Lane Splitting in California

[holy666diver_imp]

So I was on my Cb11 yesterday after work and was lane splitting in stopped traffic going about 3mph. I ended up in a tight spot but nothing the CB could squeeze through when suddenly traffic started moving and I had a Semi truck on my left start to move too close for comfort and I ended up clipping my mirror in a mini vans mirror. To my surprise there wasn't even a scratch on my mirror! The mini van didn't honk or yell at my not sure if they even noticed it, but their mirror didn't move either. Anyways out the 2 years I have been commuting to work this is the first time I clipped a mirror. I don't think I'll be splitting by Semi Trucks anymore lol Even at 3mph in 1st.

Any one else ever clipped a mirror in Ca? Also is there lower profile mirrors for the cb anyone recommends? (not bar end mirrors).

[Rebel73_imp]

I clipped a mirror once. I don't think I did any damage but I still felt bad.

[furious_blue_imp]

So I was on my Cb11 yesterday after work and was lane splitting in stopped traffic going about 3mph. I ended up in a tight spot but nothing the CB could squeeze through when suddenly traffic started moving and I had a Semi truck on my left start to move too close for comfort and I ended up clipping my mirror in a mini vans mirror. To my surprise there wasn't even a scratch on my mirror! The mini van didn't honk or yell at my not sure if they even noticed it, but their mirror didn't move either. Anyways out the 2 years I have been commuting to work this is the first time I clipped a mirror. I don't think I'll be splitting by Semi Trucks anymore lol Even at 3mph in 1st.

Any one else ever clipped a mirror in Ca? Also is there lower profile mirrors for the cb anyone recommends? (not bar end mirrors).

I know you said 'no bar end mirrors', but.. 'lanesplitter' folding mirrors are pretty good in that regard.. mirror contact ? they just fold back.

I also don't split semi trucks very often.. all it takes is a driver on the other side to push the motorcycle under the truck (maybe as an unintended result of texting or some such) and that's the end. I don't want to die due to someone being traumatized because they couldn't find a pair of purple UGG boots.

[Rebel73_imp]

STAY AWAY FROM TRUCKS!

They are BAD NEWS for bikers, period. They have huge blind spots.

[treytexag_imp]

Please don't flame me.

I think lanesplitting - to me - is crazy. I would not do it, I just don't have the nerves and I have too many mouths counting on my income. For you braver types, it's OK.

I will say I'm glad it does not seem to be common here in Texas. When I was out in San Fran and LA last summer with the fam, I was quite shocked when a bike zipped up the "lanesplitting" area in the 3 feet between my car and the car in the lane next to me.

I'm a bit of a Safety Sally working in the Refining and O&G industries my whole life so this notion of "lane splitting" is lost on me. But I guess I'm just a paranoid "old school" fart when it comes to this sort of thing.

Again, this is just me. I know most of you probably are OK with it, but for me - no.

Glad to hear your bike wasn't damaged, and cannot believe the van you hit didn't notice - sounds like that are pretty loud to miss . . . .

[furious_blue_imp]

Please don't flame me.

I think lanesplitting - to me - is crazy. I would not do it, I just don't have the nerves and I have too many mouths counting on my income. For you braver types, it's OK.

I will say I'm glad it does not seem to be common here in Texas. When I was out in San Fran and LA last summer with the fam, I was quite shocked when a bike zipped up the "lanesplitting" area in the 3 feet between my car and the car in the lane next to me.

I'm a bit of a Safety Sally working in the Refining and O&G industries my whole life so this notion of "lane splitting" is lost on me. But I guess I'm just a paranoid "old school" fart when it comes to this sort of thing.

Again, this is just me. I know most of you probably are OK with it, but for me - no.

Glad to hear your bike wasn't damaged, and cannot believe the van you hit didn't notice - sounds like that are pretty loud to miss . . . .

No flame, just my personal experience.
I only do it when traffic is at a near standstill and I never pass at more than a fast walking speed.
As soon as I can do more than 20 mph, I'm back in line..

Just like the act of riding a motorcycle, when one imagines all the things that could possibly go wrong.. riding a motorcycle sounds like lunacy (we've heard that a lot, especially from non-riders)..

It's actually not that bad when done with caution and in proper circumstances.

There are those that choose to split traffic that is moving at 50mph+. That's very dangerous and just plain nuts. If/When the CHP sees that, they are sure to issue a ticket for unsafe driving (riding)...

[treytexag_imp]

Please don't flame me.

I think lanesplitting - to me - is crazy. I would not do it, I just don't have the nerves and I have too many mouths counting on my income. For you braver types, it's OK.

I will say I'm glad it does not seem to be common here in Texas. When I was out in San Fran and LA last summer with the fam, I was quite shocked when a bike zipped up the "lanesplitting" area in the 3 feet between my car and the car in the lane next to me.

I'm a bit of a Safety Sally working in the Refining and O&G industries my whole life so this notion of "lane splitting" is lost on me. But I guess I'm just a paranoid "old school" fart when it comes to this sort of thing.

Again, this is just me. I know most of you probably are OK with it, but for me - no.

Glad to hear your bike wasn't damaged, and cannot believe the van you hit didn't notice - sounds like that are pretty loud to miss . . . .

No flame, just my personal experience.
I only do it when traffic is at a near standstill and I never pass at more than a fast walking speed.
As soon as I can do more than 20 mph, I'm back in line..

Just like the act of riding a motorcycle, when one imagines all the things that could possibly go wrong.. riding a motorcycle sounds like lunacy (we've heard that a lot, especially from non-riders)..

