splitting lanes

[baird4444]

might be a time saver but cumming from the police state of Illinois where it's not legal, I'll pass...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=Kz4ZGqfwNEM

[Jess from VA]

Splitting or not, I myself have found it prudent to slow down a bit when all thousand cars ahead of me suddenly show me their brake lights at the same time.

[cookiedough]

If I had an old clunker car,  I'd be very tempted to open fully my car door as he is trying to pass me just to whipe him out and teach him a lesson.  I have near zero tolerance for that kind of stuff.

I have been known though to start switching lanes in the middle of an intersection, of course though with NO cars around in front or behind me.

[..]

As in many metro areas there's a class of "biker" who only rides the Interstate.

Many are without insurance , licence or common sense.

I spent quite a few years lane splitting in England but never at that speed. We all knew it would end in tears AND be our fault.

[old2soon]

I thank GOD every day that I survived my stupid era. While NOT entirely cured-still have my days-I TRY really hard to be a decent person while riding or in the cage. What happened to that biker Navy pilots-well all pilots-call "target fixation". RIDE SAFE.

[hubcapsc]

Splitting or not, I myself have found it prudent to slow down a bit when all thousand cars ahead of me suddenly show me their brake lights at the same time.

You mean like when you're passing a Mac truck on a crowded I-40 and everyone slams on their brakes hard enough to burn rubber? 



-Mike "its real hard to pick just one for the 'memorable ride' thread..."

[Bonzo]

The rider was a fool. More than twice the rate of speed of traffic. He left himself no reaction time. Just a hotdog making stupid mistakes that makes it difficult for others on two wheels.

[Rams]

The rider was a fool. More than twice the rate of speed of traffic. He left himself no reaction time. Just a hotdog making stupid mistakes that makes it difficult for others on two wheels.

Agreed.   While I'll admit I've been tempted, I've never split lanes, even in stopped traffic. 
That kind of riding only ticks off and scares cage drivers while just asking for someone to change lanes in front of them.   Heck, I'm too busy just riding defensively trying to stay in my own lane while avoiding those who think they should be where I'm riding.

[John Schmidt]

Yep, stupid is as stupid does. Also illegal in Florida, and for a very good reason. The only time I ever did something close was in a traffic backup and myself and another rider took to the extra wide curb area which was paved. When we got to the front we found no accident, nothing but stupid drivers going slow. As for splitting the lanes, I've watched as one guy did it in city traffic, t-boned a van pulling out from the side and killed him. Situations like that they can't see you and vice versa.

[Robert]

Lane splitting on a 3 1/2 foot wide bike is a little difficult, As for the video I watched 2 seconds and didn't want to see the results. Most on the Valk are older and mileage riders, you don't get either when riding like that.

[Black Pearl's Captain]

If I had an old clunker car,  I'd be very tempted to open fully my car door as he is trying to pass me just to whipe him out and teach him a lesson.  I have near zero tolerance for that kind of stuff.

I have been known though to start switching lanes in the middle of an intersection, of course though with NO cars around in front or behind me.

Teach him a lesson? So you want to kill him as you sit in your rust bucket cage because the kids still just a stupid kid and you have zero tolerance?

What's the lesson? You want to kill young riders that are still young and dumb?

You don't really have a motorcycle do you? Being young and dumb is something most of were at one time.

Not your friend,

Raymond

[The emperor has no clothes]

If I had an old clunker car,  I'd be very tempted to open fully my car door as he is trying to pass me just to whipe him out and teach him a lesson.  I have near zero tolerance for that kind of stuff.

I have been known though to start switching lanes in the middle of an intersection, of course though with NO cars around in front or behind me.

Teach him a lesson? So you want to kill him as you sit in your rust bucket cage because the kids still just a stupid kid and you have zero tolerance?

What's the lesson? You want to kill young riders that are still young and dumb?

You don't really have a motorcycle do you? Being young and dumb is something most of were at one time.

