LEO Splitting Techniques

[bvaughan]

we've talked alot about the philosophical pros and cons of splitting. basically established a concensus is that it's absolutely unsafe/aggressive/bad judgement/hooliganism unless you're in CA or UK, in which case it's safe/prudent/necessary/PC/ and green. i for one don't understand why anyone in an urban area would own a beemer if you couldn't split. if you're just going to slog along with stopandgo you might as well be riding a harley.

 

but putting all that aside, i wonder whether any of the CA/UK LEOs on the forum would be willing to share their splitting techniques and how they've been trained.

 

in SoCal, for example, there seem to be three basic motor modes:

 

1. lurking. the LEO is in the 2,3 or 4 lane in stopandgotraffic, middle (!) of the lane, not passing, not lane changing, when there are perfectly good fast lanes to the left (that's nearer the central reservation, for you brits), or a car pool lane wide open. what's he doing? laying in wait for a singelton in the car pool lane? practicing parade escort?

 

2. 90+mph in 60-80 mph light traffic. no lights. no pursuit. is this just a commute? donut run?

 

3. this is the interesting one. two officers. traffic 50-70. moderately dense, but not too dense for open field running. technique is two abreast ala Ponch and Jon at traffic speed. then Ponch takes off at traffic speed plus 15-20, weaving like a madman through traffic for about a quarter mile, then reducing to traffic speed and holding position. Jon then takes off weaving at speed to catch up. reform. repeat. is this just "we coulda been figher pilots", or is there some LE-related skill maintenance going on here?

 

here in SoCal, those of us who rely on two wheels for basic transport can't find a safety school class where the paunchy duffers on the 10yearold goldwings with alf strapped to the back can do anything for them. if some of the local, or not so local, LEOs could shed some light or at least give some tips without revealing rules of engagement, it would be much appreciated.

[GelStra]

Disclaimer: I'm not a LEO.

I haven't seen #3, but definitely 1&2. I had a chance to take a motor on a test drive a number of years back and he specifically talked about the 90MPH scenario. It had a lot to do with the idea that we talk about here: going faster than traffic to be a moving target. He felt safest at that speed. Also left the obvious scenario: Either somebody flying past him or somebody he wasn't gaining ground on.

I have played around with another scenario I have seen and that is running a bit faster through the 3 & 4 lanes, especially at night or with the sun behind me. It seems to imitate motor behavior in the minds of drivers and I tend to get openings made for me as they try to get out of the way for the appoaching "LEO". YMMV

[Rags]

Disclaimer: I'm not a LEO.

I haven't seen #3, but definitely 1&2. I had a chance to take a motor on a test drive a number of years back and he specifically talked about the 90MPH scenario. It had a lot to do with the idea that we talk about here: going faster than traffic to be a moving target. He felt safest at that speed. Also left the obvious scenario: Either somebody flying past him or somebody he wasn't gaining ground on.

I have played around with another scenario I have seen and that is running a bit faster through the 3 & 4 lanes, especially at night or with the sun behind me. It seems to imitate motor behavior in the minds of drivers and I tend to get openings made for me as they try to get out of the way for the appoaching "LEO". YMMV

 

I have found in Norcal that folks "park" in the passing lanes. The 3 & 4 lanes many times are the only lanes available for passing.

 

I also delude myself into thinking that if I ride close to the shoulder line an LEO may think I'm going slower.

 

I also bought a white helmet for daytime conspicuity and the snow job mentioned above (thinking I'm an LEO)

[JohnBeaven]

In Western Australia lane splitting is a grey area. While not outright illegal it is discouraged.

Apparently, if you indicate correctly if you cross the lane markings and don't cross the centre line at the front of the lanes near the traffic lights then you haven't broken any law.

I will lane split but only if the traffic is stationary. One problem can be is that if you filter to the front of the cue you must take off hard when the lights go green. This leaves you vulnerable to being cleaned up by the d##^khead running the red light. This can be avoided by filtering to a couple of cars back from the front.

This is one of many advantages in riding a motorcycle you can get through the lights in one cahnge rather than several.

[upflying]

we've talked alot about the philosophical pros and cons of splitting. basically established a concensus is that it's absolutely unsafe/aggressive/bad judgement/hooliganism unless you're in CA or UK, in which case it's safe/prudent/necessary/PC/ and green. i for one don't understand why anyone in an urban area would own a beemer if you couldn't split. if you're just going to slog along with stopandgo you might as well be riding a harley.

 

but putting all that aside, i wonder whether any of the CA/UK LEOs on the forum would be willing to share their splitting techniques and how they've been trained.

