| Author | Message | ||
     Timbo |
Skyguy, You are right. The motor cops fought against legislation that was being passed to make lane sharing illegal. Reason is that they must obey the vehicle code too. *Unless* they are in pursuit. I lane share regularly (CA) and find that most people, cagers that is, are cool with it, and will even make room if they see you coming. It is actually rare to have someone try to block you, but it has happened to me on several occassions. My rules are very similar to the ones expressed here, but there is one other rule I follow that I have not seen posted. If traffic is moving well, then suddenly slows, that is when cagers typically start jockying for "position on the pole" if you know what I mean. I'll give traffic a minute to settle, then begin sharing. One other thing I have been wondering. Situation: there is a carpool lane with a double yellow dividing the carpool lane and the #1 lane. Typically I'll share between the #1 and #2 lanes as if the carpool lane isn't there, but I have noticed lately, a lot bikes sharing between the carpool and the #1 lane. Crossing the double yellow repeatedly is impossible to avoid when sharing in this position. The problem I have is that LEO's are trained to consider a double yellow as if it is a wall dividing the two lanes that should *never* be crossed. And it carries a huge fine if you are cited for doing so. Any thoughts on this? Timbo | ||
| Socalbueller |
I see you haven't been around these parts in awhile True Seth I left in 99. Grew up in central MA and most of my experience in Boston was delivering parts for a junkyard pre-big dig or during it is more like it. Lane splitting could work on 128 or what 93 use to be like but I don’t see anybody letting you in going through the tolls on the Mass Pike. What I have noticed are Mass drivers have a place to go and want to get there (in general). Cali drivers are in their own world more concerned about their phone call, radio station, or primping themselves than driving. A get there when I get there attitude. Mass drivers are more offensive but least they are paying more attention. It’s been 6 years so it could have changed. | ||
| Al_lighton |
I too lane split all the time out here in the ROK...I couldn't live here if I couldn't, too many freakin people/cars/traffic. I know I've got at least 25,000 miles racked up in between cars out here after 15 years of lane splitting daily up until buying American Sport Bike. I'll split up to about 50mph, then move back into the line. The key to doing it is to understand one thing: the cagers care nothing about YOUR self preservation, but generally have a pretty good consideration for their own. So if you are moving by them on their left and there is a car on your left as well, you're generally "safe". But if there is a gap on your left, you are in a VERY dangerous place and need to get out of there fast. Splitting past a gap without an out is suicide. If a car moves over to make more room for me, they get a friendly wave assuming it is safe for me to remove the hands from the bar. The wave is such that the other cagers see it too, so that they understand that I appreciate the consideration. If everyone did that, there would be more consideration out there. Similarly, I try to reserve the bird for only the most blatant violators that are trying to block/kill me. Not because of their vision of the finger, but because of OTHERS visibility of it. No use making people any angrier that I'm getting ahead while they are hopelessly stuck  For those that say "loud pipes DON'T save lives", I say come out here and split in Socal traffic for a while with both a loud bike and a quiet one...you'll change your tune. Al | ||
| Al_lighton |
I got stuck in a LONG traffic jam in about 100 degree weather near phoenix (motorcycle fatality accident caused it). I lane split, and have never been so attacked in traffic, with car after car blocking me, trying to run into me, etc. It was quite hostile. Then the State trooper that passed me on the shoulder to get to the accident scene yelled at me to "get that motorcycle back in the f*cking lane!!" Jeez, sure is nice here in Socal.... (Message edited by al_lighton on August 21, 2005) | ||
| Mbsween |
