We’ve been following the progress of Nevada’s lane splitting bill, AB236, very closely. Despite passing with the Nevada Assembly with overwhelming support, the bill was amended in the Senate Transportation Committee to allow lane splitting only in stopped traffic, at no more than 10 MPH. Today, the bill was voted on by the full Senate and lost by a landslide, 16 to 5.
This is extremely disappointing in many ways. We’d heard from one of our sources that the bill was amended to ensure it would make it through, but that didn’t happen. Early on, the support for AB236 looked like this could potentially be a template for other states to follow. Unfortunately, California continues to stand alone in the US, as the only state to allow lane splitting. Of course, lane splitting / filtering / lane sharing is legal, accepted and expected in much of the rest of the world where motorcycles are much more common as daily transportation.
The amended bill would have allowed splitting in such limited form it’s almost unbelievable that it didn’t pass:
Sec. 3. NRS 486.351 is hereby amended to read as follows:
486.351 1. Except as otherwise provided in this section, a person:
(a) Between moving or stationary vehicles occupying adjacent traffic lanes.
(b) Abreast of or overtake or pass another vehicle within the same traffic lane.
2. The provisions of subsection 1 do not apply to a police officer in the performance of his or her duty.
3. A person may drive a motorcycle between stationary vehicles occupying adjacent traffic lanes and traveling in the same direction as the motorcycle provided that:
(a) The person drives in a manner that is reasonable and proper, having due regard for the traffic, surface and width of the highway, the weather and other highway conditions; and
(b) The motorcycle, while driving between such vehicles does not travel at a speed which is more than 10 miles per hour.
Here’s the video of the vote:
And here’s the full text of AB236 as defeated by the Senate today:
Click to access AB236_Amended-Lane-Splitting-Bill-Nevada.pdf
What’s new? Nevada Senate is archaic like usual. These people all need to get voted out.
Incredible that such a conservative amended bill couldn’t even pass.
I guess the strategies for upcoming states need to address fear and ignorance over safety and practicality.
This really shows the ignorance of our Senators regarding Lane Splitting, Sharing, and the lack of respect for the motorcycling public.
Until we get past the mind set of motorcyclist being some kind of wild bunch of outlaw bikers then we will continue to see this kind of response to such legislative efforts. When gasoline reaches 8-9 dollars per gallon here in the US then perhaps these same Senators will start to respect the motorcycle as a viable means of transportation. This has long been the case in Europe and around the world where motorcycles and motorcyclist garner great respect and admiration from the motoring public. I have had the opportunity to travel by motorcycle in Europe and it is nice to see such a respect of riders on the roadway.
Since our roadways are so wide here in the US it would be logical to allow such legal lane sharing, splitting to occur.
The European roads are extremely narrow and congested. As a result all motorists have learned to share every inch of space in an effort to ease the congestion as much as possible.
Not so, here in the US where the motorcyclist is still considered a 2nd class motorist.
Such a shame. Finally a sensible piece of legislation is proposed to aid the congestion problem in the state and make for a safer environment for all motorists and it’s so easily defeated. The stats show that if we could replace 25% of the cars on the road with motorcycles we could totally eliminate traffic congestion on the road ways.
I would hope that the legislation is re-introduced at the next Legislative session and our elected representatives are listening to what we the voters have to say?
Well…living in the district of Senator Woodhouse, I know who I will not be voting for again.
She has clearly shown that her vote is based on uninformed fear mongering rather than on studies, data and evidence. I don’t feel I can trust her vote on anything.
I previously emailed her office asking to support this, now I will compose an email explaining why she will no longer have my support.
This litany of comments really showcases the ignorance of motorcycle riders. They all think that riding motorcycles grants them extra rights. But just like badges, they don’t. Splitting lanes is illegal because it’s extremely dangerous. And not only is the act itself dangerous, but the message it sends and the slippery slope it provides for the majority of motorcyclers out there who are insane and have no idea what they are doing creates an environment ripe for carelessness and even more extremely dangerous and life threatening situations to arise. In states where lane splitting is legal, there are conditions stipulated under which it is legal, such as never over the speed limit for example. Every single day, I am passed by at least 1 motorcycler splitting the lane next to me by traveling at speeds in excess of the speed limit while traffic flow is already moving at well over the speed limit. Most motorcyclers are like defiant, spoiled little brats, and don’t split lanes to avoid traffic backups, the main reason for which lane splitting is allowed, but rather to experience the thrill of proximity riding and the threat of danger. And they negate the fact that they do so at the peril of other drivers with whom they have a responsibility under the law to SAFELY SHARE THE ROAD, which is the most important point. That is called RECKLESS ENDANGERMENT, which can range from a misdemeanor to a felony. Until motorcyclers are reigned in by more strict licensing requirements (i.e. safety education and certification) and fewer motorcyclers on the highway act like complete asses as a result, no more allowances should be given to them which might serve to encourage their bad driving behavior.
Bruh, do you even ride? You call motorcyclists ignorant yet you call them motorcyclers. You are funny. Your entire comment is based on bias personal opinion of negative encounters that you may or may not have had. Who knows, maybe you are just regurgitating someone else’s story. Yes, there are bad eggs in every community, yours included. Are car drivers all saints? No. There are some asshole car drivers too. That’s why we have road rages and accidents. Facts are facts. Lane-splitting is a safe practice the world over. To name a few benefits: for every motorcycle that lane split, YOU have one less car to wait behind. Less pollution. Smaller impact and damage to the roadway. Motorcyclists are not asking for extra rights as you claim, we are asking for equal rights. We are asking that the asshole car drivers get punished for cutting us off or running us over with their cars while on the phones because their conversations are much more important than our lives. When was the last time you saw a “motorcycler” texting while riding?
You’re lucky I referred to you as “motorcyclers;” I usually call you “motorized-bicyclers,” out of sheer disrespect.