BILL NUMBER: AB 51	AMENDED
	BILL TEXT

	AMENDED IN SENATE  JUNE 1, 2016
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  MAY 22, 2015
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  FEBRUARY 11, 2015

INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Members Quirk and Lackey
   (Coauthor: Assembly Member Chu)

                        DECEMBER 1, 2014

   An act to add Section 21658.1 to the Vehicle Code, relating to
vehicles.



	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 51, as amended, Quirk. Vehicles: motorcycles: lane splitting.

   (1) Existing 
    Existing  law requires, whenever a roadway has been
divided into 2 or more clearly marked lanes for traffic in one
direction, that a vehicle be driven as nearly as practical entirely
within a single lane and not be moved from the lane until the
movement can be made with reasonable safety.  A violation of
the Vehicle Code is a crime.  
   This bill would authorize a motorcycle that has 2 wheels in
contact with the ground to be driven between rows of stopped or
moving vehicles in the same lane if the motorcycle is not driven at a
speed of more than 50 miles per hour and is driven no more than 15
miles per hour faster than the speed of traffic. The bill would
provide that these provisions do not authorize a motorcycle to be
driven in contravention of other laws relating to the safe operation
of a vehicle. By creating a new crime, this bill would impose a
state-mandated local program.  
   (2) The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse
local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the
state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that
reimbursement.  
   This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this
act for a specified reason.  
   This bill would define "lane splitting" as driving a motorcycle,
that has 2 wheels in contact with the ground, between rows of stopped
or moving vehicles in the same lane, as specified. The bill would
authorize the Department of the California Highway Patrol to develop
educational guidelines relating to lane splitting in a manner that
would ensure the safety of the motorcyclist, drivers, and passengers,
as specified. The bill would require the department, in developing
these guidelines, to consult with specified agencies and
organizations with an interest in road safety and motorcyclist
behavior. 
   Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes.
State-mandated local program:  yes   no  .


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

   SECTION 1.    Section 21658.1 is added to the 
 Vehicle Code   , to read:  
   21658.1.  (a) For the purposes of this section, "lane splitting"
means driving a motorcycle, as defined in Section 400, that has two
wheels in contact with the ground, between rows of stopped or moving
vehicles in the same lane, including on both divided and undivided
streets, roads, or highways.
   (b) The Department of the California Highway Patrol may develop
educational guidelines relating to lane splitting in a manner that
would ensure the safety of the motorcyclist and the drivers and
passengers of the surrounding vehicles.
   (c) In developing guidelines pursuant to this section, the
department shall consult with agencies and organizations with an
interest in road safety and motorcyclist behavior, including, but not
limited to, all of the following:
   (1) The Department of Motor Vehicles.
   (2) The Department of Transportation.
   (3) The Office of Traffic Safety.
   (4) A motorcycle organization focused on motorcyclist safety.
 
  SECTION 1.    Section 21658.1 is added to the
Vehicle Code, to read:
   21658.1.  (a) A motorcycle, as defined in Section 400, that has
two wheels in contact with the ground may be driven between rows of
stopped or moving vehicles in the same lane, including both divided
and undivided streets, roads, or highways, if both of the following
conditions are present:
   (1) The motorcycle is not driven at a speed of more than 50 miles
per hour.
   (2) The motorcycle is not driven more than 15 miles per hour
faster than the speed of traffic moving in the same direction.
   (b) This section does not authorize a motorcycle to be driven in
contravention of other laws relating to the safe operation of a
vehicle.  
  SEC. 2.    No reimbursement is required by this
act pursuant to Section 6 of Article XIII B of the California
Constitution because the only costs that may be incurred by a local
agency or school district will be incurred because this act creates a
new crime or infraction, eliminates a crime or infraction, or
changes the penalty for a crime or infraction, within the meaning of
Section 17556 of the Government Code, or changes the definition of a
crime within the meaning of Section 6 of Article XIII B of the
California Constitution.