05-25-2019, 03:08 AM
The ability to lane split and filter and use carpool lanes in California is literally why I started riding years ago. Sitting and fuming in commuter traffic, watching bikes blissfully whiz by in the carpool lane. It’s part of the culture here, and when I get on the freeway in the morning, it’s almost like the parting of the seas as cars move over to make room. I pass the same cars each morning, they are all used to bikes passing them in the same places each day. Sometimes I find myself riding with traffic in the carpool lane at say, 60 mph, with a safe lengthy distance behind the car in front of me, making no indication that I want to pass, yet the driver moves half way onto the shoulder for me. Now he’s kicking up shoulder debris, and I’ll sped up to pass to make him feel better (here’s your thank you wave), and to keep rocks from hitting me.
That’s on my daily commute on the 55 freeway in Orange County. For my weekend gig in downtown LA, it’s quite different. There are more variations in traffic conditions and speeds, more combinations of freeway and surface riding and different lane widths. I’m a lot more focused.
But either way it’s a huge time saver. My 11 mile OC commute is 35 minutes in a car, 18 minutes on a bike. The Hollywood freeway on a Saturday night? Forget about it in a car altogether.
I also am keenly aware that drivers from out of state need a wide berth as they may not be comfortable with a motorcycle six inches from their mirror. My weekday commute takes me past John Wayne airport, and weekends past LAX. I’m careful to spot rental cars - people who are jet lagged and just got on a scary California freeway for the first time. I don’t need to freak them out further. I have been crowded in by guys in rentals who must have thought I was breaking the law. One one occasion, another driver yelled at the offending tourist - “leave him alone, that’s legal here!”
Of course, all of this should be done with common sense, and a ton of situational awareness. Plus, I do everything I can to increase my visibility- multiple lights up front, brake flasher, hi viz gear, and I still ride like I’m invisible. And I respect my fellow commuters. Give me room? You get a wave. You’ll happily look for me in your mirror tomorrow to get that wave again. And the next guy will see you do it and he’ll want that wave.
Plus, studies have shown that you’re less likely to be seriously injured by a glancing blow from a car changing lanes into your side than by being rear ended.
And I’m the only one on my commute on a CB! I was about to buy an FZ09, but heck, everyone else on the 55 has one.
Edit : just watched that video - if you’re riding through stopped or very slow traffic going as fast as those guys are going, yeah, you’re going to end up on a compilation video.
That’s on my daily commute on the 55 freeway in Orange County. For my weekend gig in downtown LA, it’s quite different. There are more variations in traffic conditions and speeds, more combinations of freeway and surface riding and different lane widths. I’m a lot more focused.
But either way it’s a huge time saver. My 11 mile OC commute is 35 minutes in a car, 18 minutes on a bike. The Hollywood freeway on a Saturday night? Forget about it in a car altogether.
I also am keenly aware that drivers from out of state need a wide berth as they may not be comfortable with a motorcycle six inches from their mirror. My weekday commute takes me past John Wayne airport, and weekends past LAX. I’m careful to spot rental cars - people who are jet lagged and just got on a scary California freeway for the first time. I don’t need to freak them out further. I have been crowded in by guys in rentals who must have thought I was breaking the law. One one occasion, another driver yelled at the offending tourist - “leave him alone, that’s legal here!”
Of course, all of this should be done with common sense, and a ton of situational awareness. Plus, I do everything I can to increase my visibility- multiple lights up front, brake flasher, hi viz gear, and I still ride like I’m invisible. And I respect my fellow commuters. Give me room? You get a wave. You’ll happily look for me in your mirror tomorrow to get that wave again. And the next guy will see you do it and he’ll want that wave.
Plus, studies have shown that you’re less likely to be seriously injured by a glancing blow from a car changing lanes into your side than by being rear ended.
And I’m the only one on my commute on a CB! I was about to buy an FZ09, but heck, everyone else on the 55 has one.
Edit : just watched that video - if you’re riding through stopped or very slow traffic going as fast as those guys are going, yeah, you’re going to end up on a compilation video.