Support Lanesplitting everywhere, it makes sense.
Motorcycle Lane Filtering -- Why It Should Be Legal -- Maurice Blackburn Lawyers -- Stop SMIDSY (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wSRY7RxMF1g#)
You need to know how to do it, if it makes you uncomfortable or scared, don't do it.
Just don't think that because you can't do it, no one else can or should.
I wish it was legal here!
However, I always worry about the driving population who deem themselves the rules police....................................Even though something is legal, they feel that it shouldn't be, and they'll act accordingly to prevent you from passing them........
When I left the state of California on my big trip, I wondered if lane splitting was legal in ANY other state. To be on the legal side of the law, I assumed it wasn't legal and resisted doing it around the country and throughout Canada. To someone who has 100,000 miles on motorcycles...60% of which is on Los Angeles freeways (filtering), this was absurd! It makes absolutely NO sense!
If I can't lane split, I might as well choose to drive my car with the windows up and the AC and tunes on. Legal lane splitting policies encourage me to chose a two-wheeled option each morning over a four-wheeled one. That reduces the sheer mass of rolling stock on the freeways and reduces congestion. For the drivers who are upset about me filtering my way to the front of the line at redlights? Would you rather I drove my SUV and clogged up the roads even more?
Pro lane splitting laws...and general education about the benefits...would go a long way in making freeways run smoother.
Oh...and it keeps air flowing over my air-cooled engine! :good2:
Cap'n Ron. . .
Quote from: Capn Ron on October 07, 2013, 12:07:48 AM
I wondered if lane splitting was legal in ANY other state...
Diane and I just rented a bike in TN for a ride Friday... splitting is not legal there (I asked the guy who rented us the bike). Fortunately the bike was water cooled and I wish we were, because not splitting is f'ing ridiculous!! Hard on the bike, hard on the rider, adds to traffic issues, takes away one of the biggest advantages of riding (at least from traffic benefit point of view).
We have info spots on the radio up here explaining why splitting is good for traffic, the environment, and for safety. I hope the cages are listening!
Legal splitting is one more reason CA is the place for me. Expensive yes, but well worth it in so many ways. Splitting just jumped up a notch or two on that list for me.
Frank
I think here we define lane splitting and lane filtering as two different things, the former being passing between lanes at speed, which IS dangerous.
But lane filtering (stationary and slow moving traffic) is brilliant and the only reason I ride around town. I not only filter, but if the gap narrows simply move between two stationary cars and try another one.
Here you can also get away with using dedicated lanes such as bus lanes, bicycle lanes, transit lanes, emergency stopping lanes, turn only lanes even the wrong side of the road if there is no oncoming traffic and when you've done all that and made your way to the head of the traffic, you just pull in front of the first car knowing you will get the jump on whatever it is when the lights change and launch yourself onto an empty road.
I do this a lot and my only experience with cagers is they will turn their wheels and move forward a couple of feet to give you more room when they see you coming in their mirror. It is such a widespread practice here they just accept is as normal.
BUT we go one better here. I live in Australia's second largest (and best) city and it is legal, not just tolerated, to park on footpaths anywhere providing it does not cause and obstruction.
You can ride into the heart of the CBD and park right out front of where ever you are going. Park no more than 3 or 4 metres from you destination 100% of the time, FOR FREE and with NO TIME LIMITS.
If you work in the middle of the city, just park your bike right outside the door all day. The bloke who gets helicoptered to the roof each day has to walk further.
Amazingly there are virtually no complaints and tens of thousands of motorcyclists do this every day.
In the mid eighties some bright spark at the Council decided to change this. Motorcyclists by their thousands poured into the city early one morning and legally occupied all the carparks (below) and that was the end of it. It was dropped immediately.
(http://i.imgur.com/S1Z1Yt4.jpg)
It will never be challenged now because of the rise in popularity of bikes and scooters and the city would be chaos overnight.
Footnote: Arnie, Jeff308 and myself met in Melbourne for a coffee last year and had just parked our bikes in normal car parks. A traffic cop approached and told us if we wanted to park there we would have to pay (metered parking) but if we put them up on the footpath it was free and without time limit. Yes sir!
Noel
I...and most here I imagine...are a bit biased. I think in a city with traffic issues, everything possible should be done to encourage motorcycle over car use by individuals.
