So is running with scissors
For all the anti lane splitters out there.
1 - 20 of 74 Posts
I am hugely in favor of lane splitting. In my area, where I travel 405 and 5 we are favored with some awesome stretches that have a nice wide "yellow" area to lane split in. I think that lane splitting is not only safer than not, but also better on the bike.
Getting it passed in legislation will finally educate drivers that we have the legal right to do so and hopefully some of the *ssholes that try to close the gap will finally stop that nonsense.
Getting it passed in legislation will finally educate drivers that we have the legal right to do so and hopefully some of the *ssholes that try to close the gap will finally stop that nonsense.
Sarah I agree. Should be legal in every state
I think the key is that Ca roads are made to accommodate that. Im not sure that roads in other states are.Sarah I agree. Should be legal in every state
Traffic laws allow you to make full use of the lane that you are occupying. Someone who is lane-splitting is not legally occupying a lane. If you are lane-splitting and the car on the left or right side of you moves to the yellow line, hitting you, or causing you to hit him, then I can't see how the driver in the car could be charged with the accident.
I can't imagine any legislature passing a law that would require a driver to check his mirrors every time that he decides to move left or right within the lane that he is occupying. Making him legally liable for damages to a bike that is intruding into his lane would be insane.
The closest that traffic law comes to allowing a vehicle to share a lane applies to slower moving traffic, such as bicycles, mopeds, and pedestrians. But these are all situation where the primary vehicle is overtaking the slower vehicle. If the bicycle or moped are overtaking the primary vehicle, then they have to obey all traffic laws, including laws regarding passing another vehicle.
I think that lane-splitting is hazardous, both physically and legally. Lane-splitters are attempting to create a legal right-of-way to a lane that is already legally occupied by another vehicle.
While lane-splitting is safer than riding while intoxicated, the number of lane-splitting accidents is significant.
Pete
I can't imagine any legislature passing a law that would require a driver to check his mirrors every time that he decides to move left or right within the lane that he is occupying. Making him legally liable for damages to a bike that is intruding into his lane would be insane.
The closest that traffic law comes to allowing a vehicle to share a lane applies to slower moving traffic, such as bicycles, mopeds, and pedestrians. But these are all situation where the primary vehicle is overtaking the slower vehicle. If the bicycle or moped are overtaking the primary vehicle, then they have to obey all traffic laws, including laws regarding passing another vehicle.
I think that lane-splitting is hazardous, both physically and legally. Lane-splitters are attempting to create a legal right-of-way to a lane that is already legally occupied by another vehicle.
While lane-splitting is safer than riding while intoxicated, the number of lane-splitting accidents is significant.
Pete
What is your legal recourse if you are splitting lanes on the 405 when a car moves toward the left side of his lane and you rear end him? You are in his legally occupied lane and you hit him. How is he to blame?
Even if Kalifornistan allows you to split lanes, it is not going to make the driver who you hit responsible for your actions. As long as he is in his lane, especially if you were overtaking him, you are going to be at fault, not to mention possibly severely injured or dead.
Two years ago I was on hwy 80 out of Marion, NC headed to the Blue Ride Parkway. A guy on a sport bike decided to pass me just as I was moving toward the center lane to avoid some gravel on the road. We almost collided. He ended up having to swerve into oncoming traffic to avoid me. The only thing that save him was the guy in the oncoming lane reacted fast enough to give the sport bike some room.
I never saw or heard him coming. I never check my mirrors when moving inside my lane - no one does.
Pete
Even if Kalifornistan allows you to split lanes, it is not going to make the driver who you hit responsible for your actions. As long as he is in his lane, especially if you were overtaking him, you are going to be at fault, not to mention possibly severely injured or dead.
Two years ago I was on hwy 80 out of Marion, NC headed to the Blue Ride Parkway. A guy on a sport bike decided to pass me just as I was moving toward the center lane to avoid some gravel on the road. We almost collided. He ended up having to swerve into oncoming traffic to avoid me. The only thing that save him was the guy in the oncoming lane reacted fast enough to give the sport bike some room.
