This is why we lane share in California.

[skinny_tom (aka boney)]

http://www.napavalleyregister.com/articles/2007/07/15/news/local/doc469ab36349133108361161.txt

[Tony_K]

To the credit of CHP I picked up this brochure at office 575 (Altadena)

I love to see this in print on a offical brochure!

Every CA rider should get one and frame it!!

 

[upflying]

To the credit of CHP I picked up this brochure at office 575 (Altadena)

I love to see this in print on a offical brochure!

Every CA rider should get one and frame it!!

 

 

The image dipicted appears to show circumstances when lane sharing is not necessary and should be avoided. Cage traffic appears to moving at the speed limit and roadway does not show stop and go traffic. Why split when traffic is moving at the speed limit? Is CHP encouraging splitting 65 mph traffic at 75 mph? Certainly a more representative photograph could have been chosen.

[RET2]

It looks more like CHP(God Bless their souls)got some matching grant money to promote motorcyle safety and gave the chore to a non rider who assembled the "Simon Says" rules and threw in a picture of a "Biker" on a 700lb death machine following tooooo close. Just my.03

[Silver Surfer/AKAButters]

The first line should complete with, "unlike the poor example portrayed in the picture below."

[AviP]

The first line should complete with, "unlike the poor example portrayed in the picture below."

I'm not sure what you mean by poor example. There's just enough room here for 2 RTs to lane split. The lane splitter is closer to the car than the truck which is the preferred way. If you lane split, you know what I mean.

 

I regularly lane split on the Cross Bronx Expy and everywhere in the NY/NJ metro area. Narrow lanes, trucks on both sides, annoyed drivers in stop-n-go traffic honking, cursing and cutting me off. One of these days, I'll videotape it and everyone can bash me on the head. But I don't like putting my foot down on a highway.

[VinnyR11]

I regularly lane split on the Cross Bronx Expy and everywhere in the NY/NJ metro area. Narrow lanes, trucks on both sides, annoyed drivers in stop-n-go traffic honking, cursing and cutting me off. One of these days, I'll videotape it and everyone can bash me on the head. But I don't like putting my foot down on a highway.

 

And your point is?

[Timmer]

Tom,

I'm really sorry to read about this accident to Gabby's relative. Our prayers for the rider's recovery.

[upflying]

One more thing about that photo just hit me in the head, pun intended.

Did anyone notice the size of the "helmet" on the rider does not appear to be proportional to the size of the rider?

My guess is the original photo showed the rider wearing a beanie. The state bureaucrats decided they could not have such a poor example of a helmet on a state brochure. Obviously someone photo shopped a safer appearing skid lid on the rider. You mean the state of California is deceiving us?

[ChrisM]

If you look at the shadows on the pavement, the bike is behind, not splitting a lane with, the pickup truck ahead. But the picture is not the point. What's interesting is that the CHP has take the trouble to acknowledge lane splitting is legal in CA.

[Tony_K]

What's interesting is that the CHP has take the trouble to acknowledge lane splitting is legal in CA.

 

EXACTLY!

[bvaughan]

. . . annoyed drivers in stop-n-go traffic honking, cursing and cutting me off. One of these days, I'll videotape it and everyone can bash me on the head. But I don't like putting my foot down on a highway.

And your point is?

The point is that prudent splitting is safer than sitting waiting to be the jam in a smashed steel sandwich and that the prejudice against splitting in the other 48 (alaska doesn't count because it's all two lane!-)) is just another facet of the flat earth mindset.

[STICKMAN]

Heck, all you missed the most important point,the driver that caused the accident was a Deuce..........The bimbo was drunk and went to jail as it should be done. The only problem was that the motorcycle rider was at the wrong place at the wrong time. You should always split lanes with caution, but why do you ride a bike if you don't lane split some times.

[Carnadero]

Did anyone notice the size of the "helmet" on the rider does not appear to be proportional to the size of the rider?

