What is Lane Splitting?
Lane splitting is a method of motorcycling that involves driving a motorcycle in the lane or lanes of traffic between vehicles that have stopped, are slowed down or are traveling below the speed limit. You might also see lane splitting referred to as "white-lining" or "stripe-riding" in informal contexts.
Lane splitting is often defined legally on a state-by-state basis, with some states explicitly authorizing the practice and others prohibiting it explicitly or through ambiguous laws. For example , California law explicitly states that lane splitting is legal and even encourages it among motorcyclists. Lane splitting remains illegal in Kansas.
Lane filtering, on the other hand, is an action where the motorcyclist drives the motorcycle to the front of stopped or slow-moving traffic, allowing the rider to pass several vehicles. Lane filtering is also prohibited in most states, including Kansas.
Kansas Laws about Lane Splitting
Kansas does not currently allow lane splitting. In fact, Kansas has no state law regarding it either way. Instead, the state defaults to Kansas’ turnment statute, which allows riders to pass cars on the right side of the lane if it is "safe to do so".
At least one express lane splitting bill was introduced in the Kansas Legislature in 2011, but it died in committee. The title of the proposed bill expressed concern for motorcyclists’ safety and the increased risk of being rear-ended while waiting in line at a stop light. The bill’s text would have allowed lane splitting "only with full awareness of surrounding traffic and reasonable caution".
Even though they fail to pass, legislative attempts are starting to make a splash in the Kansas statehouse. Former Gov. Sam Brownback, former Democratic state representative and current Congressman Steve Watkins, and Senator Oletha Faust Goynes all came out in direct support of the lane splitting bill during legislative debates. In addition, Rep. John Barth both tried to pass an anti-lane splitting bill as well as a pro-lane splitting bill unsuccessfully.
Kansas has long been known for its relatively open lanes for motorcycles. Almost twice as many registered motorcycles are on the road than the national average. However, motorcycle fatalities are also slightly higher than the national average. Kansas’ neighboring states, Oklahoma and Missouri, do have laws related to lane splitting.
Oklahoma limits lane splitting when cars are within 10 mph of the speed limit. Missouri has no such limitation. The Kansas Legislature is currently on hiatus until the end of April 2023, when the 2023-2024 session convenes.
Lane Splitting Compared to Other States
In contrast to Kansas, most states do not have any lane splitting laws, and only a handful have passed laws making lane splitting legal, with California being the only state to make it legal in the past decade. As of 2021, California, Utah, Arizona, Hawaii, and Montana have all legalized lane splitting. Despite being the first to pass lane splitting laws, California remains the only state to have simultaneously enacted a series of policies addressing safety, riding safety training, traffic collisions, and a range of measures aimed at bettering motorcyclist safety. Kansas does not have any such laws or policies in place.
The reasons why some states decide to allow lane splitting while other states don’t is often based on factors related to their motorcycle industry or culture. New Hampshire is one of six states that have explicitly made lane splitting illegal. However, given the harsh climate for motorcyclists it’s unlikely any such law would be needed in the first place. This pattern is common in those states that experience harsh winter seasons where motorcycles are rarely used. Other states experience similar conditions. Vermont has banned lane splitting since 2015, quoting dangerous riding as one of the primary reasons for the ban on lane splitting. Minnesota has similar reasoning.
Of the three other states that share borders with Kansas, only Missouri has taken action to explicitly make lane splitting illegal, as well as prohibiting CMV driver from passing motorcyclists in the same lane. However, Missouri went even further than Kansas, as its statute outright prohibits motorcyclists from filtering; this rule goes against the common practice. It’s worth noting that Missouri has allowed lane splitting for police vehicles. Missouri, like Kansas, does not prohibit filtering, which both states allow as long as the motorcyclist is not passing between lanes or using the emergency lane.
Iowa is the only state bordering Kansas that has adopted lane splitting as law, dating all the way back to 1975. However, Iowa does not have any data collection or tracking regarding motorcycle crash statistics, so it’s unclear if any such law has contributed to safety in Iowa. In addition, it’s not clear if Iowa’s law is often upheld as a legal defense since no lawyers in the state have cited it.
Safety Issues and Statistics
Lane splitting, or adopting a position between two lanes of stopped or slow moving traffic is something that many experienced motorcyclists do on a daily basis. Lane splitting when done correctly can be a safe maneuver. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has stated that lane splitting is safer than staying in a travel lane because "it reduces the likelihood of being rear-ended by a vehicle in a travel lane."
