Is it illegal to ride a street legal motorcycle along the shoulder when the highway is backed up?

Question

i live in PA. we are allowed to share lanes, maximum 2 motorcycles.

Answer 1

yea, but good luck having a cop fight through all the stopped traffic to pull u over!!!!!!!

Answer 2

it's pretty rude too, if you are in that much of a hurry, pull right off and travel in the ditch, right off the road completely

probably not legal, but at least not rude to others, and like someone else said... if traffic is that backed up, it's not like you'll get pulled over anyways

Answer 3

I have seen a car get pulled for this. Obviously the same law probably applies to motorcycles, but I doubt if a cop would pull you for that. Can't say for sure though.

Answer 4

It's a no-no in all States.  The shoulder can only be used by emergency service and aid vehicles.

Good luck!

Answer 5

I agree, it is illegal to cross any solid yellow line, hence the reason the right side of the road is painted in a solid yellow line.

IF you are passing a MOTORCYCLE on the right, in his lane, this action is legal in some states, see the AMA webpages for the exact law wording.

Lane splitting, driving between two lanes of traffic going the same direction you are travelling, is legal in some states.  Again, this is under the state law section of the AMA website.

Answer 6

yes it is illegal but so is riding on the sidewalk Hmm I wonder why??

Answer 7

In most states, it is not. Neither is it safe.

Answer 8

Yes,  it is always illegal to ride down the shoulder. However in California and New York it is legal to "split traffic".  This is riding in between the cars and is pretty dangerous, and the law says that you can not be travailing more than 5 mph faster than the traffic you are splitting.

Answer 9

California allows bikers to "split lanes"...drive between lanes of traffic when it is backed up. This is the only state I know of that allows it. As far as shoulder driving...it is a big no-no everywhere. It is to remain clear for emergency vehicles.

Answer 10

Of course not.

Good Luck...

Answer 11

Unfortunately it is illegal to ride your bike on the shoulder. Which makes no sense by the way. A bike will not create a problem for the emergency vehicles as it can move out of the way easily. I do not see problem with lane splitting either, you just have to be extra careful. These things can make the bike usage more efficient. As far as being rude to the other drivers, I do not understand the logic. Just because they are stuck in traffic, I have to be too??. Get real.

Answer 12

Yes. It is illegal to drive any vehicle on the shoulder for the purpose of passing traffic.

Answer 13

depends on what state you live in...

some states have laws that allow for lane sharing, some states have laws banning lane sharing, and some states don't address it..

Answer 14

Yes.

Massachusetts is the only state I know of that allows shoulder use. Only because the highway backs up so much. Posted as allowed only during certain times in certain areas. Illegal at other times.

Answer 15

Yes, it is illegal to ride a motorcycle along the shoulder when traffic is backed up.  It's also just a plain bad idea.  The should is used for emergency purposes, it's often covered in debris from the road, and the shoulder may be soft or unstable.  I'd recommend just avoiding the highway.

Answer 16

Yes, thats not what the shoulder is for.

Answer 17

Yes, it is illegal to drive on the shoulder always, whether on a bike or in a car.