why lane splitting is good for everyone

[nickshelby500kr]

I do it here in dallas all the time. Especially when 75 or DNT gets backed up going to downtown.

People really do get all pissed off and try to block you lane splitting. Its like really, you purposely move your 6000lbs tahoe into my path of travel because youre jealous that i can move through traffic while youre at a standstill getting 2mpg moving an average of 5mph?

[sebastienb]

In Miami I feel I'm the only one not splitting lanes, the other day I even saw a bike follow a cop car on the side of the road while everyone is in heavy traffic.

[nickshelby500kr]

as long as youre not being an ass hat doing it while everyone else is going at speed, i dont mind it. And if its stop and go traffic; even if do pass a police office they dont bother with it, what are they going to do? Make miles of traffic magically move out of the way?

[hbliam]

When I first started doing it I found the same thing.  It in fact WAS implimented to keep bikes from overheating (actually...mostly CHP)  But they just never criminalized it, so it actually isnt legal, its just not ILLEGAL.  (or so the story goes from all the guys in bike clubs and shops that I asked when I was introduced to the idea.)

Like I said, a popular myth.

[hbliam]

No? I thought there was. Isn't there something on the books regarding differences in speed, regarding splitting?

No.

[nickshelby500kr]

a quick google search of "lane splitting" led me to find this 3 piece blog article on lane splitting. The last being a survey. Read the comments and you will see the sheer jealous hate some of those people have towards motorcyclist just because we can and they cant. (assuming you live in CA)

http://roadwarrior.blogs.pressdemocrat.com/10032/splitting-lanes/

http://roadwarrior.blogs.pressdemocrat.com/10066/more-on-motorcycles-splitting-lanes/?tc=ar

http://roadwarrior.blogs.pressdemocrat.com/14544/motorcycle-lane-splitting-controversial-and-legal/?tc=ar

[freeclimbmtb]

With regard to the difference in speed, the rule of thumb I followed out there was "no more than 10mph faster than the speed of traffic, not to exceed the posted speed limit at any time"  More of the myth, but a good guideline.  Also, "follow the lead of CHP, where and how they split, you can split"  Again...take it for what its worth, but it always worked well for me.  (In SoCal)

[Slide Panda]

With regard to the difference in speed, the rule of thumb I followed out there was "no more than 10mph faster than the speed of traffic, not to exceed the posted speed limit at any time" 

As we've learned, not a law (except for the speed limit part) but seems pretty damn sensible to me.

[KnightofNi]

the responser i have gotten from most people is that they don't think it's fair that motorcycles get to move faster. the statment was "why shouldn't you have to sit in traffic like everyone else?"



and whoever said the hurt report was outdated, i agree.

[JoeP]

"why shouldn't you have to sit in traffic like everyone else?"

Uh, because I'm on a motorcycle. It's funny how people will play the "fairness" card when they believe they're at a disadvantage, but not when they're the ones getting ahead. It's like selective socialism.

[Slide Panda]

Because you have AC a cup holder, a radio and a vehicle that doesn't require you to balance it, or hold it up. I have none of these creature comforts, but I do have a narrow vehicle that fits between.

[freeclimbmtb]

"Calculated Risk"

We get there faster because we assume more risk in our method of travel. 

[NAKID]

http://www.chp.ca.gov/programs/motorcycle.html

[KnightofNi]

so i'm out here in cali with msincredible and someguy. i borrow her bike to go for a ride and see what's around. on a 4 lane at a stoplight i'm sitting there behind a few cars. gthey all start looking at me funny. the guy in front of me pulls forward and to the side. i was very confused, as were the drivers around me. then i remembered it's ok to do it here.

i felt like i was stealing candy or something and kept giggling as i rode to the front of the line and took off.

[SDRider]

so i'm out here in cali with msincredible and someguy. i borrow her bike to go for a ride and see what's around. on a 4 lane at a stoplight i'm sitting there behind a few cars. gthey all start looking at me funny. the guy in front of me pulls forward and to the side. i was very confused, as were the drivers around me. then i remembered it's ok to do it here.

i felt like i was stealing candy or something and kept giggling as i rode to the front of the line and took off.

Funny how that works when everyone gets over their self importance and sense of justice isn't it?  Really, who does it hurt to let smaller more nimble vehicles through the congestion?