Motorcycle lane splitting: Better for riders, better for drivers.

[RBX QB]

The thought of lanesplitting makes me wee myself a little. Of course, that is thru the filter on my living here in the Northwest. As others have said, car drivers can be a-holes (yes, I've had my days, too). It would take a while for drivers here to get used to the idea that a bike was allowed to ride the line in congested traffic, and I fear that the time before they are educated would include drivers "wandering the lane" to prevent a bike from proceeding... "why does HE get to go?"

Over time, it could work as well as it appears to in SoCal... and I'm sure I'd try it on occasion... but I may still wee myself a little.

[DM426]

I recently read a very similar discussion on another forum about the same issue, and it was interesting to hear form the Australian members as they've just passed some new laws there.

As I understand it (and any Aussies here are welcome to correct me if I have it wrong), the new laws have clarified the issue by dividing this into two basic types: lane splitting and filtering.

Filtering is defined as motorcyclists using the available space to go in-between and around cars when traffic is really backed up or hardly moving. Filtering is now legal in most places there, but you're limited to 30 KPH and no more than 10 KPH over the surrounding traffic. In other words, filtering is intended as a means to allow motorcycles to work their way through and out of heavy traffic, thus helping reduce overall congestion and (hopefully) increasing safety.

They define lane splitting as motorcyclists using the available space to pass cars by going in-between them at normal highway speeds. This is not legal.

There appears to be a great deal of confusion on the Internet and among motorcyclists in general on this issue, with "lane splitting" being used as a generic term to refer to both of these types of riding. Filtering is a term I commonly heard used to differentiate between the two when I lived in Europe, but it seems in the US everyone just says lane splitting. If we're not going to make a distinction between the two practices (and we really should), then that goes a long way toward explaining why there is an entrenched opposition (even among motorcyclists) in the US to "lane splitting."

I believe filtering could be legit and safe, or least there is the potential that it could be once people adjusted to it. But actual lane splitting at highway speeds like I saw all the time in Europe...no way. That's just insane.

Here's some examples of what I'm talking about. The first video of "lane splitting" is really filtering through heavy traffic in California. Pretty straightforward and arguably safer than being stuck in traffic. Fair enough. The second video shows some real filtering through heavy traffic, but it also shows a bunch of cases where the rider completely ignores any and all traffic laws to pretty much just drive all over the road like it's his private estate. This guy is a clown that simply doesn't want to wait his turn for anything. The third video is a classic case of blatantly illegal and unsafe lane splitting.

The point is, there are different types of filtering and lane splitting. So I take it with a grain of salt when I hear people say, "Oh lane splitting is safe. There's a study that says so." Right. There are TONS of people out there who already ride exactly like this.

[Skybarney]

Very well written response and I am in full agreement!

Big difference between the two and it could only help legislation to differentiate between the two. 

[SDRider]

I lane split on my commute in to work this morning.  Traffic on the 15 freeway was slow but never completely stopped and when it sped up to around 40 or above I just slotted in to become another vehicle in my lane.  When traffic slows I just take to the middle and "filter" as you say.  When I get to the HOV lanes I ride along at the speed of the vehicles around me (HOV lanes on the 15 in San Diego usually move along pretty well, even during rush hour).  Exits and stop lights are another place where I always filter to the front.  Only time I don't do this is on single lane roads or when there are only one or two vehicles ahead of me.

[MendoDave]

I lane split on my commute in to work this morning.  Traffic on the 15 freeway was slow but never completely stopped and when it sped up to around 40 or above I just slotted in to become another vehicle in my lane.  When traffic slows I just take to the middle and "filter" as you say.  When I get to the HOV lanes I ride along at the speed of the vehicles around me (HOV lanes on the 15 in San Diego usually move along pretty well, even during rush hour).  Exits and stop lights are another place where I always filter to the front.  Only time I don't do this is on single lane roads or when there are only one or two vehicles ahead of me.

That is pretty much the way I always did it. If there was a line of cars stopped for construction on two lane blacktop, I would usually go to the front as well.

[DM426]

I lane split on my commute in to work this morning.  Traffic on the 15 freeway was slow but never completely stopped and when it sped up to around 40 or above I just slotted in to become another vehicle in my lane.  When traffic slows I just take to the middle and "filter" as you say.  When I get to the HOV lanes I ride along at the speed of the vehicles around me (HOV lanes on the 15 in San Diego usually move along pretty well, even during rush hour).  Exits and stop lights are another place where I always filter to the front.  Only time I don't do this is on single lane roads or when there are only one or two vehicles ahead of me.

Defined like that (more or less "filtering"), I would probably support laws similar to what they just enacted in Australia as long as there are similar limitations. But I can't see ever supporting legalizing lane splitting at highways speeds, like shown in the third video above. I hate to sound like a curmudgeon, but like most of you I also own and operate a vehicle of the four-wheeled variety. And I don't want to have to look out for motorcyclists trying pass between me the car in the adjacent lane at 75 MPH.

I really hope the guys in that video have matured a bit and have an opportunity to become more responsible riders.

[Howie]

Defined like that (more or less "filtering"), I would probably support laws similar to what they just enacted in Australia as long as there are similar limitations. But I can't see ever supporting legalizing lane splitting at highways speeds, like shown in the third video above. I hate to sound like a curmudgeon, but like most of you I also own and operate a vehicle of the four-wheeled variety. And I don't want to have to look out for motorcyclists trying pass between me the car in the adjacent lane at 75 MPH.

I really hope the guys in that video have matured a bit and have an opportunity to become more responsible riders.

I doubt anyone in this thread would support lane splitting at 75 MPH. 

[Skybarney]

I doubt anyone in this thread would support lane splitting at 75 MPH. 

I fully support it!  Just a couple of conditions:

1.  Must only be done without a helmet.
2.  Must only be done prior to breeding. 

Maybe if we let the stupid people kill themselves before they have kids the world would be a better place.   

[MendoDave]

I fully support it!  Just a couple of conditions:

1.  Must only be done without a helmet.
2.  Must only be done prior to breeding. 

Maybe if we let the stupid people kill themselves before they have kids the world would be a better place.   

Those people caught doing that sort of thing should be sent to the Soylent Green factory.

[Kopfjager]

Ghost Rider approves.

[DM426]

Those people caught doing that sort of thing should be sent to the Soylent Green factory.

Well, here's one. A soon-to-be statistic.



On a semi-related note, that video would actually put me off wanting a 1200S.

Ghost Rider approves.

You can't fix stupid.

[Privateer]

most motorcycles lane share every day without incident and without looking like most of those videos.

but I suppose you don't get a lot of clicks riding reasonably.

[Kopfjager]

 

[SDRider]

I was clipped a few months ago while lane splitting and I still do it... motorcycling is dangerous, but I'd still rather lane split than sit in stop and go gridlock.

Rode to work yesterday because I knew traffic would be horrific and I could beat right through it on my way home and it was horrific.  One less cage.  Cagers should just thank us really.