Lane Splltting

[12bar1]

I just got back from a business trip to Brazil. I started in Sao Paulo and was driven to the port city of Santos. There are 125 and 250cc motorcycles everywhere and they drive these things like they are invincible. They would lane split at 40 to 50 MPH with barley enough room for their mirrors to clear the other vehicles. If there was almost enough room to make it they would charge right on through. All of them had helmets and none of them wore any other protective gear. I was told later in the trip they average 1.5 motorcycle deaths a day in Sao Paulo and it is not hard to imagine after seeing them drive. So if you want to see what lane splitting is really all about take a drive through Sao Paulo I guarantee you will be blown away.

[beekstersocal]

not to offend anybody here but that just shows there mentality.. i think lane sharing [ how it is termed here in california] is one of the safest ways to travel [in traffic] and thank god i live in one of the very few states that allow it

[biggums]

I agree that lane spliting in Calif. is a great freedom that I hope we never see changed. Nothing worse than sitting on a air cooled bike in 100% temps and not being able to move to cool the machine. In Calif you smoothly enter between lanes and roll. The alertness scale goes up 90% but if done properly it is a safe maneuver.

[boxermania]

With due respect to all proponents, lane spliting albeit allowed/tolerated in California and a great means to get moving in a motorcycle is by far not a safe way to travel.

You are at the mercy of anyone making an impromptu lane change just like you are and bingo you are toast. I have gone to the front of the line while cars are stopped at a light and most of the time the cages wait until you get going, but other times they want to race you....errr....show you that they didn't care for your maneuver and the impingement on their space.

There is just about all the danger one needs on the city streets with the ladies, phone in hand, in their SUV, applying their make-up or switching the radio......the machos in their pick-ups, et. al,.........it curls my skin.

I think that motorcycling requires the rider to be clear of body and mind and consider every instance as a potential nishap. Plan your route to get where you want with the minimum amount of risk.......even then accidents happen.....

[beekstersocal]

i know that the saying is ,its always that10% ,but here in cally 90 % of the cagers do give you the rite a way ,so technically i only need to look out for that 10% and hell i spend at least 15% looking at chicks [just kidd'en]

[BMWChef]

A report by Professor Harry Hurt ( I know, I know) formerly of USC completed in 1996 and commissioned by the Dept. of Transportation concluded that lane sharing, when done safely ( driving no more than 10-15 mph faster than the surrounding traffic) is far safer than sitting in traffic behind a car ( 80 % safer, in fact).
Professor Hurt is an expert in head, neck, and motorcycle accidents and injuries and is often called in as an expert witness in both civil and criminal cases. He and his group are most recognized for publishing the "Hurt Report" back in 1981(final report) His studies came to the same conclusions as a similar study conducted at M.I.T. in the early eighties.


Chef

[biggums]

A large grouping of cars at a light instead of sitting in the back and rolling off with all the cages I slip up in front of the group. When the light goes green I out accelerate all of them so I can ride by myself and clear of all cagers. Makes sense that this is safer. Legal lane splitting is one thing Calif has done right!

[r1150rider]

I don't need to lanesplit very often, and when I do I'm very conservative about it. What I've noticed over the years is that the attitude of the cagers has changed a bit. Used to be, you could count on some jerk to swerve into your path to keep you from passing him/her. But over the past few years, that happens much less frequently and I continue to be amazed at how many people actually manuever to give you more room. And I make it a point that if possible, I give them a little thank-you wave so they know it's appreciated.

I have a theory that this phenomena might be due in part to the popularity of Harley's, so many people either have relatives or friends with them that it's helped motorcycling become more socially acceptable. Yes, I realize there are more motorcycles in general, but I think the general population is more aware of H-D's. What really grinds the cagers is when some squid on a loud sport bike flies between lanes in one gear too low, there's nothing like way too many decibels about 2 feet from your ear to make your day when you're stuck in traffic...

[jonothan]

...concluded that lane sharing, when done safely (driving no more than 10-15 mph faster than the surrounding traffic) is far safer than sitting in traffic behind a car (80 % safer, in fact). ...

Chef

Those are the figures that I have read too.

Lane splitting - it's called "filtering" over here - is safe if done carefully. Two cars travelling slowly side by side are unlikely to close the gap between them and their direction of travel is actually more predictable than when you're passing a car with sole possession of the lane you're in.

This is also the technique used by UK motorcycle police who, on their local "Ride Safe" programme which I attended in early August, recommended that we do this.

