Friday, May 31, 2013 | 2 a.m.
View more of the Sun's opinion section
Another view?
View more of the Las Vegas Sun's opinion section:
• Editorials - the Sun's viewpoint.
• Columnists - local and syndicated writers.
• Letters to the editor - readers' views.
Have your own opinion? Write a letter to the editor.
Regarding Glenn Crabtree’s letter about motorcycle lane splitting:
I am a retired motor officer who has been riding motorcycles since 1961. I have split lanes from Day One, and I have never had an accident nor handled one while working as a motor officer. Los Angeles has approximately 250 motor officers; the California Highway Patrol has approximately 350, and I have never heard of any accidents involving these officers.
About 10 to 15 years ago, two California assemblywomen wrote legislation to stop lane splitting, which failed to pass. One of the major opponents to the bills was the CHP, which stated that on an accident percentage basis, lane splitting was insignificant. Lane splitting is one of the utilities of having a motorcycle. I have more than 1 million miles logged on motorcycles, and I have been down, but never because of lane splitting.
Crabtree says you have to wait for the motorcyclist to accelerate before you can leave at a light. Really? Most bikes will leave the cars in the dust at a light. He states they don’t leave in a straight line. Huh?
He must think motorcyclists should wait in line like everybody else. The majority of bikes are air-cooled, and you can’t sit in dead traffic because you will burn the motor up. I am very disappointed the Nevada Legislature didn’t have enough common sense to allow lane splitting to become legal.
Join the Discussion:
Check this out for a full explanation of our conversion to the LiveFyre commenting system and instructions on how to sign up for an account.
Full comments policy