I am a motorcycle rider. I avoid riding on the freeway and always take side roads when possible. When I do have to use the freeway, I always use the HOV lane, where I am forced to ride with the flow of the traffic. If I didn’t, I would surely be run down. Unfortunately, all traffic, not just 80 percent, travels well over the speed limit.
HOV lanes provide a safe haven for motorcycles. Why? In the far left lane you are much more visible to other vehicles. If you travel in the far right lane on a bike, you face merging drivers constantly (from your right and left). If you travel in the middle lane, you are pretty well invisible and again risk being hit by people passing on the right, who may not see you as they pull into your lane. If you travel in the fast lane and don’t wish to travel the 10 to 15 miles an hour over the speed limit that fast-lane drivers travel at, you face drivers tailgating and passing on the right. And by the way, as a motorcyclist, you always face tailgaters. (I guess most people have never driven over a motorcycle before and don’t realize how ugly that can be).
Motorcycle commuters definitely use less fuel than SUVs. The wear and tear created by motorcycle tires on the roads is a fraction of what is caused by even compact cars. As a motorcycle rider, one has to be a very defensive driver – we take our lives in our hands every time we share the road with cars and trucks. I’m not certain why anyone would have an issue with motorcycles using the HOV lane – I sure appreciate being able to use it when I have to.
Karen Knapp
Snohomish
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