When I first moved to Los Angeles, I was a student at UCLA and only had a motorcycle for my transportation. It seemed I was getting a parking ticket every month! I'd park in a space and put my money in the meter...three other motorcycles would see that there was unutilized space and would add their bikes to my parking space. Of course this appears to any thinking person to be the ultimate in efficiency...four vehicles in the space of one! The city of Los Angeles would issue FOUR parking tickets...one for each of the bikes because only one registered vehicle is allowed per parking space.
Thanks Noel for the insight on "filtering" vs "splitting"...it seems that filtering is the moving forward of motorcycles to the front of the line, utilizing the space between vehicles as traffic comes to a stop (sign or light). On the other hand, lane splitting is riding between cars in a rolling traffic situation. California doesn't make a distinction between the two as it's just a matter of degree. If traffic is stopped it's splitting. If traffic is slowing to a stop, it's splitting. If traffic is going less than 30MPH it's splitting. They also specify that lane splitting is legal up to 10MPH faster than surrounding traffic...so, by the book, is legal up to 39MPH.
It's definitely not for the beginner and takes some practice. In the traffic hell which can be the LA freeways, it's an ever-changing puzzle that you have to solve with every car you pass. Speeds will surge, then slow...then stop...then open up to high speed...all in the span of a few minutes. You have to be on your game and look for the protections available. lane split between the car pool lane and the #2 lane. Only split when two cars are side by side (they can see each other and won't change lanes). Don't ride in anyone's blind spot. Don't split between two wide vehicles or trucks with wide mirrors. Wait for the openings, be aware of your surroundings, look for clues of impending driver actions and as the following guide from the California Highway Patrol says, "If you don't fit, don't split!"
http://www.chp.ca.gov/programs/lanesplitguide.html (http://www.chp.ca.gov/programs/lanesplitguide.html)
Cap'n Ron. . .
Quote from: Capn Ron on October 07, 2013, 03:42:55 AM
It's definitely not for the beginner and takes some practice.
Cap'n Ron. . .
You're right, it's quite a skill and I find stringing a succession of creative manoeuvres together in the traffic a lot of fun and very satisfying. It's like a game with the outcome determined in part by experience, chance, luck, observation, judgement, nerve etc. The bike that makes it nearest to the front wins. Like one of those impossible hill climbs, but on the road.
I love it when one by one I pass motorbikes that have ground to a halt somewhere in the traffic line believing they can go no further.
A lot of people think it involves no more than cruising down an enormous gap left for you between the cars, yeah right.
It's surprising how close you go to cars when they are stopped and you are travelling slowly. When I fitted my CBR mirrors, which can't be any more than an inch longer, I clipped a number of car mirrors in the traffic over the following weeks.
Just so you don't think we have it too good here. The Government is on a relentless drive to get front number plates fitted to bikes, they have been trying for 7 years. The have just recently re invigorated their efforts after we all thought it was over last year and finally put to rest.
Their motivation is of course safety (the same reason they gave when they banned them 25 years ago). They tell us it will cut the bike road toll dramatically and they are so worried about our welfare they will do and spend whatever it takes to save us from ourselves. They claim it has nothing to do with the stuff up of investing in forward facing speed cameras, they are just worried about our safety.
Sort of makes you feel all warm inside knowing you have a government that loves you.
Noel
Or you could live in a place like Wyoming where the kids ask if traffic jam tastes like strawberry.
Quote from: Bminder on October 07, 2013, 08:51:04 AM
Or you could live in a place like Wyoming where the kids ask if traffic jam tastes like strawberry.
Yep. I sure miss Wyoming. If you don't want to see anyone, you can go to places where you don't see anyone.
Joe
Quote from: ribbert on October 07, 2013, 08:25:06 AM
Quote from: Capn Ron on October 07, 2013, 03:42:55 AM
It's definitely not for the beginner and takes some practice.
Cap'n Ron. . .
You're right, it's quite a skill and I find stringing a succession of creative manoeuvres together in the traffic a lot of fun and very satisfying. It's like a game with the outcome determined in part by experience, chance, luck, observation, judgement, nerve etc. The bike that makes it nearest to the front wins. Like one of those impossible hill climbs, but on the road.
It's surprising how close you go to cars when they are stopped and you are travelling slowly. When I fitted my CBR mirrors, which can't be any more than an inch longer, I clipped a number of car mirrors in the traffic over the following weeks.
