| Author | Message | ||
     Barker |
How and Why Motorcycle Lane Splitting is Safe and Good - RideApart Brilliant. Great discussion. Disagree? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JNGD9AAIfFU | ||
| 86129squids |
I've got an issue of Motorcycle Consumer News that goes so far in depth on this topic that it made me crosseyed... now I can't ride. Seriously- AFAIK the only state in the USA that allows it is CA, and I don't know when it officially (or not) began. Given the prevalence of "smart" phones being used by idiots in the other 49 states, I dunno. I guess if gridlock was the circumstance, I'd putt forward while the cages were locked up. I'm a Tennessee boy, will be until I die, hopefully I can avoid really needing to worry about it. Looking forward to the discussion. | ||
| Sifo |
I try not to ride where it makes sense to lane split. Interesting discussion though. I agree with much of it. I find the statistics on being rear ended interesting, but to be fair, that only tells part of the story. You also need to look at any accidents that happen when a car squeezes the lane splitter and causes an accident. I can't believe that NEVER happens. I will tell you this much. I've seen the reaction of motorists when it's done around here, and some of them get absolutely pissed. In a way, I can kind of understand why. I imagine that tends to change when it's not against the law though. If it were legal, I have little doubt I would take advantage of it. I don't think it would be a night/day difference where I'm at though. | ||
| Xl1200r |
To be fair, driver's get right out pissed about anyone getting ahead of them, like the drive to work is some kind of race. It's so absurd to see someone cram into someone's rear bumper in order to keep that guy from getting into the lane. It's just silly. I've ridden, and split lanes, in CA. It's a little nerve racking as a n00b at it when traffic is really slow - like stop and go slow. Faster than that, and it's cake. When traffic is at 60 and you're splitting at 70, it doesn't feel unsafe at all. True story. I don't recall a single driver attempting to squeeze us as we rode through, and I don't recall anyone trying to change lanes in front of us. It really doesn't change for the driver much - check your mirror and blind spot before you move over. If I was in the next lane coming up fast, you would wait - so why should it change because I'm 12 inches to the right? The filtering aspect was my favorite - that is, splitting to get to the front of the line at a light. Suddently traffic lights didn't suck so much, as you had a fresh start and no slow cars in front of you when it turns green. I'm all for it, even in New York where I am, but there would have to be a HUGE campaign to let drivers know that it's legal for bikes to do. I'd rather have some jerk off on a smart phone not paying attention in front me than behind. | ||
| Pwnzor |
Without watching the video (behind the firewall) I'll make a comment anyway: MY OPINION: If you split lanes and get hurt, it's YOUR fault. Fact: In California, it's actually in the vehicle code as "lane sharing" and the gist of it is this: ANY two vehicles may drive abreast within the confines of a single lane. Gray area: If you pass at an unsafe speed, you are in violation of more than one law. What speed is safe? Who knows? The officer at the roadside does. He knows anything and everything. Just try telling him he doesn't and see what happens. Officer Johnny Law has ULTIMATE discretion at the roadside. He can do ANYTHING he wants, let the judge sort it out later. 99 out of 100 times, he will get away with it too. MY OPINION: Do I think lane sharing is safe? Absolutely, under the right circumstances, and responsibility is on the RIDER. | ||
| Rex |
you have to be careful, but it sure saves time, especially in the hot.....sometimes, I have ridden 18 miles splitting traffic the only time, I didn't feel right about it, was I was riding with a ton of other cops off duty. they were riding thru traffic splitting lanes at 70 plus......I clipped a mirror of a car once.... | ||
| Britchri10 |
I was a bike courier in the UK. If you didn't lane split you never got anywhere! Lane splitting is OK by me but I grew up with it. Cage drivers in the UK are much more forgiving re: lane splitting than drivers in the US. Per Pwnzor's point: Yes you are. If you cause an accident you are responsible, whether you are lane splitting or not. Certainly in Europe it's normal but not in the US. Maybe it's just a cultural thing. I found out that lane splitting is illegal in Florida by getting pulled over by a JSO officer!  I don't do it here anymore. Chris C (Message edited by britchri10 on January 14, 2013) | ||
| Ducbsa |
The Bay Area Riders Forum has a Sticky on the subject: http://bayarearidersforum.com/forums/showthread.ph p?t=154980 Cali drivers are used to it. Elsewhere, they see it as a zero-sum game, when the truth is we all would benefit. Too bad lane splitting isn't nationwide. | ||
| Davegess |
Yeah, Cali is cool. You have to be a real idiot to get a trooper to pup you over. A few years ago there was a bill to outlaw it and Chips lobbied against it and got it stopped. Their opinion was that it really helps reduce congestions and is safe. I have done a tiny amount here in MIlwaukee, I usually avoid that kind of traffic but I have dome it. Had a stalled car at a very busy intersection last summer and traffic was stuck. No one seemed to mind when I split. I do think it is safer than trying to stay behind a cage in stop and go, rear ends on bikes are bad. Europe is biker heaven in many ways and this is one of them. There are only three ways to get any where in London, Tube, two wheels or walking. Cars are impossible. | ||
| Pwnzor |