[jaytee]

The point is that prudent splitting is safer than sitting waiting to be the jam in a smashed steel sandwich and that the prejudice against splitting in the other 48 (alaska doesn't count because it's all two lane!-)) is just another facet of the flat earth mindset.

 

+1

 

I fully admit that lane sharing is terrifying the first time you start doing it. But after you develop the skill to lane share safely, you begin to get a great sense of vulnerability when you have to stay stuck between cars in the normal flow of traffic. IF a car in front of me panics becasue a 'possum is in the road, I dont even think about it, I zip up past him if braking would cause a hazardous condition. same if my lane comes to a screeching halt from 70mph.

 

I feel SOOO much safer lane splitting on CA freeways and even surface streets than staying in traffic.

 

JT

[russell_bynum]

The image dipicted appears to show circumstances when lane sharing is not necessary and should be avoided. Cage traffic appears to moving at the speed limit and roadway does not show stop and go traffic. Why split when traffic is moving at the speed limit?

 

From where I sit, I see a large vehicle-free space in front of the vehicles the rider is splitting past.

 

It is very difficult to get hit by another vehicle when you are in a space where there are no other vehicles.

 

I'd do the exact same thing: Split through to the gap, and get myself to that wide open space.

[russell_bynum]

But after you develop the skill to lane share safely, you begin to get a great sense of vulnerability when you have to stay stuck between cars in the normal flow of traffic.

 

+1

 

I've ridden in rain, thunderstorms, snow, heavy traffic...etc. Once in LA I had a police chase pass me on the shoulder right next to me.

 

But the most uncomfortable you'll ever find me on a bike is when I'm not able to split and I'm sitting there in traffic waiting to be rear-ended. Scares the hell out of me.

[smiller]

But the most uncomfortable you'll ever find me on a bike is when I'm not able to split and I'm sitting there in traffic waiting to be rear-ended. Scares the hell out of me.

I know what you mean, and don't move out of California.

[russell_bynum]

But the most uncomfortable you'll ever find me on a bike is when I'm not able to split and I'm sitting there in traffic waiting to be rear-ended. Scares the hell out of me.

I know what you mean, and don't move out of California.

 

I split in other states, too. But, with it being illegal and (more importantly) less socially acceptable outside of CA, it takes more discomfort before I start doing it. Here, splitting is my default tactic.

[smiller]

But, with it being illegal and (more importantly) less socially acceptable outside of CA, it takes more discomfort before I start doing it.

Tell me about it. Here a lot of drivers act like you're taking their first born child if you split traffic. Weird.

[russell_bynum]

But, with it being illegal and (more importantly) less socially acceptable outside of CA, it takes more discomfort before I start doing it.

Tell me about it. Here a lot of drivers act like you're taking their first born child if you split traffic. Weird.

 

Yep. Texas is one of the most friendly States I've ever ridden in. (I may be biased since I'm a Native Texan.) If you're stopped on the side of the road, 10 people will stop to see if you're OK.

 

But back on the road, the attitude is "I'm not in a hurry, and neither are you. "

 

[smiller]

I would agree that people around here are extraordinarily friendly... when you think and behave as they expect you to. Deviate from that expectation and... not so friendly...

 

At least in California everyone is equally rude.

[jaytee]

Heh! I happen to originate from the Lone Star State myself (Dallas to be precise). I found driving in Texas to be maddeningly frustrating. They have nice broad avenues and large freeway lanes and every car on them weaves back and forth using up their entire lane like some colosal drunken sailor convention!

 

I am 100% with Russel on this - I defacto lane split unless it will be a violation of some sort (crossing double yellow, doign it in another state) -- in those cases I split when the threshold of pain becomes too high.

 

JT

 

PS: That picture looks like the IDEAL place to lane split. Nice clear space and you are otherwise boxed in by a truck and a slow moving car in the lane in front of you -- I say, split it!

