Motorcycles

Information related to motorcycles.

Q&A - Rules About Scooters

motorcycleHi, I’ve scoured the net for laws for scooters and I can’t find very much.  I live in North Vancouver so there are a lot of hills.  My scooter drops down to as low as 20 with some hills so, of course, drivers don’t like this.  I move over to the right (bicycle lanes) but have been told that we are not allowed to use bicycle lanes.

Q&A - Motorcycle HOV Lane Use

motorcycleI'm kind of in a dilemma here. I understand how HOV lanes work and that motorcycles are exempt for the 2 person or more rule. My issue is with the ones in towns rather than the highways. Some of the lanes are marked only with a bicycle (which i get are for them only), but most are marked with a bicycle AND a diamond.

CASE LAW - Vance v Cartwright

BC Courts Coat of ArmsWilliam Vance was riding an unlicenced, uninsured off road motorcycle southbound on 198 Street in Langley, B.C. He was not wearing a helmet and was exceeding the speed limit. Cristine Cartwright was eastbound on 21 Avenue and had stopped at the stop sign before entering 198 Street intending to turn northbound. Vision was limited for drivers on 21 avenue looking northbound by roadside vegetation.

VIEWPOINT - Benefits of lane filtering

motorcycleMy Definition of Lane filtering:  When a motorcycle moves through traffic in between stationary vehicles.

Being a Driver in England I am very familiar with filtering through stopped traffic, as as Car driver I would allow space for motorcycles to pass. As a Motorcycle Driver I would drive very slowly between the vehicles (under 10kph) 

CASE LAW - R v Dickson

BC Courts Coat of ArmsThis Supreme Court case from 2003 is useful to illustrate two topics: lane splitting by motorcyclists is illegal in BC and traffic court justices may prohibit drivers based on a bad driving record and have the prohibition upheld by the higher courts.

Q&A - Passengers on a Scooter

motorcycleQuestion: I was hoping to find out if it is legal to ride a Yamaha BWS50 50cc scooter and take a passenger. I assumed it was legal to ride with passenger but my neighbour thinks it is not legal. Any assistance you can share to resolve this would be much appreciated.

CASE LAW - R v Rei

BC Courts Coat of ArmsIs it a Motor Assisted Cycle (MAC) or a Limited Speed Motorcycle (LSM)? In the case of R v Rei it all comes down to whether there are pedals installed so that the driver may physically propel the device or not.