As an international architect and builder, it’s important to understand how local laws, like Washington State’s lane splitting legislation, can affect the design and construction of our clients’ projects. Today, we’ll explore is lane splitting legal in washington state, what it means for motorcyclists and project coordinators, and why understanding these laws can make a world of difference for an architect or construction professional flying half a world away to complete a project.
So, Is Lane Splitting Legal in Washington State Right Now? Washington State has not featured any lane splitting laws since 2017. The state’s legislature introduced a bill to legalize the practice in 2023, but it died in committee.
Is that Good News for Local Freelancers and Foreign Project Managers? The effects of lane splitting vary based on what you plan to do for transportation in your project zone. Many motorcycling professionals prefer to ride to and around job and construction sites. Riding decently sized motorcycles or scooters to work instead of taking a car or SUV helps them avoid aggravating city traffic, saving valuable time and mileage on both the road and any active project contactors. Even when the majority of project preparation work takes place at the same location, subs and contractors from all over may need to converge on and off the site to complete projects. Being able to circumvent traffic by lane splitting can simplify these logistics. However, without the ability to travel through stalled traffic, motorcycles can become stuck-thereby marring some of these benefits-in such foreign countries as Australia, Germany, and Japan.
Personal and Public Safety for Flying Project Managers Some global project managers who operate in the field of architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) in countries where lane splitting is legal favor this practice to save time, decrease stress and reduce risks. Riding a motorcycle allows these household names to complete negotiations and visits in record time while exhibiting environmental and public safety in foreign lands. Their motorcycles allow them to stay calm in traffic with the knowledge that even a few minutes behind schedule will not dramatically impact schedules. Cruising down the highway in a full enclosure quickly becomes uncomfortable, with large vehicles passing on the left and right. Motorcycles also allow familiar personal freedoms in terms of travel, especially if the individual prefers a hydrogen fuel cell or alternative energy vehicle. With lane splitting or filtering permitted, the individual knows he or she can exit the situation with their own transportation. Regardless of where you work, the ability to keep going is vital. Accidents can happen at any moment, so the extra time can make a significant difference in how soon you can arrive on scene if a major incident occurs.
Hazards Keeping in mind that lane splitting can lead to low speed accidents, project managers must be aware of their local laws and those of target countries before traveling via motorcycle. Some jurisdictions only permit lane splitting at low speeds when traffic is at a crawl, with no exceptions for freeway conditions. Others may classify some highways as “freeways,” but others may only identify two-three lane roads, which can put an architect or engineer in a difficult spot. Understanding local traffic laws, including those that dictate how and when motorcycle riding is permitted, can mean the difference between a smooth trip and one riddled with obstacles. Wasting time, even on short distances, can delay critical meetings. Over the course of several days, this can compound and put a project well behind its projected end date. Furthermore, in some places, lane splitting is illegal except in emergencies. Even if the driver doesn’t get a ticket, removing the vehicle from the roadway and replacing it can be expensive.
In Closing Overall, understanding how local laws can affect project mobility makes it easier to design renovation and new build plans for international or domestic construction projects. Different countries have different rules about motorcycles, including when and where lane splitting is allowed. Be aware of these so you can anticipate potential holdups in the future.
For more information on motorcycle laws, you can visit Wikipedia.
