<P> After discussing the pros and cons at great length, motorcycle safety guru David L. Hough ultimately argues that a rider, given the choice to legally lane split, is probably safer doing so, than to remain stationary in a traffic jam . However, Hough has not gone on record as favoring changing the law in jurisdictions where it is not permitted, in contrast to his public education and legislative efforts in favor of rider training courses and helmet use . A literature review of lane - sharing by the Oregon Department of Transportation notes "a potential safety benefit is increased visibility for the motorcyclist . Splitting lanes allows the motorcyclist to see what the traffic is doing ahead and be able to proactively maneuver ." However, the review was limited and "Benefits were often cited in motorcyclist advocacy publications and enthusiast articles ." </P> <P> Lane splitting is controversial in the United States, and is sometimes an issue in other countries . People debate whether or not it is legal, whether or not it should be legal, and whether or not it should be practiced regardless of legality . </P> <P> In the United States, bills to legalize lane splitting have been introduced in state legislatures around the US over the last twenty years but none had been enacted until California's legislature passed such a bill in August, 2016 . </P> <P> A frequently asked question by motorcyclists is "Is lane splitting legal?" In Australia, a furor erupted when the transport authorities decided to consolidate and clarify the disparate set of laws that collectively made lane splitting illegal . Because of the very opacity of the laws they were attempting to clarify, many Australians had actually believed that lane splitting was legal, and they had been practicing it as long as they had been riding . They interpreted the action as a move to change the law to make lane splitting illegal . Because of the volume of public comment opposed to this, the authorities decided to take no further action and so the situation remained as it was until 1 July 2014 when New South Wales made lane filtering and lane splitting legal under strict conditions . On 1 February 2015, similar relaxations were introduced in Queensland . </P>

When did lane splitting become legal in california