 

[Twisties]

Just two things:

 

Since they were stopping for a traffic light I don't see how lane splitting has anything to do with this? I'm not from CA, so maybe I'm missing something. Would you pull between the lanes next to a vehicle stopped at a light? I thought lane splitting was done on major limited access highways.

 

Also, as I understand it, the terms lane splitting and lane sharing are not interchangeable. Lane splitting is what is at issue here. Lane sharing is two bikes riding side by side, or in close stagger without normal following distance. Lane sharing is legal in most states, lane splitting is only legal or quasi-legal in CA.

[jaytee]

Just two things:

 

Since they were stopping for a traffic light I don't see how lane splitting has anything to do with this? I'm not from CA, so maybe I'm missing something.

 

In the CHP handout photo above they are on an interstate freeway: look to the right and you will see an exit sign, and look up ahead and you will see a freeway overpass.

 

Would you pull between the lanes next to a vehicle stopped at a light? I thought lane splitting was done on major limited access highways.

 

Absolutely. All the time. It is one of the main advantages in riding a motorcycle in CA - you always pull to the front of the line and you take off first so you dont have traffic next to you after the light turns green.

 

Lane sharing is legal everywhere in CA.

 

Also, as I understand it, the terms lane splitting and lane sharing are not interchangeable. Lane splitting is what is at issue here. Lane sharing is two bikes riding side by side, or in close stagger without normal following distance. Lane sharing is legal in most states, lane splitting is only legal or quasi-legal in CA.

 

Actually, the California motorcycle handbook states (I'm paraphrasing from memory here) that you may share lanes with other motorvehicles so long as it is safe to do so. That includes cars. You can not lane 'split' i.e. you must still be established in a lane, not riding ON the painted lines.

 

Practically this doesnt get enforced unless you are over the speedlimit (passing cars doing 35 in a 35 zone while you are splitting at 45mph) or you are weaving back and forth across a double yellow line (such as what seperates the carpool/hov lane from the main lines).

 

That beinf said, CHP rides on the line all the time, although every once in a while you will see a lane-splitting CHP use his turn signals to cross the white dotted line as he splits lanes in front of you (I assume he is showing how it SHOULD be done).

 

JT

[Silver Surfer/AKAButters]

Well, unfortunately it's illegal in AZ., but the only good wy past a rolling road block that I know of.

[bvaughan]

That beinf said, CHP rides on the line all the time, although every once in a while you will see a lane-splitting CHP use his turn signals to cross the white dotted line as he splits lanes in front of you (I assume he is showing how it SHOULD be done).

this morning on a continuous 15 mile 35 mph lane split between the HOV and no. 1 lane in the inland empire and 100+ heat past absolutely stopped traffic, i passed a chippie sitting stopped in the no. 1 lane. kinda thought he might at least follow me. he didn't. not sure how long he could stay there without his 1150 overheating. he must have been trolling for a singleton in the HOV lane.

[Twisties]

Quote:

Just two things:

 

Since they were stopping for a traffic light I don't see how lane splitting has anything to do with this? I'm not from CA, so maybe I'm missing something.

 

 

 

In the CHP handout photo above they are on an interstate freeway: look to the right and you will see an exit sign, and look up ahead and you will see a freeway overpass.

 

I'm not talking about the photo/brochure. I'm talking about the OP. It links to a news story about a biker that was critically injured while stopping for a traffic light. The caption is why we lane share in CA. If you are allowed to do that a stop light then it makes sense. I just thought splitting was for highways.

[bvaughan]

I just thought splitting was for highways.

surface splitting is more difficult usually because of narrower lanes and cross traffic, but about 5 years ago i actually had an LAPD motor come up to me at the back of a queue of cars at a stoplight and say "you'd better get up to the front." been doing it ever since.

[jaytee]

I'm not talking about the photo/brochure. I'm talking about the OP. It links to a news story about a biker that was critically injured while stopping for a traffic light. The caption is why we lane share in CA. If you are allowed to do that a stop light then it makes sense. I just thought splitting was for highways.