 

in SoCal, for example, there seem to be three basic motor modes:

 

1. lurking. the LEO is in the 2,3 or 4 lane in stopandgotraffic, middle (!) of the lane, not passing, not lane changing, when there are perfectly good fast lanes to the left (that's nearer the central reservation, for you brits), or a car pool lane wide open. what's he doing? laying in wait for a singelton in the car pool lane? practicing parade escort?

 

2. 90+mph in 60-80 mph light traffic. no lights. no pursuit. is this just a commute? donut run?

 

3. this is the interesting one. two officers. traffic 50-70. moderately dense, but not too dense for open field running. technique is two abreast ala Ponch and Jon at traffic speed. then Ponch takes off at traffic speed plus 15-20, weaving like a madman through traffic for about a quarter mile, then reducing to traffic speed and holding position. Jon then takes off weaving at speed to catch up. reform. repeat. is this just "we coulda been figher pilots", or is there some LE-related skill maintenance going on here?

 

here in SoCal, those of us who rely on two wheels for basic transport can't find a safety school class where the paunchy duffers on the 10yearold goldwings with alf strapped to the back can do anything for them. if some of the local, or not so local, LEOs could shed some light or at least give some tips without revealing rules of engagement, it would be much appreciated.

#1 He is staying there waiting for a single occupant vehicle to pass him in the car pool lane. I've done this and actually had a single occupant cars LOCK up all four wheels in a cloud of smoke and then attempt to change into the #2 lane just behind me.

 

#2 Could be a lot of reasons, but I would guess they are on their way to a call. Why use lights and siren? You can't talk or hear on the radio and you can't pass traffic on the right when operating code three. I also found motorists freeze up when a red bulb and siren is behind them. Better left off unless clearing intersections.

 

#3 Probably a new motor officer on his four weeks of break-in training after two weeks of motor school.

 

Motor officers ride they way they do because they can.

[bvaughan]

In Western Australia lane splitting is a grey area. While not outright illegal it is discouraged. . .

 

it's ironic that filtering is not clearly legal in oz while it is in the uk. it seems like you've got your quote of ignorant boneheads, as do we in the us.

http://mraa.org.au/forum/modules/news/article.php?storyid=167

 

at least you've got a government that is dimly aware of the potential safety advantages of slow splitting, i.e., filtering. http://www.ntc.gov.au/rfcDocuments/0092G...le%20filtering'

 

it's a crazy world where the french and the spanish are among the most enlightened on an issue. http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/europe/european-filtering-19317#post89162

[bvaughan]

. . . #3 Probably a new motor officer on his four weeks of break-in training after two weeks of motor school.

 

thanks for the insights. it'd be interesting to be able to listen in on one of those training rides.

[quaintance]

we've talked alot about the philosophical pros and cons of splitting. basically established a concensus is that it's absolutely unsafe/aggressive/bad judgement/hooliganism unless you're in CA or UK, in which case it's safe/prudent/necessary/PC/ and green. i for one don't understand why anyone in an urban area would own a beemer if you couldn't split. if you're just going to slog along with stopandgo you might as well be riding a harley.

 

haha I just have to comment on this part, I live in CO, reasonably "urban" part and don't lane split.. but I also dont really care if others do split... to each their own.

 

but why would I own a beemer if I dont split? all my enjoyable riding occurs in the middle of the rockies, where incidently theres no reason to lane split. sure I get stuck in traffic on the fwy and usually, if its bad enough will find an alternate route. I can say I dont understand why anyone owns a motorcycle if they live in Florida as the place is a bunch of straight line roads and 90deg turns, but I wouldn't...

 

happy splitting.

[bvaughan]

if you're just going to slog along with stopandgo you might as well be riding a harley.

haha I just have to comment on this part, I live in CO, reasonably "urban" part and don't lane split.. but I also dont really care if others do split... to each their own.

 

but why would I own a beemer if I dont split? all my enjoyable riding occurs in the middle of the rockies, where incidently theres no reason to lane split. sure I get stuck in traffic on the fwy and usually, if its bad enough will find an alternate route. . .

 

i figured someone would take the bait, but someone from a real urban area, not boulder. yeah you could be going nuts in stopandgo on highway 36 on your way to your job on 17th street, but the real urban front range is aurora and the like, where if you don't split you might as well be driving a smugmobile. in boulder you can nip up boulder canyon and take the peak to peak to rocky mountain, than come down the poudre and back home, all before any real traffic is on the road. or you can shoot south past the coors plant and up highway 6 to idaho springs. your options after that are limitless pretty much. crested butte for lunch if you're an early riser. it's perfect beemer country. and no splitting required, unless you're unfortunate enough to be within the boulder city limits, where traffic was a pig 20 years ago and i doubt any better now. count yourself lucky; if i lived back there again, i wouldn't split either.