I never saw or heard him coming. I never check my mirrors when moving inside my lane - no one does.
Pete
I am hugely in favor of lane splitting. In my area, where I travel 405 and 5 we are favored with some awesome stretches that have a nice wide "yellow" area to lane split in. I think that lane splitting is not only safer than not, but also better on the bike.
Getting it passed in legislation will finally educate drivers that we have the legal right to do so and hopefully some of the *ssholes that try to close the gap will finally stop that nonsense.
Pete,What is your legal recourse if you are splitting lanes on the 405 when a car moves toward the left side of his lane and you rear end him? You are in his legally occupied lane and you hit him. How is he to blame?
Even if Kalifornistan allows you to split lanes, it is not going to make the driver who you hit responsible for your actions. As long as he is in his lane, especially if you were overtaking him, you are going to be at fault, not to mention possibly severely injured or dead.
Two years ago I was on hwy 80 out of Marion, NC headed to the Blue Ride Parkway. A guy on a sport bike decided to pass me just as I was moving toward the center lane to avoid some gravel on the road. We almost collided. He ended up having to swerve into oncoming traffic to avoid me. The only thing that save him was the guy in the oncoming lane reacted fast enough to give the sport bike some room.
I never saw or heard him coming. I never check my mirrors when moving inside my lane - no one does.
Pete
Here we can and do lane split it is not illegal nor is it legal, CHP spends all kinds of money promoting Motorcycle awareness and that lane splitting is an acceptable practice.
I never saw or heard him coming. I never check my mirrors when moving inside my lane - no one does.
Pete
I do. I check my mirrors on a regular basis always good to know what is going on behind you. You would be amazed how many times you can see a guy zipping in and out of traffic behind you and have advanced warning that he will cut you off.
Love how people that live where splitting is not aloud. Try to tell those of use that can how it should not be ok. So in that case if your state lets you open carry and Ca don't then you should not be able too open carry. Or all all motorcycle riders must ware helmets. Because not wearing one is bad for your health.
As for splitting if you hit a car while doing it its your fault
As for splitting if you hit a car while doing it its your fault
Same is true of Cali people telling NYC or Boston riders lane splitting is safe or ok. The roads and streets in most eastern cities are too narrow, not to mention the traditional, regional driving protocol. In New England, when you pull up to a stop light and it turns green the driver facing you making a left turn, will turn right in front of you, even though you have the right away. Don't want to pull that maneuver here in SC, you will get hit or severely warned.Love how people that live where splitting is not aloud. Try to tell those of use that can how it should not be ok. So in that case if your state lets you open carry and Ca don't then you should not be able too open carry. Or all all motorcycle riders must ware helmets. Because not wearing one is bad for your health.
As for splitting if you hit a car while doing it its your fault
Same is true of Cali people telling NYC or Boston riders lane splitting is safe or ok. The roads and streets in most eastern cities are too narrow, not to mention the traditional, regional driving protocol. In New England, when you pull up to a stop light and it turns green the driver facing you making a left turn, will turn right in front of you, even though you have the right away. Don't want to pull that maneuver here in SC, you will get hit or severely warned.
I never said it was safe. Have had some close calls, mostly from out of state truck drivers. And I don't do it in states that don't allow it. Which I believe Ca is the only one that's does.
People that grow up here driving are used to it being done. As riders know at anytime someone might move over on you with out looking
I'm curious what the statistics were on motorcycle accidents, related to lane splitting, were the first few years of implementation.
I've seen drivers go to the far left/right shoulder to keep people from passing them, that are exiting/entering ramps, or waiting until the last minute to merge on a lane closure....
I've seen drivers go to the far left/right shoulder to keep people from passing them, that are exiting/entering ramps, or waiting until the last minute to merge on a lane closure....
