Highway lane splitting poll
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4,284 Posts
Do it all the time when riding out in Cali, really like it, saves alot of time, but you dang sure better be attentive when doing it........dont chance it here in texas since its illegal.......
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37,280 Posts
I've done it when two cars are in the front of the line moving at like 25 in a 55, but at speed? Never.
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1,261 Posts
When that wild hair comes out I do, but I usually cruise down the highway at the speed limit or slightly above.
I do it. But I don't enjoy it...too risky. Those of you who are enjoying lane splitting have not experienced it in LA, rush hour at the 101/405 interchange (the busiest interchange in the world) is enough to give you to a migrain. It's difficult in a car, on a bike its very challenging to say the least.
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1,261 Posts
I won't do it in traffic that is sitting still or if there is a row of cars I would have to split. Only when at speed and there is a hole on the other side of the cars I am splitting.
At stop and go speeds I am afraid someone would open their door into me or pull into me. At speed I'm there and gone by the time they see me.
At stop and go speeds I am afraid someone would open their door into me or pull into me. At speed I'm there and gone by the time they see me.
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1,698 Posts
+1
Its pretty nerve racking so I only do it when trafiic is crawling
If someone opens their door, I will get money from their insurance and would probably try to have them arrested for assault or attempted murder or something. Lane "sharing" legal here so it could be considered a road rage incident and the person would surely be in trouble
I split all the time. If you live in Los Angeles you can get very adept to it if you are willing. The traffic here absolutely stinks. During rush hours if you are on the wrong freeway you can easily be lane splitting for well over a 20+mile stretch before things break up a bit.
To me the danger lies in the speed differential that you are splitting at. Visually there isn't much difference if you are going (all hypothetical of course) 15mph with traffic at 10mph...vs. 65mph with traffic at 60mph.
The way traffic runs over here you'll go through miles of slow moving traffic, with small pockets gradually (almost imperceptibly) moving faster/slower...but the cars still stay pretty tightly packed. IMHO the tighter the pack the better it is for the lane splitter because it gives cars less maneuverability options.
Lets say you are travelling 10mph faster than the flow of traffic. As the flow speeds up and slows down you too are maintaining that set differential. Pretty soon you will be splitting at a relaxed highway speed and everything will still appear visually static.
Now if there isn't any traffic, it doesn't make much sense to needlessly split. However, for me, splitting at speed is an option to get out of "an accident could happen here" situation...and I will excercise that option without a second thought if I deem it to be a prudent one at the time. It can also be a much smoother, more mind-relaxing method than large, "erratic" lane changes, coupled with sudden bursts of acceleration/decceleration. Ughs.
Smooth and flowing is always the key. There should be NOTHING "wild/hair-raising" about it. And in the end, you balance the equation with "the patient rider lives longer..."
Sitting in the cage, with a restricted point-of-view visibility...lane splitting at speed looks completely insane.
However, when you are on the bike with tons of sight lines to choose from...things look completely different.
I will say that I often come up on other motorcyclists lane splitting...and you can tell which ones are very unconfortable with the idea because their lane splitting is very slow/erratic/with jagged lines=no good. And every now and then you will have the one that is travelling at speeds that exceed their ability to stop if need be=no good.
I once saw an excellent lane splitter. It was an older gentlemen on an old standard. He made very good time and just flowed through the traffic as if he was not even there...adjusting lane changes with lane splitting...all the while with good effectiveness/precision/control. Smooth and flowing.
Bottom line: If you are lane splitting in a manner which makes cars react to your presence...that is no good. However, if you lane split in a smooth manner so that it is like you do not exist to the cars (generally speaking)...THAT is good.
If you are going to do it, do it right...there should be no tentative "half-assing" your way through it. Set your line, set your speed...watch out for openings in traffic (those are danger signs) and adjust your speed accordingly. If another lane looks better to split, take it.
To me the danger lies in the speed differential that you are splitting at. Visually there isn't much difference if you are going (all hypothetical of course) 15mph with traffic at 10mph...vs. 65mph with traffic at 60mph.
The way traffic runs over here you'll go through miles of slow moving traffic, with small pockets gradually (almost imperceptibly) moving faster/slower...but the cars still stay pretty tightly packed. IMHO the tighter the pack the better it is for the lane splitter because it gives cars less maneuverability options.
Lets say you are travelling 10mph faster than the flow of traffic. As the flow speeds up and slows down you too are maintaining that set differential. Pretty soon you will be splitting at a relaxed highway speed and everything will still appear visually static.
Now if there isn't any traffic, it doesn't make much sense to needlessly split. However, for me, splitting at speed is an option to get out of "an accident could happen here" situation...and I will excercise that option without a second thought if I deem it to be a prudent one at the time. It can also be a much smoother, more mind-relaxing method than large, "erratic" lane changes, coupled with sudden bursts of acceleration/decceleration. Ughs.
Smooth and flowing is always the key. There should be NOTHING "wild/hair-raising" about it. And in the end, you balance the equation with "the patient rider lives longer..."
Sitting in the cage, with a restricted point-of-view visibility...lane splitting at speed looks completely insane.
However, when you are on the bike with tons of sight lines to choose from...things look completely different.
I will say that I often come up on other motorcyclists lane splitting...and you can tell which ones are very unconfortable with the idea because their lane splitting is very slow/erratic/with jagged lines=no good. And every now and then you will have the one that is travelling at speeds that exceed their ability to stop if need be=no good.
I once saw an excellent lane splitter. It was an older gentlemen on an old standard. He made very good time and just flowed through the traffic as if he was not even there...adjusting lane changes with lane splitting...all the while with good effectiveness/precision/control. Smooth and flowing.
Bottom line: If you are lane splitting in a manner which makes cars react to your presence...that is no good. However, if you lane split in a smooth manner so that it is like you do not exist to the cars (generally speaking)...THAT is good.
If you are going to do it, do it right...there should be no tentative "half-assing" your way through it. Set your line, set your speed...watch out for openings in traffic (those are danger signs) and adjust your speed accordingly. If another lane looks better to split, take it.
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27,266 Posts
I will do it in slower trafic especially if its hot out. At the higher speeds I will sometimes do it, my problem is I sometimes hesitate a second before hitting an opening so if I am not too sure of it I wont go. Even with the slower traffic I watch for openings where a car may go in because in NY signaling i soptional it seems so I am prety careful withthat, plus it is ilegal here.
Tom
Tom
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