However, although filtering is quite legal over here, should you be caught up in an accident doing this, and the car driver will be at fault, the judge will reduce the compensation by about 30%.

Jonothan

[malcolmm]

However, although filtering is quite legal over here, should you be caught up in an accident doing this, and the car driver will be at fault, the judge will reduce the compensation by about 30%.

Jonothan, your "although filtering is quite legal over here" tends to imply you are against "filtering". I found it misleading... and I can't work out why the car driver would be considered at fault. After all, you or I are the introduced element to the traffic scenario. Do you agree?

I ride in Australia, and I'm almost certain "lane splitting" is illegal here. It stands to reasons, most everything is... and I don't know what it's even called here in Oz.

I do it all the time and consider it's my right, being on a vehicle which easily fits in between the cages who so often move sooooo slowly but to be fair... are often caught up in traffic situations due to their size.

When I think about it, I can see the inherit danger in undertaking this manoeuvre but rationalise it this way. If I'm traveling at a greater speed than the two vehicles I'm fitting between... and if there's adequate space to carry out said manoeuver, I'll only be in harms way (so to speak) for a second or two. Considering that I am very focused when doing this I conclude that it's prolly much safter than staying behind the hazard where I'm likely to be cussing and getting myself very frustrated indeed.

Hell, I didn't buy my motorcycle to be stuck behind these slow moving cages and in my experience the drivers I pass, whether in cars or trucks don't react badly to me... I give them a wave and they get to perv on my beautiful motorcycle.

My two cents worth

[FGanger]

I don’t “lane split” the way most are describing it; going between the cars while they are moving. However, I have always gone between or up the side of them when they are stopped. There are just too many drivers who drive while doing other things: watching TV, reading the paper, using the phone while writing down information, etc., for me to lane split while they are moving.

Other than in the city (Chicago), I only do that when there is really a lot of traffic. I also move out of the way when I’m the last one in a long line of stopped cars. I really don’t want to be someone's bumper ornament. I generally just move to the front of the line.

By the way, I have no problem doing land splitting in many other areas of the world. For example I did it all the time in London, and I did it and more (using sidewalks) in Russia. Both places were safe because of the other drivers. In the states it is dangerous for the very same reason - the other drivers.

Frank

[Bud]

Here we go again.

I have lane split when traffic is stopped (what it was originally intended for) and I have also lane split when things were moving at 25MPH. I never once thought it was safe or tried to bull poo myself into thinking it was. It isn't safe. I've almost been hit a couple of times and there are some who even when stopped will try to pull the front of their vehicle over to block a motorcycle.
Then there are the vehicles that see me in the mirror and will pull aside to let me through and I very much appreciate that.

There are riders here in the Bay area (not all of them 19 and crazy either) who blow throught traffic no matter how fast it's moving and scrare the crap out of any driver (including me on bike or cage) and I believe whatever courtesy I'm granted by some drivers is being rapidly eroded by those pricks.

Just one riders opinion but if you do lane split just do it and don't try to quote statistics to make you feel better about it. When I'm in my car I hear "motocyclist down and emergency crew at scene" almost everyday and I hope the guy is OK. Just take your chances and be ready to pay the price if someone (heaven forbid) doesn't see you or care.

Bud

[AndyfromPoland]

Seems a bit tame in Brazil. Observe London couriers for a while ....

I commute every day into or around London. Currently round the M25 from Woking to the A1 junction.

Seems to be a no-brainer that you lane split. On the motorway I'll pass between moving cars up to about 80mph ish, 90 in the right conditions, I'd guess about 20mph faster than them. Often the whole motorway is stationary or just about and I reckon about 40-50mph down the gap is OK.

In town you get through whatever gap you can, ideally without removing anyone's wing mirrors.

[jonothan]

Jonothan, your "although filtering is quite legal over here" tends to imply you are against "filtering". I found it misleading... and I can't work out why the car driver would be considered at fault. After all, you or I are the introduced element to the traffic scenario. Do you agree?

No, I don't agree actually. Filtering done carefully and sensibly is OK by me. I actually do it whenever I feel it's safe and appropriate, like that police bloke taught me to. But I've found that when filtering, some car drivers will pull over and make more room for you. Maybe they're bikers too. But they're driving as everyone should, showing awareness of all traffic around them. Some don't. As a biker, I try to anticipate as much as I can. And if filtering is considered and thoughtful, car drivers seem not to mind.

Jonothan

[DJ Downunder]

Mal FYI lane splitting is illegal down here but lane sharing is ok.

I lane split/share all the time and I think it's much safer that just following the car in front.

