Yes they are legal in GA and there are even signs that show a person on a bike as OK. I don't agree that they are dangerous though. I find them safer than mingling in the four lanes of idiot Atlanta drivers.

I don't have to worry about being run over from the left and I have room in most places to manuever the bike. I watch everybody when I ride on our interstates especially in Georgia. I ride through some of the worst interstate areas in Atlanta on a daily basis to and from work which is 96 miles round trip. I travel south on I-85 through Gwinnett County (Yuck) to North I-75 down town Atlanta, it does get interesting and it definately ISN'T for the novice rider during rush hour.

 

Buy ya some beer and wings for dealing with that. Driven in the Atlanta beltway traffic. Wow!!

 

Yeah, it does suck at times!!![:'(][:'(]

 

EDIT, North Carolina has decided to make a motorcycle an exception, so they are permitted to use the HOV lane, no passenger requirement (other than a driver)

 

Most of the HOV lanes in Houston have a concrete wall dividing them from the main lanes. Too bad they go way past where I work. Would be great if they would make toll roads free for motorcycles.

Jim

 

Sure you can use the HOV lane on a motorcycle in UT, you can even use it as a single occupant in a cage if you pay the monthly fee.

 

They are legal nation wide. Here is the federal reference.

http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-...Cite:+23USC102

a) HOV Passenger Requirements.--
(1) In general.--A State transportation department shall
establish the occupancy requirements of vehicles operating in high
occupancy vehicle lanes; except that no fewer than 2 occupants per
vehicle may be required and, subject to section 163 of the Surface
Transportation Assistance Act of 1982, motorcycles and bicycles
shall not be considered single occupant vehicles.
(2) Exception for inherently low-emission vehicles.--
Notwithstanding paragraph (1), before September 30, 2003, a State
may permit a vehicle with fewer than 2 occupants to operate in high
occupancy vehicle lanes if the vehicle is certified as an Inherently
Low-Emission Vehicle pursuant to title 40, Code of Federal
Regulations, and is labeled in accordance with, section 88.312-93(c)
of such title. Such permission may be revoked by the State should
the State determine it necessary.
(b) Access of Motorcycles.--No State or political subdivision of a
State may enact or enforce a law that applies only to motorcycles and
the principal purpose of which is to restrict the access of motorcycles
to any highway or portion of a highway for which Federal-aid highway
funds have been utilized for planning, design, construction, or
maintenance. Nothing in this subsection shall affect the authority of a
State or political subdivision of a State to regulate motorcycles for
safety.

 

its not legal in Ontario, you have to be two up to use them

 

The newly completed 22fwy has a HOV lane but no double yellow lines so you can enter and exit as needed. I've seen this in other states as well and wish that all of our freeways would do this. Can be a pain in the a$$ riding in the HOV lane and getting in and out. Of course it's easy to "white Line" between the HOV and fast lane and then go either way as needed. Sure that'll get me a ticket if ponch or john is behind me!