Research Project: Lane splitting

[NorDog]

Hello everyone!

I'm starting a bit of a research project on lane splitting and would love to interview lots of people on the subject.

I would like to talk to people from all over the country (and even outside the USA) about their experiences, techniques, and opinions.

Of course there are many riders who disapprove of lane splitting, and I want to talk to you too, maybe even especially you.

If you're interested in giving your opinion please send me a personal message with your phone number and/or email address.

Thanks.
NorDog

[ArguZ]

Ok, I am from Germany, living in Denmark, driving to Sweden and Italy from time to time.
Before I went to italy, I didnt think it could be socially accepted..but there it is.
Even the cops and every other 2 wheeler moves as much to the front as possible.
Standing traffic, roundabouts, even on the highway..
So if you are not used to it, go there and learn it.
In Germany cagers are aggressive and you can even expect people opening doors if you try it in a traffic jam on the highway.
In town traffic its illegal and cops will sack you, people will honk, its just no fun.
Denmark and Sweden are pretty relaxed and would never scare you or try to show you how small their ..uhh..respect is.
So you CAN do it all the time but you start to feel like an asshole and so you just go with the flow.
There not too many cars anyway.

Personally I try to adept to the local environment...i love doing it, but I wont do it in a renegade way

[He Man]

ofcourse the point of his post was to see who knows how to read and follow instructions. you failed. 


just poking fun. PM sent!

[PhoenixS4R]

PM sent!

[ghosthound]

its legal in CA and i LOVE it!

[ryandalling]

Not legal in Oregon.. I have done it to avoid an accident though... and only for that reason.   

[The Bearded Duc]

its legal in CA and i LOVE it!

I might be wrong on this, as I often am, but I thought the case in CA was that there just isn't a law stating that lane splitting was illegal which one would think made it legal. My understanding is that they can still stop you, if they wanna give you a hard time, and write you a ticket for something like reckless driving? I'm actually curious about this and there might already be a thread about it. Does anyone know the real answer? I often split if traffic is really bad but I'm completely afraid to do it in front of a cop.

[lawbreaker]

SoCal rider and daily lane splitting commuter...

PM sent

[somegirl]

I might be wrong on this, as I often am, but I thought the case in CA was that there just isn't a law stating that lane splitting was illegal which one would think made it legal. My understanding is that they can still stop you, if they wanna give you a hard time, and write you a ticket for something like reckless driving? I'm actually curious about this and there might already be a thread about it. Does anyone know the real answer? I often split if traffic is really bad but I'm completely afraid to do it in front of a cop.

There's a good thread on it on BARF: http://www.bayarearidersforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=154980

[zooom]

are you going to take into account the density of penetration of motorcyclists versus cars in this project?

are you going to account for scooters also?

[The Bearded Duc]

There's a good thread on it on BARF: http://www.bayarearidersforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=154980

Thanks somegirl. Exactly what I thought. Kind of an "at your own risk" situation. 

[arai_speed]

I have  a story about lane sharing.

On my way home from work, rush hour traffic on local surface streets.  I am lane sharing.  On one side of the street there is some sort of accident with a few police cars and a moto cop.  As I pass by one of the police officers yells and points at me.

Officer: "YOU COME HERE!"

I pull over in front of them, turn off the bike and proceed to remove my helmet.  The officer approaches, quickly removes the key from the ignition and puts it in his pocket.  He then proceeds:

Officer: "DO YOU KNOW WHY I STOPPED YOU?"

(please note, I'm typing in caps not as a dramatic effect but as the conversation simply took place).

I don't know and reply accordingly. 

Officer: "You were in the same lane as that car!"
Me: "Yes, but in California it's legal for two vehicles to share a lane"
Officer "What? Two cars can't share lane!"
Me "That's correct, two cars can't, but a motorcycle and car can"

He ask for the usual, license, reg and insurance info.

The officer walks away and goes to talk to the moto cop, I can't hear their conversation but I can only image.  The moto cop smiles and nods at the question being presented to him.

The officer comes back and tells me.

"I'm going to let you go because you were not being an asshole with me! Have a good day"

He returns keys and documents.  To this day I split lanes. 

[NoisyDante]

"I'm going to let you go because you were not being an asshole with me! Have a good day"
He returns keys and documents.  To this day I split lanes. 

Ha! 

[NorDog]

Thanks to everyone for replying, both here and via PM, and sorry for being dormant on this.  I hope soon to have a little questionaire for those interested and will be contacting you by email later this week.

Thanks again.

NorDog

[socalsurfer]

The officer comes back and tells me.

"I'm going to let you go because you were not being an asshole with me! Have a good day"

He returns keys and documents.  To this day I split lanes. 

This is exactly why I always act civilized and in control when talking to officers. I've gotten warnings, but never tickets for lane sharing and other minor traffic violations. (not saying lane sharing is a violation though)