CHP 'lane splitting' guidelines taken down

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- California Highway Patrol's safety guidelines for motorcycles driving between lanes in slow traffic, a practice also known as lane splitting, have been taken down, causing dismay among some bikers.

California is the only state where lane splitting is legal.

The guidelines were created last year and were posted on the CHP website, put out in public service announcements on TV and radio and placed in brochures at the DMV.

Guidelines suggested bikers travel no more than 10 mph faster than other traffic, not to split lanes when traffic is moving faster than 30 mph and to split in the number 1 and 2 lanes.

"They went away because it raised a lot of concerns for the public... Are these guidelines now a law or are they regulations the CHP is going to be actively enforcing?" CHP officer Kevin Tao said.

The decision has revved up anger from bikers.

The American Motorcycle Association posted an online petition asking to bring back the guidelines.

At Honda of Glendale, co-owner Brian Strong said safety education is important.

"There are people who are going to do things the wrong way. We need to supply them with the material so they can stay safe," Strong said.

The CHP said there were no current plans to bring the guidelines back.