[quaintance]

count yourself lucky; if i lived back there again, i wouldn't split either.

 

heh, ok not to go toooo far down the whole split/no split debate here but the point isnt really that I don't have to split.. I worked in downtown Denver for 6 years so I understand the need for some to split.. not to mention growing up in the south OC and then spending several years of my precious life in or around the USC campus and driving back and forth between LA and Dana Point.

 

The point is that people buy motorcycles for reasons other than commuting. I just had to take issue with the statement that if you're not lane splitting in congested urban areas you belong on a cruiser.

[bvaughan]

heh, ok not to go toooo far down the whole split/no split debate here but the point isnt really that I don't have to split.. I just had to take issue with the statement that if you're not lane splitting in congested urban areas you belong on a cruiser.

if you're in congestion, maybe you don't belong on a harley, but you might as well be on one. it's like when i pass the lambos and the ferraris when they're stuck on the 405. they might as well be in a buick.

 

but back to the thread. are any of the Boulder/Denver LEOs on two wheels when it's not snowing? what do they ride? do they split? how do they lurk?

[Green RT]

i figured someone would take the bait, but someone from a real urban area, not boulder. yeah you could be going nuts in stopandgo on highway 36 on your way to your job on 17th street, but the real urban front range is aurora and the like, where if you don't split you might as well be driving a smugmobile.

 

Are you implying you have split in Colorado. What is other's experience? Will you be ticketed for splitting in Colorado. I never see anyone doing it, so I assumed it is a nono? True?

[quaintance]

Are you implying you have split in Colorado. What is other's experience? Will you be ticketed for splitting in Colorado. I never see anyone doing it, so I assumed it is a nono? True?

 

It is illegal in Colorado to lane split and yes you'd be ticketed if caught.

 

bv, I've never seen any LEO's lane splitting outside of California and overseas.. not to say they don't, i'm sure they would when responding to a call.. i've just never seen it during routine patrolling.

 

I see motorcycle LEO's usually sitting up on sidewalks in intersections on surface streets.. on I25 I occasionally see them sitting in the breaks of the roadside barriers that split the main fwy apart from the HOV. They also like to sit up on overpasses and radio to another LEO further down on the onramp who to go after.

 

I do see motorcycle LEO's in the winter months, although rarely. I used to commute through Golden regularly and they had one particular spot they liked to watch year round.

[pbbeck]

I owned an R1100RT-P for about 9 months. I traded it for my 1200RT, but man do I miss the splitability of the RT-P. No matter what the freeway conditions, I could get anywhere in LA in 20 minutes. When cars saw my big white fairing (a set of PIAAs on the crashbars helped, too!), it was like the parting of the Red Sea! My black riding jacket and white helmet helped complete the image. It was always easier to split through traffic on the RT-P than on my other bikes because of this. My experience on the RT-P has lead me to believe that the CHP do not employ any special "skills" for splitting traffic. People are simply more likely to get out of their way.

 

To echo what GelStra said, I also believe that "carrying myself" like a LEO when riding my 1200RT, with its distinct front-end profile, by maintaining the upright seating position and a confident pace, has fooled drivers into thinking I'm a LEO. They seem to be very eager to move over when I am splitting.

 

Of course that only works when they hang up the phone and pay attention.

[pbbeck]

Oops... I accidentally posted twice!

[Shaman97]

...and a confident pace

 

Whoa! Dude, do you also write wine reviews?

 

BTW, using a headlamp modulators has also helped to part the lanes.

[MotorinLA]

but putting all that aside, i wonder whether any of the CA/UK LEOs on the forum would be willing to share their splitting techniques and how they've been trained.

 

The LEO splitting technique –

 

Find two cars traveling adjacent to each other. Take careful aim right down the middle of the space between them. Squint slightly, downshift and let ‘er rip! When in doubt, go faster (getting wedged is not a recommended technique…).

 

On a more serious note…

 

I work in the L.A. area, so my knowledge is limited to southern California.

 

As far as I know Motor Schools in California (with perhaps the exception of the CHP Motor Academy) does not offer much when it comes to info on how to split traffic. Most officers learn how to split traffic from other officers or from their own experiences off and on the job.

