One of the most frequently asked questions we hear from non-bikers is whether motorcyclists have to obey the same speed limit as cars. The answer is yes. In every state and on every road, every driver must follow the posted speed limit. In other words, motorcycle speed limit laws are the same as they are for trucks, cars and other vehicles. All drivers and riders must not exceed a safe speed limit based on current roadway and traffic conditions.
So why do drivers have the perception that motorcycles are always speeding or going much faster than the cars around them? There are a few possible reasons.
Motorcycle Speed Limit Laws: The Same as for Drivers
First, it’s possible that motorcycles can appear to be going faster, when really they are just accelerating faster. Because they are lightweight, motorcycles can accelerate exceptionally faster than other vehicles. There are no laws prohibiting the rate of acceleration for drivers. Yet, if you accelerate to the speed limit 10x faster than the vehicles around you, that can be unsafe. And it will make you stick out to a police officer.
Second, it’s possible that a motorcyclist may need to speed up for safety reasons. An unexpected bump or pothole in the road may be a minor inconvenience to car drivers, but it can be a serious hazard for bikers. In order to avoid dangerous road conditions, it may be unavoidable for motorcycles to speed up quickly—giving the impression of speeding.
Lastly (and relatedly), other vehicles on the road present a big threat to motorcyclists. Cars have big blindspots and drivers aren’t always checking for motorcycles before changing lanes. So, it’s important for riders to proactively avoid collisions with cars, and to do this, they may need to accelerate in order to get to a place where they are more visible.
Lane Splitting & Other Rules of the Road
Lane splitting may also give the impression that a biker is speeding, especially if he or she is passing cars. When it comes to lane splitting, the law varies from state to state:
- Legal: California
- Illegal: Alaska, Nevada, Arizona, Idaho, Wyoming, Colorado, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, Illinois, Louisiana, Michigan, Indiana, Tennessee, Alabama, Florida, Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia, South Carolina, Georgia
- Not Specified: Montana, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Arkansas, Mississippi, Ohio, West Virginia, Kentucky, Delaware, North Carolina
- Other/Unknown: Washington, Oregon, Utah, Connecticut, Maryland, Washington D.C., Hawaii
Speak with a Motorcycle Accident Expert
Motorcycle accident attorney Brad Tabakin has dedicated his career to understanding the science of motorcycle accidents and defending the rights of bikers. He created the Bikers Have Rights group on Facebook to create a place where bikers could share their bikes, gear, rides and more. If you need an attorney with expertise in motorcycle laws, then don’t hesitate to contact Brad Tabakin.