New to lane splitting (tips?)

[The Bearded Duc]

There is no rule.  Its' not safe.  People in cars are either dumb, distracted or demonic -- usually 2 out of 3.

Lane sharing should be done only when it's possible to get thru unless you like eating asphalt.

+1

I live in LA also, and I share lanes when its possible to do so. That being said, I've had some really close calls on the freeway when not sharing lanes let alone riding right next to a car/driver that's completely pissed that he/she has to sit in traffic.

My advise, as a fellow SoCal'er. Start off a lot slower than you think you need to. Going around a car on the freeway when there is a small opening in the lane next to you will still get you to your destination faster than the car that got on the freeway behind you. If you're gonna do it keep your peripheral vision on a swivel. Like it was mentioned earlier, keep an eye on a few cars ahead, watch for signs like a car turning its wheel, watch for the quick turn signal (LA drivers are notorious for the one flash signal), if it's during the day (I recommend not sharing at night until you're completely comfortable during the day) try watching their mirrors to see if they are looking to get into another lane (LA drivers are also notorious for not using signals at all). Most importantly, I recommend getting into lane 1 (furthest left lane) as soon as you can. There's a lot less going on over there than there is in the right hand lanes, i.e. people getting on and off the freeway.

Good luck and ride safe.
 

[Preisker]

I commuted in San Francisco Bay Area traffic for a few years, and I'm real comfortable doing it. 

#1, Don't split unless the cars are side by side.   Don't weave through the gaps.   The cars will move over on you if there is a gap, but won't change lanes into each other (usually).

#2, Split with your high beams on, they can't tell if you are the cops or not.

#3, Focus, focus, focus.   Don't mess with your Ipod, don't watch the mirrors, don't look around, watch where you are going, watch the mirrors on cars to see if they see you, watch the front wheels, to see if they are turning towards you, watch for doors being opened in front of your because someone's pissed that you can get through while they have to wait (it happens).

#4, Don't go faster than you feel comfortable, safe at.   I split pretty fast, but I've been doing it for 30 years.   Years ago, I was splitting through Morgan Hill, CA, heavy traffic, when I hear a beep behind me, I move over, it's an old guy (I was a young punk at the time) with a pudding bowl helmet, goggles, and a scarf on a BMW K1200RS, I tucked in behind him, and he starts splitting at between 100 and 105 mph, through nearly stopped traffic.   Very uncomfortable for me, I backed off to a more comfortable (for me) 70ish.  I used to see him about once a week for a couple of years.   He looked comfortable doing it, too. 

The first couple of tips were told to me by a CHP motor officer. 

[ducatiz]

One tip:

if you have a headlight modulator, people seem to think you're a cop and move out of your way.

i used to (illegally) lane split in NYC and it was impressive.  i felt like Moses.

[seanster]

One tip:

if you have a headlight modulator, people seem to think you're a cop and move out of your way.

i used to (illegally) lane split in NYC and it was impressive.  i felt like Moses.

Hahaha   

[shamoo]

Thank you for all the replies guys.  I don't post much (since I'm usually at work when I browse the net ), but I definitely read everything.

It's been a few months now and through reading here and other motorcycle forums, I gathered a lot of tips.  Plus, riding ~100 miles a day every weekday has gotten me very comfortable.  Yes, I have a 100 mile route trip commute (Irvine to LA).I feel much more comfortable and I only ride within my own limits.  Even if I'm following a better splitter, I will hang back, and eventually let them go ahead if I feel I cannot keep up safely.  I find that I seem to be "middle of the pack" now in my splitting (err...sharing) skills.

I'm a little wary near/passing police cars and motorcycle units however.  I know that lane sharing is a "sketchy" law and since there isn't really anything specifically prohibiting it, there isn't anything allowing it per se.  You have to do it safely, and it's very easy for the law to say you were splitting unsafely.  Plus, are there areas you're not allowed to split?  In the city?  On the entrance ramp to a freeway?  (The type where there's a light there, letting on a set of cars at a time?  I've never seen this before, as it appears to be a CA thing).  Can I split up to the light?

I also find some instances where the "sensor" on the ground doesn't register my bike.  So I'm forced to:
*  Wait until another car comes along to trigger it.
*  Just turn right and make a u-turn.
* Or just wait until nobody is around and pass the red light (yes I did that once leaving my neighborhood).

[SupraGuy74]

I've never worried about passing cops, if your riding safely the most you'll get is a thumbs up or the nod. And there are ways around the red light situation such as installing a special magnet on the bottom of the bike on a concealed place such as your oil filter. Now i have one light on the way to work where i have this problem and no other cars ever come up to help the light change. I run it every day, keep you eyes peeled for oncoming traffic and go. And to add to this i did get pulled over for this by a LAport police officer (i work in the port of long beach) he asked me why i ran the red, told him straight up unless another car is there I'm not getting through that light. His response surprised me. He told me go ahead and do it, but please try to avoid it as much as possible.