Noel
You know, the thing that I find amazing is the completely NEGATIVE reaction I get from most drivers when I self-identify as a "lane filterer" (I say lane splitting over here, but I do it like your above described filtering method) They always say "it's dangerous" or "it's annoying". Generally they have a very negative opinion about it and think it shouldn't be legal.
I offer you this. "LANE SPLITTING IS SAFER THAN PRETENDING YOU ARE A CAR!" Motorcycles are not cars, they do not pull off this charade well. In your typical drivers mind we are invisible until we are lane splitting and moving though nearly stopped traffic. I think this is why there is such a negative connotation associated with lane splitting. We are advancing through traffic that they can't.
I have been in a few accidents with vehicles in California traffic. Each and EVERY TIME I was hit, I was NOT LANE SPLITTING. I was taking my spot, occupying an entire lane, and "pretending" I was a car. Each and EVERY TIME the driver said they didn't see me. They saw that spot that I was in, in the dense traffic, as an open spot that they could dive into.
Now, while I am lane splitting, I have found that roughly 10 miles per hour of speed advantage works well. Maybe a little less, but definitely north of 5mph. The reason that this is important is it limits the time that you spend next to individual and often disgruntled drivers. (I have had people try to pinch me against tractor trailers) That being said, when you are lane splitting you are occupying a space that CANNOT BE UTILIZED BY CARS. So if a car can't get there, it can't get you. Unlike trying to occupy an entire lane which motorcycles are too small to do anyway. We are small, nimble, and fragile out there. We don't have the same safety tolerance for contact that someone driving a four wheeled vehicle has. For us contact with another vehicle often has severe consequences. I like to avoid that at all costs, and LANE SPLITTING IS A CRUCIAL WAY TO MITIGATE THAT RISK.
Quote from: skymasteres on October 08, 2013, 11:10:26 AM
I have been in a few accidents with vehicles in California traffic. Each and EVERY TIME I was hit, I was NOT LANE SPLITTING. I was taking my spot, occupying an entire lane, and "pretending" I was a car. Each and EVERY TIME the driver said they didn't see me. They saw that spot that I was in, in the dense traffic, as an open spot that they could dive into.
LANE SPLITTING IS A CRUCIAL WAY TO MITIGATE THAT RISK.
Nicely put! Before I moved to LA, I used to ride my Seca 550 up here during the week to visit my girlfriend. While she was at work, I'd ride around exploring Los Angeles, but it was early enough in my riding career that I was afraid to try lane splitting. One day, I was riding down the 405 South around where the Getty Center now is. I was "pretending to be a car" and traffic was thick...stop and go...lots of people changing lanes to try and get ahead. I was thinking I wanted to get off the freeway and whatever exit came up next would do just fine as this was getting hairy. I put on my signal to lane change and a girl to the right of me in a Mazda RX7 was coming into MY space as if I wasn't there!! I veered back to the center of MY space and a guy in a Toyota to the left of me wanted MY space. Neither one of them saw me...OR each other...just an open slot in the traffic they both wanted! I was about to be the filling in a Toyota/Mazda sandwich! I did my best to anticipate where "center" was going to be and both of these cars hit me in the footpegs at the same time! I wobbled, cars behind me slammed on their brakes assuming I was going down...chain reaction brake squealing followed...then the two drivers figured out what just happened. I will never forget the shocked look on the girl's face as if to say, "WTF are YOU doing here?" :shok:
Having cheated death, I immediately lost my fear of lane splitting and got the hell out of there! I exited at Sunset Blvd, hooked a left, over the freeway and a right onto the UCLA campus. I put the kickstand down and walked out to the middle of the sculpture garden and nearly passed out. I layed on the lawn for nearly thirty minutes normalizing my nerves. At some point, I was thinking..."Wow...this is a really nice campus!" A year later, I was accepted and was studying Economics there. :good2:
I now lane split and filter all the time...as you said, it's safer. Because of my 405 incident, I became convinced that we're just not seen or expected to be "there." What I often do is time it so I split between two vehicles that are rolling next to each other. I know they see the other car and won't try to "shoot the gap." The overwhelming majority of cars will just never know I was there as I pass...or will shift slightly in their lane to give me some room. :hi: There is an occasional asshat that will close out the splitting option because HE made a poor choice that morning to drive a car and is frustrated, jealous or both. :ireful:
Cap'n Ron. . .
