Total Motorcycle Community Forums

Hey there. So, I live in CA where lane splitting is legal. But I was sitting in traffic in my car, not moving and thinking how much better it'll be when I'm on my bike and actually MOVING. I was in the right lane because soon I would be moving into an exit lane, which was about to appear in maybe 600 ft. If I were on my bike in this situation the safest place for me to be, if I'm splitting lanes would obviously be on the right side of the lane, but that would also happen to be the shoulder.

Then I was thinking what if I was on the left lane and the traffic was the same. If I split the lane on the left side it's safer, except thats a shoulder as well and not another lane. Does that count as lane splitting if there is a shoulder? I know driving in a shoulder in a car is illegal, but you also cant split lanes in a car. Is it legal to sort of ride in the shoulder if you're lane splitting?

Car, truck, bus, motorcycle. You can not ride in the shoulder. Also a thought to ponder. Another term for Lane Splitting....Lane sharing. Also keep this in mind. This is legal for you to do on a motorcycle. But don't think for a moment that a car has to share the lane with you.

Also look at it this way...in my opinion being on the right side of someone in the right lane is asking to be run over. Think about it...you were in your cage in the right lane. why....? Because you wanted to get off of the freeway. When lane splitting do not be in a hurry. The best way to survive is to be looking...looking...and do not be in a hurry. I think the best time to split...is when traffic is at a dead stop. Less moving parts....if you will. Not to say that I don't split when they are moving. Becareful......shinny side up!

teabgs wrote:Is it legal to sort of ride in the shoulder if you're lane splitting?

No. But when you give yourself a flat tire from all the junk you are riding over, at least you'll already be on the shoulder.

When I lane split on the highway, I stay between lanes 1 and 2 (1 being the far left lane). I stay there and only there until its time for me to exit, then I work my way over carefully. If I come up on someone going too slow for my taste (on a bike also lane spitting) or a giant Harley that can't fit between 2 Honda Civics, I'll carefully go around them between lanes 2 and 3. I figure that there is less changing lanes/people trying to merge on and off in the far left, as opposed to anywhere else.

When on surface streets, I used to take side streets that only have one lane of traffic in each direction, going around cars on the right (between parked cars sometimes) if traffic was bad.....this was of course until some grandma opened her door on me and resulted in a small dump. Thanks God I didn't hit the lady. Point being, I try to stay on main roads that have 2 lanes going in the same direction and split between them, just feel that its safer.

Just be careful about it and be extra attentive when you're lane splitting. I believe it is safer to be in between cars that waiting in the rear in stopped traffic to get a SUV grill up your a. Ease into it at first until you're comfortable....getting to work isn't a race after all.

I wouldn't lane split on the shoulder very often as that is where all the crap from the road and cars usually goes. The best spot to lane split is probably between the fast lane and the lane to its right, since people in these lanes are less likely to switch lanes than cars in the slow/exit lanes.

On a side note, I'm happy that New Jersey is probably making a task force to study lane splitting, so I might be able to lane split legally within 3 years. Would be nice if New Jersey allows it.

Some very helpful and smart advice. Thanks everyone, I didn't think about some of that stuff.

I haven't gone on the freeways yet, but I rode to work yesterday taking mostly main roads with at least 2 lanes. It took longer because without the freeway, but I got there and back safe and thats whats important. Although it was HOT yesterday and all that leather made me real hot. I gotta get used to that.

I was in cali on business and some bikers lane split by us through some fairly fast paced traffic. My coworker made the standard "look at those guys. crazy!" remark. I just kept my mouth shut because I wanted to say "yeah i just wish it were legal back home."

looks like great fun.

what states allow lane splitting? or better yet, how do you find out if a state allows it?

dean owens wrote:what states allow lane splitting? or better yet, how do you find out if a state allows it?

Look here. http://www.amadirectlink.com/legisltn/laws.asp

I look for the lane that gives me the more clearance room on either side and which lane has the best road surace. I'll never split on a lane that has a poor road surface.