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Quality of Life

California Lawmakers Approve Motorcyclists' Lane Splitting

California lawmakers are moving to condone the practice of lane-splitting, in which motorcyclists drive between two lanes of vehicles.

With the state Assembly's approval Thursday, it moves to Gov. Jerry Brown for consideration.

The longstanding practice is in a legal grey area in California, though law enforcement has permitted the practice. The California Highway Patrol published lane-splitting guidelines in 2013, but regulators later ruled the CHP had no authority to make public policy.

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AB51 by Assemblymen Bill Quirk, a Hayward Democrat, and Tom Lackey, a Palmdale Republican, would direct CHP to again set specific guidelines for the practice.

They removed from the bill a 50-mile-per-hour speed limit while weaving between lanes, despite objections from the American Motorcyclist Association.

It would legalize the practice only for people driving motorcycles.

A big decision awaits some voters this April as the race for San Diego County’s Supervisor District 1 seat heats up. Are you ready to vote? Check out the KPBS Voter Hub to learn about the candidates, the key issues the board is facing and how you can make your voice heard.