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Lane Splitting

Ikari said:
People get so pissed off at lane splitters that they intentionally try to get in the way, or open doors, or otherwise hurt the rider. What Bodhi is talking about "taking their lane" is usually a road rage issue because some cager is pissed that a biker is splitting and they intentionally try to cut them off.
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Haven’t heard “cager” in a long time, missed it the first time.......
 
Helix said:
i definitely wouldn't ride in between stopped cars. that's just asking for it. of course, i've finally reached the point where riding a motorcycle at all just seems like too much of a risk. i'm not too old to ride, but the consequences from someone else running into me while trying to make a phone call just don't seem worth it. i'll probably sell my bike in the next year or two. kind of sucks, because i really did enjoy riding.
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Crashed a Honda 919 just short of my 60th birthday. Totaled. Two broke toes are what I have to show for it.

Biggest regret.

Not having the 919 anymore.
 
It's about being reasonable. I only lane-split if traffic is doing less than about 20-25 down to stationary, and never more than 15-20 more than the traffic. It gets me there with a little reaction-time built in for the occasional arsehole. Most UK drivers are aware of the law, and can work out that if I'm riding between lanes then I'm not taking up a car-space, making the jam even longer.
I too have a camera. On my helmet! :shock:

(we call it "filtering)

https://www.bikerandbike.co.uk/filtering-motorbike-whats-law/
 
I road for most of my life. I never lane split, even where it was legal. Why take a chance. When riding I lived by the "law of lug nuts". Cars have more than my bike. Semis have more than cars. Those that have the most generally win in collisions.:lamo
 
Rexedgar said:
I have ridden on and off for a long spell. I may be getting a bit too old and inflexible to ride. I cannot put in the saddle time that I used to. That being said, it’s my opinion that riding on two wheels make one a better four wheel pilot. You pay more attention, imo.
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yeah, i agree. you definitely have more situational awareness.

when i hit my late 30s, i finally took a riding course. i learned some stuff that i should have always known, like don't brake at all when you're leaning into a curve and some other obvious essentials. i started riding in my 20s, and then something about it spooked me, so i garaged the bike until i was more mature. the second time around was probably a little safer. these days, i have less of a desire to take the consequences if i screw up. i'm not closing the door on riding, though. i'd like to do it again.

one thing that i figured out in the age of cell phones is to tap the brake repeatedly whenever i'm sitting at a light. people looking down at their phones seem to notice a flashing light. i don't know if it has saved me getting rear ended, but it seems like a good idea anyway.
 
Bodhisattva said:
/Like

You can't be charged for being to the far side of your lane while in moving traffic...

that is taking my comment out of context... the point is that driving within the area of your designated lane is not impeding others that are trying to drive in your lane past you...
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Not if you maintain that placement. But if you visibly swerve to block you will get a ticket if the Gendarmes see you. I have seen it and cheered it.
 
Fledermaus said:
Crashed a Honda 919 just short of my 60th birthday. Totaled. Two broke toes are what I have to show for it.

Biggest regret.

Not having the 919 anymore.
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****, man, i'm glad that you're ok. broken toes would not be fun, but it could definitely be worse.
 
mike2810 said:
I road for most of my life. I never lane split, even where it was legal. Why take a chance. When riding I lived by the "law of lug nuts". Cars have more than my bike. Semis have more than cars. Those that have the most generally win in collisions.:lamo
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Sometimes the bike wins ;)

 
Helix said:
****, man, i'm glad that you're ok. broken toes would not be fun, but it could definitely be worse.
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25+ years since the last pavement pummeling. I wear gear so most of me was undamaged. My jeans at the hip started to shred. I actually slid on my pocket knife. No road rash there.

DSC_0120.webp
 
Helix said:
yeah, i agree. you definitely have more situational awareness.

when i hit my late 30s, i finally took a riding course. i learned some stuff that i should have always known, like don't brake at all when you're leaning into a curve and some other obvious essentials. i started riding in my 20s, and then something about it spooked me, so i garaged the bike until i was more mature. the second time around was probably a little safer. these days, i have less of a desire to take the consequences if i screw up. i'm not closing the door on riding, though. i'd like to do it again.

one thing that i figured out in the age of cell phones is to tap the brake repeatedly whenever i'm sitting at a light. people looking down at their phones seem to notice a flashing light. i don't know if it has saved me getting rear ended, but it seems like a good idea anyway.
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I began at 16 and much to my dad’s chagrin, I talked my uncle into lending me the full payment for a 1971 Honda CL175. Total with helmet, $635.00, brand new. I took many chances and ended up in two accidents. One my fault and the other an oncoming left-turning car. I learned on a Honda 160. From the 175 I graduated to a used 360 Yamaha and from there to a Yamaha 750 Virago. I laid off for a few years and then got my first HD, 2002 Deuce. Still have that one and a 2003 Road King. Like you I try always to be aware of threats to the rear. Also when approaching traffic looking to join my lane, I watch for the wheels to see if they are moving. I had another left-turning accident on the Virago shortly after getting it and, knock wood, nothing for 40 years. Yeah, I’m getting up there.......
 
Fledermaus said:
25+ years since the last pavement pummeling. I wear gear so most of me was undamaged. My jeans at the hip started to shred. I actually slid on my pocket knife. No road rash there.

