| Author | Message | ||
     Rokdog13 |
Had a good lesson today on how stupid the average person is. Lane splitting is legal in Washington state. Coming home on the bike today there was a red light at the main Walmart entrance. I cut down the middle of 30 cars or so and got to the front as the light turned green. As I came out of Baila's dip in the right lane a little jap car came speeding up on me and came close enough I could have kicked the fender. It was obvious the driver had swerved over trying to make some point. We exchanged salutations and I considered pursuit, but one thing I've learned in life is stupid people take pride in their stupidity and that was only going to end badly. So, I am wondering.. even though lane splitting is legal I wonder how good of an idea it is. I think lane splitting on the highway at elevated speeds is dumb, not something I would do. But in town at stop lights seems like a no brainer. Opinions? | ||
| Ourdee |
5 to 10 mph over traffic speed, safe to me. When I have been hit, majority got me from behind. If I wasn't still there, wouldn't have been hit. Splitting is safer. Pursuit after salutations is a bad idea. I wave like they are my best friend. Better to know where they live. Keep your enemies close. | ||
| Airbozo |
SO did the bill finally pass? Last week it was still held up in the senate and I have not heard that it passed yet. The Washington Law has restrictions on not lane splitting if the traffic is going over 25mph and not more than 10mph difference between you and neighboring traffic. Sensible if you ask me, but I am pretty comfortable up to about 50mph depending on the road. I see people split lanes at over 80mph. Tough to react at that speed. I have learned over the last few decades, to watch people faces/eyes in their side mirrors. I can usually tell if someone is going to switch lanes before they even decide to. Same if someone is paying attention. Just the other day I moved over to let someone pass me (lane splitting) and at the last moment I saw the driver on the right looking to take the left lane and she was not paying attention. I put my hand up to the other rider and an instant later she darted into the left lane sans blinker and a glance in the mirror. Also pay attention to road ragers. Since the law will be new in Washington, the drivers are not going to like it or understand the benefits. Some will blatantly try to squeeze you out. One of the good things about California is that lane splitting has never been illegal, but there have been 2 laws on the books for many years making it illegal to move over to prevent a motorcycle from squeezing by. |