The fact that it's illegal here in Georgia is the single reason why I don't ride to work or anywhere else. Sitting at a red light, I'd rather be listening to my stereo with the air conditioner on. Sitting behind cars at intersections, I feel like a complete idiot. So now, I ride maybe once or twice a month... even less right now. If I sell the Z, I may not even buy another bike. Might just get the convertible Mustang instead. | ||
| Leftcoastal |
Been splitting lanes since I moved to CA in 1978. I am NOT about to sit in a lane of traffic on the freeway, idling, 98 degrees F. and about to have a heat stroke. Of course, I'll split lanes when it's 40 degrees and I'm freezing my butt off. To be honest, if traffic get under 50, chances are I'll split lanes. It's California, and that's just how it is here. There IS a 'speed' to do it and it entirely depends on conditions. Those 'yahoos' that wail down the line doing 75 when cars are going 5 or 10 are probably exceeding that speed. Sometimes it bites 'em. One time years ago a couple of us split lanes the entire distance from Newberry Park to Burbank, on the 101. Traffic never got above about 15 miles and hour and that is about 40 miles of tooth grinding stress, requiring several frosty beverages to unjangle at the end of that ride. It can be stressful, especially now with texters and drivers tending to multi-task. They'll wander half way into your lane and not even notice. Bottom line is that it's rare that accidents happen due to lane splitting - info I got directly from a CHP officer somewhat recently. It can be done safely, but you gotta be ready for ANYTHING, from any direction. Your opinions may vary. | ||
| Dutch_x1 |
I will never ride a motorcycle in the u.s, because it would cost me to much money on tickets... We do it al the time over here | ||
| Mcelhaney14 |
I ride and commute everyday in California and splitting lanes has got to be one of the best things. It save so much time and for the most part I never have any problems. I never worry about which route I will take cause I will always be moving. Nobody has become upset yet. I hope more states will allow it in the future. | ||
| Ourdee |
I rode in England for 3.5 years and loved it. I had a Jaguar for less than 6 months. The bike was the way to get anywhere. I never completely gave up lane splitting. Never got pulled over for it. Need to make it legal. I ride at the line most of the time. But only split when the cars are over 10 under. Best part was moving to the front at lights and train crossings. I moved up at a train crossing last week, didn't wait around to see if anyone got mad. I want to know the statistics comparing bikes in accidents that are riding on the left side of their lane, compared to those riding to the right of the lane. | ||
| Xdigitalx |
There is nothing written in the NJDMV about lane splitting at all. Doesn't make it legal or illegal... however... it pisses off some motorists... and you can get a ticket for illegal lane change or wreckless driving if the officer is really pissed at you. But nothing written in the books about it. You know those folk that waste time when they get pulled over in a cage, not rolling window down,.. refusing to offer credentials to the officer etc etc... I wonder if any of them folk ride and what would happen if they got caught lanesplitting.. (in jersey..where there isn't actually a law against it) | ||
| Macbuell |
Living in Atlanta and witnessing the idiots we have in cars, I'd never lane split. No one uses turn signals and most don't ever check their blind spot when changing lanes. Lane splitting here is just asking to be a hood ornament. | ||
| Hughlysses |
It's not legal here in SC but I've noticed one rider regularly doing it on my morning commute. I drive (and more rarely ride) about a 20 mile stretch of I-26 into work in the mornings. About 2 or 3 mornings a week, I'll see a guy on a thumper/motard and he rides like he has a death wish. Traffic is normally very heavy, but it generally flows pretty well. It'll slow to 5-10 MPH in a couple of short stretches but generally you can run ~70 MPH most of the way. I've seen this guy pull onto the interstate, immediately do a 3-lane non-signaled lane changes, split lanes (at 70 MPH), and zig zag his way through traffic clearing bumpers by mere inches to get to a clear stretch of highway. I figure he pisses off so many cagers that he's a danger to ME when I come through ~5 minutes later and somebody's now pissed at ALL motorcyclists and looking for payback. I guess he REALLY likes his job and just can't wait to get there in the morning! | ||
| Xdigitalx |
somebody's now pissed at ALL motorcyclists and looking for payback that is probably the main reason it may be considered unsafe in some areas. If you have a silent E-bike.. I bet you could startle many cagers. It is not unlike that dude driving around tooting that train horn at people. (alittle bit like it) I hated the parts of that video, where they made it seem like .. they deserve respect or are entitled to lanesplit because they are doing something that could be very dangerous. (no cage to protect them in accident) Kinda reminds me of all those hero's that were at the Golden Globes. | ||
| Xdigitalx |
don't get me wrong,.. I do it here in jersey , but probably less than half the time, I give myself the same amount of time to get to work whether I drive or ride so lane splitting usually only happens when there is really heavy traffic and/or lots of sunday drivers. | ||
| Teeps |
Filtering is a way of life here in CA. But, you participate at YOUR own risk. Last summer at Newcombs Ranch, a group of riders engaged a CHP Motor Officer in a conversation concerning lane sharing. He proceeded to give us an impromptu clinic on the subject. And, what "he" looks for, for consideration of a violation of lane sharing. The main TELLs are relative speed compared to traffic and the demeanor of the rider while executing the "share." An erratic riding style will catch "his" attention and if it persists he will pull the person over. Once pulled over, the rider's interaction with him decides if a citation or a warning issued. Of course this is just one CHP Officer. | ||