View attachment 67243722
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Wait, wut? Was this the Honda 919?

“Crashed a Honda 919 just short of my 60th birthday”
 
Fledermaus said:
25+ years since the last pavement pummeling. I wear gear so most of me was undamaged. My jeans at the hip started to shred. I actually slid on my pocket knife. No road rash there.

View attachment 67243722
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better the knife than your hip. glad that both survived.
 
Manc Skipper said:
It's about being reasonable. I only lane-split if traffic is doing less than about 20-25 down to stationary, and never more than 15-20 more than the traffic. It gets me there with a little reaction-time built in for the occasional arsehole. Most UK drivers are aware of the law, and can work out that if I'm riding between lanes then I'm not taking up a car-space, making the jam even longer.
I too have a camera. On my helmet! :shock:

(we call it "filtering)

https://www.bikerandbike.co.uk/filtering-motorbike-whats-law/
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I have watched 'Moto Madness' on YouTube.

English bikers go off on texting turds.
 
Rexedgar said:
I began at 16 and much to my dad’s chagrin, I talked my uncle into lending me the full payment for a 1971 Honda CL175. Total with helmet, $635.00, brand new. I took many chances and ended up in two accidents. One my fault and the other an oncoming left-turning car. I learned on a Honda 160. From the 175 I graduated to a used 360 Yamaha and from there to a Yamaha 750 Virago. I laid off for a few years and then got my first HD, 2002 Deuce. Still have that one and a 2003 Road King. Like you I try always to be aware of threats to the rear. Also when approaching traffic looking to join my lane, I watch for the wheels to see if they are moving. I had another left-turning accident on the Virago shortly after getting it and, knock wood, nothing for 40 years. Yeah, I’m getting up there.......
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i started with a moped at 14. my bike is a Honda Shadow 600. it's pretty much the only bike that i ever wanted. it will be tough to let go of if i sell it.

a few years back, i took a bee sting to the neck at about 50 MPH, and discovered that my immune system is beginning to notice bee stings. i got a removable front windshield, and after getting used to it, i probably wouldn't go back. it makes the whole experience better. also, it means that i can wear a helmet that isn't full face and not worry about stone strikes as much. i never did dig eating bugs that much, lol.
 
Helix said:
i started with a moped at 14. my bike is a Honda Shadow 600. it's pretty much the only bike that i ever wanted. it will be tough to let go of if i sell it.

a few years back, i took a bee sting to the neck at about 50 MPH, and discovered that my immune system is beginning to notice bee stings. i got a removable front windshield, and after getting used to it, i probably wouldn't go back. it makes the whole experience better. also, it means that i can wear a helmet that isn't full face and not worry about stone strikes as much. i never did dig eating bugs that much, lol.
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Bee sting?! I scoff; you haven’t lived until the bee gets into your shirt at highway speed!
 
Bodhisattva said:
Just because motorcycles are legally allowed to lane split does not mean that car drivers are mandated to give them room to do so. Car drivers have every right to use all of their lane and when bikers come flying through and/or get mad when a car is in their way the biker is an asshole. What I would really like to do is catch one of these ****ing ******s that hit a car's side mirror as they flee off in to the traffic like the little bitches that they are.

What are your thoughts?
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Operating bikes on public roads is dangerous enough. Why make it more dangerous?

My Goldwing is too big to even think about lane splitting, even if it was legal in Colorado. I'd be taking my life in my hands to even try it.
 
Rexedgar said:
Bee sting?! I scoff; you haven’t lived until the bee gets into your shirt at highway speed!
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I got stung by a bee refracted off my side mirror in my car with my window down. That sucked.

That being said, for two years I had nothing but a motorcycle. I lived in phoenix and the best thing in that aspect that I ever did was trade in my Honda Shadow for a 1984 BMW K-100 with a huge fairing. I could go 35 mph in the rain and only my boots and the top of my helmet would get wet.

Got caught in a phoenix Haboob though and that was rough. Mud drops splattering on my fairing with strong side-winds.
 
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Rexedgar said:
Bee sting?! I scoff; you haven’t lived until the bee gets into your shirt at highway speed!
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luckily that didn't happen, lol.

i live in a no helmet state, and i see dudes riding around without a windshield or eye protection somewhat regularly. i'm not sure how that works.
 
Mycroft said:
Operating bikes on public roads is dangerous enough. Why make it more dangerous?

My Goldwing is too big to even think about lane splitting, even if it was legal in Colorado. I'd be taking my life in my hands to even try it.
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I have done some shade tree m/c repair. I once put a starter on a reverse equipped Gold Wing. I insisted that the customer drive the bike onto the pneumatic lift because it was too top heavy for my liking. I also turned down a courtesy ride on a Boss Hog or Hoss, that V-8 small block bike. Way too much weight for my comfort level.
 
In the US I have never lived in a state where lane splitting is legal so the first time I experienced it on a road trip out west it freaked me out. I thought maybe he was running from the cops or something. Then it happened a couple more times and I figured it out. Of course in places I lived in Asia it happens dozens of times a minute.

I will say that even as a car driver I am annoyed when cars don’t stay in the middle of their lane. When they ride the line I feel like they are about to swerve into me. Road rage is even worse, though.
 
Is lane splitting legal anywhere else, beside CA?
 
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