Quote from: ribbert on October 07, 2013, 02:29:44 AM
BUT we go one better here. I live in Australia's second largest (and best) city and it is legal, not just tolerated, to park on footpaths anywhere providing it does not cause and obstruction.
In the mid eighties some bright spark at the Council decided to change this. Motorcyclists by their thousands poured into the city early one morning and legally occupied all the carparks (below) and that was the end of it. It was dropped immediately.
(http://i.imgur.com/S1Z1Yt4.jpg)
It will never be challenged now because of the rise in popularity of bikes and scooters and the city would be chaos overnight.
Noel
I LOVE this! In places where there is no motorcycle-specific parking...or no "Leftover corners" of parking spaces, I'll take a full parking spot. I've had drivers confront me on this because I was taking up THEIR space. "So, you'd rather I drove my SUV this morning, plugged up the freeways and still used up the SAME parking space?" We get it from that end...and as mentioned previously, if we try to jam four bikes into metered parking, we'd all get tickets...so we get it from that end as well. I've even received a ticket for utilizing those "leftover corners"...the wasted spaces that only a motorcycle could fit in!!
Cap'n Ron. . .
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m4WBP2xEyx0
The lesson in all of this, seems to me, is that you need to assume that cars do not see you, and ride accordingly. Whether you are pretending to be a car or not, whether you are lane splitting or not.
Dan
What Dan said, even with bright Red Power Ranger colors I have no false beliefs that the cagers see me. Keep looking an out and be just as ready to grab the brakes as twist the throttle. I could use a really loud horn though....
Quote from: Dan Filetti on October 08, 2013, 06:01:28 PM
The lesson in all of this, seems to me, is that you need to assume that cars do not see you, and ride accordingly. Whether you are pretending to be a car or not, whether you are lane splitting or not.
Dan
I was just having that very same thought, but for different reasons (mandatory Hi-vis clothing)
If you are relying on being seen by motorists to be safe, you are riding with the wrong attitude.
Noel
I don't have a problem with anyone riding splitting lanes, I don't do it, for a couple of reason other than its illegal here in NV, My nephew's uncle on his fathers side, was killed doing this, he lived in Cali., had two others I know die this same manner
Almost died (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FyG_fGpNgmU#ws)
Quote from: crzyjarmans on October 08, 2013, 06:47:04 PM
I don't have a problem with anyone riding splitting lanes, I don't do it, for a couple of reason other than its illegal here in NV, My nephew's uncle on his fathers side, was killed doing this, he lived in Cali., had two others I know die this same manner
I feel for you, some really abuse the option. I see bikes really pushing what I fee are safe. Once traffic opens up they can start changing lanes, that is when I more like a car. And some of the speeds over traffic are alarming....
Quote from: Klavdy on October 08, 2013, 06:53:19 PM
Not quite lane splitting but point taken, when metal meets metal, the law of mass and crumple zone apply. Bikes have neither mass or crumple zone....
Quote from: FJmonkey on October 08, 2013, 06:56:38 PM
Quote from: Klavdy on October 08, 2013, 06:53:19 PM
Not quite lane splitting but point taken, when metal meets metal, the law of mass and crumple zone apply. Bikes have neither mass or crumple zone....
Actually, that video Klavdy posted wasn't exactly lane splitting, but illustrated the original post in this thread perfectly! If he was IN the lane of traffic, he would have been a gonner! Because he was off to the side of the lane, he survived. Wow. That truck didn't even see the car in front let alone the bike!!! Amazing any of us survive out there...As many have pointed out, it's because of our alertness and wits, not those of car drivers.
Stay safe!
Cap'n Ron. . .
The real question with that video is why did the stupid bikers stop on the side of the road?
Quote from: FJ_Hooligan on October 08, 2013, 07:54:17 PM
The real question with that video is why did the stupid bikers stop on the side of the road?
I heard one of the people in the video say 'it's a funeral procession'.
In this part of the world (Central Indiana), traffic generally comes to a stop for a funeral procession (even though it's not the law)... a
lot more than they do for emergency vehicles even.
