In Virginia Riding Two Motorcycles Side By Side Illegal

[Thorns]

From BikerNews.net -

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.

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."

Delegate 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."

[Geezer-Glide]

So, let me get this straight. I'm from New Jersey, and two of us from up here are traveling thru Va. side by side. We're now criminals? Misdemeanor statutes suggest criminal activity.

In MOST cases, you're only responsible for the traffic laws that govern you in your HOME state, since 99.9% of all traffic laws are the same state to state. I'd like to see them try to uphold this bullshit on out of staters.

[BigTed]

Aha your first real tatse of PC creeping in. Total meaningless twaddle of a tiny minority placing their will on the majority under the guise of "it's for your own good". Welcome to PC hell.

[duhast]

Originally Posted by BigTed

Aha your first real tatse of PC creeping in. Total meaningless twaddle of a tiny minority placing their will on the majority under the guise of "it's for your own good". Welcome to PC hell.

Hardly the first..... You ain't never been to The Peoples Republik of Kaliforny, have ya? Where do you think all this crap started?

[Thorns]

And, when in Virginia, you must turn off your radar detector, or it can/will be confiscated with penalty.

Thorns

[Geezer-Glide]

One more reason I pass thru Va. sloooooooooowly! Even "MasterBadge" doesn't work in Va. Pretty state, nice people, but don't want to be there long.

[RKotter]

Originally Posted by Thorns

And, when in Virginia, you must turn off your radar detector, or it can/will be confiscated with penalty.

Thorns

Several years ago, I got nailed with a radar-detector-detector. LEO wrote down the serial number of my RD then made me lock it in the trunk of my car. I believe the invoice for that service was about $50 back then.

Thank goodness for the radar-detector-detector-dectectors they have now...

[vafatboy]

[QUOTE=Geezer-Glide;259790]One more reason I pass thru Va. sloooooooooowly! Even "MasterBadge" doesn't work in Va. Pretty state, nice people, but don't want to be there long.[/QUOTE

I'm working in NJ and kinda feel the same....except for the pretty part.

[Scabbydoo]

[DragonKing07]

France confiscates and fines you for running radar detectors.

[BigTed]

Originally Posted by duhast

Hardly the first..... You ain't never been to The Peoples Republik of Kaliforny, have ya? Where do you think all this crap started?

1923 The Frankfurt School

http://www.politicallyincorrect.me.uk/

This explains it easier but is a bit scary as you will now see it coming. About a third down the page says where it all started and what the goals of it were.

[Berserker]

Doesn't really bother me.
Stay the fuc out of my lane. Mine.
Should have been here for the 100th. All the damn bikes riding side by side, was clogging up the freeways. 2 bikes side by side is kinda wide. That combined with bikes that can't get up to speed, like Apache.

[Leadbelly]

I enjoy riding sideXside, i.e capt. AMERICA. , but some rider's can't handle it, they freak out. LOL!

[Berserker]

I think two bikes side by side is just a little wide. During the 100th it was awful. Was slowing down traffic in the other lane.

Besides, I want all the room for me. Its not a matter of skill, but of safety. I am not going to decide my riding style, based on a movie from 1969.

[Leadbelly]

Originally Posted by Berserker

I think two bikes side by side is just a little wide. During the 100th it was awful. Was slowing down traffic in the other lane.

Besides, I want all the room for me. Its not a matter of skill, but of safety. I am not going to decide my riding style, based on a movie from 1969.

I like riding sideXside, ya want SAFE drive a cage. LOL!