 

Having commuted on a motorcycle off-duty and on-duty for several years, I can offer the following:

 

1. You must be comfortable with the width of your motorcycle and you should know where your mirrors (usually the widest portion of your motorcycle) are in relation to other objects (i.e. the mirrors of other vehicles) without having to look directly at your mirrors.

2. Don’t look directly at the mirrors of other vehicles as you are passing them, you should be able see them using your peripheral vision. When you ride a motorcycle it has a strange tendency to go exactly where you look, thus, don’t look at the mirrors you are passing (Smack!)

3. Ride with your high-beam on when splitting traffic during the day – anything you can do to increase your visibility to other drivers is good (obviously within reason…)

4. Cover your brakes and clutch (you may have to stop in a hurry).

5. Cars that are driving right next to each other is a good thing, as they are less likely to make a lane change into your path of travel (look at drivers’ heads to get an early warning that they are thinking about changing lanes).

6. Never split traffic at a speed more than 5-10 mph above the flow of traffic.

7. When traffic slows ahead, remember that drivers will merge into whichever lane is moving faster.

8. Practice will make you better, following someone who is experienced at splitting traffic will often give you helpful tips on positioning and speed.

 

I hope that helps a little.

 

in SoCal, for example, there seem to be three basic motor modes:

 

1. lurking. the LEO is in the 2,3 or 4 lane in stopandgotraffic, middle (!) of the lane, not passing, not lane changing, when there are perfectly good fast lanes to the left (that's nearer the central reservation, for you brits), or a car pool lane wide open. what's he doing? laying in wait for a singelton in the car pool lane? practicing parade escort?

 

2. 90+mph in 60-80 mph light traffic. no lights. no pursuit. is this just a commute? donut run?

 

3. this is the interesting one. two officers. traffic 50-70. moderately dense, but not too dense for open field running. technique is two abreast ala Ponch and Jon at traffic speed. then Ponch takes off at traffic speed plus 15-20, weaving like a madman through traffic for about a quarter mile, then reducing to traffic speed and holding position. Jon then takes off weaving at speed to catch up. reform. repeat. is this just "we coulda been figher pilots", or is there some LE-related skill maintenance going on here?

 

To address your “three basic motor modes”, first consider the following:

 

Many motor officers work in a municipal setting and may not be proficient at splitting traffic on the freeway. As a result, they instead hurdle along at the breakneck rush-hour pace of 4-5 mph with the 4-wheeled motorists in the #2/3/4 lanes.

 

Typically motor officers have the “privilege” of riding their motorcycle home. So, many of the non-CHP officers you see on the freeway may be going to or from work.

 

This most likely addresses the Mode #1 observation.

 

As for Mode #2, there are a couple of things that come to mind.

 

The first is what we popularly refer to as “Black & White Fever”. This is the “decease” that often afflicts driver’s when they see a police officer somewhere close to them in traffic. Symptoms include sudden unexplainable braking, irrational swerving, putting on seatbelt, and various other behaviors that make them unpredictable. A way to overcome this behavior when traveling on the freeway is to drive 10-15 mph faster than the flow of traffic (low to medium density). This way you pass most drivers before they realize you are behind them, thus minimizing the risk that they will do something STOOOPID directly in front of you.

 

Keep “Black & White Fever” in mind when you attempt to appear like a police officer on your personal motorcycle (most drivers may get out of your way more quickly, however, it only takes one to ruin your whole day…).

 

Another reason you may see police officers riding faster than the flow of traffic is that they may be using the freeway to get to an emergency call. Many police departments have very restrictive code-3 (lights and siren) policies, leaving it up to officers to arrive quickly without using their code-3 equipment.

 

Also, “Black & White Fever” is often exacerbated by lights and sirens, making it slower to get through traffic with lights and sirens than without. Incidentally, you more or less outrun your siren at 40-45mph (drivers in front of you will not hear it until you are right behind them).

 

If someone can explain Mode #3 please let me know. If you have seen this behavior on more than one occasion, there is probably a semi-reasonable explanation for it. If not, it sounds like you observed someone’s session of “Let’s ride like a jackass on the freeway”.

 

 

I imagine the reason most motorcycle schools do not teach lane splitting is because of the liability associated with it. If you have attended any motorcycle school you know that there is always at least one person there that has absolutely no business operating a 2-wheeled vehicle. If you are able to crash your motorcycle completely on your own while operating at low speeds in an open parking lot, just imagine what you could accomplish at freeway speeds while trying to drive between two other moving vehicles…

 

I rest my case.