| Sifo |
There is nothing written in the NJDMV about lane splitting at all. Are you sure about that? It seems well acknowledged that CA is the only state that allows it. IL law doesn't address it directly either, but there is a section that prohibits lane sharing by vehicles in general. This means bikes aren't supposed to ride side by side too, not that I think that's a good idea. Of course what you can get away with is totally up to the officer on the street. I don't see enough lane splitting in our area to have an idea what a cop would do. I think that's also part of why when it's done, the motorist sees it as you cutting through traffic in front of them. When they gesture with their fender, you know you've gotten their attention. It would be nice if more states follow CA's lead on this one. | ||
| Xl1200r |
I hated the parts of that video, where they made it seem like .. they deserve respect or are entitled to lanesplit because they are doing something that could be very dangerous. (no cage to protect them in accident) Kinda reminds me of all those hero's that were at the Golden Globes. That wasn't the impression I got. Seemed more like them saying that because they don't have a safety cage, they should be allowed to take part in an activity which allows them to put their safety more into their control. | ||
| Airbozo |
I commute on one of my motorcycles, most of the year. I also lane share most every day, especially at on ramps. I have been riding a motorcycle in CA for almost 30 years and have run into many situations while lane sharing. I have had: Commuters try to squeeze me out (very few and you can see it in their eyes), one lady open her door on me (two cars in front of the CHP)(saw it in her eyes), another lady try to throw her coffee on me (actually threw it in the window of the car next to her)(again, I saw it in her eyes). I have also played distraction to a CHP checking for phone use or seat belts. I moved over to let him by and he pulled up next to me in stopped traffic to tell me to jump back in front of him because I was running interference. I have also spoken with the CHP about this activity and it all comes down to responsibility. If they feel you are riding responsibly, they will not even give you a second glance. If they see things like shorts, tank tops or flip flops, screaming past cars at high speed or swerving back and forth between lanes, they will pull you over. Lane sharing also does not mean you are automatically at fault if an accident happens. Drivers are still required to use turn signals and look before changing lanes. I know of several people who have received tickets because of running a motor cyclist off the road and in all cases they deserved it (it pissed them off when I told them this too). I have found that the safest thing to do is to keep an eye on the side or rear mirror of the cars and look at the driver's eyes. They always tell the future intentions of the driver even if their actions don't. I have had 2 instances where I was almost rear ended at a light due to the driver "not seeing me". I saw both of them coming and moved over to lane share just before they hit the car I was behind. One guy was actually pissed at me for moving because he felt his car would not have been damaged as bad had I stayed put. I probably would have been dead (and that is what the police told him). Based on my personal experience I actually feel safer beside the cars than I do between them front and back. BTW: Loved the video and I am sharing it with many people. I also like the Zero Cycles. I had a chance to ride the 2013 models and check out one of the Brammo's. I see an electric motorcycle in my future for sure. (Message edited by Airbozo on January 15, 2013) | ||
| Sifo |
I have found that the safest thing to do is to keep an eye on the side or rear mirror of the cars and look at the driver's eyes. Good practice, lane sharing or not. | ||
| Airbozo |
Just found this from the CHP: Lane Splitting General Guidelines http://www.chp.ca.gov/programs/lanesplitguide.html | ||
| Boltrider |
I do it when traffic slows to a crawl and always at stoplIghts. It's nice to have the legal option to do so. | ||
| Blackm2 |
I moved from San Diego to Austin, and boy do I miss being able to do that! Sitting in Texas heat on an air cooled bike is ridiculous. | ||
| Darth_villar |
I was under the impression lane splitting was legal in Texas so long as it was an air cooled bike? | ||
| Fltwistygirl |
"I moved from San Diego to Austin, and boy do I miss being able to do that! Sitting in Texas heat on an air cooled bike is ridiculous." I concur. Stop and go traffic in any hot/humid climate stinks. | ||
| Sifo |
Funny thing, but I've seen, I don't know how many times when an expressway backs up, bikes around here tend to hit the shoulder to keep moving, not lane split. | ||
| Whatever |
I quit watching the video around five minutes where they went around a truck, to the left of it, when the guy had on a left turn signal. That is just asking to be hit in my opinion. I like lane splitting and think it should be legal everywhere in the states... (DON'T KNOCK IT TILL YOU TRY IT)... but I found the video a bit over the top and naive. | ||
| Ducbsa |
Funny thing, but I've seen, I don't know how many times when an expressway backs up, bikes around here tend to hit the shoulder to keep moving, not lane split. This would have been maybe 20 years ago, but I got a ticket on the Kennedy for doing that. I probably wasn't observant enough. |
