This has been posted on reddit as well... /r/motorcycles
I sent an email to the MTO (Ministry of Transportation - Ontario) asking why provincial HOV lanes do not allow motorcycles with only 1 person on them.
Currently, HOV lanes require two people per vehicle and it doesn't matter what vehicle it is.
Also asked why Ontario has not begun to implement lane filtering, specifically separating it from lane splitting.
This was the response.
"In response to your first question, the main objective of the Ontario highway HOV lane system is to help move more people in fewer vehicles through congested areas, and encourage transportation alternatives to driving alone. HOV lanes are an important part of the ministry’s strategy to manage congestion, reduce infrastructure costs and reduce the related environmental impacts of transportation.
HOV lanes on provincial highways are reserved for any passenger vehicle, including motorcycles, carrying at least two people. As currently HOV lanes are approaching capacity during peak hours, allowing motorcycles with a single-occupant an exception to use provincial HOV lanes could lead to a reduction in time savings for carpools and buses and, therefore, reduce the incentive to choose one of those alternatives. Transit vehicles and carpool vehicles remain a priority for the provincial HOV lanes.
Currently there are no plans to allow single-rider motorcycles to use HOV lanes; however, the ministry has initiated a comprehensive review of the HOV lane network program. We will evaluate performance and usage of HOV lanes, and examine HOV lane policy, including potential exemptions for special vehicles/groups of people, including motorcycles. Ministry staff will consider experience from other jurisdictions, as well as input from stakeholders.
In response to your second question regarding “lane splitting” (i.e. riding between two lanes of slower traffic), along with “lane filtering” (i.e. moving to the front at a traffic light), and “lane sharing” (i.e. two motorcycles travelling abreast in the same lane) are all illegal in Ontario. Please note that Section 154(1) of Ontario’s Highway Traffic Act (HTA) requires a vehicle to be driven entirely within a single lane and to move from the lane when this can be done safely.
The ministry believes there is insufficient safety research to support the introduction of any of these manoeuvres. In addition, we are concerned that any potential safety benefit may be offset by an increased risk of side collisions or inappropriate behaviours, such as street racing.
Manoeuvres that put motorcyclists in close proximity to other vehicles may pose unnecessary safety risks as drivers may not expect a vehicle to be in that space. A small movement, such as a vehicle starting to change lanes or a door opening, can cause a collision as there is no other place for the motorcyclist to move.
I do understand your concern about motorcycle safety, and can assure you that while Ontario roads are among the safest in North America, the ministry continues to look for opportunities to improve road safety for all users, including motorcycles, and as such appreciates your comments. MTO works with stakeholders and community safety organizations to promote better driving habits of all drivers through public education programs."
TLDR: Ontario believes that HOV lanes are at capacity so there is no need to add single-rider motorcycles to the list of accepted vehicles. MTO also groups splitting, filtering and sharing together and probably won't look at legalizing it due to 'increased risk of side collisions or inappropriate behaviours such as street racing
Is this something I should respond to? Escalate it with the UC Berkeley study about how lane filtering reduces injuries, accidents and congestion? Perhaps point out that more motorcycles commuting and using HOV lanes means less parking space occupied in the city?
Thoughts?
I sent an email to the MTO (Ministry of Transportation - Ontario) asking why provincial HOV lanes do not allow motorcycles with only 1 person on them.
Currently, HOV lanes require two people per vehicle and it doesn't matter what vehicle it is.
Also asked why Ontario has not begun to implement lane filtering, specifically separating it from lane splitting.
This was the response.
"In response to your first question, the main objective of the Ontario highway HOV lane system is to help move more people in fewer vehicles through congested areas, and encourage transportation alternatives to driving alone. HOV lanes are an important part of the ministry’s strategy to manage congestion, reduce infrastructure costs and reduce the related environmental impacts of transportation.
HOV lanes on provincial highways are reserved for any passenger vehicle, including motorcycles, carrying at least two people. As currently HOV lanes are approaching capacity during peak hours, allowing motorcycles with a single-occupant an exception to use provincial HOV lanes could lead to a reduction in time savings for carpools and buses and, therefore, reduce the incentive to choose one of those alternatives. Transit vehicles and carpool vehicles remain a priority for the provincial HOV lanes.
Currently there are no plans to allow single-rider motorcycles to use HOV lanes; however, the ministry has initiated a comprehensive review of the HOV lane network program. We will evaluate performance and usage of HOV lanes, and examine HOV lane policy, including potential exemptions for special vehicles/groups of people, including motorcycles. Ministry staff will consider experience from other jurisdictions, as well as input from stakeholders.
In response to your second question regarding “lane splitting” (i.e. riding between two lanes of slower traffic), along with “lane filtering” (i.e. moving to the front at a traffic light), and “lane sharing” (i.e. two motorcycles travelling abreast in the same lane) are all illegal in Ontario. Please note that Section 154(1) of Ontario’s Highway Traffic Act (HTA) requires a vehicle to be driven entirely within a single lane and to move from the lane when this can be done safely.
The ministry believes there is insufficient safety research to support the introduction of any of these manoeuvres. In addition, we are concerned that any potential safety benefit may be offset by an increased risk of side collisions or inappropriate behaviours, such as street racing.
Manoeuvres that put motorcyclists in close proximity to other vehicles may pose unnecessary safety risks as drivers may not expect a vehicle to be in that space. A small movement, such as a vehicle starting to change lanes or a door opening, can cause a collision as there is no other place for the motorcyclist to move.
I do understand your concern about motorcycle safety, and can assure you that while Ontario roads are among the safest in North America, the ministry continues to look for opportunities to improve road safety for all users, including motorcycles, and as such appreciates your comments. MTO works with stakeholders and community safety organizations to promote better driving habits of all drivers through public education programs."
TLDR: Ontario believes that HOV lanes are at capacity so there is no need to add single-rider motorcycles to the list of accepted vehicles. MTO also groups splitting, filtering and sharing together and probably won't look at legalizing it due to 'increased risk of side collisions or inappropriate behaviours such as street racing
Is this something I should respond to? Escalate it with the UC Berkeley study about how lane filtering reduces injuries, accidents and congestion? Perhaps point out that more motorcycles commuting and using HOV lanes means less parking space occupied in the city?
Thoughts?
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