Why lane split?

[m0t0g0th]

What are the regs on lane splitting in CA?  I have heard traffic can only be going a certain speed and you can only go a certain speed faster...  Just a random thought I was having...

these guys have good info:
http://laneshare.org/ca.htm

[erkishhorde]

Oh yeah, to answer the topic name, one reason I split is to help keep the bike cool. Air cooled bikes aren't fun in stopped traffic. I don't know if they're related but I had a voltage regulator go kaput on me right after I hit stop and go traffic. I don't doubt that the voltage regulator would have died eventually anyway but sitting in stopped traffic didn't help either. The thing got hot enough to melt wires and there was smoke everywhere. It scared the heck outa me.

[ScottRNelson]

What are the regs on lane splitting in CA?  I have heard traffic can only be going a certain speed and you can only go a certain speed faster...  Just a random thought I was having...

Here's your answer, written by a police officer and discussed in great detail:
http://www.bayarearidersforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=154980

And by the way, it also helps keep my water cooled bikes from overheating.

[rsoffar]

i lane split here in dallas... for the main reason of it gets so damn hot. i dont ever ride without my jacket and gloves on and even with the mesh jacket i burn up in traffic.

you do really have to be careful though cause ppl are assholes.... i was splitting one day and a guy opened his door so i stopped thinking he was just throwing something out but then he leaned out and yelled back at me asking  "can i help you?" i just nodded at him then he shut his door so i started going again and as i got up to his car he threw his door open again trying to hit me. i easily went around the door and slammed it back shut for him.

ppl can be pricks. watch out for yourself.

[mxwinky]

A. It's just a great time saver. 
B. What's the point of riding a bike if you're going to be stuck in traffic with all the cages?
C. I don't want to be the meat in the sandwich when the car behind me rear-ends the car in front of me.
D. I don't do it at high speed, and you do have to keep your eyes out for sudden lane changers no matter what the conditions.
E. Shouldn't we be rewarded such perks for using more efficient, space saving vehicles?
F. There are inherent dangers in all motorcycle riding, but we choose to do it and manage those risks as best we can. 

Let the cars stack up in an endless line of sweat and exasperation; I'll be more than happy to be on my merry way by slicing up to the front of the line and heading on to the next great road!

[arai_speed]

To avoid this:

[Privateer]

as stated by someone above, I do it for commuting and for getting up to the front at stop lights.

I used to have a 22 mile commute to work that took about 45 mins by car (morning), longer if there was an accident or something.  Takes about 20-25 on the bike if I split the slow sections.  Going home was usually an hour or longer in the car, 30-35 mins on the bike.

It improved by quality of life and I had a much better attitude when I got home.

Now I only go 3 miles to work all on surface streets so no place to split unless there's a wreck or something at a light.


Andy

[monster2b]

Aside from all the other reasons mentioned I split for a safety thing. I have about 8 miles of surface streets between me and the freeway. So you split up to the front at a stop light, take off faster than the cars and for a while you have a cushion of cars in front of you and car's in back of you, but no cars near you. [moto]

I ride the carpool lane and rarely need to split. I do see guys splitting at 90+ down the double yellow and think they are nuts, but at least they give me the salute as they pass by...

[hyphen]

I've been apart of the last board since the 2000 but just not too active on this one and have heard many references to the safetieness of lane splitting.  I know its only legal in California but I don't understand its rational.  It seems like with the rapid lane changes people do in their cars it seems more dangerous.  Can someone explain this style of riding?

because lane splitting means bypassing traffic.  obviously, you won't want to split lanes in 70 mph traffic but in slow traffic when cars are lined up next to each other its hard for them to switch.  additionally, getting rear ended while nestled between two cars is damn near impossible.  it all takes good judgment.  i wouldnt even commute on my bike if it was illegal.

[erkishhorde]

Lanesplitting is just a simple risk/ gain problem. If traffic is stopped splitting at any speed helps you get to your destination infinitely faster. Even splitting 30 mph traffic at 35 mph gets you to your destination about 15% faster. On a 30 minute commute that's only about 5 minutes but if you split 5mph faster you'll get there 10 minutes faster. Cutting a 30 min. commute into a 20 min. commute is pretty useful. The question is, 10 minutes of your time worth the risk?

[hbliam]

I think the risk is pretty minimal. You watch out for the open spots (because they will be filled) , and expect everyone to not see you. My main reason for splitting? Time. Riding the bike to work cuts my commute in half. In the morning (0430) the 13 miles is covered in about 12-14 minutes. At 6PM in rush hour traffic it only takes me another 4 minutes or so.

[NuTTs]

simple: cars don't rapidly change lanes in damn-near-stopped, bumper-to-bumper traffic.

Yes, exactly

I think the risk is pretty minimal. You watch out for the open spots (because they will be filled) , and expect everyone to not see you. My main reason for splitting? Time. Riding the bike to work cuts my commute in half. In the morning (0430) the 13 miles is covered in about 12-14 minutes. At 6PM in rush hour traffic it only takes me another 4 minutes or so.

+1, I don't ride to work for pleasure. I need to make up time... and as mentioned previously, most cagers are dicks

[TCK!]

Lane Splitting is Illegal.

Lane Sharing is Legal.

If you ever get pulled over the semantics are very important in that situation.

[Carman]

Keep cool
Keep the bike cool
Save time
Get through traffic

[hbliam]

Lane Splitting is Illegal.

Lane Sharing is Legal.

If you ever get pulled over the semantics are very important in that situation.

Lane splitting is not illegal. Neither is lane sharing.