclists are trained to constantly have an escape route. The motorcyclist can be responsible for themselves, and have a route available to remove themselves from harm. Just like a stalled car, a stalled motorcycle could be in the way of traffic. However, a stalled motorcycle can easily be moved to a shoulder, whereas a car can not so easily be moved. In this way, a motorcycle having engine difficulties is hardly the problem that a car is with similar trouble.
If this legislation is legalized, motorcyclists would be obeying traffic laws put into place. Small cars are separate vehicles (four-wheeled) and will obey laws according to their vehicle type. Furthermore, bicyclists already share lanes and filter through traffic quite often.
It is important that car drivers stop thinking about lane sharing as "cheating" or "cutting in line". This is not an exemption. A motorcycle is a different type of vehicle, and they are already treated as such by the DMV, ODOT, and other drivers. There are numerous safety benefits to lane sharing. It is safer for the motorcyclist and better for traffic flow. A motorcycle can only avoid harm when moving. When stopped, the motorcyclist is at their most vulnerable point, subject to being rear-ended, overheating, or hit by other drivers. Most drivers do not give motorcyclists enough of a space cushion, but if the rider has the ability to control their space cushion (by lane sharing or filtering) they can better react to other drivers. The most conclusive study about lane sharing is the Hurt Report in 1981, which showed that lane sharing and filtering reduced crash frequency. Unfortunately, more recent studies have not been available. ODOT released a publication called Motorcycle Lane Sharing Literature Review exploring the existing studies and facts about lane sharing.
I fully believe that, given the chance, this legislation could pass. ODOT and Law Enforcement simply need to be educated about the matter, and shown that this practice is in fact more safe for motorcyclists. Please give motorcyclists this chance to educate and persuade people into a safer environment for everyone.
Thank you for your time and consideration,
[My name]