[Introduction] Noob Q&A

[♣ McKraut ♣]

yeah i had hope for it last time around; wasn't it only allowing speeds up to like 15 mph, but only if traffic was moving at 10mph or less?  i forget the details now...  but i'm not sure why it has such a tough time passing.  do they think if they legalize this, then we'll see a drastic increase in idiots weaving around traffic at 100+?

[CajunR]

Alright, I'm a dork for still having these links  , but here's the proposed law from last year:

http://lanesharing.forum-motion.com/lane-sharing-texas-sb506-f5/sb506-bill-text-link-t3.htm

I think it was just a victim of apathy.  It was just buried on the committee's docket somewhere, and they didn't care.  I think there would have to be a budget for an ad campaign to get public awareness up if it did pass, lest motorists would be losing their minds and starting fights with bikers at intersections on a daily basis.

I split a line of about 30 cars a few weeks back because the heat was just too awful.  Traffic was at a dead stop, and both left lanes were waiting to turn left at the light (6 lane road).  Nobody was moving, and there were no gaps for cars to swap lanes.  I crawled to the front and got in front of a monster dually that couldn't make the shift to the left close to the light.  I ended up occupying empty space, and I was through the intersection before the dually could get out of first, so I inconvenienced no one.  And I lost track of the angry honks. 

[xRANDOx]

I'm going to take care of my ticket tomorrow and I'll let y'all know how much it's gonna cost. Then I'm gonna save up some money to get the maintenance taken care of. However I'm already looking forward to Christmas and looking at a tailchop kit. When I do it I want to get new tail light and blinkers and was wondering what a good website for parts like that would be?

[junior varsity]

i filter regularly in traffic. yeah, a bunch of assholes will notice you coming and try to squeeze you out, sour grapes.

filtering is walking/idling the bike up between cars to the front of the intersection when traffic has come to a stop.

[andym]

i filter regularly in traffic. yeah, a bunch of assholes will notice you coming and try to squeeze you out, sour grapes.

filtering is walking/idling the bike up between cars to the front of the intersection when traffic has come to a stop.

I like that you use "filtering" lane splitting sounds aggressive.

When I had my bike lessons back in old blighty, yes lessons start in a car park to learn controls and then on the road for a couple of hours each week until the instructor believes you are proficient and safe enough for your test, I was taught to filter at lights, roundabouts etc. 

I still use my training here when traffic is stationary, busy intersections, accidents on the tollway etc.

[TresGatos]

Air cooled bikes need to move. Just sayin...

[♣ McKraut ♣]

And I lost track of the angry honks. 

yeah, that's what i don't understand is what's to be mad about?  i don't split very much, but when i have i've been honked at, and swerved at many many times.  why would people be that malicious?  i'm not harming them in any way, nor am i impeding in their travel time.... i just can't wrap my head around how vindictive people in cars can be, especially when they're going 1mph...and i'm doing like 5...

[xRANDOx]

Went to the courthouse today... Lets just say the bike will be sitting in the garage for a few months untill I can get some money together.

Unsignaled Lane Change 1 - $120 (Court Fees) + $50 (Defensive Driving Course + 6 hours of my time)
Unsignaled Lane Change 2 - $185 (Court Fees) + 10 Hours Community Service
No Insurance - $400 (Court Fees) + 25 Hours Community Service

Total $755 + 35 Hours Community Service + 6 Months unsupervised probation

Guess that's a pretty good Welcoming to the club 

[muskrat]

You got screwed!

[TresGatos]

Holy cow!!!  That really blows

[xRANDOx]

No joke....

Only the first Unsignaled Lane Change is for sure right now though. So I've already payed $120 and I'm gonna sign up for defensive driving. The other two still have to be sent to the judge and the receptionist told me that was what was going to happen.

[muskrat]

Do you have other tickets or do they hate bikes in college station?

[xRANDOx]

First ticket ever. The insurance is what really screwed me over. But when you have a new bike it's impossible to not want to ride it

[muskrat]

U should be able to get it reduced being your first time.  Tell them you were going to get insurance at least

[xRANDOx]

I did and I do have insurance and showed them the proof. However I don't get to talk to the judge. The paper work gets given to him and he just signs off on it. Hindsight I probably should have plead not-guilty and talked to him. But they talked me into pleading no-contest