Total Motorcycle Community Forums

Anthony wrote:

pigsbladder wrote:Surely common sense would suggest it's not legal...

Well it's legal in california. And I didn't ask if it's legal. I asked if anyone does it.

It may be legal if you're in California, but it's extremely dangerous.

For a new rider on a new super sport bike.. it's stupid.

Meh. Lane splitting is pretty dumb in most situations. Now, I know that 4PM to 5:30 PM Monday to Saturday means no riding through the city because of heavy traffic. Heavy traffic = heavy gear full of sweat = no fun to take off when you reach your destination = smelly biker.

When I did my course (don't know if we actually have MSF here in Australia), the instructor told me that it's illegal to ride next to a moving car, but he all but said that it was okay to get to the front of the line at the lights when the other cars were stopped.

A year or so ago here in Melbourne, a heap of riders got together to speak out against new lane splitting laws, and they formed a huge group on the Eastern Freeway. They followed the law to the letter in regards to speed limits (good idea anyway), lane sharing, lane splitting, and survival zones. I think it actually extended peak hour by an hour and fifteen minutes.

One thing I have noticed is that cars will often move aside for bikes when approaching lights. This makes sense. Bike will take off faster, and can stay out in front without much trouble. I have noticed that drivers get cranky when you do get in front of them, but they get equally annoyed if you're playing it safe and sitting in traffic.

ngsalvo wrote:When I did my course (don't know if we actually have MSF here in Australia), the instructor told me that it's illegal to ride next to a moving car, but he all but said that it was okay to get to the front of the line at the lights when the other cars were stopped.

A year or so ago here in Melbourne, a heap of riders got together to speak out against new lane splitting laws, and they formed a huge group on the Eastern Freeway. They followed the law to the letter in regards to speed limits (good idea anyway), lane sharing, lane splitting, and survival zones. I think it actually extended peak hour by an hour and fifteen minutes.

One thing I have noticed is that cars will often move aside for bikes when approaching lights. This makes sense. Bike will take off faster, and can stay out in front without much trouble. I have noticed that drivers get cranky when you do get in front of them, but they get equally annoyed if you're playing it safe and sitting in traffic.

Interesting view.

pigsbladder wrote:my bad, let me rephrase, surely common sense would suggest it's.... inadvisable?

Some would say riding a motorcycle is inadvisable.

I do not agree that it is inadvisable.

As a new biker, I would certainly not attempt it myself until I felt comfortable doing so, and even then, I'd probably only do it if it were legal (at least I'd like to think so).

Having said that, the Hurt study indicated that lane-splitting was quite safe, though it was also focusing on urban California areas where lane-splitting was legal -- I suppose the argument could be made that drivers are more "used" to it there. But I have not seen any evidence to suggest that it, in the hands of a competent biker, lane splitting is any more dangerous than any other aspect of riding.

Seems to fall into the "ride up to your ability" category. It may well be that, even if I thoguht it was okay, I'd never feel comfortable doing it, legal or otherwise. If that's the case, I'm never going to do it.

Most useful thing as a wannabe biker is to recognize the things I don't know.

I was told a few years back by a Calif.Hi.Pat. that it is only legal if traffic is stopped in both lanes. Was also legal in Arizona back then not now. But one thing I do know DON'T do this in South Dakota. But if I feel safe and no cops present...........can I take the fifth or at least a pint.

In Wyoming I saw road construction where they stop traffic and make you then follow flag truck. Road workers told all motorcycles to go a head of the cars, right behind flag truck. Washington ferries are the same, bikes go to the front of the line.

In states where lane splitting is illegal, you can get ugly tickets for it first of all. Including reckless, which is never fun.

Also, the other cars do not appreciate your lane splitting talents and become offended.

Offended cages can often blossom into the sweet insanity of road rage.

While i've done it on a bicycle (i'm entitled to the full lane whether i'm in a car, truck, on a motorcycle or bicycle) it's mainly because of speed issues (curtesy to other users of the road) it's not something i'd try on a motorcycle.

Damn, I can't imagine not splitting lanes here. I won't do it above 20mph but it is perfectly legal here in the UK

Make sure your lights are on (lit up like a christmas tree) and you don't really get any problems. Just don't go too much faster than the traffic either side of you (~10mph for me, others go faster but thats their choice)

Never had a problem yet, that I haven't had plenty of time and options to deal with

pigsbladder wrote:Surely common sense would suggest it's not legal...

If I were renting a bike when we come to Florida I would assume its legal, but then from what I saw last time the rule book gets thrown out of the window during Biketober