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Lanesplitting/Sharing in Oregon - Bay Area to represent

Dan,

Any data you have on overall freeway/highway deaths that are not lane sharing oriented? Comparing the numbers might help me sort out this in my mind. :teeth
 
Yes and no. I get frustrated because it often feels like people in other states just start listing reasons to say no, without looking at the data: the LEO rep was definitely doing this, and it wasn't a surprise. Those mindsets will have to be worked on over time.

But if you look at splitting fatalities, many involve trucks. It's not the fault of splitting, but splitting next to trucks, of course. The trucking rep also mentioned their blind spots and concerns that they'll move over on bikes without even knowing they're there. So there are legitimate concerns mixed with preconceived notions.

Good point.

Just seems silly that this is tied to lane splitting. If a rider is lane splitting, that would mean there is another vehicle in the lane next to the truck. If a trucker switches lanes into the rider, they'd be doing the same to the other vehicle. Cars are certainly more visible than motorcycles.

The problem they're talking about currently exists without lane splitting. When a rider is riding in an empty lane, in the blindspot of a truck, they're probably more likely to get hit/not be seen, than when splitting.

Edit: I'm also not trying to downplay the dangers of splitting next to a truck. But I think that is rider/driver awareness. Not a knock on splitting.
 
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Dan,

Any data you have on overall freeway/highway deaths that are not lane sharing oriented? Comparing the numbers might help me sort out this in my mind. :teeth
In 2016, there were 200 fatal motorcycle crashes on California freeways, including 14 lane-splitting deaths. I rarely see non-freeway lane-splitting fatality news stories because CHP is the only agency that consistently releases that kind of detail.
 
Keep in mind that Oregon allows trucks to pull 3 trailers. That would significantly increase the danger of splitting by a truck.
 
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