I look at it as one of the benefits of riding a bike.

David

[Pat]

Ahhh hell, everbody's right and everybody's wrong...... it's choice, it's chance, and I chance it often!

I agree, the cage drivers here in California seem to be more tolerant (?) of bikes "lane sharing"; I hope that I've done MY part to help make this a reality. I do it slowly, politely, with great caution, and with a bit of appreciative 'class'. I turn my high beam on so they can't tell if I'm a cop or not, and I assume that the car in the neighboring lane WILL crank the steering wheel at a moment's notice to jump for an open spot.

I very rarely advance to the front of the line when cars are lined up for a traffic light; it's rude, ain't necessary, and raises the hostility level of those who feel cheated by your "cutting in line." If (for some reason) I choose to slip past some lined up cars at a light, I make a quick & quiet getaway in the hopes that I'm "outa sight, outa mind."


"Filtering", "Lane Sharing", "Splitting lanes"...... it's a privilege that was supposedly intended for air cooled motorcycle engines. I consider it a privlidge.... not a right, and I try to take advantage of it only where it is NOT at the expense of the flow of traffic. Cager egos will be hurt, broken, even offended, so I try to do it as gently as possible....... the big babies!

[malcolmm]

DJ

Same... absolutely. I do it all the time as well, but I'm a rat.

You guys been booked much? Before I got married in 1982, I figured I'd bought one of their police vehicles; and been known to ask a copper from time to time for a ride. Not quite knowing where I was comin' from, he'd ask why... I'd respond "cause I bought it".

Pat, I like your style.

[socalrob]

Andy,

You are kidding, right? I lane "share" but I guess I'm a whimp, I only go about 15 mph faster than the cars, & fall in when traffic gets to about 20 mph, so I'm never lane sharing faster than about 35 mph. At 15mph faster than the cars, I figure I can stop in one car length or less. If your zipping down the freeway (expressway overthere?) at 90mph between cars, your definately braver than I.

I agree that 90 percent of drivers in Cali will move over for you (at least in LA). Its pretty rare these days that someone tries to block me. Sometimes its a challange to get by the SUVs & trucks. I also give a wave to cars that move over. I ride without cases to make it easier. The mirrors on the RR are at a good height to miss most cage mirrors. I suspect that the new RT mirrors are at the wrong height.

I feel that low speed lane sharing is safer than riding on surface streets. And at least I won't get rear ended.

At stop lights these days I'll sometimes move up the line, but I fall in one or two cars from the front so that I'm not the first thing in the intersection. I think thats really dangerous.

I notice that after a couple of years riding (as a re-entry rider) that the gap looks about twice as large as it use to. I actually pass other riders from time to time lane sharing, I used to be passed 100 percent of the time.

I think one of the most dangerous aspects of lane sharing is forgeting that some squid might be coming up the gap at 60 mph (thats not you is it Andy?) right when I pull into it. Always have to remember to check the mirrors.

Lane sharing is really fun. I get huge satisfaction out of coasting by cars stuck in gridlock, even if it only gets me to my destination a few minutes quicker. In a city like LA its like having my own rapid transit thats just a bit better than everyone elses. Theres a few freeways in LA (like the 405 south of the 10) that have about a 12 inch space between two sets of double yellows seperating the carpool lane from the fast lane. Its like a special lane only for bikes, & the cars are spaced very wide. Now thats nice. I can't imagine not lane sharing.

[beekstersocal]

well said rob

[AndyfromPoland]

Rob: Nope, not kidding. But from my (albeit fairly limited) experience of the US everyone moves incredibly slowly anyway, even when there's no need to. I had the impression people thought 90mh was, like, really, really fast and at over 100mph the human frame disintegrated or something. Plus nobody seemed to be paying the slightest attention to what was going on around them.

I expect if I lived there I would adjust to that. Eventually.

I think one of the most dangerous aspects of lane sharing is forgeting that some squid might be coming up the gap at 60 mph (thats not you is it Andy?) right when I pull into it. Always have to remember to check the mirrors.

Not sure I'd describe myself as a squid although willing to be corrected. But checking the mirrors (plus a "lifesaver" even in a cage) is a basic before changing lane, or am I missing something? Fortunately, 20 ... hmmm ... something years gives me a 6th sense of those who change lane without warning and without looking. For bikes, I always give way to someone splitting faster than me and I never harrass those going slower. As for "the gap" in my view bikes should always, always split on the inside of the outer lane and never between lanes inside, however tempting it may appear. Too dangerous.