Lane splitting (sharing) interview

[pdedse]

I just returned from a trip to LA and San Diego where I spent 4 days in each city. I was in a car and had the opportunity to feel mc lane-splitters whizz by me for the first time. Very first time, caught me completely off guard. I had forgotten that it was even legal in CA. Fortunately, I was able to plan my daily trips so that I could avoid the worst of traffic, and any slow downs were just that, and for a few minutes. If I had to deal with LA traffic on a daily basis during heavy commute time, I think eventually I would take up lane-splitting, but my limit would probably be 10mph over other traffic. One thing about the officer from the video earlier in the thread--he commented negatively about other drivers who are not aware of a lane-splitter coming from behind because the car drivers are likely texting, facebooking, or otherwise just not paying attention. I would say they might just be focusing on what's ahead, paying attention to the car braking in front of them, thinking about where they have to go--they might be new to town like I was...in short, it doesn't seem to me that it's my responsibility to know what's coming up from behind me in the mini-lane between me and the car next to me--unless I'm switching lanes and then I always check blind spot and mirrors. But if I'm constantly checking mirrors for lane splitters, am I doing so at the expense of seeing that car brake in front of me suddenly?

[Elipten_imp]

Yes you are. Splitting IMHO puts more situational demand on the car driver and motorcyclist. How one can quantify that risk versus the risk of the motorcyclist being in traffic.

[treytexag_imp]

Very well put - I completely agree . . . . more situational demand.

Yes you are. Splitting IMHO puts more situational demand on the car driver and motorcyclist. How one can quantify that risk versus the risk of the motorcyclist being in traffic.

[Cormanus]

And that 'situational demand' is why, I suspect, Australian jurisdictions limit the maximum speed at which you can filter/lane split to 30 kph.

[Randy B]

When I wen through drivers ED (in Illinois) I was taught to be constantly scanning...the road ahead, my instruments (speed) and my mirrors. Constantly. Not just if I want to change lanes. This keeps you aware of the circle of influence that surrounds your vehicle. It's not just a motorcycle that might be coming up behind you, but how about an emergency vehicle? What if it's bad weather and there happens to be a tornado behind you? (a bit extreme, but you get the point)
You have to be aware of what is on the road around you or you could be surprised in a bad way.

[Ulvetanna_imp]

Yes you are. Splitting IMHO puts more situational demand on the car driver and motorcyclist. How one can quantify that risk versus the risk of the motorcyclist being in traffic.

Here is one for you. I am in the car pool lane 80 mph, which is standard if you don't want to have someone on your rear tire. I constantly check my surroundings to see who's coming up in the lane to my right, which we call the #1 lane. Often vehicles with drivers who are texting and facebooking (yes, they are doing that, they are not scanning diligently) or otherwise distracted, putting on makeup, chatting, drifting off to sleep, eating an In-n-Out burger, whatever, these drivers will fade into the car pool lane and come very close to the double-yellow or double-white line, so it is not a good idea to ride to far right of the car pool lane.

For this reason I ride always in the center or to the left tire track in the car pool lane. In this case a car decided to split lanes between the carpool lane and the #1 lane. Driver was doing about 100 mph and squeezed between a car in the #1 lane and myself, the other car being about 100 feet behind me and of course to my right. So the speeding motorist did a diagonal cut between us and came about a foot or so from contacting me.

However I noted the car's approach when I scanned and could tell instantly it was not going to strike me but would have just enough room to squeeze by. I didn't move a muscle or budge an inch off my line. Whole thing took place in less than two seconds from the time I saw the car.

The second car, behind and to my right eased alongside and the driver looked at me in bewilderment as if to say, rightly so, "What was that all about?"

It was just about a dork wanting to send a message.

My setup looks much like a police bike, a big ADV with a large extending protective cage, white full-face helmet. Could well have been someone who hates the police, hates motorcycles, or was just hauling the mail like we get sometimes and decided to take a short cut. No way to know. Life goes on. Pay attention out there.

[emptysea]

There's a fairly interesting editorial piece in September's Motorcyclist Magazine on this issue.

[Ulvetanna_imp]

I guess it would be relevant to mention I do drive a car in traffic and we get used to looking for motorcycle headlights in our right side mirror. A bright headlight helps a lot, many motorists move over, some because they think it may be law enforcement. One thing about sharing is that it is customary only between #1 and #2 lanes, doing it anywhere else is asking for trouble. Weaving between cars to get to an exit is excepted obviously.

[Elipten_imp]

Put a headlight modulator on and they really move over due to thinking you are the law.

[Ulvetanna_imp]

There's a fairly interesting editorial piece in September's Motorcyclist Magazine on this issue.

Thx, it's here, online too.

[url=http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/motorcycle-lane-splitting-laws-crawl-along]http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/motorcycle-lane-splitting-laws-crawl-along

Put a headlight modulator on and they really move over due to thinking you are the law.

lol, I was on the same ADV bike as mentioned a couple posts up in traffic and a car moved well over for me, but I didn't split up to the light, just stayed put. When the light changed the driver realized I was not a LEO and seemed a little miffed, jumped on the gas and took off. But either way, it was a nice gesture and showed the person was paying attention.

[url=http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/police-bike-masquerade-cooks-corner-motorcyclist-magazine]Marc Cook has an editorial about exactly what happens when your bike looks like a cop...