Not your friend,

Raymond

My thoughts exactly 

[Oss]

go to Rome or Florence in Italy and watch grand prix style lane splitting

well they also go around

kind of like watching ants at a picnic

Never would have seen this view without renting that



And there are lots of crashes Bonnie and I saw 5 crashes on our way in the taxi from the airport to the hotel  I didnt rent a bike in Rome but got a 400cc scooter in Florence, it was insane,
scary fun except for the raining where the hell am I moments about 10 minutes after taking that pic lol

I have split lanes in the past on both bikes but only in 1st gear

To take that at speed or 2x speed, lunacy

[Xtracho]

Lane splitting is as common as black beans & rice here in Brazil. In the 3+ years I've been down here working I've seen at least a dozen riders face down on the pavement either dead or seriously injured as a result. But, it's a lifestyle taken as normal traffic down here. The cagers even slide over to the outside of their respective lanes to give them room and they come in multiple numbers, one behind the other, most times in shorts, tee shirts, and tennis shoes or flops.

[czuch]

Ya know you can buy that clunker of your dreams for just a couple hundred bones. Then when the fellas in GenPop find out why you're there, you wont lack for anything to do for a while.
They might even let you heal more than once.

MY YOUNG AND STUPID STORY;
1967 Sportster with open shortys. The 405 where it connects to the 5 in SD county. Traffic time.
Between the fast lane and the one to the right, touch the buck. 
There were 5 of us, and the goal was 100 mph, splitting the lane, for a second or two.
Gloves, mirrored shades, tennies. Look Ma, no brain.
My guardian angel has an assistant.

[Jess from VA]

The few times I split on CA freeways (legal), I had a couple guys see me coming and steer over toward the side of the lane I was using to crowd me out.  But traffic was at 5mph and I was at 10 mph and able to steer across their stern and up their other side.  It made me pretty angry and I would have liked to damage their cars (or heads) but I was too busy being real careful do do anything stupid. (and at those speeds they are guaranteed to get your plate number)

And only exceeding the speed of heavy traffic by a careful 5-7 mph is the kind of splitting that doesn't piss most of the cagers off (or scare them), so they mostly do not open their doors or swerve to block you out.  Do unto others and all that....

I don't care how good a rider you are, splitting at 30 over the flow of traffic means it is only a matter of time until you and your bike get some unwanted bodywork.

This guy got lulled into a false sense of security, but clearly lacked the skills necessary when the chips were down.


Mike "its real hard to pick just one for the 'memorable ride' thread..."

This looks more like a most memorable parking thread.  


And I'm against almost any new laws of any kind (on principle), but would like to see all States pass a law that says when traffic on freeways or major roads with multiple lanes is entirely stopped (backed up) for say five minutes or more, motorcycles may split lanes at a careful 5 mph giving right of way to all stopped vehicles and pedestrians (out of their cars looking) (with the understanding that anyone you hit or scrape is your fault period).  I'd rather go up a break down lane but the safety/police/fire truck/ems people believe break down lanes belong to them exclusively.  And it is my experience that once anyone goes up a break down lane, hundreds of cagers are unable to resist, and follow the leader..... often up to a cop making them all line up for tickets.

Allowing motorcycle splitting on stopped roads would be akin to allowing motorcycles with rider alone to use HOV lanes.  A good public policy idea.

Of course, once you get up to the cause of the stoppage, you may have to stop and wait anyway if even one lane is not open.  But allowing splitting on stopped roads would often allow bikes to get to the next exit and off, which is all we really want anyway.  

 

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

If I had an old clunker car,  I'd be very tempted to open fully my car door as he is trying to pass me just to whipe him out and teach him a lesson.  I have near zero tolerance for that kind of stuff.

I have been known though to start switching lanes in the middle of an intersection, of course though with NO cars around in front or behind me.

Teach him a lesson? So you want to kill him as you sit in your rust bucket cage because the kids still just a stupid kid and you have zero tolerance?

What's the lesson? You want to kill young riders that are still young and dumb?

You don't really have a motorcycle do you? Being young and dumb is something most of were at one time.

Not your friend,

Raymond

If I had an old clunker car,  I'd be very tempted to open fully my car door as he is trying to pass me just to whipe him out and teach him a lesson.  I have near zero tolerance for that kind of stuff.

