New lane splitting study in California

[glarson3]

http://americanmotorcyclist.com/News/RightsNews/14-10-24/California_studies_highlight_advantages_of_responsible_lane_splitting.aspx

The results didn't really surprise me. They sum it up well.
"Motorcyclists who oppose lane splitting should remember that it is optional in California," Allard said. "Permitting lane splitting is not the same as requiring it. So those opposed to the practice should consider the desires of other motorcyclists who believe they would benefit from it. Lane splitting is an issue of choice."

[530ktm]

The important factor is the 10mph faster than the flow of the traffic. I personally will lane spit any time it is possible when traffic is bogged down. However, I am not comfortable going much faster than the 10mph more than traffic. If traffic is moving at 20 than I am perfectly content to keep moving along at 30. If I had to do the stop and go along with the rest of the cars it is just miserable, just keep moving is fine with me.

[glarson3]

The important factor is the 10mph faster than the flow of the traffic. I personally will lane spit any time it is possible when traffic is bogged down. However, I am not comfortable going much faster than the 10mph more than traffic. If traffic is moving at 20 than I am perfectly content to keep moving along at 30. If I had to do the stop and go along with the rest of the cars it is just miserable, just keep moving is fine with me.

Yep. That's how I roll as well. Once traffic is moving about 35, I'll just duck back in ,and wait for it to slow enough to warrant safe splitting.

[ChrisE]

I used to do it all the time, 30 years ago, when I lived in the UK.

A couple of months, I got to rent a Ducati in LA. Had quite a bit of fun lane splitting on the 405 taking the bike back to the rental place.

Don't think I'd try it on the Wing, I don't have the confidence or skill set at slow speeds, I'd be bouncing off everything.

[glarson3]

I used to do it all the time, 30 years ago, when I lived in the UK.

A couple of months, I got to rent a Ducati in LA. Had quite a bit of fun lane splitting on the 405 taking the bike back to the rental place.

Don't think I'd try it on the Wing, I don't have the confidence or skill set at slow speeds, I'd be bouncing off everything.

All we ask is that you not try to take away our right to do so just because you don't like it, or aren't comfortable doing it. I'm not saying you're doing that, but there are people who say they would never ride a motorcycle because they don't think it's safe, then they want to outlaw motorcycles for that reason. Or people who don't feel safe handling guns, and want to outlaw them for that reason.

It is sure nice to be able to lane split, especially on the 405. It can be a parking lot on Saturday afternoons(or any other day of the week), and if you can't lane split, it can get hot, and uncomfortable staying in traffic instead of splitting. Plus, you'll get home hours later than you would have lane splitting, but feeling like you actually just walked your motorcycle 50 miles.

[flyerq68]

This subject has been brought up many times on motorcycle forums and has it's share of detractors, I belong to a couple gun forums and this same study was quoted in a thread in their off topic section and wow, you should read comments from the non motorcycling public with regard to this topic. The hatred from the cagers is astounding. I think is is just pure jealousy.

[jmohme]

This subject has been brought up many times on motorcycle forums and has it's share of detractors, I belong to a couple gun forums and this same study was quoted in a thread in their off topic section and wow, you should read comments from the non motorcycling public with regard to this topic. The hatred from the cagers is astounding. I think is is just pure jealousy.

That is the problem. Should the rights of motorcyclists take priority over the rights of everyone else on the road?

I recently flew into San Jose and rented a car to drive to Reno. I can say that coming from a state where lane splitting is not allowed, the practice can be quite distracting, especially when the riders doing it are not paying attention to the 10mph rule and fly past with crotch rocket pipes singing like a heard of ****ed off wasps

It is just one of those things that if it were accepted in all states, there would not be nearly as much negativity toward it.
Regardless, I don't think I would consider doing it myself. It just seems dangerous to me.

[glarson3]

That is the problem. Should the rights of motorcyclists take priority over the rights of everyone else on the road?

I recently flew into San Jose and rented a car to drive to Reno. I can say that coming from a state where lane splitting is not allowed, the practice can be quite distracting, especially when the riders doing it are not paying attention to the 10mph rule and fly past with crotch rocket pipes singing like a heard of ****ed off wasps

It is just one of those things that if it were accepted in all states, there would not be nearly as much negativity toward it.
Regardless, I don't think I would consider doing it myself. It just seems dangerous to me.

I agree, if it were accepted universally in all states, it would actually be safer everywhere. I'm always looking for out of state cars that are less likely to be expecting a lane splitter. It's also true that a few bad apples can spoil it for everyone. Also, the 10mph isn't a 'rule' per se, but it is generally what a LEO will use as a guideline of 'safe speed for existing conditions'.

As to it being dangerous, it can be, and if you're not comfortable doing it, it's more dangerous. I don't always do it because it is not always safe. It is amazing to see how many cars move over to give motorcyclists room to lane split. They realize that the motorcycle being in front of them is going to have zero effect on how quickly they get to their destination in their cage.

[530ktm]

It is amazing to see how many cars move over to give motorcyclists room to lane split.

This is true for the most part but there are always some bozos that try to squeeze you out of room and prevent you from getting by. Being on a bike that is 5 feet wide can be very sketchy at times and that is when it is best to just hang back.

[glarson3]

This is true for the most part but there are always some bozos that try to squeeze you out of room and prevent you from getting by. Being on a bike that is 5 feet wide can be very sketchy at times and that is when it is best to just hang back.

Those are the times I hope there's a Motor Officer nearby. It's illegal to purposely block lane splitting, and a motor officer is very likely to take action. It's best to just hang back, or find a way around a couple of lanes over if necessary. Headlight modulators are helpful in getting the attention of motorists ahead of you, and it's pretty easy to spot who's making room for you, and who's going to try to make it difficult for you to split. This just gives you more time to make the proper, and safe approach to get past the offending vehicle.

[RoadRat]

Many yrs. ago I was sitting in a traffic snarl due to a minor accident on I40 by Flagstaff AZ. I pulled over to the far rt. in my lane to see what was going on when the LEO saw me and motioned for me to come up to the front so I could go on my way rather than sit their in the hot sun. I was on my GL1500 and I had my CB turned on. As I moved to the front you should have heard the comments from the truck drivers, very foul & obscene. When I got up to the front I stopped to thank the officer but those truck drivers weren't very happy.