73% of RTL 5minutes readers responded to this question with “yes”, a clear statement on the issue of motorcyclist rights. 1,800 people participated in the reader poll, and it quickly became apparent that the subject engendered some passionate responses.
1,370 people thus voted in favour of allowing motorcyclists to bypass congestion by riding between lanes. Only 463 people expressed concern over this practice and opted to vote against it. 2.6% of participants had a different opinion.
Here are some of the comments that people shared on the issue.
Apocalypse_now: “I’ve been a motorist for 30 years and have driven more than a million kilometres, car and motorcycle combined. When traffic is moving, motorcycles should not be allowed to drive in between lanes, it is too dangerous. However, when traffic is not moving at all, motorcycles should be allowed to do it, for the following reasons.
Number one, motorcyclists directly inhale exhaust fumes from the cars around them, helmets do not have any protection or filter. Number two, protective clothes tend to warm up a lot when standing still, a real sauna under the sun. While driving, the wind usually regulates oxygen and cools everything down. Number three, motorcycles are heavy and it costs riders a lot of energy to keep them upright when standing, which unnecessarily tires them out. Number four, some motorcyclists want to distance themselves from dangerous areas.”
danielalexandre: “I’m a motorcyclist and if limited to, let’s say 25 km/h, riding in between lanes should be fine. Of course motorcyclists have to be very attentive to the potential of a car switching lanes, and thank those who let us pass through, all should be fine ;)”
Rol: “This has long been a practice in Belgium without any problems.”
Emma: “I was involved in an accident with a motorcyclist driving in between lanes at very high speed. I tried changing lanes, but once I saw him the side mirror, it was too late to avoid a collision. Luckily, nobody was injured.”
GiLLL: “The problem is that motorcyclists riding in between lanes often ride at exorbitant speed. ... As a former motorcyclist myself, I clearly say no to this dangerous practice.”
MacElly: “Motorcycles should be prohibited altogether. They are an ecological aberration, they are dangerous, they don’t respect the road traffic act, and they very often break the law with their noise pollution.”
MR: “I am a motorcyclist myself, but do not really share the view of most of them. Instead of allowing us to go in between lanes, which would not decrease the risk of accidents, it would be better in my opinion to allow us to ride at the lower side of the motorway, with a speed limit adapted to the circumstances.
In towns and outside of rush hour, we should be allowed to use the bus lane. With those two measures, which would not disturb a single car driver, we no longer would see a need to drive in between lanes.”
LM1111: “Motorcyclists should be allowed to go in between lanes if they passed an agility test for the specific motorcycle that they are riding.”
In the Grand Duchy, the law clearly states that motorcyclists are not allowed to ride in between lanes. “Indeed, this practice is still prohibited in Luxembourg, as is the case in the majority of countries”, confirmed a source from the Ministry for Mobility and Public Works. The only exceptions are Belgium and a limited number of French departments.
The source further conveyed that the government considers launching a study on the issue, which means that the law might yet change at some point in the future.
What do you think about motorcyclists riding in between lanes? Should this practice be allowed in Luxembourg, or is it too dangerous? Let us know in the comments below!