I have been known though to start switching lanes in the middle of an intersection, of course though with NO cars around in front or behind me.

Teach him a lesson? So you want to kill him as you sit in your rust bucket cage because the kids still just a stupid kid and you have zero tolerance?

What's the lesson? You want to kill young riders that are still young and dumb?

You don't really have a motorcycle do you? Being young and dumb is something most of were at one time.

Not your friend,

Raymond

My thoughts exactly 

Better hope he don't get up after he hits that door that right there would be grounds for a ass whoopin' .

[Willow]

If I had an old clunker car,  I'd be very tempted to open fully my car door as he is trying to pass me just to whipe him out and teach him a lesson.  I have near zero tolerance for that kind of stuff.

I have been known though to start switching lanes in the middle of an intersection, of course though with NO cars around in front or behind me.

Teach him a lesson? So you want to kill him as you sit in your rust bucket cage because the kids still just a stupid kid and you have zero tolerance?

What's the lesson? You want to kill young riders that are still young and dumb?

You don't really have a motorcycle do you? Being young and dumb is something most of were at one time.

Not your friend,

Raymond

My thoughts exactly  

There are at least three of us that are thinking alike.

As for the ass whoopin', that would be grounds for serious legal ramifications as well.  

As for the rider in the video, lane splitting wasn't his primary problem, speed in and above traffic was.  What he was doing, BTW, is not what California allows as legal lane splitting.

[ricoman]

No doubt a very dumb move.
There are some really heated arguments about lane splitting on another forum I visit.
I read and do not comment. It's almost like an oil thread. I won't even consider it, legal or not.
Folks around here don't see/hear emergency vehicles with many lights and loud noise. They'd never see a bike-in fact, without lane splitting, they don't.
Now how about the guy with the camera? Not even stopping to see if he could help?
One idiot and one scumbag.

[old2soon]

So you DO open yer door and the rider is only SLIGHTLY dazed- As he gets up he draws his .40 cal semi auto and introduces you to 6 or 7 rounds of 165 grain hollow points! WHAT was the intended lesson?   RIDE SAFE.

[hubcapsc]

And I'm against almost any new laws of any kind (on principle), but would like to see all States pass a law that says when traffic on freeways or major roads with multiple lanes is entirely stopped (backed up) for say five minutes or more, motorcycles may split lanes at a careful 5 mph

That wouldn't have helped us that day. "Forward" ceased to be a direction for
11 or 12 hours... some really bad thing happened a few miles ahead involving a
bridge... we all finally turned around (on I-40) and went the other way...



-Mike

[BF]

Not a fan of lane splitting...even if legal. 

Goes somewhat with the saying....there are old bikers and there are bold bikers, but there are no old bold bikers. 

Definitely not a fan of deliberately trying to kill someone with my car door either. 

[..]

When lane splitting has been a common law occurence since time began - UK - it works fine cause a'holes opening doors will get put in jail.

Those riding at STOOPID speeds like the video will wreck because other road users will change lanes.

I've previously mentioned this from my motorcycle messenger days in London.

Riding down Hanger Lane on a CB200 splitting lanes between a van and flat bed 18 wheeler. Van moves over and I end up with my right handlebar and mirror under the flat bed with about to squash me f'in dead wheels in front and behind me. That taught me a lesson.

[Alien]

Lane splitting is legal here in CA.  The law, I believe, limits it to no more than 10mph above the flow of traffic and never more than the posted speed limit.  I have done it many times on the L.A. freeways on several bikes, including the Mothership.  However, I don't do it in order to pass multiple cars.  I do it in order to not be crunched between two texting morons when traffic comes to a sudden stop.

As far as opening a car door goes...well, you'd best kill me or be gone by the time I get up.  

Ride safe,

Alien

[Oss]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_tbyS8s3tVg

[Jess from VA]

Polite, careful, skillful.....good.  Cars seem used to it, and are often even accommodating. 

My only complaint here is there's really too many to be doing this together all day.

That, and if there are nice roads without a perpetual train of cars, I'd rather ride on those.  There's not much enjoying the beautiful countryside if you have to thread the needle all day.

