Lane splitting Europe vs US

[Shorts]

As a new rider, I don't understand lane splitting. As a driver, I hated it, I guess for the most part because like diezeige said, it was unfair. My take on it was, for so long motorcyclist fought and fought to be treated equally like cars, not driving too close, giving them the whole lane rather than encroaching on a motorcyclist's space, pretty much treating them like a fullsize vehicle. Yet with lane splitting, motorcyclist's can now pick and choose when they act like a fullsize vehicle and when they act like a car. So which way do you want it?

I don't know. That's kind where I'm at. I don't see myself lane splitting. That may change on my riding experience as well as location. I don't trust other drivers when I'm in my truck much less on a bike. I want my space, yet, when it doesn't seem right (or smart) to put myself in someone else's space, especially when they're bigger than I am. Car doors, people sticking arms out holding cigs or dumping the half-empty cup of morning coffee, that annoying driver that likes to switch back and forth in the lanes just because the lane next to him is moving faster.

I read "lane splitting is legal when it is safe". When is a "safe" situation to lane split? While traffic is stationary seems like ideal, but the act itself just doesn't seem like 'safe' manuever (yes, even if you are skilled enough), putting yourself in a tight spot between often distracted drivers with a ton or two of motor and metal to squish you.

Anyhow, I'm just going to sit back and read through these lane splitting threads and learn something.

[dieziege]

Yeah, that's a good argument against the bigger bikes.

But people do it all the time on Goldwings and big BMWs. I had to go around a guy today who was slowly threading his way through on a fat Harley... the only bikes I routinely see stuck in traffic are the fattened calf custom "chopper" cruisers.... the guys with beanies and tee shirts and fat tires and a frustrated look on their face as I ride by..... but I guess they like their bikes.

[FlyerPhil]

I lane split in slow/stuck traffic conditions. I feel safer between traffic and parked cars than sitting in a lane with some soccer mom on her cell in her SUV behind me willing to kill to get 6 feet closer to the next red light.

I haven't lane split at speed and I don't expect to but if traffic isn't moving or going 1-15mph I will, at about 5-10 faster than the slow/stuck traffic is moving.

I don't think its unfair. I think its a benefit that comes with the loss of seat belts, air bags, and air conditioning. Yeah, maybe I'll get where I'm going 15 minutes faster than you stuck in a traffic jam but you'll be sitting there in relative comfort.

[VermilionX]

im more daring to split when traffic is stopped.

when at speed, i only do it when there's more than enough room.

and i only split when i go between 2 vehicles (less chance they'll change lanes)

and i accelerate hard to pass by faster and at the same time, my engine makes a lot of noise to grab their attention.

[JC Viper]

I remember readin TWO magazine and some guy in the UK got into an accident while lane splitting because the cager didn't look to see while changing lanes. The cager used lane splitting as an excuse or something but the judge said basically that's not a good reason since bikes are meant to "filter" (lanesplit) what did you expect.

Semi Rant: The US is almost the most selfish compared to the EU when it comes to transportation. Of course I hear the reason for Germany to ban filtering is due to speed and also strict enforcement of proper lane movement, can't blame 'em they still have less accidents than we do. And I'd rather filter even in NYC whenever since people tailing don't even bother to see us as well.

[Mag7C]

I don't think I'd do it even if it was legal, for the reason that everyone else has already stated: Americans are too ANGRY!

See I'm proof.

[ShawnKing]

Interesting to note that Helmets are not mandatory in most states in the US, but lane splitting is illegal.

Minor correction: Lane splitting is legal in the state of California. But only in Cali.

[ShawnKing]

As a new rider, I don't understand lane splitting.

The logic is supposed to be that with any given space, the more vehicles you get in the space, the more "efficient" it is.

That is, if motorcycles move up ahead of other vehicles (effectively "filling the space" ahead of other cars) more cars behind the bike can move up into the space vacated by the motorcycle thereby lessening congestion.

Hope that helps.

[MontyCarlo]

The problem with allowing lanesplitting, as others have alluded to, is that drivers will need to be reeducated about it's legality. The reason it works in California is that there are lots of motorcyles and drivers are a bit more aware of them, and lanesharing has been allowed long enough that CA drivers know to be aware of it.

There have been attempts to legalize it in WA, TX, and other states, but it never makes it past committee. There would have to be an extensive, i.e. expensive, media campaign to alert other drivers of the change in the law. I think were it to finally become legal here, I'd wait a year or two before I started splitting, just because drivers wouldn't be looking out for me.

The main problem is that driver education in this country, for the most part, sucks eggs. We can't even get most drivers to observe the "keep right except to pass" rule, so it's fancy to expect them to observe the "watch for motorcycles passing between lanes" rule without major driver education.

[DivideOverflow]

Why do you think it's banned in the US? and ... do you think you guys could start getting some lobbying done in congress for lane splitting, because I never want to live in a country that doesn't allow it !!

Because any idiot can get an MC license over here, and it is dangerous for people who lack the proper skillset.