This week’s question comes from James in the Sunset who asks: “My girlfriend has a Vespa and we want to go riding together. I have seen these “Scoot” vehicles riding all over town. I looked online and have some questions about renting one of these things that I thought I would ask you as I don’t want to get into any trouble riding. I don’t have a motorcycle license and don’t have motorcycle insurance. I have zero experience riding a motorcycle or scooter. I also weigh 265 lbs. What happens if I rent one of these things and get into an accident or if it gets knocked over by someone? What are my rights/responsibilities?”
Santa Rosa Traffic Collision Claims Life Of Motorcyclist Alfred Lemay Jr.
Motorcycle Law News: Lane Splitting By Motorcyclists Now Legal In California
This week’s question comes from Valentino in Sausalito, who asks, “I recently read that Gov. Brown signed a bill legalizing the practice of lane-splitting for motorcyclists. Hasn’t this always been legal?”
Yes and no. Lane-splitting refers to the practice in which a motorcyclist passes other vehicles by riding between them along the lane line. Typically, this maneuver is undertaken so that motorcycles can overtake slow-moving or stopped vehicles, but the maneuver is also frequently performed when traffic is moving at higher rates of speed.
Motorcyclist converge on City Hall, demand parking changes
On the street and not enforcing the law that prohibits “responsible” motorcycle parking on sidewalks.
“And most of all” the Bill of Rights concludes, “we have the right to keep smiling, to keep the rubber side down, and keep on step ahead of the congestion that we help ease” writing when it comes to motorcycles parked on sidewalks, as long as pedestrian access isn’t blocked.
Hog Heaven: Profile of Leading San Francisco Motorcycle Accident Attorney Chris Dolan

California Lawyer
November 1, 1999San Francisco lawyer Christopher Dolan thinks he is a better advocate for his clients because he is a biker. “It makes me different than another personal injury lawyer,” says Dolan, who owns two BMW bikes and a Honda. “I understand through experience the dynamics of a motorcycle accident or a product defect.”