California is the only state in the union that presently allows motorcycle lane sharing. It looks like we might finally get some company from Arizona:

…the bill will legalize, for a one-year probationary period beginning January 1, 2011, lane-splitting in stopped traffic. It will only apply in counties with populations greater than 2 million (according to 2006 population estimates, this is just Maricopa county, with the Phoenix-Glendale-Scottsdale megalopolis).

This is great news for Arizona drivers. Lane sharing reduces traffic congestion, decreasing commute times for everyone. And less time on the roadway means less pollution and less money spent on gas. And if it encourages more people to take to the road on two wheels, all the better!

Now reckless driving is reckless driving, wether in a car or on a bike. But when done with care and caution, lane sharing is perfectly safe. Some argue it is even safer than sitting still on a freeway, waiting to be hit from behind by an inattentive driver.