I got a chance to learn lane splitting last year in San Diego and then this year in San Fran. Downown San Fran felt almost "combat" like to me, keep moving and the enemy can't get you. One funny thing in San Diego, I was splitting a long line at a merger of two major highways (can't remember 805 and something). I'm new to the game riding a very wide handlebar DRZ400. So as I'm going through the traffic I hear a horn, so I look in the mirror and its a large person rising a large harley. I was obviosly slowing his splitting down! I pulled back in and let him by, laughing the whole time. I wish it was legal to split in NY. My friends and I have had issues when using the shoulder in long traffic jams in Ohio. Car's opening doors and such as we pass on the shoulder. They seem to be all fired up till they see 5 bikes in a line behind the one they're stopping | ||
| Charlieboy6649 |
Eeeek has it right. The only thing that makes it legal in California is a vague reference to lane sharing which makes it legal there. In essence, two vehicles may share the same lane if done so safely. I called AZ DMV and was told AZ policy was a compromise with the local riding groups against the helmet law. No helmet = no lane splitting. I plan on organizing an AZ campaign during next years AZ bikeweek asking for lane splitting if a helmet is worn. Most sportbikers wear a lid anyway. I lanesplit every time I'm in California and wish it were legal here... | ||
| Seth |
...I see you haven't been around these parts in awhile...True Seth I left in 99... Lucky man!  You're not missing much, it still stinks. | ||
| Newxb9er |
Never had anyone deliberately open a door, or move over in my way. Maybe because it's so excepted in CA. I have had people honk their horn right when I'm at their hood. It's not like I'm in some elite group. Heck, they have every oportunity to get on a bike and ride the same way! Not to sound sexist or anything, but I keep a close eye out for women on cell phones. I saw a lady creeping close to the line as I was coming up the middle, so I backed off. I saw her hand was up to her head, so I figured she was yapping away. As I approached, she just moved over to the #1 lane no signal, and about the time she was in the middle I was all in her mirror. She smiles as if to say oops, and waves. Gee, that made everything better! Anyway, there have been way more than that. Suffice to say, it's a jungle out there, and it keeps me alert and on my toes! I'm not zoning out after a long day at work! | ||
| Jeremyh |
just ask yourself if you would enjoy riding your bike between two jersey barriers spread at about 36". Would you do it all day everyday? personally i like my limbs where they are. mirrors may not knock you off a bike but they will put a hurt on you. | ||
| Rox |
I live in Europe where lane splitting is not just legal - its expected. As long as you watch what you are doing, don't go too fast compared to the other traffic, and most importantly watch what everyone else is doing you should be OK.  | ||
| Skyguy |
Rox I have been to France and Switzerland a couple of times (six weeks total) and was very envious of the mtorcycle lifestye there. I flew my paraglider in the Alps quite a bit but would have loved to carve some of the roads out there. Instead I had to content myself with running the tires off a rented Opel wagon (with Brembo brakes and a great little engine). I was even treated quite nicely by a motor officer that caught me drifting a nice twisty section near Lac de Annecy. | ||
| Jima4media |
BC Steve from Bay Area Sportsters and SouthBay Buellers had this article published today on this very subject... August 22, 2005 Genevieve Bookwalter: Street Smarts Motorcyclist dishes out the dirt on `lane sharing' Responses to last week's column brought enlightenment on "lane sharing" between motorcycles and cars. Steve McAlister of Boulder Creek gave me the 101 on benefits of zipping between rows of stopped auto traffic, splitting space with a car and other encounters on two wheels. He's been riding bikes for 27 years. This is the primer you don't see at the DMV: Q I'm responding to your comments regarding motorcycle "lane sharing" and would like to add some perspective from a longtime rider. Lane sharing is safer than stopping or slowing behind backed up traffic in my opinion because I don't have the protection of being inside a steel cage for that time when some sleepy, coffee drinking, cell-phone-in-ear driver doesn't see that traffic has slowed and rams into the rear of the slowed pack of cars. I don't think I want to be in the middle of that! Now I know this is a hotly debated subject, but I suspect much of the complaints come from people that are just upset because