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SENATE DOCKET, NO. 2203 FILED ON: 1/20/2023
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 2238
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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PRESENTED BY:
Barry R. Finegold, (BY REQUEST)
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To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:
The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:
An Act allowing, in specific situations, motorcyclists' use of a breakdown or access lane or
splitting travel lanes.
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PETITION OF:
NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :Paul W. Cote 1 of 2
SENATE DOCKET, NO. 2203 FILED ON: 1/20/2023
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 2238
By Mr. Finegold (by request), a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2238) of Paul W.
Cote for legislation to allow in specific situations, motorcyclists use of a breakdown or access
lane, or splitting travel lanes. Transportation.
[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE SENATE, NO. 2315 OF 2021-2022.]
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Third General Court
(2023-2024)
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An Act allowing, in specific situations, motorcyclists' use of a breakdown or access lane or
splitting travel lanes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority
of the same, as follows:
1 SECTION 1. Section 4A of chapter 89 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2022
2Official Edition, is hereby amended by inserting after the first paragraph the following
3paragraph:-
4 When two or more designed lanes of travel in the same direction are traveling at speeds
5of ten (10) miles per hour or less, an operator of a motorcycle may use and travel in the right
6breakdown lane or left access lane or split the lanes, at a speed no greater than twenty-five (25)
7miles per hour, and shall yield to disabled or emergency vehicles already occupying such lanes.
8 SECTION 2. Section 4B of chapter 89 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby
9amended by inserting after the first paragraph the following paragraph:- 2 of 2
10 When two or more designed lanes of travel in the same direction are traveling at speeds
11of ten (10) miles per hour or less, an operator of a motorcycle may use and travel in the right
12breakdown lane or left access lane or split the lanes, at a speed no greater than twenty-five (25)
13miles per hour, and shall yield to disabled and/or emergency vehicles already occupying such
14lanes.
15 SECTION 3. This act shall take effect upon its passage.