 

 

 

Ahhhhh Gotcha... Yes, it is perfectly legal to go between cars (if you fit) to the front of the line.

 

JT

[algover]

.......

 

But the most uncomfortable you'll ever find me on a bike is when I'm not able to split and I'm sitting there in traffic waiting to be rear-ended. Scares the hell out of me.

 

+1

[MAT2CHI]

A few years ago I was returning home from a day ride with a co-worker in +100 degree heat and came up on stop and go traffic. Since my coworker didn't lane split because he felt it was dangerous, I decided to be a good friend and sit it out with him. After about twenty minutes of sweating in my full leathers and full face helmet, I told him "I'll see you tomorrow at work" and slowly started to thread my way through the stopped traffic.

When the traffic came to a stop I split lanes but as soon as it started to move I stayed in my lane. This went on for awhile until I noticed a CHP motorcycle officer sitting in the shade under an overpass pull into traffic and pull in behind me. I continued using the tactic I described and we split lanes for over ten miles until I noticed him pull off at an exit with a Denny's. To my surprise, I saw my coworker following back behind where the CHP officer was riding and when we finally pulled off the freeway I asked him why he decided to try and lane split. He told me he saw the CHP officer pull in behind me and felt if it was safe enough for the officer then he was going to give it a try. Now my coworker knows how to do it and he does it whenever he feels it's necessary. I'm not saying to do it when everyone is going sixty-five, but it sure works when the going gets slow, or stopped.

Lane splitting is one of the best things about living in California!

[Jones]

If you tried to split anywhere near Kansas City, you would surely die. The cages are so aggressive that every other road-rage infused driver would gladly risk prison just for the chance to cut you off and make you die for the unforgivable sin of being ahead of them in traffic.

 

Getting to your destination 3 seconds before someone else rates death. Try it if you don't believe me (it is illegal).

 

They don't call I-35 between downtown KCMO and Olathe "Death Race 2000" for nothing! And if the road-ragers don't get ya, then the idiot sucking on a cell-phone will.

 

At least we can carry handguns now. That helps.

[Francois_Dumas]

So how come everybody is p....g on the French and Italian drivers??? This sounds much worse !

[gottabmw]

Just how in the world can you tell how fast any of the vehicles are going in this picture? The pickup and truck could easily be completely stopped. Of course the bike isn't because it's upright. In fact, if you look at the lug nuts on the truck wheel, you can clearly see each individual one. The picture would have to have been taken at a very high shutter speed, combined with a slow moving truck wheel, to freeze those lug nuts like that, or the truck is indeed stopped. You are right about unlikely stop and go traffic, so my guess is it's a staged photo to illustrate actual lane sharing.

[Bud]

On the way home from the UN yesterday, I stopped at a gas station in Indiana. Talked to a rider from CA. He was PO'd that drivers in Chicago took offense at his lane splitting.

 

I told him he was lucky they didn't run him over. It is illegal in Illinois. Locals don't like being "passed" when traffic is slow or stopped.

 

When in Rome .........

[russell_bynum]

So how come everybody is p....g on the French and Italian drivers??? This sounds much worse !

 

The attitude of the "average" American driver is really perplexing to me. One one hand, our cars are status symbols. Jewelry. How else could you explain 20" wheels with low profile tires on pickup trucks and SUV's? And we love gadgets...the more the better. If the Smith's next door have a car with a DVD Nav system, then I want one with a DVD Nav system and a satellite radio.

 

So...we're in love with our cars.

 

But we generally don't like driving. We want automatic transmissons, overboosted power steering with minimal feedback, and floppy suspensions that totally mask any hint of road feel.

 

And there's the skill level. It's almost impossible to fail a driver's test in the US. The training requirements are very minimal, and the test is a joke. As a result, skill levels are generally pretty low.

