Riding between cars. Do YOU do it?

[MikeB]

I guess many of you live in places where the populace is pretty angry and aggressive. It is extremely rare when a driver purposely impedes a lane-splitting rider, most likely for two very good reasons: 1) vehicular assault is a felony; and 2) that rider passing by is quite likely to be a CHP, since they do it all the time. If you are so offended by the practice that you throw open your door and take out a motor cop the great state of California has a nice cell reserved for you at the exotically-named Pelican Bay state prison, complete with a cellmate named Spike who thinks you are awfully, awfully cute.

For all of you (of course) non-Californians who think this practice is so dangerous, you should reflect on the fact that CHP officers do it all day long and most of them DO NOT have a death wish.

Motorcycle Consumer News published a study not too long ago that indicated fatalities from motorcyclists getting rear-ended vastly outnumbered those of lane-splitters, indicating that sitting stationary in traffic is much more dangerous. Thus all of you who DON'T do it are asking for trouble. NOW who's crazy?

[vonh]

I've cheated and moved to the front of stopped traffic, like at an accident, but never moving it's to dangerous for my blood!!

[williewonka]

Originally Posted by MikeB

I guess many of you live in places where the populace is pretty angry and aggressive. It is extremely rare when a driver purposely impedes a lane-splitting rider, most likely for two very good reasons: 1) vehicular assault is a felony; and 2) that rider passing by is quite likely to be a CHP, since they do it all the time. If you are so offended by the practice that you throw open your door and take out a motor cop the great state of California has a nice cell reserved for you at the exotically-named Pelican Bay state prison, complete with a cellmate named Spike who thinks you are awfully, awfully cute.

For all of you (of course) non-Californians who think this practice is so dangerous, you should reflect on the fact that CHP officers do it all day long and most of them DO NOT have a death wish.

Motorcycle Consumer News published a study not too long ago that indicated fatalities from motorcyclists getting rear-ended vastly outnumbered those of lane-splitters, indicating that sitting stationary in traffic is much more dangerous. Thus all of you who DON'T do it are asking for trouble. NOW who's crazy?

If I lived in California I would definitely do it. But I don't, so I don't. I already know I'm crazy.

[GilaMinumBeer]

Not legal in Oklahoma but, I wouldn't do it anyway except in extreme situations where my life was endangered regardless.

However, I wouldn't mind seeing it legalized to allow motorcyclists to pass on the outside shoulder around traffic jams at least to the nearest exit.

[GilaMinumBeer]

Originally Posted by MikeB

I guess many of you live in places where the populace is pretty angry and aggressive. It is extremely rare when a driver purposely impedes a lane-splitting rider, most likely for two very good reasons: 1) vehicular assault is a felony; and 2) that rider passing by is quite likely to be a CHP, since they do it all the time. If you are so offended by the practice that you throw open your door and take out a motor cop the great state of California has a nice cell reserved for you at the exotically-named Pelican Bay state prison, complete with a cellmate named Spike who thinks you are awfully, awfully cute.

For all of you (of course) non-Californians who think this practice is so dangerous, you should reflect on the fact that CHP officers do it all day long and most of them DO NOT have a death wish.

Motorcycle Consumer News published a study not too long ago that indicated fatalities from motorcyclists getting rear-ended vastly outnumbered those of lane-splitters, indicating that sitting stationary in traffic is much more dangerous. Thus all of you who DON'T do it are asking for trouble. NOW who's crazy?

The main difference is that in CA it is legal. Thus tolerated and expected.

In other parts of the world it offends motorists because they want to be able to cut to the front too.

[PA Dave]

Originally Posted by MikeB

Motorcycle Consumer News published a study not too long ago that indicated fatalities from motorcyclists getting rear-ended vastly outnumbered those of lane-splitters, indicating that sitting stationary in traffic is much more dangerous. Thus all of you who DON'T do it are asking for trouble. NOW who's crazy?

If they're going by numbers of fatalities alone, that's not surprising. Since it's illegal in the majority of states, most riders don't do it, while all riders have a chance of being rear-ended. If they're looking at the ratio of fatalities to the number of riders who actually split lanes, the numbers are more significant. I'm not pretending to know which they used. It would be an interesting read. At the end of the day, the fatalities from rear-endings and the fatalities from lane-splitting accidents are equally dead.

I firmly believe that in states where it is legal you will have drivers who are aware of the law and more inclined to accept lane splitting as normal. In states where it's illegal, drivers are also aware that it's illegal and are not inclined to make it any easier to do.

[iamsmiling]

I have perhaps 30,000 commuting miles on Los Angeles freeways and I can tell you it does save time . . . if done properly.

Yes, here in California people expect it and, in five years of commuting I have only had two issues with drivers.

Typically on the way home I have a 3-4' wide lane between the #1 and #2 lanes. As long as I keep my speed to within 7-10 mph of the cars I have time to react to just about anything. Once on surface streets I can typically filter to the front of the pack stopped for a light . . . another great time saver.

The first time you split lanes you're nervous as can be but with time you learn how to do it safely and avoid getting rear-ended by someone too busy texting to watch where they're going.

I commute on a Suzuki V-Strom so I'm sitting up high with great visibility. Of course, if you're on a Gold Wing or big bagger, splitting lanes may not be a wise move. I can't do it on long trips with saddlebags, even the Wee is too wide then.

[John Hopkins]

Originally Posted by iamsmiling

I commute on a Suzuki V-Strom so I'm sitting up high with great visibility. Of course, if you're on a Gold Wing or big bagger, splitting lanes may not be a wise move. I can't do it on long trips with saddlebags, even the Wee is too wide then.

It's accepted as a part of riding here, we generally make sure our handlebars are the widest part of our bike and during the 60s while riding a BSA Golden Flash A10 I have filtered between two large trucks by putting my hands at the end of the bars and feeling my way through with inches to spare, but the traffic was a lot lighter and large trucks were a lot smaller then, Now after 52 years of riding without ever harming any other driver or rider I consider it a win just to be able to ride..I went on deathclock the other day and it said I have a year and three months to live..so I guess I am going to fall off one of my bikes..

John.

[pixelpusher]

Lane splitting is not for everyone, even if it's legal.
You have to judge the "risk vs reward for yourself.
For me reward ends once the traffic is moving about 20-25 mph.
I've had very few incidents of drivers deliberately blocking me in the last 20+ years.



---unrelated: I posted my comment @ 5:36pm....but it says 1:36 am on the post. Hmmm.

---also unrelated: In this thread, this is post 69 (he says reverting back to 1970's teen age immaturity)

---also unrelated: Youth is wasted on the youth.

[ihavethespirit]

Originally Posted by PA Dave

If they're going by numbers of fatalities alone, that's not surprising. Since it's illegal in the majority of states,.

I firmly believe that in states where it is legal you will have drivers who are aware of the law and more inclined to accept lane splitting as normal. In states where it's illegal, drivers are also aware that it's illegal and are not inclined to make it any easier to do.

Just to clarify for everyone, it is ONLY legal in CA to both "share the lane" and "pass" that vehicle. The reason for the dual clarification is in SD it is legal to share but not pass.