As someone who just moved from NYC (now Charlotte, NC), I can only say wow! Kudos. I did want us to check out Portland too, but my wife seemed what I will honestly call prejudiced towards that area of the country, mostly weather I believe, which I researched and proved is largely BS. Yes, they get a lot of rain in the winter but look at weather tables for the rest of the year. Also moderate temps. Anyway, back on track- the rest of the country needs to wake up. I lane-split regularly in NYC though it was highly illegal. Charlotte is filled with people (who I can only speculate) who think that since they watch NASCAR that it makes them better drivers. Funny, because when I watch motorcycle racing it only makes me think how much I suck. But you know, driving a car versus riding a motorcycle is like comparing doing finger painting to a fine oil-painting.