Richmond beware

[FROG MAN]

Cruising through Richmond with friends beware.

 

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RICHMOND '08: It remains illegal to ride motorcycles side by side

By Alex Bahr

Capital News Service

 

 

RICHMOND – Virginia will remain one of only two states in the nation where it is illegal for motorcyclists to ride side by side in a lane.

House Bill 48 aimed to make it legal for motorcyclists to ride abreast in a single lane but was defeated in a 9-9 vote by the Transportation committee during a Tuesday committee meeting.

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The vote came as a disappointment to Jim Cannon, director of the Virginia Coalition of Motorcyclists.

 

“I was sitting there sick to my stomach,” Cannon said. “I don't know how with no data they can do that.”

 

Vermont is the only other state where riding two abreast in a lane is illegal. The penalty in Vermont is a traffic infraction. In Virginia, it is a misdemeanor carrying harsh penalties.

 

“I believe it’s a bit draconian to make it a penalty with an up to $2,500 fine and up to 12 months in jail for something that is legal in 48 other states,” Cannon said. “It defies logic to me.”

 

Delegate Edward T. Scott, R-Culpeper, voted in favor of the bill.

 

“I supported that measure last year and then again this year,” Scott said. “I think it’s reasonable, and the fact that there are 48 other states that allow it, it’s fair to allow Virginia motorcyclists to do the same thing.”

 

Del. Joe T. May, R-Leesburg, a motorcyclist himself, supported the bill in Tuesday's meeting.

 

“I really don't see any problem, although I don't usually choose to ride two abreast,” May said. “But in terms of the bill, it appears to me, based off my own personal experience, to be a safe and reasonable thing to do.”

 

Those who opposed the bill cited safety concerns and unclear language as reasons for voting against the measure.

 

“If a wreck were to occur, and two drivers were in the same lane, whose fault would it be?” said Delegate G. Glenn Oder, R-Newport News. “It’s the unanswered questions in the bill that create problems for the courts, for the insurance industry and for the safety of our drivers … We've had over a thousand deaths occur on the highways of Virginia this year, and I think this bill makes our highways even more unsafe.”

 

Delegate Charles W. “Bill” Carrico, R-Independence, did not support the bill, citing a lack of evidence.

 

“I've seen this bill several times, and it’s been brought up as an issue that … riding two abreast in a single lane is safer and gives them a wider view of the lane,” Carrico said. “But that’s the only thing they have ever said, and they have never shown any real evidence that it’s safer, and they've really never shown any evidence that it’s a better view.”

 

Carrico takes issue with the theory that riding two abreast in a lane offers riders a wider field of vision than when riding behind another motorcycle.

 

“If it obscures their vision so much to ride behind a motorcycle, how can they ride behind a car?” Carrico said.

 

Some opponents of the legislation argue that since Virginia police often ride side by side when escorting processions and motorcades, motorcyclists also should be permitted to ride two abreast.

 

“They're not constantly riding side by side all the time. It’s just a short period of time before they hit the next intersection,” Carrico said. “And they're conscious of the fact that it’s dangerous, and they've had a whole lot more training than most people that get on the highway with a motorcycle.”

[Skid]

“They're not constantly riding side by side all the time. It’s just a short period of time before they hit the next intersection,” Carrico said. “And they're conscious of the fact that it’s dangerous, and they've had a whole lot more training than most people that get on the highway with a motorcycle.”

 

20 miles on a $20K bike doesn't make you a biker.....

[Guest KitCarson]

Something is not right here......something is not being said or is being mis-said. To ride side by side is not a good idea, normally......but is also a safe and best tactic when riding in a group and you have to stop for a light or intersection. Best thing is to close up the group and sit two abreast at the light........then quickly move through the intersection and resume the staggered formation. . Maybe they are talking about what I seen two days ago.....a large Harley group about 40 bikes, riding down highway 378 into Lexington......this is a 4 lane highway......instead of using one lane.....they had taken up both lanes.....no helmets.......extremely loud pipes....

