Motorcycles; prohibits two to be operated abreast in single lane, civil penalty. (HB1870)

Introduced By

Del. Bill Janis (R-Glen Allen)

Progress

√
 Introduced
√
 Passed Committee
√
 Passed House
√
 Passed Senate
☐
 Signed by Governor
☐
 Became Law

Description

Motorcycle riding abreast. Allows two motorcycles to be operated abreast in a single lane. Amends § 46.2-857, of the Code of Virginia. View Full Text »

Outcome

Bill Has Failed

History

  • 01/12/2009 Committee
  • 01/12/2009 Prefiled and ordered printed; offered 01/14/09 093497568
  • 01/12/2009 Referred to Committee on Transportation
  • 01/29/2009 Reported from Transportation (11-Y 10-N) (see vote tally)
  • 01/30/2009 Read first time
  • 02/02/2009 Passed by for the day
  • 02/03/2009 Read second time
  • 02/03/2009 Passed by for the day
  • 02/04/2009 Read second time
  • 02/04/2009 Amendments by Delegate Carrico withdrawn
  • 02/04/2009 Amendments by Delegate Janis agreed to
  • 02/04/2009 Pending question ordered
  • 02/04/2009 Engrossed by House as amended HB1870E
  • 02/04/2009 Printed as engrossed 093497568-E
  • 02/05/2009 Read third time and passed House (72-Y 25-N)
  • 02/05/2009 VOTE: --- PASSAGE (72-Y 25-N) (see vote tally)
  • 02/06/2009 Constitutional reading dispensed
  • 02/06/2009 Referred to Committee on Transportation
  • 02/11/2009 Impact statement from DPB (HB1870E)
  • 02/19/2009 Reported from Transportation with amendments (13-Y 2-N) (see vote tally)
  • 02/23/2009 Constitutional reading dispensed (40-Y 0-N) (see vote tally)
  • 02/24/2009 Read third time
  • 02/24/2009 Reading of amendments waived
  • 02/24/2009 Committee amendments agreed to
  • 02/24/2009 Engrossed by Senate as amended
  • 02/24/2009 Passed Senate with amendments (20-Y 19-N) (see vote tally)
  • 02/24/2009 Reconsideration of Senate passage agreed to by Senate (39-Y 0-N) (see vote tally)
  • 02/24/2009 Passed by for the day
  • 02/25/2009 Read third time
  • 02/25/2009 Defeated by Senate (17-Y 22-N) (see vote tally)

Video

This bill was discussed on the floor of the General Assembly. Below is all of the video that we have of that discussion, 12 clips in all, totaling 18 minutes. Click the image of the video to play it.

Comments

Waldo Jaquith writes:

We learned in my state-approved motorcycle safety course that it's never safe to ride two abreast. What's the thinking behind this bill?

Posted 53 months ago.
Anton Largiader writes:

I think the wording is misguided. The way I read this, the cruiser crowd will be free to do the Easy Rider thing but it'll still be illegal (reckless driving!) to pull up alongside your riding buddy at a traffic light.

Specifically, the existing law distinguishes BEING alongside and TRAVELING alongside (but it bans both), and the amendment specifically addressed only traveling alongside another motorcycle. It's just not well-written.

Posted 53 months ago.
Jim Cannon writes:

The wording is fine, the current penalty is draconian. 48 states allow this type of operation and there is not one study or statistic to show a problem. the thought that I can pull alongside another motorcycle to alert them I need gas, or they have a problem with their MC is ridiculous. This law serves no purpose except to State Police.

Posted 52 months ago.