Lane splitting (sharing) interview

[Ulvetanna_imp]

I think the video makes his speed look faster than it is. I've noticed other posted ride videos are like that. Maybe it's the wide-angle lens effect. Anyhow, it made me nervous, too!

Makes me want to go for a ride, after I've had some caffeine.

[Rolls_imp]

This [url=http://www.ots.ca.gov/pdf/Publications/Motorcycle-Lane-Splitting-and-Safety-2015.pdf]UC Berkeley study on lane-splitting showed no meaningful increase in accidents over 50 mph, and that the only meaningful number was the speed delta (difference in speed between the cars and bike).

Found the study interesting, especially some of the correlations and side data. The abstract is a good read.

Nice that people are actually studying these things.

[dsinned_imp]

My sense is that Officer Rob is a special case. A lane splitting cop is most likely viewed by the general motoring public as a motorcycle rider with "the right" to do so as part of his job. By his own admission he commutes home from Hollywood for 50 miles while lane splitting, so I presume he is off duty. Now, keep in mind that freeways in Southern CA are some of the most God awful, bumper to bumper, intensely CONGESTED highways in the world, especially during rush hours! If they have diamond lanes, commuting may not be as bad, but ordinarily they are flat out the worst possible highways, and practically unbearable on hot Summer days.

To do so anyway on those type of roads as an every day commuter on a motorcycle, lane splitting or not, is just plain nuts! Imho, a rider's life expectancy will not be for very long, lane splitting that often and that long. If you somehow manage to survive lane splitting on a daily basis, which is still bad for your health since the added stress will be absolutely nerve wrecking, I think guys like this need to have way more than nine lives.

Bottom line, in my view, lane splitting is kind of a circumstantial last resort, to be avoided if possible. Constantly trying to squeeze through a sea of cars all around you, without greatly limiting your speed, enough to keep from overheating, is extremely risky. Get another job closer to home!

[mattmcuomo@yahoo.com]

That video was uneventful as far as lane splitting goes. I do the same exact thing as him. He didn't have any problems at all. When you do it safely you can avoid getting hit and I do it all the time! Usually someone texting and not paying attention but also people simply don't pay attention even if they are just driving! They don't signal lane changes, look to see if it's clear they just go where they want to go! I could go on but I think we all know what it's like dealing with bad drivers.....

Sent from me......

[AzBob_imp]

I recently took a trip on my Trophy that took me through southern CA on a weekend. Even on the weekend, the traffic was terrible. I did not lane split because 1) I'm not used to it and 2) I felt my giant Trophy was wider than I wanted to try to fit between two cars.

That being said, I fully endorse those who can and do so. I am compelled by the arguments that the motorcycle takes up less space in the lane, thus relieving traffic somewhat, as well as it actually being safer for the motorcyclist in that rear-end collisions are reduced, as long as the speed delta between the splitting traffic and ambient traffic is not too high.

[the Ferret]

read this today

The Safety Transportation Research and Education Center at the University of Berkeley published a report in August that said motorcyclists who split lanes were less likely to be rear-ended but were more likely to have rear-ended another vehicle.

“They were also more likely to be involved in weekday collisions and more likely to be involved in collisions during peak traffic times,” the report found.

Lane splitters are also at risk of sideswipe accidents.

[Pterodactyl_imp]

read this today

The Safety Transportation Research and Education Center at the University of Berkeley published a report in August that said motorcyclists who split lanes were less likely to be rear-ended but were more likely to have rear-ended another vehicle.

“They were also more likely to be involved in weekday collisions and more likely to be involved in collisions during peak traffic times,” the report found.

Lane splitters are also at risk of sideswipe accidents.

[url=http://cb1100forum.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=8603&pid=134877#pid134877]Another insightful report from another revered centre of learning. Do they know that outside of peak hours and heavy traffic that motorcyclists are less likely to be involved in filtering/splitting? Did they possibly consider that these traffic conditions are normally associated with weekdays? I must see if I can obtain a government grant for my six year old grandson to write reports that contain similar pearls of wisdom. He could do it.

Cheers

read this today

The Safety Transportation Research and Education Center at the University of Berkeley published a report in August that said motorcyclists who split lanes were less likely to be rear-ended but were more likely to have rear-ended another vehicle.

“They were also more likely to be involved in weekday collisions and more likely to be involved in collisions during peak traffic times,” the report found.

Lane splitters are also at risk of sideswipe accidents.

Wow! Who would have thought that? But my grandson just pointed out to me that if a motorcycle is moving faster than the surrounding traffic the chances of a rear end are greatly reduced and the chance of rear ending another vehicle are increased. He could be right. That boy might have a good future.

Cheers again.

[the Ferret]

Lol well in making a decision it's good to have all of the facts, isn't it, whether redundant or not.

If splitting decreases the chance of rear end collisions, as proponents claim, but increases the chances of rear ending someone which the proponants don't even mention, even though both facts are in the study...... Then all the information is not getting told. I didn't make it up, apparently it was spelled out in the study, but nobody is mentioning the possible downsides, only the upsides.

All factors should be taken into account ...right?

I don't think there is much chance that this isn't going to become law in Cali, but there are 49 more states which will have to consider it at some point in the future, as legislators will be pressured by motorcyclist lobbying groups, and we all may be asked to vote on it someday. I would assume most motorcyclists would say yes, but reading replies on various forums etc, that is definitly not the case. There seems to be as many against, as there are for. It seems to me the younger the rider the more he is for, the older the rider the more he is against. Maybe an age and fear thing? Then there is the general public that has to be sold on the idea. Since Cali is used to it, after 30 years or whatever, it may be more readily accepted there. The rest of the country, who knows?

[metallyguitarded_imp]

I haven't taken the time to read the study but before I do, maybe one of you who has read it can clarify. From reading Pterodactyl's post (which I found to be pretty funny), it seems the obvious is being stated. Something like, "Swimming in the ocean greatly increases your chances of being bitten by a shark."

Is the study truly just reporting the increase in risk associated with lane-splitting during commuting days and rush hour or is it comparing that risk to other riders at those same times who don't lane-split. In other words, is it saying, "They were also more likely to be involved in weekday collisions and more likely to be involved in collisions during peak traffic times than motorcyclist who did not lane-split during weekdays and during peak traffic times."

If the latter was stated or, at a minimum, implied from the context of the study, then that's some valuable information. Otherwise, it's about as useful as an inflatable dartboard!

[Pterodactyl_imp]

And, good folks that are old, infirm and afraid, I don't believe filtering/splitting will be made compulsory. Or will it ? .

Cheers