According to an in depth 2015 study from the University of California Berkeley, 97% of most cyclists and 80% of motorcyclists lane splitting. The research team led by Dr. Thomas Rice, an expert in transportation with over 30 years of experience, collected, reviewed and analyzed numerous individual motorcycle accidents in California from 2008 to 2013. The data showed that without lane splitting, motorcyclists were 17 times more likely to be involved in a death causing motor vehicle crash. Bike lane advocates point to that as a clear benefit of lane splitting: "Lane splitting is remarkably less dangerous than driving in the right lane, which is what’s happening when motorcyclists drive normally."
Proponents also claim that rear end crashes are the second leading cause of motorcycle accident fatalities. This is more specifically referred to as a secondary or multiple collision motorcycle accident. "If you’re stuck in traffic and somebody hits you going 30 miles per hour it’s most likely you’re going to get killed, much less if you are jammed in with all this 30-40 miles per hour traffic. You’re not going to get hit-or the damage will be minimized," stated Dr. Rice.
So, with these respected statistics published, why is lane splitting in Kansas still illegal? Politicians in Kansas have expressed their apprehension regarding allowing lane splitting in the hope that the majority of citizens will support their decisions. However, absent a study done in Kansas like the one done in California, we may very well be deprived of the truth.
Public Perception of Lane Splitting in Kansas
Unlike most other states where lane splitting remains illegal, the same can’t be said for general public opinion on the matter. The resulting mixture of attitudes towards lane splitting in the general public is a subject we’ve touched upon before, and Kansas is certainly no exception to that trend. Local riders break down their own thoughts on the matter below: "I don’t even pretend to understand why it’s illegal. What difference does it make? Lanes will eventually move, and cars will eventually inch forward . Taking up space in another lane seems obvious." There’s also more positive local support for the practice, albeit in a different way: "In my experience, when coming to a full stop at a light, I’ll often see somebody pass me on a bike first, and they seem to appreciate it too." Although the idea of lane splitting will continue to face some opposition in government, many Kansans considering riding a motorcycle — and even some current motorcyclists — may come to appreciate the value of a few inches of extra space when it’s needed.
The Future of Lane Splitting in Kansas
Efforts are underway to change the legal landscape surrounding lane splitting in Kansas. While the current statutes do not address this practice, recent developments may signal a shift in the legal environment for motorcyclists. The Kansas Motorcyclist Safety Alliance (KMSA) has been at the forefront in lobbying for the legalization of lane splitting in the state. This organization, which promotes motorcycle safety across Kansas, is a strong proponent of the belief that lane splitting, in proper circumstances, enhances not only safety but also the overall flow of traffic.
In September 2019, KMSA representatives met with Lt. Governor Lynn Rogers and Secretary of Transportation Julie Lorenz to propose the legalizing of lane splitting for motorcycles in the state. In their proposal, they highlighted various studies and data supporting the safety benefits of lane splitting. They noted that it can help reduce the risk of rear-end collisions for motorcyclists who are often susceptible to such accidents when cars are stopped ahead of them. Furthermore, they pointed out that lane sharing can also aid in easing congestion by preventing additional cars on the highway as motorcyclists may no longer feel the need to drive on the shoulder.
Despite these efforts, as of October 2019, no bills have yet been introduced within the state legislature to formally define and regulate lane splitting. However, as more states consider whether to legalize this practice for motorcyclists, momentum is building and there is a reasonable expectation that similar efforts will be undertaken in Kansas in the near future. Should legislation be introduced, it is likely to spark a healthy debate over the benefits versus the risks of legalizing such a practice. By staying abreast of developments in this area, Kansas motorcyclists can better navigate the ever-evolving legal landscape surrounding motorcycle operation in the state.
How Kansas Motorcyclists Can Stay Safe
Even though lane splitting is not allowed in Kansas, there are several tips and best practice considerations motorcyclists can use to minimize the risks associated with commuting through traffic in a big city. Always make sure your motorcycle is in good condition, with a full tank of gas and air in the tires. You should also carry your driver’s license, registration, proof of insurance and a "tent" tool kit from the dealer with you. While it may be tempting to try to weave in and out of traffic between lanes to save time if rush hour traffic gets out of hand, you should resist the temptation . Do not share lanes with other vehicles. You have no idea how the other drivers may react, and you do not want to put yourself in a position where you may hit their blind spot. Some drivers may not even be looking for you, and others may take offense if they think you are cutting in front of them or generally being reckless on their road. Every Kansas motorist could use space from the next car in front of them, so give them the same consideration – for their safety and yours.
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