they are stuck in traffic, while we bikers can keep moving along. To these people and all others, I offer the following: Bikers are doing their part to help relieve the traffic problem because they take up less space. Motorcycles use far less gasoline than your oversized gas-guzzling SUV's and pollute less as a result. Bikers are far more attentive to the traffic situation and are not distracted by loud stereos, cell phones, DVD players, etc. When we lane share, we free up another space for you to keep inching along at a snail's pace. Other things to note: Many motorcycles have air-cooled engines. This means to prevent damage to the engine, we must keep moving. Bikers should be wearing leather clothing and helmets. We need these to help protect us from road rash if we go down. This is fine on cooler days but when it gets warm, we cook inside all that gear unless we keep moving. Last comment: We bikers are exposed to the elements. We have little protection against 2 tons of steel that generally never see us. We get bug splatter, windshield washer fluid splatter, cigarette butts and ashes, trash, spit and other stuff out of car windows at us, and some people even try to run us off the road! So the next time you want to get upset about us lane sharing, try to remember that we're not out to get you or race you to the next destination. We just want to get there in one piece and stay out of your way so you can have that long conversation on the phone, drink your lattes, and watch your favorite movie on your portable DVD player, all while relaxing in the comfort of your air-conditioned, 4,000 hunk of oil company profit machine. Steve McAlister, Boulder Creek A Thanks Steve. I think sometimes car drivers forget the danger of riding a motorcycle, and the common courtesy of sharing the road. I won't ask how drivers on windy, narrow Highway 9 treat motorcyclists ... that's a question for another column. Genevieve Bookwalter is the Sentinel's transportation writer. "Street Smarts" appears Mondays. | ||
| Cruisin |
I've been very tempted to try it here in Vermont, but as you see below (excerpt from the Motorcycle handbook) it's not allowed. What gets me is they say usually prohibited, but they don't say when it isn't. LANE SHARING Cars and motorcycles need a full lane to operate safely. Lane sharing is usually prohibited Riding between rows of stopped or moving cars in the same lane can leave you vulnerable to the unexpected. A hand could come out of a window; a door could open; a car could turn suddenly. Discourage lane sharing by others. Keep a center-portion position whenever drivers might be tempted to squeeze by you. Drivers are most tempted to do this: IN HEAVY, bumpter to bumper traffic. WHEN THEY want to pass you. WHEN YOU are preparing to turn at an intersection. WHEN YOU are getting in an exit lane or leaving a highway. Funny for a state that specifically ALLOWS passing on a double yellow (unless there's a sign specifically prohibiting it for that area).} | ||
| Dustyjacket |
Lane splitting hasn't tempted me, but that wide open shoulder during a traffic tieup sure looks good. | ||
| Thunderbox |
Here in Canada the yellow lines are only the recommended passing areas. There is no fine for passing on a yellow solid or a double solid. If you are driving a cage it is usually good to follow these recommended passing informational lines. If you on the other hand are driving a bike it is much quicker and safer to pass when the line may suggest otherwise. This is just for your information I would never expect a fellow biker to take a chance and attempt to pass a car when the line is solid yellow. I also never expect a biker to do better than the 80 kph around a corner marked 80kph. Right | ||
| M2nc |
Here in eastern North Carolina there does not seem to be much call for lane splitting because there are rarely traffic jams, but one day a couple of weeks ago, I was out to lunch and there was an accident out in front of the resturant I was in. It did not take long for traffic trying to cut around the blocked intersection pulled into the plaza parking lot that exits out to the next road. Tractor trailers and alike were jammed in the parking lot and traffic snarled to a halt. With little time left to get back to work, I split between the line of traffic and parked cars. If I had to ride in traffic every day, I would sure like to be able to split lanes. I rode right to the exit and to help tempers, I was turning away from the main flow of traffic so it was not like I was cutting in line. I got back to work on time with little delay. | ||