 

Then there's the ego and the mentality. People get on the freeway, make their way to the #1 lane (far left...in Germany, they'd machine-gun you if you were in that lane to do anything but pass ) and just sit there. People come up behind them and they just sit there. You can tailgate, flash your lights...whatever...they just sit there. So eventually you just go around on the right. Much of the time here in SoCal, the far right lane is almost empty while all of the other lanes are crowded. Go figure.

 

And finally there's the self-appointed traffic cop. This is more prevalent in some areas of the country than others, but if someone sees you doing something that they feel is not fair/right, they'll take it upon themselves to stop you from doing it. That might mean slamming on their brakes when you're tailgating (which you're doing because they're camped out in the #1 lane), or swerving to keep a lane-splitting motorcycle from being able to pass.

 

These are, of course, gross generalizations, but I think they're probably fairly accurate more often than not.

[MAT2CHI]

So how come everybody is p....g on the French and Italian drivers??? This sounds much worse !

When the traffic slows to a crawl or stops, cars can't change lanes very easily. If you go slow and are careful when there is an opening where a car could dart in, it's really not as dangerous as it appears. If you look at what typical freeway traffic in California looks like you can clearly see that there is plenty of room for a trained motorcyclist to maneuver their motorcycle through traffic. Once traffic gets going again, then get back in line. Why any motorcyclist in California would want to sit in this traffic is beyond me.

 

[Boffin]

So how come everybody is p....g on the French and Italian drivers??? This sounds much worse !

When the traffic slows to a crawl or stops, cars can't change lanes very easily. If you go slow and are careful when there is an opening where a car could dart in, it's really not as dangerous as it appears. If you look at what typical freeway traffic in California looks like you can clearly see that there is plenty of room for a trained motorcyclist to maneuver their motorcycle through traffic. Once traffic gets going again, then get back in line. Why any motorcyclist in California would want to sit in this traffic is beyond me.

 

 

In the UK we'd split in a car with that much room

 

We normally have about 4 to 5 feet.

 

Andy

[russell_bynum]

In the UK we'd split in a car with that much room

 

I've been known to do that from time to time. (not continuously splitting like that, but if there's a rolling roadblock with open road ahead, and enough room. between the two cars...

 

 

People don't react well.

[ghaverkamp]

If you tried to split anywhere near Kansas City, you would surely die. The cages are so aggressive that every other road-rage infused driver would gladly risk prison just for the chance to cut you off and make you die for the unforgivable sin of being ahead of them in traffic.

 

Why would you ever want to?

 

Every time I'm with my parents in Kansas City and we come across some "huge traffic jam" we're usually through it in a few minutes. If the drivers are truly that dangerous (and I've driven all around Kansas City and never seen anything that strikes me as anything notable) then you can always wait it out.

[russell_bynum]

If you tried to split anywhere near Kansas City, you would surely die. The cages are so aggressive that every other road-rage infused driver would gladly risk prison just for the chance to cut you off and make you die for the unforgivable sin of being ahead of them in traffic.

 

Why would you ever want to?

 

Every time I'm with my parents in Kansas City and we come across some "huge traffic jam" we're usually through it in a few minutes. If the drivers are truly that dangerous (and I've driven all around Kansas City and never seen anything that strikes me as anything notable) then you can always wait it out.

 

Huge Traffic Jam in Kansas = More than 3 cars visible on the roadway at the same time.

 

[ghaverkamp]

Huge Traffic Jam in Kansas = More than 3 cars visible on the roadway at the same time.

 

Before someone tries to pin that on me, I wasn't suggesting that at all. After all, the KC metro area has over 2 million people. There is traffic. I have even been in stopped traffic. It's just nothing at all like the Bay Area traffic I ride through each day, and really not like the LA-area Interstate parking lots.

[Jones]

Not cars fellers, trucks. Big F450 Super-Duty trucks. In Kansas everybody drives trucks. AND there were seven of them not three. You cannot ride behind them EVER because of all of the Skoal. Everybody drives big trucks and chews Skoal, even the women. There are lots of cattle trucks too. Cows pee a lot and the drivers chew huge wads of Skoal. NOT PRETTY.

