Visiting California, need info on lane-splitting

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isnowbrd · #1 Unread post by **isnowbrd** » Fri Apr 07, 2006 12:15 pm

Well, I got my bike out to CA and I'm going to be here for about a month. My bike is going to be my main source of transportation. Can someone tell me what the laws are on lane-splitting here in CA? When and where can I do it and when can't I? And is there anything I need to know about lane-splitting so as to stay safe?

Thanks

dieziege · #2 Unread post by **dieziege** » Fri Apr 07, 2006 12:48 pm

It is tolerated/accepted. "Basic Speed" can zap you if the speed difference is too high or the cop wants, but that is just the cop's judgement call. Many many (most, at a guess) local bikers do it. The better drivers know and will accomodate you. A few (mostly SUVs) will be pissed if you do it in traffic that has them frustrated.

The advice the MSF instructor gave was that it is safest to go between cars that are next to each other, rather than cars which have an opening to merge into. He also said to keep the speed difference below about 20, and "be careful".

skinnyjoint · Fri Apr 07, 2006 1:53 pm

wow so you can split right up the middle between cars?
this use to happen all the time when i lived in japan but i didnt think you could do it in the states.

anyone know about florida laws then?

Dragonhawk · Fri Apr 07, 2006 3:31 pm

Rule #1:
Read this:
http://www.laneshare.com/content/view/24/34/

Rule #2:
Don't hit anything.

Icarus · #5 Unread post by **Icarus** » Fri Apr 07, 2006 5:27 pm

That laneshare site is right on. I have been lane-splitting since I started riding, but only if I came on a big line of cars that were completely stopped at a red light. Yesterday I had to get somewhere on the 405 at 5 pm, so it was obviously a parking lot and I tried lanesplitting on the freeway with moving cars. Let me just say that lane-splitting is a beautiful thing!

That being said, you need to be careful. I agree with splitting the number 1 and 2 lanes - people don't make the change between those two lanes as often. Some drivers were nice and moved to the side of their lane to let me by, others it seemed tried the opposite, and there were several spots where it was simply too small a gap to fit through. Just had to wait until a spot opened up. And be wary of empty spots in the lane - the one time I had someone change lanes right in front of me was where there was a multiple-car gap in the lane to the left of me.

I actually felt pretty good about splitting, since I could keep my attention focused ahead of me. When I was in the middle of a lane in that traffic, I was constantly worried about the person behind me and whether they saw me and would stop in time so I didn't get sandwiched.

isnowbrd · #6 Unread post by **isnowbrd** » Fri Apr 07, 2006 6:46 pm

What about lane-sharing off the freeway? What can you do in the cities without asking for a ticket?

And, would I be right in saying that you shouldn't lane-share on the freeway when traffic is moving faster than 30mph or so?

Icarus · #7 Unread post by **Icarus** » Fri Apr 07, 2006 6:57 pm

isnowbrd wrote:What about lane-sharing off the freeway? What can you do in the cities without asking for a ticket?

And, would I be right in saying that you shouldn't lane-share on the freeway when traffic is moving faster than 30mph or so?

There really isn't any specific regulation of lane-splitting in CA. CHP's site says you need to be "safe and prudent", but that is obviously wide-open to interpretation by officers. You can split lanes on the freeway at any speed if you can convince the officer that you were being safe about it.

You can split lanes on city streets just like you would on the freeway, although I think its much more risky to do so while traffic is moving since people tend to change lanes much more often on side streets.

And yes, its probably not the best idea to split once traffic has gotten over about 30. Traffic starts breaking up and it becomes difficult to predict how cars will move about in their lanes, etc. I split lanes until traffic got to about 25, then merged into a lane because i started to get very uncomfortable.

JustJames · #8 Unread post by **JustJames** » Fri Apr 07, 2006 8:45 pm

do not never ever ride on shoulder of the road/fwy no matter how bad traffic. CHP (california highway partrol) really love to give a ticket to the one crossing yellow line on to shoulder. Don't ask me how I know

, I have to find a time to go to traffic school soon.

DivideOverflow · Sat Apr 08, 2006 6:24 am

skinnyjoint wrote:wow so you can split right up the middle between cars?
this use to happen all the time when i lived in japan but i didnt think you could do it in the states.

anyone know about florida laws then?

No lane splitting in Florida.

Locopez · #10 Unread post by **Locopez** » Sun Apr 09, 2006 1:07 pm

Praise the motorcycle gods..to be able to lane split in the great state of California. Some very good info...that I did not read here yet. Remeber that it is called "Lane Sharring". Do not ride in the middle of the lanes..or on the middle line.

Also you might consider giving any cagers that give you extra room..a friendly wave...if you can safely. I always try to do that. Hopefully more riders will do this and it has to help other cagers to see that we appreciate there help. There are way to many cagers here in Cali that are not aware that lane splitting is legal.

Be very very careful....and of course have fun riding.....

Hope to see you out there!