| Chasespeed |
Anyone have a list of states where its legal, OR doesnt say its illegal? In VA, lanesplitting in ILLEGAL. I dont know where else it legal. I dont remember it saying anything about back in MASS, but, like someone said, us Massholes are very aggressive and offensive drivers... Anyway, just curious...there have been a couple time on the NJTP that I wouldhave loved to know if it was illegal or not, BUT, since I didnt see anyone doing it, i wastn gonna temp fate.... Chase | ||
| Chauly |
I think the only way that lane-splitting will be an accepted practice is if the Federal Government incorporates it in one of their Traffic bills, like the headlight modulators are. We should probably work on getting the Feds to jump on the two-wheeled bandwagon in the name of alleviating parking and traffic congestion as well as fuel savings... oh, yeah, and free track days to brush up on our riding skills! | ||
| Jackbequick |
No lane splitting in Maine. Excerpts from the vehicle laws: "5. Passing. A motorcycle operator may not overtake or pass in the lane occupied by the vehicle being overtaken, except for passing a bicycle. This subsection does not apply to a law enforcement officer performing an officer's duties. 6. Between lines. A person may not operate a motorcycle between lanes of traffic or between adjacent lines or rows of vehicles." The other day I passed a cage over a double yellow, going down hill, in an area where the uphill traffic had two lanes (both were empty at the time). The driver of the cage (a huge SUV, New Jersey plates) shook his fist and gave me the finger as I went by. Passing over a double yellow is okay in Maine unless there is a no passing sign. A double yellow is considered to be a recommendation to pass with caution. Jack | ||
| Eeeeek |
Here's a list of states where lane splitting is not illegal: California Vik | ||
| Chainsaw |
I've been very tempted to try it here in Vermont, but as you see below (excerpt from the Motorcycle handbook) it's not allowed. What gets me is they say usually prohibited, but they don't say when it isn't Give it a shot. Get a ticket. Fight ticket as the law is too vague to be enforcable. Create another MC paradise. You can also try writing your local politicians/policymakers. Couldn't hurt, and most have email now, wont even cost 37¢. | ||
| Cruisin |
I thought of this yesterday, sitting at a red light in my usual problematic commute home...I had a clear shot up past about twenty cars and really was itching to do it. I may start and see what happens. I wouldn't have the first clue who to write to. | ||
| Bkw_bmw |
Beginning September 1st 2005, Texas allows limited lane splitting. http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlo/79R/billtext/HB01522I.HTM Bcube | ||
| Blublak |
Eeeek, time to amend your list. You may also lane split in Washington DC. I just wouldn't reccomend it one of the 'Highways' that run through that town as most people don't signal or check for an open space when changing lanes. They just pull their SUV into the lane 'knowing' you'll give ground. Oh and if they have Diplomatic or Congressional plates.. Then they have permission to hit you with their car/truck/van/whatever is handy, just cause they feel like it. Ahhh, to be immune to the laws we poor peons must live by. | ||
| Cruisin |
Hmmm...so in Texas you have to be 21, can't do it if traffic is going faster than 20mph, can't go more than 5mph over the flow of traffic, can't do it unless it's posted above 20mph, and have at least $10k of health insurance. And the cops will know if you meet this criteria how? (Message edited by cruisin on August 24, 2005) | ||
| Eeeeek |
D.C. isn't a state.  | ||
| Jeremyh |
all you have to do is just ask the next cop you see in your town. | ||
| Kdan |
I don't think it's legal here in Georgia. Lucky for me I haven't been caught yet. I split lanes on my 25 mile ride to the local Brag meetings. Most of the way, too. | ||
| Clevelandxb9r |
Question for California folks: When you are driving around in you cage at 20 mph do you have to check you mirrors if you want to move over in your lane a bit? (lets say to avoid that piece of scrap metal that fell off of the truck ahead of you) Having never driven in CA I expect my lane to be mine, and lane splitting seems crazy to me. Thanks | ||
| Cruisin |
That's why if splitting in moving traffic, do it FAST. |
