Lane splitting . . . you're doin' it wrong.

[Grey Thumper]

Motorbike getting sandwiched between two trucks.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f0zxIrByfFc#at=13

(Heads up; mild profanity).

[BRUMBEAR]

Hah he is lucky he didn't die.. Darwin award vote right there

[GS_in_CO]

If you watch the compilations of 'motorcycle fail' videos on YT it appears that lane splitting is very hazardous. Of course watching the videos of driving in Russia or Bulgaria or Taiwan it appears that only a main battle tank would be adequate protection from the various threats.

[storysunfolding]

I haven't seen one of those fails that conform to California Highway Patrols guidelines on lane splitting.

http://www.chp.ca.gov/programs/lanesplitguide.html

This one wasn't real splitting just reckless passes, speeding and an inability to plan. He failed at his only opportunity to truly split and that seemed based on his inability to brake.

[Grey Thumper]

I'm from a country where lane splitting is legal (come to think of it, isn't the US the only country where it's illegal - except for CA?).

Far from being hazardous, I think lane splitting is efficient and - since it effectively creates "extra lanes" for all the motorcyclists - ultimately benefits everyone on the road (cagers included) - especially useful in countries like mine where maybe 20% of the road traffic is made up of small-displacement bikes.

That said, it isn't for beginners, and the CHP guidelines are good rules of thumb whatever country you're riding in (although I gotta admit, I still split at speeds faster than 30mph. I guess 40mph is my upper limit.)

[dr_bar]

It's legality goes state to state, in Canada, there's a lobby to have it allowed in BC...

[storysunfolding]

It's not illegal in DC.... granted it's not legal either. Since DC is a federal jurisdiction that means that there are literally 100+ agencies that can write you a ticket. However my motto is "If I fits, I splits!" and so far- so good!

[madjak30]

I'm a fan of filtering, but not lane splitting...just doesn't seem safe to split when the cars are moving...the drivers here, I'm sure, would squeeze you out of jealousy. I think filtering could go a long way in solving the congestion problems we have in the bigger centers here in Canada, as well as the States. But it seems like the legislators are making it harder to justify having a bike at all...unless it's a small displacement scooter, they seem to like those...friendlier image I guess?

But with the noise police focusing on bikes, the insurance rates for a bike & the way they don't seem to be following up on laws already on the books for distracted drivers...just makes it more dangerous for us in general. More education on bikes is needed, since the general population has a negative image of bikes...but that's getting off topic a bit...

Later.