 

And maybe off the subject a little but recently when at the Honda Dealer sitting in the showroom and killing time when purchasing my new bike lying on the table was a motorcycle magazine put out by our local ABATE......same attitude....not a single helmet in the whole book......and it in its way actually was promoting tavern runs.......I have never liked the Harley attitude......now some of you who have Harleys, do not get your feelings hurt....you know what I am talking about, and you would not be on this forum if you were one of the ones I am discussing. So possibly the news reporter is mistaken......really cannot see any LEO objecting to closing the file at an intersection. Just my 10 cents!!! Kit

[oldandcrotchety]

“They're not constantly riding side by side all the time. It’s just a short period of time before they hit the next intersection,” Carrico said. “And they're conscious of the fact that it’s dangerous, and they've had a whole lot more training than most people that get on the highway with a motorcycle.”

 

 

translation: "They're cops, they don't have to obey the law!"

[Thistledown]

I don't think the law prohibits 2 abreast at the stop light, I think that is encourages to decrease congestion, I think there talking about riding down the road side by side and on the super highways this may be safe but Va has a lot of 10 foot wide lanes with no shoulders. You bike is nearly 4 ft wide. do the math then swerve for a dead something is the road. i would want to know the guy real well before he ride beside me!

[Bigfoot]

I don't think the law prohibits 2 abreast at the stop light, I think that is encourages to decrease congestion, I think there talking about riding down the road side by side and on the super highways this may be safe but Va has a lot of 10 foot wide lanes with no shoulders. You bike is nearly 4 ft wide. do the math then swerve for a dead something is the road. i would want to know the guy real well before he ride beside me!

 

 

You are correct regarding two abreast at a stop light. The law deals with two abreast while riding/moving. I've rarely ever seen this enforced and the biggest penalty I think that was given out was $100. But still it's a reckless driving charge which of course requires an appearance. I've never enforced it and I also never ride side by side with anyone. I want the extra space to myself in the event of an emergency. Why this such a big deal escapes me although I can understand the disbelief ever the penalty. I personally would like to see it taken out of reckless driving and made to be just a traffic violation.

[Bigfoot]

“They're not constantly riding side by side all the time. It’s just a short period of time before they hit the next intersection,” Carrico said. “And they're conscious of the fact that it’s dangerous, and they've had a whole lot more training than most people that get on the highway with a motorcycle.”

 

 

translation: "They're cops, they don't have to obey the law!"

 

You should probably know the state laws that may allow for exceptions for police regarding some traffic laws before bad mouthing them. Just saying.

[1BigDog]

I personally never felt comfortable riding 2 abreast. I prefer the staggered riding position with the lead bike in the left of the lane. However, I dont think it should be illegal to ride 2 abreast either.

 

Maybe when riding through Virginia as a group, we should all spread out and occupy all lanes to really make it safe!!

[Sleeperhawks Mechanic]

I personally never felt comfortable riding 2 abreast. I prefer the staggered riding position with the lead bike in the left of the lane. However, I dont think it should be illegal to ride 2 abreast either.

 

Maybe when riding through Virginia as a group, we should all spread out and occupy all lanes to really make it safe!!

 

Soooo, when are we going to Virginia?!!!!:dancefool:

[muffinman]

Lets go now I am only 35 min from Va and 1.5 hours from Richmond.

So when you gonna be here?????

Lets get a move on I am sure Felicia would not mind seeing us again.

Jeff

[Sleeperhawks Mechanic]

Since Pony is still waiting parts, it can't be today. Kit and Dave just left here for a ride.

 

 

Sleeperhawk keeps saying he needs a second bike for occasions like this!

 

And I keep telling him to get the bike he wants - too many choices, I think!

 

That would be fun to surprise Felicia, wouldn't it?!!!!

[oldandcrotchety]

"You should probably know the state laws that may allow for exceptions for police regarding some traffic laws before bad mouthing them. Just saying."

 

Wasn't bad mouthing the cops at all, actually. I was saying that this is what it sounds like the politician was saying in a round-a-bout way.

[nkbjones]

We have some truly stupid politicians in the General Assemly here in VA.

 

We can't get them to change the law to allow motorcycles to proceed through red lights after sitting at them for hours on end. ( Not that this is always a good idea, but sometimes is necessary)