It's actually not that bad when done with caution and in proper circumstances.

There are those that choose to split traffic that is moving at 50mph+. That's very dangerous and just plain nuts. If/When the CHP sees that, they are sure to issue a ticket for unsafe driving (riding)...

No flame, just my personal experience.
I only do it when traffic is at a near standstill and I never pass at more than a fast walking speed.
As soon as I can do more than 20 mph, I'm back in line..

Just like the act of riding a motorcycle, when one imagines all the things that could possibly go wrong.. riding a motorcycle sounds like lunacy (we've heard that a lot, especially from non-riders)..

It's actually not that bad when done with caution and in proper circumstances.

There are those that choose to split traffic that is moving at 50mph+. That's very dangerous and just plain nuts. If/When the CHP sees that, they are sure to issue a ticket for unsafe driving (riding)...
Furious, the way you describe it doesn't sound too scary, admittedly.

I was doing 55 down the freeway in LA and two guys on bikes flew past us up the "lanesplitting" area. I thought to myself, "well, at that speed it won't matter if their organ donor cards are current, 'cuz there won't be any viable tissue left . . . . "

[the Ferret]

I have to admit I have only been to Cali once. Rode out there last summer. Got stuck in bumper to bumper traffic from San Fran to Sacramento on a Friday afternoon in 100+ degrees (it was stinking HOT!). I saw other bikes lane splitting and I considered it, but when I looked up between the rows of cars at how much space was available I just said no way are my doing that. Got no problem with someone else doing it. I'm just not doing it.

[furious_blue_imp]

Please don't flame me.

I think lanesplitting - to me - is crazy. I would not do it, I just don't have the nerves and I have too many mouths counting on my income. For you braver types, it's OK.

I will say I'm glad it does not seem to be common here in Texas. When I was out in San Fran and LA last summer with the fam, I was quite shocked when a bike zipped up the "lanesplitting" area in the 3 feet between my car and the car in the lane next to me.

I'm a bit of a Safety Sally working in the Refining and O&G industries my whole life so this notion of "lane splitting" is lost on me. But I guess I'm just a paranoid "old school" fart when it comes to this sort of thing.

Again, this is just me. I know most of you probably are OK with it, but for me - no.

Glad to hear your bike wasn't damaged, and cannot believe the van you hit didn't notice - sounds like that are pretty loud to miss . . . .

No flame, just my personal experience.
I only do it when traffic is at a near standstill and I never pass at more than a fast walking speed.
As soon as I can do more than 20 mph, I'm back in line..

Just like the act of riding a motorcycle, when one imagines all the things that could possibly go wrong.. riding a motorcycle sounds like lunacy (we've heard that a lot, especially from non-riders)..

It's actually not that bad when done with caution and in proper circumstances.

There are those that choose to split traffic that is moving at 50mph+. That's very dangerous and just plain nuts. If/When the CHP sees that, they are sure to issue a ticket for unsafe driving (riding)...

No flame, just my personal experience.
I only do it when traffic is at a near standstill and I never pass at more than a fast walking speed.
As soon as I can do more than 20 mph, I'm back in line..

Just like the act of riding a motorcycle, when one imagines all the things that could possibly go wrong.. riding a motorcycle sounds like lunacy (we've heard that a lot, especially from non-riders)..

It's actually not that bad when done with caution and in proper circumstances.

There are those that choose to split traffic that is moving at 50mph+. That's very dangerous and just plain nuts. If/When the CHP sees that, they are sure to issue a ticket for unsafe driving (riding)...
Furious, the way you describe it doesn't sound too scary, admittedly.

I was doing 55 down the freeway in LA and two guys on bikes flew past us up the "lanesplitting" area. I thought to myself, "well, at that speed it won't matter if their organ donor cards are current, 'cuz there won't be any viable tissue left . . . . "

yeah, that's nuts..
another anecdote :-) :
A co-worker was splitting lanes past an accident scene, but continued to split even after traffic sped up to normal freeway speed.
This time his luck had run out and the driver next to him started to move over..

he went down at freeway speed.

I visited him at home while he was recuperating from having knee reconstruction with implanted ligaments to replace ALL BUT ONE of the originals (yipes, his lower leg was literally 'hanging on by a thread' !).

His wife made him give up motorcycles after that, and realizing his own penchant for aggressive driving, he complied.

[lola_imp]

So I was on my Cb11 yesterday after work and was lane splitting in stopped traffic going about 3mph. I ended up in a tight spot but nothing the CB could squeeze through when suddenly traffic started moving and I had a Semi truck on my left start to move too close for comfort and I ended up clipping my mirror in a mini vans mirror. To my surprise there wasn't even a scratch on my mirror! The mini van didn't honk or yell at my not sure if they even noticed it, but their mirror didn't move either. Anyways out the 2 years I have been commuting to work this is the first time I clipped a mirror. I don't think I'll be splitting by Semi Trucks anymore lol Even at 3mph in 1st.

Any one else ever clipped a mirror in Ca? Also is there lower profile mirrors for the cb anyone recommends? (not bar end mirrors).

Just a tip. If you find yourself stuck in between big vehicles let your presence known by honking and not revving your engine, I find reving your engine quite obnoxious. That way when traffic starts moving they hopefully would give enough room to zip through...

Similar incident happen to me along the 110frwy where i ran out of room then when traffic started moving a pickup truck scuffed my right boot,almost ran it over.... lane splitting doesnt require skill only a a great deal of awareness...