I was pulling out of a side street on to a main road in the car today. T intersection major road near me im at the T waiting to go accross the 2 lanes. The car in the left lane stopped, the car in the right lane just about stopped as the traffic was banking up from the traffic lights. Both the drivers waived me through, when suddenly out of nowhere straight up the middle between the cars come this bike at about 50 Kmh. I just missed taking him off by about 3 inches or less. I slammed the brake son and so did he. Bugger me the bastard started to abuse me. At that point I wished the best of the worst for him. Also many years ago a guy I worked with was beingvacwise guy in peak hour doing much the same. I wasn't in any hurry and was sitting in with the stationary traffic when he flew past me tooted and about 50 ft in front someone opened there door on him. He stopped abruptly. I saw him some weeks later on crutches with pins hanging out his legs. A sobering thought.
Quote from: Jeff0308 on October 09, 2013, 06:47:40 AM
I was pulling out of a side street on to a main road in the car today. T intersection major road near me im at the T waiting to go accross the 2 lanes. The car in the left lane stopped, the car in the right lane just about stopped as the traffic was banking up from the traffic lights. Both the drivers waived me through, when suddenly out of nowhere straight up the middle between the cars come this bike at about 50 Kmh. I just missed taking him off by about 3 inches or less. I slammed the brake son and so did he. Bugger me the bastard started to abuse me. At that point I wished the best of the worst for him. Also many years ago a guy I worked with was beingvacwise guy in peak hour doing much the same. I wasn't in any hurry and was sitting in with the stationary traffic when he flew past me tooted and about 50 ft in front someone opened there door on him. He stopped abruptly. I saw him some weeks later on crutches with pins hanging out his legs. A sobering thought.
I do that constantly, but that guy is crazy on two fronts. Going that fast between stationary cars and entering the gap at an intersection and not expecting someone to use it.
Same for the second guy, going fast enough to bung himself up with a door flung open.
Neither of these are an example of what's dangerous about lane splitting (filtering) they are examples of idiots doing it irresponsibly.
Noel
Quote from: Jeff0308 on October 09, 2013, 06:47:40 AM
Also many years ago a guy I worked with was beingvacwise guy in peak hour doing much the same. I wasn't in any hurry and was sitting in with the stationary traffic when he flew past me tooted and about 50 ft in front someone opened there door on him. He stopped abruptly. I saw him some weeks later on crutches with pins hanging out his legs. A sobering thought.
This is the main reason I am even more careful when splitting behind another rider. If takes away your advantage of being there and gone before the driver even realizes what happened. (Well the drivers that are distracted, talking, text, and whatever. i.e Most drivers. The drivers actually watching the road will see you coming. But they are in the acute minority) I have found that it can be very dangerous following another rider, especially if the rider is pushing the limits of good sense and agitating slow moving traffic by having a 20 mph speed advantage. I lost part of a fairing one time when I was behind a rider that accelerated away from me while splitting lanes and when I was ten seconds behind him someone opened a door when I was right next to them. The pinch weld of the door cleaved off the right hand side of the bottom fairing and brushed by my knee. Two inches further over and it would have impacted directly on my knee. :shok:
More often than not though, the predominant issue is drivers tightening up after other riders creep past. I guess everyone things they need to be the lane splitting police, and it they can't make progress through the traffic then nobody should...
Quote from: Klavdy on October 08, 2013, 06:53:19 PM
Almost died (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FyG_fGpNgmU#ws)
this video actually as nothing to do with lane splitting, they where just pulling to the side of a funeral line
Quote from: skymasteres on October 09, 2013, 10:01:35 AM
I lost part of a fairing one time when I was behind a rider that accelerated away from me while splitting lanes and when I was ten seconds behind him someone opened a door when I was right next to them. The pinch weld of the door cleaved off the right hand side of the bottom fairing and brushed by my knee. Two inches further over and it would have impacted directly on my knee. :shok:
More often than not though, the predominant issue is drivers tightening up after other riders creep past. I guess everyone things they need to be the lane splitting police, and it they can't make progress through the traffic then nobody should...
I hope you stopped and got their insurance info, and filed an accident report..........................This is highly illegal behavior, especially where it's legal to lane-split.