[3fan4life]

Back when I was in my 20's and bullet proof I wouldn't think twice about riding my 750 Honda between two trucks on the interstate.

Sometimes I was running triple digits when I did it.

I now realize that it was only through the grace of God I survived to become older and wiser.

Many are not as fortunate.

[..]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_tbyS8s3tVg

Solid white line means no crossing.

[Raverez]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_tbyS8s3tVg

Uh. when in Rome....

[Otus]

DAMN IT!!!  Lost my tennis shoes.

[mrtappan]

Lane splitting is illegal in Mississippi.  It's not very popular here though.  I rarely see anyone do it unless it's grid locked traffic. 

Most of the time when I did (back when I had sport bikes) it was sitting at a red light.   Skip between two or three cars to get to he front.  Never tried doing any crazy split lanes at 100+ mph stuff though. 

[hairyteeth]

If you go to you tube and find the previous 5min30sec of video you will see that these two idiots were not lane splitting, they were  what I call "show off racing". Much of it in the rain. I hate to see people get hurt but these two were an accident looking for a place to happen.HT

[mrider]

agreed lane spliting not smart......open door on me and things will go bad for the person who opened that door

[rhinor61]

I do enjoy this topic...
 
"For decades, California has been the only state to permit lane splitting. While not specifically permitted or prohibited in the California Vehicle Code, lane splitting authority comes from the California Highway Patrol. In early 2013, the CHP published lane splitting guidelines for the first time. While the guidelines do not carry the force of law, they provide clear indicators under which a motorcyclist might be cited for unsafe or imprudent behavior." ...AMA

But these guideline were revoked in 2014 after a complaint that the CHP were encouraging Lane sharing/splitting.

Lane sharing is not legal in California, its just NOT illegal to do it.

I split all the time on my Valkyrie on 2 or more lane roads when I feel its safe to do so...
But there are hazards to look out for. Here are a few tips that keep me alive thus far.
- Out of state vehicles.. they have no idea what lane splitting is
- Handicap plates...self explanatory
- drivers that are texting or talking on their cell phones... very common especially when traffic slows
- blockers-white lining... they are trying to stop anybody from coming between them, ILLEGAL in CA

 BTW at least here in CA, if you get off your motorcycle while stopped in a lane while on the freeway, that is vehicle abandonment, and you bike can be impounded and you cited.

I just ask for everybody to be careful, watch were you going, create that bubble of clean air and enjoy the ride.

I watch Lady L v-logs youtube videos who does share her rides down in So. Cal.. quite interesting to get a riders perspective while splitting traffic.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U14cYavpDqA


thanks
John

[Willow]

Lane sharing is not legal in California, its just NOT illegal to do it.

That sounds a bit strangely like double speak.   

What's most interesting about all the emotional absolute statements regarding the inherent dangers of lane splitting is that it is acceptted in virtually all the rest of the world outside of the U.S. and a few other countries.

[Woton]

BikerGirl and I split lanes this past summer when we had no choice but to pass through the LA Freeway system one day during evening rush hour.   

Took some courage to first take the leap, but I think we would STILL be on that freeway had we not done it.  Appreciate the encouragement on that before the trip, Paxton.

We chose to split between the HOV lane and the farthest left lane because it gave us more room - so there might be an asterisk next to this effort.  Were we legal in how we did this - I don't know.  Certainly observed plenty of sport bikes and big Ultra Classics splitting the others.   

Drivers that evening were courteous to the bikers and we made it just fine, but I don't believe I could bring myself to either regularly split lanes that OR ride those roads everyday...   

[..]

The day I picked up my Valkyrie in south Georgia was the day the DOT had major northbound road works and EVERYONE was leaving Florida to return north of the Mason Dixon line.

If I hadn't slowly made my way between vehicles the trip would have taken hours longer.

For about 70 miles traffic was trickling along at about 10 miles an hour.

Uinig high beam to catch others attention I waited for drivers to open the center gap for me. If they didn't I dimmed the headlight and waited for an opportunity to move by those who hadn't seen me.

Not one closed the gap on me.