05-25-2019, 11:10 PM
I’m an event coordinator and travel constantly for work. When I’m in other states or countries and the topic of motorcycle lane splitting comes up, being from California I’m treated like a sort of curiosity.
People ask if cars cut me off or open doors in front of me to try to block me. Or if I have a death wish. I explain that splitting and filtering are engrained in our driving culture in California. Do it safely and it’s a great benefit and drivers expect to be passed.
It does require a great deal of concentration and heightened awareness as well as riding confidence. It took me two years of freeway riding before I tried it for the first time and I was terrified until I became comfortable with the practice. I’ve seen novice riders try it before they were ready and go down quickly. I’ve helped pick some of those riders up from the freeway. The novices who thought they were ready, and thought a sweatshirt and sneakers were adequate protection (which serves as a constant reminder for ATGATT. Yes, I’ve picked up their shoes)
No matter how I explain it, some people just say we’re crazy for doing it. Makes sense if it’s never been legal where you ride. Splitting has been part of our culture forever. I know it’s going to be legalized in other states. I wonder how long it will take before it becomes an accepted and expected part of their culture.
People ask if cars cut me off or open doors in front of me to try to block me. Or if I have a death wish. I explain that splitting and filtering are engrained in our driving culture in California. Do it safely and it’s a great benefit and drivers expect to be passed.
It does require a great deal of concentration and heightened awareness as well as riding confidence. It took me two years of freeway riding before I tried it for the first time and I was terrified until I became comfortable with the practice. I’ve seen novice riders try it before they were ready and go down quickly. I’ve helped pick some of those riders up from the freeway. The novices who thought they were ready, and thought a sweatshirt and sneakers were adequate protection (which serves as a constant reminder for ATGATT. Yes, I’ve picked up their shoes)
No matter how I explain it, some people just say we’re crazy for doing it. Makes sense if it’s never been legal where you ride. Splitting has been part of our culture forever. I know it’s going to be legalized in other states. I wonder how long it will take before it becomes an accepted and expected part of their culture.