Quote from: Firehawk068 on October 09, 2013, 11:26:06 PM
Quote from: skymasteres on October 09, 2013, 10:01:35 AM
I lost part of a fairing one time when I was behind a rider that accelerated away from me while splitting lanes and when I was ten seconds behind him someone opened a door when I was right next to them. The pinch weld of the door cleaved off the right hand side of the bottom fairing and brushed by my knee. Two inches further over and it would have impacted directly on my knee. :shok:
More often than not though, the predominant issue is drivers tightening up after other riders creep past. I guess everyone things they need to be the lane splitting police, and it they can't make progress through the traffic then nobody should...
I hope you stopped and got their insurance info, and filed an accident report..........................This is highly illegal behavior, especially where it's legal to lane-split.
Straight from the CHP website:
Messages for Other Vehicle Drivers
1) Lane splitting by motorcycles is not illegal in California when done in a safe and prudent manner.
2) Motorists should not take it upon themselves to discourage motorcyclists from lane splitting.
3) Intentionally blocking or impeding a motorcyclist in a way that could cause harm to the rider is illegal (CVC 22400).
4)
Opening a vehicle door to impede a motorcycle is illegal (CVC 22517). 5) Never drive while distracted.
6) You can help keep motorcyclists and all road users safe by
•Checking mirrors and blind spots, especially before changing lanes or turning
•Signaling your intentions before changing lanes or merging with traffic
•Allowing more following distance, three or four seconds, when behind a motorcycle so the motorcyclist has enough time to maneuver or stop in an emergency
Cap'n Ron. . .
Quote from: Firehawk068 on October 09, 2013, 11:26:06 PM
I hope you stopped and got their insurance info, and filed an accident report..........................This is highly illegal behavior, especially where it's legal to lane-split.
It was in Colorado, so I didn't really know if I was on the right side of the law or not.
To be perfectly honest I was just tickled I didn't loose my knee. (I still had a LONG ride home)
The driver was just mad at the guy ahead of me and didn't even know I was there.
Quote from: skymasteres on October 11, 2013, 10:42:03 PM
The driver was just mad at the guy ahead of me and didn't even know I was there.
"Never attribute to malice that which you can attribute to ignorance."
Cap'n Ron. . .
Quote from: Capn Ron on October 11, 2013, 10:55:27 PM
"Never attribute to malice that which you can attribute to ignorance."
Cap'n Ron. . .
Ron, I didn't think I was. The driver told me he was going to shout at the other rider.
(Well after he asked if I was alright and apologized profusely.)
Yeah, I thought you had it right from the outset. Too often, we as motorcyclists take an incident as an intentional attack against us and it becomes personal. Generally, I think most people are either kind, oblivious or ignorant...in a rare occasion, they are malicious. Your example illustrated the former perfectly. "Huh, what the? Who in the? Where did ya? Why in the...." Bam...knee in the door!
Cap'n Ron. . .
Is this "splitting" or "filtering? :wacko3:
fcck the police! Stuntriding is not a crime! Moscow ATV (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nTb1lxH7_8U#)
s
You can even see where the rider used the indicators,,,
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn2/s403x403/1385041_700838339945926_1906045362_n.jpg)
Nice photo shop, the turns are not realistic.... Harsh 90* in tight traffic? Really. Good effect though. Perhaps its a Vespa or bike with lights...., the light path seems way too flat... The light turns from Red to Yellow then back to Red with no breaks, could be time laps related... Seems too hokey for me.
Quote from: FJmonkey on October 13, 2013, 08:42:52 PM
Nice photo shop, the turns are not realistic.... Harsh 90* in tight traffic? Really.
Not sure why this guy changed lanes as there was plenty of room ahead of him but that is exactly what you do.
Our roads here are not as wide and the gap between lanes frequently becomes too narrow, that is when you turn or walk (depending on the space) your bike at 90*, often on the steering stops, between cars and move over to the next "lane" and when that one expires, you move to another one until you get to the front or the traffic starts moving at which point you merge where you are.
Photo shopped or not (why would you bother), the turns are entirely realistic, here anyway, and is quite common amongst those with the "Advanced Certificate" in lane splitting although generally in much tighter traffic than in the picture.
Our drivers here must more accustomed to it as I've never had anyone try and close me out or in anyway indicate their displeasure at the practice.
Noel
No problem, why are the cars static for this entire time period? No blur, haze, fixed... :shok: Perhaps he the modern day "Flash"... Physics seem to be defied in this single image...
Quote from: Klavdy on October 13, 2013, 08:30:44 PM
You can even see where the rider used the indicators,,,
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn2/s403x403/1385041_700838339945926_1906045362_n.jpg)
So do you know where this photo was taken? California?
