Ridding in Traffic

[TKDean]

I live in L.A., and we have tons of freeways that are always jammed up. I always see bikes just going by in between cars. Does anyone have any good suggestions about riding between cars and is that legal.

[NightNurse]

I live in L.A., and we have tons of freeways that are always jammed up. I always see bikes just going by in between cars. Does anyone have any good suggestions about riding between cars and is that legal.

Legal in California - yes. Safe , well no not so much...but that is my opinion. As a new rider, I wouldnt dare try it!

[VTRider]

Someone on this forum(can't remember their name) actually cited another website that said it was actually marginally safer to lane-split then not. The results were taken from CA and England I believe.

The benefit was almost negligible (sp?), as in a couple % but still interesting.

[NightNurse]

Someone on this forum(can't remember their name) actually cited another website that said it was actually marginally safer to lane-split then not. The results were taken from CA and England I believe.

The benefit was almost negligible (sp?), as in a couple % but still interesting.

When I said safer - well I was talking out of my "O Ring" - since Im a new rider! Just from the looks of it, well it scares the crap out of me !!

But legal yes! Go for it. Im sure if I lived in LA I would try it. I used to live in LA (Pasadena), and commuted to Long Beach several times a week. Traffic was a NIGHTMARE. When it was fast its 90mph bumper to bumper. Otherwise its 2 hours to travel 11 miles. Ick.

[The549]

I haven't ridden on the 210 in LA, but I've driven on it a lot and have to say - it would be a step up from any other highway I've ridden on.

Also regarding lanesplitting, I heard the term "safe and prudent" before, anyone know the details of the law?

[Nalian]

From the CHiP website (http://www.chp.ca.gov/html/answers.html):

"Lane splitting by motorcycles is permissible under California law but must done in a safe and prudent manner."

It also used to say:

"The motorcycle should be traveling no more than 10 mph faster than surrounding traffic (without exceeding the speed limit) and not come close enough to that traffic to cause a collision."

but they took that part down. Not sure why - probably to give officers more discretion.

[tortus]

Don't quote me on this, but when I was curious about lane splitting I found various websites that said it's kinda iffy to do it in California because it's up to the cop's opinion as to whether how you are doing it is legal or not.

Here in West Virginia, the laws make no mention of lane splitting at all, for or against. So I've decided that probably means it is illegal here.

[Nalian]

Don't quote me on this, but when I was curious about lane splitting I found various websites that said it's kinda iffy to do it in California because it's up to the cop's opinion as to whether how you are doing it is legal or not.

Here in West Virginia, the laws make no mention of lane splitting at all, for or against. So I've decided that probably means it is illegal here.

How do you figure it's iffy when the highway patrol's own site says its legal?

If MA didn't mention it I'd totally do it..but I have a feeling your traffic situation in WV is much different from mine.

[tortus]

How do you figure it's iffy when the highway patrol's own site says its legal?

Because it says "done in a safe and prudent manner." Who decides what's safe, you or the cop? Like I said, don't quote me I'm just giving third hand info from other websites where people have said they have come into problems where the cop decided their lane splitting wasn't legal.

If MA didn't mention it I'd totally do it..but I have a feeling your traffic situation in WV is much different from mine.

We never need to lane split on the freeway, there's never any traffic. But WV cities are a spaghetti bowl of streets and their infrastructure can't handle the population at all, so in the city during rush hour it's very common to get stuck in bad traffic. But I dunno if I'd want to lane split on a city street anyway.

[IcyHound]

Its illegal in WVA :o