Total Motorcycle Community Forums

After spending a month riding in California, where lane-sharing is allowed, I really hate riding here at home. I am tempted to just start lane-sharing. As long as I am doing it safely, I think I should be able to talk my way out of a ticket.

I looked it up in the Minnesota Motorcycle Manual, and here is what is has to say:

Lane Sharing

Cars and motorcycles need a full lane to operate safely. Lane sharing is usually prohibited.

Riding between rows of stopped or moving cars in the same lane can leave you vulnerable to the unexpected. A hand could come out of a window; a door could open; a car could turn suddenly. Discourage lane sharing by others. Keep a center-portion position whenever drivers might be tempted to squeeze by you. Drivers are most tempted to do this:

• -In heavy, bumper-to-bumper traffic.
  -When they want to pass you.
  -When you are preparing to turn at an intersection.
  -When you are getting in an exit lane, or leaving a highway.

I find it interesting that it says it's usually prohibited. In another section, the manual says:

Lane Positions

In some ways the size of the motorcycle can work to your advantage. Each traffic lane gives a motorcycle three paths of travel, as indicated in the illustration.

Your lane position should:

• -increase your ability to see and be seen.
  -avoid other's blind spots
  -avoid wind blast from other vehicles.
  -avoid surface hazards.
  -provide an escape route.
  -protect your lane from other drivers. communicate your intentions.

I would interpret this to suggest that lane-sharing should be allowed, even where I live. Being rear-ended by another vehicle is my biggest fear on my motorcycle. When I talked to a couple of motorcycle cops in California, they said that lane-sharing is much safer because of this reason alone.

I really wish I knew the consequences of being ticketed if I can't talk my way out of it.

I have been splitting lanes for 20+ years and have never had anything more serious happen than a horn honked at me. By that time I hear it I've moved 50 or more feet past them so unless they want to abandon their car, there is nothing they can do. Bottom line- As more of us do it, more cagers will get used to it and accept it and maybe... buy a bike and join us at the head of the line!

Those of you who are afraid to do it, I respect your decision but the only thing you have to fear is fear itself.

Musicman1 wrote:I have been splitting lanes for 20+ years ...

Can I ask where you live?


I did some more research about local laws for me in MN. The Minnesota Office of Traffic Safety lists this as the last of 25 laws for motorcycles.

Splitting traffic is illegal. No one except on-duty police officers may ride between lanes of traffic or in the same lane with other vehicles. It is legal for two motorcyclists to ride side-by-side in the same lane if both riders agree to it beforehand.

Another official source says:

169.974 Motorcycle, motor scooter, motor bike Table of contents for Chapter 169 (e) No person shall operate a motorcycle between lanes of moving or stationary vehicles headed in the same direction, nor shall any person drive a motorcycle abreast of or overtake or pass another vehicle within the same traffic lane, except that motorcycles may, with the consent of both drivers, be operated not more than two abreast in a single traffic lane.

I guess I would have to blatantly break the law if I want to lane-share.

Yup, look at Number 8: http://www.dailybulletin.com/news/ci_4060016

According to the Hurt report though, it is a proven stat that lane splitting is safer than relying on the guy behind you to stop at a reasonable distance.

Many people are selfish though.

When you get rear ended by a NYC cab, the city places no fault on them and will tell you to be more careful. Since lane splitting is illegal here, if a cop has a bad day they will ticket you, even if you cite safety as a reason for doing so.

I live in Atlanta, but have lived in Houston, DC, Richmond VA and NYC. I travel all over the world on business.

It seems we are divided into two groups: Those who have lane-split and realize it's no big deal and those who have not and conger up all kinds of self-righteousness and unwarranted fears. If the second group would just try it for a while they will become part of the first group. They will save a lot of time as well!

It has nothing to do with being self rightous or having unwarranted fears. I'm not willing to break the law and get a tickets to save a few minutes. I understand that it's actually safer to lane split, and if it were legal, I'd be right there with you, but don't act like it's no big deal just to decide that a law is inconvenient to you.

Andrew78108 wrote:It has nothing to do with being self rightous or having unwarranted fears. I'm not willing to break the law and get a tickets to save a few minutes. I understand that it's actually safer to lane split, and if it were legal, I'd be right there with you, but don't act like it's no big deal just to decide that a law is inconvenient to you.

My thoughts exactly. It's like Musicman1 is the local drug pusher... it's okay, everyone else is either doing it or wants to be doing it... so what if it's against the law... it shouldn't be against the law, so just do it and don't be afraid...

It would take a lot more than peer pressure to get me to break the law. And I'm certainly not going to break the law to help some stranger with an agenda. I happen the enjoy my clean driving record and the low insurance rates that come with it. I also enjoy keeping myself safe from cagers who may do me harm while lane splitting. Simply encouraging riders to lane split illegally will not help to educate the public, it won't help to get proper legislation in place... the best it will do is incite cagers to have an even deeper resentment towards bikers in general. You'd get better results with petitions, letters to senators and congresspeople.

And since this was your only thread here (interesting way to introduce yourself), I'm half waiting for you to ask for funding or something. But whatever - hope your crusade works out for you...

Cheers,
Loonette

JCViper528 wrote:According to the Hurt report though, it is a proven stat that lane splitting is safer than relying on the guy behind you to stop at a reasonable distance.

Is it possible that the reported numbers deal with areas where lane splitting is legal? If it's a legal activity, and the other motorists are aware of the fact, then maybe it is safer. But if it's not legal, and the cagers don't even look for lane splitters, it would seem more dangerous. Just a thought...

I mean if folks want to do it because they want to do it and are aware of the legal consequences, then fine - split away.

Cheers,
Loonette

hoorah! for lane splitting!



i lane split everyday and the longest continuous splitting i've done is about 20 miles. WOW! traffic was so bad that day.

Loonette wrote:It would take a lot more than peer pressure to get me to break the law.