Quote from: FJmonkey on October 13, 2013, 10:31:13 PM
No problem, why are the cars static for this entire time period? No blur, haze, fixed...
Nor brake lights.
Quote from: andyb on October 14, 2013, 08:02:39 AM
Quote from: FJmonkey on October 13, 2013, 10:31:13 PM
No problem, why are the cars static for this entire time period? No blur, haze, fixed...
Nor brake lights.
The authenticity of the photo has no bearing on what it's demonstrating. After all it is just someone riding through traffic, not a UFO.
There are a number of flaws in it but the most perplexing question remains, why on earth would you go to a considerable amount of trouble to fake such a mundane event, so common it can be witnessed repeatedly on any busy road.
Any photographers out there to tell us if this magic is possible?
Noel
I'm not a fan of lane splitting or filtering. I would much rather have the law changed in Nevada to allow motorcycles to use the left or right breakdown lanes during heavy slow traffic on the interstate and on the highways where available, and the bicycle lanes (after all, we are a bicycle) where available. Of course, they don't let me make the laws...
Have you ever done any lanesplitting?
Quote from: Klavdy on October 15, 2013, 06:27:53 AM
Have you ever done any lanesplitting?
If I have to choose between lanesplitting and passing on the shoulder, I'm taking lanesplitting EVERY TIME! Passing on the shoulder is dangerous; you're passing stationary cars in a clear lane. This just dares a cage driver to pull into the lane. I'd guess they'd rather pull in front of you, rather than behind.
Nope, never lane split nor lane threaded. I don't have that much trust in my fellow motorists. At slow speed, with a mostly clear lane ahead of you, you can at least see most of the problems before the car driver even knows he's going to be a problem.
Quote from: simi_ed on October 15, 2013, 08:22:11 AM
If I have to choose between lanesplitting and passing on the shoulder, I'm taking lanesplitting EVERY TIME! Passing on the shoulder is dangerous; you're passing stationary cars in a clear lane. This just dares a cage driver to pull into the lane. I'd guess they'd rather pull in front of you, rather than behind.
I have used the shoulder on rare occasion when I was deeply concerned about cooking my engine. But I don't recommend it. Because it's large enough for a vehicle to use you sometimes see impatient motorists suddenly pull out and haul a$$ down it. I'd rather not get a Civic suppository...
Quote from: novaraptor on October 15, 2013, 11:05:41 AM
Nope, never lane split nor lane threaded. I don't have that much trust in my fellow motorists. At slow speed, with a mostly clear lane ahead of you, you can at least see most of the problems before the car driver even knows he's going to be a problem.
I totally respect your position on this. Every rider needs to evaluate the conditions and make their own decisions on how to approach riding in traffic. My rule number one when riding is "Every driver out there like they are TRYING TO KILL YOU. They just don't know it" (It started out just as, "Treat every driver like they're trying to kill you" But the latter gets the point across better) With care your odds of having an accident on a motorcycle aren't much greater than that in a car. It's just the consequences that are infinitely higher...
Your comment on looking ahead and "seeing" what other drivers are doing is probably the most critical aspect on riding safely in traffic. Your ability to "read ahead" will allow you to take proactive measures to avoid putting yourself in spots that you can't get out of. One of the reasons I like lane splitting in slow moving traffic is it helps me avoid falling victim of a couple tons of "love from behind"...
:shok:
Quote from: simi_ed on October 15, 2013, 08:22:11 AM
If I have to choose between lanesplitting and passing on the shoulder, I'm taking lanesplitting EVERY TIME! Passing on the shoulder is dangerous; you're passing stationary cars in a clear lane. This just dares a cage driver to pull into the lane.
+1 Add to that, the breakdown lanes are what naturally collect road dirt, car accident jetsam, giant hunks of truck tire tread, wayward hubcaps and the occasional remains of a lawn chair that fell off the back of an RV. :shok:
When I lived in San Diego, the traffic reports would often say things like, "There's a mattress in the #3 lane of the 805", "There's chair blocking traffic on I-8 in Lemon Grove", "A bed frame has backed things up on the I-5 in Chula Vista." I thought that if I was in the right place at the right time each day, I could have furnished my entire apartment in a week! :good2:
Cap'n Ron. . .