Have to pick and choose when to split lanes. Never split on a 2 lane road, some a-holes do it. "Squids"
If guys your riding with are on smaller Jap bikes, do not follow them on a big ass HD, a-holes do it. Never pass on the right side of a cage when your both in the right lane. No telling what could be laying on shoulder of road plus your in drivers blind spot.
If guys your riding with are on smaller Jap bikes, do not follow them on a big ass HD, a-holes do it. Never pass on the right side of a cage when your both in the right lane. No telling what could be laying on shoulder of road plus your in drivers blind spot.
I think some of you are taking what we call splitting wrong.
You can't do it if your on a two lane road. By witch I mean one lane going in opposite directions.
On a 4 lane you split the two lanes going in the same direction down the middle. Passing on the left or right shoulder is illegal.
You can't do it if your on a two lane road. By witch I mean one lane going in opposite directions.
On a 4 lane you split the two lanes going in the same direction down the middle. Passing on the left or right shoulder is illegal.
There are gray areas in law. Currently it is not illegal to lane split in California. Most states have laws that explicitly make lane splitting illegal. The same applies to helmet requirements. In some states it is illegal to not wear a helmet and some states allow it by not making it illegal.
Unless you've ridden in California where we actively lane split I think it might be a very scary concept. Lane splitting happens mostly on the highways and at traffic signals in the city limits. Riders who lane split are generally higher skilled riders, as you can imagine.
What I like about the legislation is that it also sets boundaries for riders. I have my personal boundaries. If traffic on the 405 is moving at least 30mph, I don't bother lane splitting. I'm getting enough air for my motor and my legs.
I think 405 is the heaviest traveled freeway in the nation. If you can imagine 7 lanes, in both directions, at a complete stop - that is what we encounter on a daily basis.
Although the proposed legislation has set boundaries that I think are "generous", at least there will be boundaries. I swallow my heart when I see a 25 year old kid on a crotch rocket splitting lanes that are already moving at 70mph. At that speed one false move could be disastrous. When traffic is moving at 30 or so, not so much. You have time to react.
Drivers on the freeway should NOT be changing lanes without checking their mirrors and even casting a glance in that direction. We also have laws that state you much indicate your intention to change lanes or make a turn. To not do so is irresponsible.
It may be hard to believe for non-locals, but we have drivers who will intentionally try to block a bike from going by. This is when traffic is crawling at 5-10 mph. I've seen it many times with my own eyes. Legislation giving us the explicit right to do so I hope would cease some of that dangerous behavior which is a form of road rage.
Some may not be familiar with the story of Zach Buob, a 20 year Navy man who was deliberately run down and killed in a fit of road rage on I-5 during rush hour. That very sad story is an example of why we, as riders, need clearly defined rights, motorist awareness, and an expectation of safe passage on our roads.
Unless you've ridden in California where we actively lane split I think it might be a very scary concept. Lane splitting happens mostly on the highways and at traffic signals in the city limits. Riders who lane split are generally higher skilled riders, as you can imagine.
What I like about the legislation is that it also sets boundaries for riders. I have my personal boundaries. If traffic on the 405 is moving at least 30mph, I don't bother lane splitting. I'm getting enough air for my motor and my legs.
I think 405 is the heaviest traveled freeway in the nation. If you can imagine 7 lanes, in both directions, at a complete stop - that is what we encounter on a daily basis.
Although the proposed legislation has set boundaries that I think are "generous", at least there will be boundaries. I swallow my heart when I see a 25 year old kid on a crotch rocket splitting lanes that are already moving at 70mph. At that speed one false move could be disastrous. When traffic is moving at 30 or so, not so much. You have time to react.
Drivers on the freeway should NOT be changing lanes without checking their mirrors and even casting a glance in that direction. We also have laws that state you much indicate your intention to change lanes or make a turn. To not do so is irresponsible.
