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Motorcycles in HOV Lanes

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go cytocis

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May 28, 2012
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I've actually been waiting for my chance to take a ticket for riding motorcycles in the HOV lane to court for as long as we've had 'diamond' lanes in this town.

The cop who pulled me over informed me that the diamond designates the lane as "bus only", & handed me a ticket. I disagree with his assessment.

I'm in Canada without any overarching Federal regulation permitting motorcycles in HOV lanes, like in the US. Both Provincial & Municipal regulations here are pretty vague, or outright silent, on HOV lanes & diamond signage as relating to motorcycles. The cop even admitted that there are plans to eliminate the lane because "no one seems to know how to use it".

My defense will rely on the logic that:
1) Diamonds are commonly understood in most jurisdictions to designate HOV lanes
2) Motorcycles are commonly understood to be HOVs
3) The local legislation & signage is vague (is certainly does not explicitly forbid motorcycles in HOV lanes)
4) Therefore, it's unreasonable to expect motorcyclists to understand that they are not permitted in HOV lanes.

Any thoughts or advice?
 
most places I have been only require 2 or more passengers to be considered a HOV. Did you have a passenger with you? if not, what logic are you using that your vehicle is "High Occupancy" ?
 
Motorcycles are allowed in the HOV lane in Pittsburgh but it is a separate statement and they are not allowed in the Diamond Bus lanes in downtown. Only on the highway coming in and out of the city. They are not naturally included in the HOV list but there has been a specific statement allowing it for the purpose of being eco friendly.
 
what logic are you using that your vehicle is "High Occupancy"
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the spirit & intent of HOV lanes is to promote vehicles that reduce traffic volumes, congestion & emissions; motorcycles clearly do all these things, and they are recognized as legitimate HOVs in many jurisdictions including all US states...
 
Appreciate and understand your logic, however bear in mind that the Gov't of Ontario does not run on logic.

The MTO rules state any vehicle listed carrying 2 persons or more, so a bike with a single rider is not allowed in an HOV lane in Ontario, doesn't matter what other jurisdictions allow.

If you get a ticket and fight it, you will lose.
 
@OldGeezer

I think go_cytocis is in BC where the rules might not be so clearly spelled out. The Gov't of Ontario is nuts. They're in it to make money, not serve the public.
 
Bikes are allowed in HOV lanes in New York. Along with hybrids with only the driver. They are "clean pass" vehicles. F That everyone and their mother bought a prius just so they can go in hov lane now.
 
Well, almost 6 months after I was ticketed for riding in the HOV lane, I finally had my day in court. I'm pleased to report that the charge against me was dropped, but I'm disappointed that it was due to 'no evidence' because the LEO who issued the ticket didn't show.

As a defendant & a motorcyclist, I feel somewhat vindicated, but I still would have preferred the opportunity to try out my defense. I believe I'll keep on riding in the HOV lane in hopes of being ticketed again!

On the other hand, as a taxpayer & citizen, I feel angry that we have police out there charging folks with 'offenses' that they're happy to accept fine payments for, but that they're not even prepared themselves to defend in court! It's also aggravating that they're willing to waste the court's time, & ultimately our tax dollars, on these kinds of tickets too!

If I factor my own time spent away from work & my family fighting this ticket (a $75 fine), I'd certainly have been better off just paying it, but it's satisfying to come away from traffic court once again with an unblemished record of fights won! :D
 
Arizona has the diamond for HOV lane designation and motorcycle are allowed to ride in it, also cagers can use the lane to pass slower vehicles driving next to that lane.
 
Yea, the only states in which motorcycles are not permitted in HOV lanes are those states willfully contravening US federal law which mandates that motorcycles be considered HOVs. I'm aware of cases in NY, AZ & PA of motorcyclists being ticketed only to have the courts dismiss them. It's time for Canada to get with the program!
 
good job sticking up for yourself, any thing is possible, if you try.
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I'm blown away every time I'm in traffic court by how many defendants (especially those who've been brought in on warrants) just roll over & plead guilty, without any kind of fight. It's like they've watched too many mafia movies & believe that there's some sort of pride in just shutting up & taking whatever the judge throws at you; bizarre!
 
Ok can someone answer this then. I live in Virginia and and HOV lanes have been changed to express lanes and require a ez pass but I do not know if this applies to motorcycles. Does anyone in northern Virginia know if motorcycles need to have a ezpass ... I checked the website but couldn't find a definitive answer. Lets know if any of you know for sure before I get ticketed for this offense
 
In Houston, those are toll lanes. Doesn't matter what you are in/on... you pay to use them.

Also, Motorcycles are allowed in HOV lanes... but the diamond lanes marked "buses only" downtown are still off limits. These aren't HOV.... they are metro bus lanes.
 

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