Peeps,
Never go up the emergency (hard shoulder) lane. I did it about two years ago, passed only about 4 cars and got a 350 buck ticket off a bike cop. (Lesson learnt)
There's nothing like a good lane splitting session to sharpen the mind. I grew up doing it in England, and am lucky it's considered legal in Cal else i'd have no license by now. When I went to Colorado with Pat, Paul and Ed, I was amazed at how angry car drivers got when I came nipping down the lanes in traffic clogged Denver. All I could here was the beginnings of their protests, being well on my way before the f**ks started flying. Guess I got lucky and didn't a tug by the law.
It's all down to personal choice and conditions at the time. Besides, you can only sit for so long before the Fj feels like it's going to burst into flames. Wonder if a cop would let you off, if you went with that argument: yes officer I was just blowing out the flames that were engulfing my ass, so thought it safer to side-step the line of traffic rather than explode all over the carriageway.
Andy
Clickity Click (http://www.motorcycle.com/features/truth-lane-splitting.html?utm_source=mo10102013&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=weekly) for a good article
(http://www.motorcycle.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/Lane-Splitting-Traffic-Congestion.jpg)
Quote from: Klavdy on October 17, 2013, 01:45:50 AM
Clickity Click (http://www.motorcycle.com/features/truth-lane-splitting.html?utm_source=mo10102013&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=weekly) for a good article
(http://www.motorcycle.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/Lane-Splitting-Traffic-Congestion.jpg)
I wish! (having that much room between lanes)
You could lane split in a bus there.
Quote from: ribbert on October 17, 2013, 02:18:07 AM
I wish! (having that much room between lanes)
You could lane split in a bus there.
Here in the U.S., the minimum lane width of an interstate is 12 feet (144" / 3.66 m). The maximum vehicle width is 8' 6" (102" / 2.6 meters). If two of the widest vehicles allowed (without permits) are driving side-by-side and are each centered in their respective lanes, that leaves a minimum gap for us on motorcycles of 42" in the worst case scenario. The widest point on my FJ is my new CBR mirrors at 37" (love them by the way!!!).
So, in the worst case, I fit with 2.5" on either side...Close, but workable. Put two mid-size SUVs on either side of you in the same analysis and my splitting lane increases to SIX FEET WIDE!!! There's almost never a case when I can't thread myself safely through those gaps.
Cap'n Ron. . .
Quote from: Capn Ron on October 17, 2013, 02:50:05 AM
So, in the worst case, I fit with 2.5" on either side...Close, but workable. Put two mid-size SUVs on either side of you in the same analysis and my splitting lane increases to SIX FEET WIDE!!! There's almost never a case when I can't thread myself safely through those gaps.
Cap'n Ron. . .
I have heard your roads are much wider over there and all the photos I see bears that out. I often have to put my feet down and lean my bike left and right to "stagger" between mirrors.
As previously mentioned, in the first few weeks after I fitted my CBR mirrors I clipped a number of cars, and they're not
that much wider.
A succession of perfectly timed filtering manoeuvres, that is, hitting the front just as the lights change, always puts a smile on my face.
I also just clipped a number of things in my own driveway and garage that I am familiar with, even walking past the bike I would hit it with my arm sometimes.
Anyone considering buying mega dollar mirrors, as recommended by some here, would do well to spend $20 on a cheap set until the extra width logs in rather than risk trashing your expensive ones.
My subconscious knows exactly how wide my bike USED to be and needed to be re programmed.Noel
We wait with interest on how much money and time will be invested in a CA lane splitting study that will no doubt provide inconclusive results, which will prompt ineffective legislation, unenforcable pettiness and ultimately make criminals of respectable biking folk.
For example, when living in the UK at the time of the proliferation of speed cameras (the A14 near Cambridge being a prime case), uproar was centered on the notion that a simple 'on, off' judgement about driving behavior was daft. Surely all sensible driving decisions should be based on prevailing conditions. Sometimes is safer to go faster than the robot says it is, other times it's safer to go slower.
A right minded motorcyclist considers conditions, their ability level, and many other parameters before making a move. If they don't do as such, they tend not to remain motorcyclists for too long. When a police officer pulls you, at the least you can reason with the fellow. However, if his hands are tied by mindless and uninformed laws, then what hope is there???
Andy
Pretty sure its the Boulevard Périphérique