It may be hard to believe for non-locals, but we have drivers who will intentionally try to block a bike from going by. This is when traffic is crawling at 5-10 mph. I've seen it many times with my own eyes. Legislation giving us the explicit right to do so I hope would cease some of that dangerous behavior which is a form of road rage.
Some may not be familiar with the story of Zach Buob, a 20 year Navy man who was deliberately run down and killed in a fit of road rage on I-5 during rush hour. That very sad story is an example of why we, as riders, need clearly defined rights, motorist awareness, and an expectation of safe passage on our roads.
My only comment today is pretty much the same as in the past when this comes up, and that is I would not try it here because certain drivers here would go out of their way to make sure you couldn't. I have done it in places where it isn't legal.. most notably in Nashville where it was either that or incinerate my engine. I'd rather have taken my chances explaining the replacement of an air-cooled Harley engine vs the escape maneuver we managed to get past the unmoving line of cars we encountered. Sometimes, ya just gotta.
Would I like to see it legalized? I have no objection to it provided the driving community is made more aware of it than apparently they have been made aware of the hazards of texting while trying to avoid us.
Would I like to see it legalized? I have no objection to it provided the driving community is made more aware of it than apparently they have been made aware of the hazards of texting while trying to avoid us.
Sarah you nailed it. I drive the La traffic all the time. Last week on the 210 it took me 1 hr 44 to go a mile and a half. Just like the bay traffic. A night mare.
Riders and cars need to pay attention to what's going on. I used to be one of the a holes that would zip through traffic at 80-90 mph when it was going 70 already. Till my friend hit the side of a car at 85 he went through the back side glass and out the other side. No he didn't live, that opens my eyes to slow down. If we're going 20
Or more I don't split traffic.
The thing is ca lets us do it, just cause your state don't doesn't mean it wrong.
Riders and cars need to pay attention to what's going on. I used to be one of the a holes that would zip through traffic at 80-90 mph when it was going 70 already. Till my friend hit the side of a car at 85 he went through the back side glass and out the other side. No he didn't live, that opens my eyes to slow down. If we're going 20
Or more I don't split traffic.
The thing is ca lets us do it, just cause your state don't doesn't mean it wrong.
I love the stats in the article. 7000 motorcycle crashes in Cali in one year and they want to make it legal to split lanes! I strongly suggest leaving it as it is. Once it's made legal you'll have every bike out there trying it simply because they can.
But that's just my .02.
But that's just my .02.
We will have to agree to disagree on this one. People are not going to split lanes just because it is legal. Currently it is NOT illegal therefore anyone can split lanes today, if they want to. Be advised, if you are going to split lanes you had better bring your "A" game and know what the heck you are doing. It is not for the unskilled rider.I love the stats in the article. 7000 motorcycle crashes in Cali in one year and they want to make it legal to split lanes! I strongly suggest leaving it as it is. Once it's made legal you'll have every bike out there trying it simply because they can.
But that's just my .02.
Statistics are useless if you don't view them in context.
California population = 38.9 million
Registered motorcycles = 801,803
Motorcycle Accidents = 5,969 (according to the article)
Percentage of accidents = 0.74%
Arizona population = 6.7 million
Registered motorcycles = 178,890
Motorcycle Accidents = 3,127 (according to AZ DOT)
Percentage of accidents = 1.75%
According to the statistics above, Arizona riders are twice as likely to have an accident than California riders. Is it because Arizona does not have a mandatory helmet law, where California does? Could it be that the studies are true and it is safer to split lanes? I don't know, they are just statistics and I'm not an expert.
Motorcycle riding is getting safer as evidenced by the number of fatal crashes. Last year the motorcycle fatalities fell 7% nationwide and fell 13% in California. I guess we are better than average.
Personally, I don't own a car. I am thankful to live in a climate where I can ride all year around. Knock on wood, I am still free to get from A to B as I see fit. Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
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