Riding between cars. Do YOU do it?

[John Hopkins]

It's legal in Britain, we call it filtering and we are allowed to do it at up to about 15 mph more than the traffic we are overtaking..I've done it (see page 26 of my book) and I think most riders here do it, including the police..

John.

[tcb1100]

Nope, it's not legal here in NM. Cage drivers aren't accustomed to it, motorcyclists aren't either...makes for a deadly mix. In area where it is legal and SOP, totally different scenario.

[LJ.Speedmaster]

i wouldn't do it.

[1996shadow]

I would not feel safe if the traffic is stopped. People have a habit of just throwing anything out the window, and I don't want to be on the receiving end of that. When vehicles are moving, the cage drivers have enough trouble staying in their lanes as it is. I don't want to be the meat in the sandwich. I'm never in that much of a hurry.

In this "me only" world, not only are you only thinking of yourself being more important than the people you are passing, but there are 2 people with the same feeling everytime you pass one.

[MikeB]

Your question will get the same predictably boring responses as every other time this issue is raised: those who live in CA and understand the rules will advocate lane sharing and probably do it from time to time (I certainly do), and those who live in states where it is not permitted and know nothing about it will say it's incredibly dangerous and foolish. That input is about as useful as the Pope's views on the new Victoria's Secret lingerie line.

Ho, hum....can't we discuss motor oil or something new and interesting?

[DarkAero]

For those if you who do it where it is legal, I can't fault you for it. Your ride, your choice. It's legal here and I won't do it. My perspective is also that of one who has been riding for 6 weeks and I don't feel safe doing it under any circumstances.

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[DarkAero]

Originally Posted by justinmahn

Never tried it. I have visions of some kid suddenly deciding to see how the wind feels on his arm, and discovering it feels like motorcycle.

+1

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[TCazes]

Here on Louisiana I have seen all to many cages swerve inwards when they see a bike running up behind them in the split....

[93gc40]

Originally Posted by DarkAero

For those if you who do it where it is legal, I can't fault you for it. Your ride, your choice. It's legal here and I won't do it. My perspective is also that of one who has been riding for 6 weeks and I don't feel safe doing it under any circumstances.

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At 6 weeks, you are wise NOT to split lanes and such.

Originally Posted by TCazes

Here on Louisiana I have seen all to many cages swerve inwards when they see a bike running up behind them in the split....

This is why only experienced riders should split lanes. Experience teaches you to recognise which of those cages are going to swerve at you, cut you off and run you over. I split lanes when it is safer to split lanes than it is to follow. When splitting lanes I only pass cages that I know see me coming and are yeilding, I only pass when I can see the drivers eyes, in a mirror. If traffic is rolling I only pass when cars are staggerd, only passing door to door cars when flow stops or they BOTH yield. Sometimes I split lanes, without passing.. I'll ride the paint, in surging traffic, splitting the lane, but not passing. I never pass at speed more than 5-10mph over the flow, legal here is 15+. I don't exceed speed limit while splitting..... This is mainly because the only time I'm splitting is stop and go traffic or when flow speed is less than 15mph or so and at stop lights. The 15mph speed is because of what it's like to control and big cruiser in traffic at sub 15mph speed. What gear do you run? 1st can be really surgy that slow, 2nd would work, but you run the risk of stalling. You are constantly working BOTH brakes, the shifter, clutch and throttle, not to mention having to have feet available to hold the bike up. Stop and go riding, 0-25-0 stuff, can get real busy, not to mention the constant fear that the big rig or drunk, behind you is NOT going to stop in time.

You are 100% correct spkitting lanes is NOT for the beginner or the faint of heart. But then, Riding in heavy traffic is never really safe on a bike. You do what makes you feel the safest, I'll do what makes me feel safer. The goal is to end each ride with a smile.

[Espiritus]

Ho, hum....can't we discuss motor oil or something new and interesting?[/QUOTE]

Yeah, we can always discuss Honda vs Harley . . .