[SDkid]

it would be worthwhile to read the actual words of the law.  I spoke with a few riders in southern california, and they all agreed there is some subjectivity to the enforcement of "safely lane sharing."  If you know what the words are, you'll see there is not an outline of where you can and where you cannot lane share, nor any really specific speed.  Just keep in mind, people in general are stupid and distracted because they're stuck in traffic.  Sometimes there just jealous of your ability to fly past them, and in that case the law doesn't matter because they have a rolling piece of metal that always wins against a bike. 

Enjoy your freedom there, I wish it was a more widespread law.

[jay_cue]

mainly seen your post on ht. I usually split from the fast lane on the driver side just so theres only cars to my right and gives me room to use the left shoulder in case it's needed to swerve from anyone.

[PhilB]

Sounds like you've got it under control.  Good advice here all around (except for ducatiz, who is wrong; lane splitting, done rationally, is safer than sitting in the line waiting to get squashed).  There is no official rule, but the CHP unofficial guideline is not more than 10-15 over surrounding traffic, and traffic at no more than about 40 mph, at which point you should fall in and go at traffic speed.  Some local jurisdictions dislike the practice and are stricter, and may harass you now and then.

I lived, worked, and lanesplit in SoCal for over 20 years, and over 40K miles of just lanesplitting, and never got a ticket or had an accident relating to that.  I'm in NH now, and I miss getting to do that.

PhilB

[ducatiz]

http://www.ots.ca.gov/Media_and_Research/Press_Room/2012/doc/2012_Motorcycle_Survey_and_Safety_Month.pdf


Survey by CA Office of Traffic Safety

"Lane splitting has been a subject for controversy and confusion for years. The OTS survey showed that only 53 percent of vehicle drivers knew that lane splitting is legal in California. Eighty-seven percent of motorcycle riders say they lane split, while seven percent of vehicle drivers admit to having attempted to prevent it."

[seanster]

they are lobbying to pass the same law in TX...the only comment I have is that...it helps my air cool bike i guess cooler other than that I'm scare to even thought about lane spliting ...i know i'm a chiken.

[PhilB]

http://www.ots.ca.gov/Media_and_Research/Press_Room/2012/doc/2012_Motorcycle_Survey_and_Safety_Month.pdf

Survey by CA Office of Traffic Safety

"Lane splitting has been a subject for controversy and confusion for years. The OTS survey showed that only 53 percent of vehicle drivers knew that lane splitting is legal in California. Eighty-seven percent of motorcycle riders say they lane split, while seven percent of vehicle drivers admit to having attempted to prevent it."

Which does not in any way prove your assertion that it isn't safe, nor refute mine that it's safer than sitting in a line of those same "dumb, distracted or demonic" drivers waiting for the guy behind you to make you the meat in a car sandwich.  The press release you reference says exactly zero about the safety and merits (or lack thereof) of lanesplitting.  Thanks for playing.

PhilB

[Drjones]

   They've been lobbying the lane splitting law in TX forever.  One session it is introduced in the House, passes then dies in the Senate.  The next session it is introduced in the Senate, passes then dies in the House.  Rinse. Repeat.  They have no intention of ever passing the law, but it makes for good PR with the voters to pretend like they're listening and doing something.

[ducatiz]

Which does not in any way prove your assertion that it isn't safe, nor refute mine that it's safer than sitting in a line of those same "dumb, distracted or demonic" drivers waiting for the guy behind you to make you the meat in a car sandwich.  The press release you reference says exactly zero about the safety and merits (or lack thereof) of lanesplitting.  Thanks for playing.

PhilB

huh?  it wasn't offered as proof of anything, i just posted it.

but it's not safe.  on the spectrum of "safe things to do" motorcycle riding is on the unsafe end already.  "passing between cars staffed by idiots who think you're breaking the law and cheating" is wildly unsafe.  one needs a severe case of cranio-rectal inversion to miss that.

 

im not saying don't do it, i am saying exercise beyond extreme caution.

[PhilB]

huh?  it wasn't offered as proof of anything, i just posted it.

but it's not safe.  on the spectrum of "safe things to do" motorcycle riding is on the unsafe end already.  "passing between cars staffed by idiots who think you're breaking the law and cheating" is wildly unsafe.  one needs a severe case of cranio-rectal inversion to miss that.

 

im not saying don't do it, i am saying exercise beyond extreme caution.

You offered it as if you thought it was relevant to the conversation.

Lanesplitting isn't "wildly unsafe".  In the context of motorcycling, it's another practice about the same as any other, and *safer* than sitting in the lines.  The CHP guidelines as mentioned above are quite good, and if you follow those and are paying attention, lanesplitting is a perfectly reasonable traffic strategy.  It is legally practiced pretty much everywhere else in the world, as well as in CA, without mass deaths due to the "wild unsafeness" of it.  It's pretty much only in the U.S. "land of the free" where it is prohibited.

PhilB