 

Don't underestimate just how dangerous Kansas is. People whine about the dangers of second-hand smoke but have you EVER considered second-hand chew? That stuff is really slick. I've almost wiped out several times on all of the chew and cow pee.

 

AND I'll have you know, the Native Americans are STILL really angry over the whole land-grab thing.

 

AND my RT is oil cooled. Getting stuck in traffic lugging your way up a Kansas mountain pass will cook your engine fast.

 

So give me a break. You need to do anything you can to put as much of this State in your rear-view mirrors.

[Joe Frickin' Friday]

Not cars fellers, trucks. Big F450 Super-Duty trucks. In Kansas everybody drives trucks. AND there were seven of them not three. You cannot ride behind them EVER because of all of the Skoal. Everybody drives big trucks and chews Skoal, even the women. There are lots of cattle trucks too. Cows pee a lot and the drivers chew huge wads of Skoal. NOT PRETTY.

 

Don't underestimate just how dangerous Kansas is. People whine about the dangers of second-hand smoke but have you EVER considered second-hand chew? That stuff is really slick. I've almost wiped out several times on all of the chew and cow pee.

 

AND I'll have you know, the Native Americans are STILL really angry over the whole land-grab thing.

 

AND my RT is oil cooled. Getting stuck in traffic lugging your way up a Kansas mountain pass will cook your engine fast.

 

So give me a break. You need to do anything you can to put as much of this State in your rear-view mirrors.

 

 

That's about the funniest post since my raccoon piece last spring.

[MAT2CHI]

I had a teenage little punk flip his cigarette out the sunroof of his new Mercedes Benz that landed in my lap as I was riding behind him. I flicked the cig off my pants and pulled in front of him at the next stop light and got off my bike and told the little turd what happened and that I felt like pulling him out of the car and thumping him. He was pretty scared and apologized over and over until the light changed back to green. The funny thing was that the people behind us never honked the horn when the light changed. I might of over reacted, but I was not happy with the lad.

[russell_bynum]

Huge Traffic Jam in Kansas = More than 3 cars visible on the roadway at the same time.

 

Before someone tries to pin that on me, I wasn't suggesting that at all. After all, the KC metro area has over 2 million people. There is traffic. I have even been in stopped traffic. It's just nothing at all like the Bay Area traffic I ride through each day, and really not like the LA-area Interstate parking lots.

 

I know...I was just yankin his chain.

[russell_bynum]

Not cars fellers, trucks. Big F450 Super-Duty trucks. In Kansas everybody drives trucks. AND there were seven of them not three. You cannot ride behind them EVER because of all of the Skoal. Everybody drives big trucks and chews Skoal, even the women. There are lots of cattle trucks too. Cows pee a lot and the drivers chew huge wads of Skoal. NOT PRETTY.

 

Don't underestimate just how dangerous Kansas is. People whine about the dangers of second-hand smoke but have you EVER considered second-hand chew? That stuff is really slick. I've almost wiped out several times on all of the chew and cow pee.

 

AND I'll have you know, the Native Americans are STILL really angry over the whole land-grab thing.

 

AND my RT is oil cooled. Getting stuck in traffic lugging your way up a Kansas mountain pass will cook your engine fast.

 

So give me a break. You need to do anything you can to put as much of this State in your rear-view mirrors.

 

I don't care who you are...that's funny!!!

[Jones]

Not cars fellers, trucks. Big F450 Super-Duty trucks. In Kansas everybody drives trucks. AND there were seven of them not three. You cannot ride behind them EVER because of all of the Skoal. Everybody drives big trucks and chews Skoal, even the women. There are lots of cattle trucks too. Cows pee a lot and the drivers chew huge wads of Skoal. NOT PRETTY.

 

Don't underestimate just how dangerous Kansas is. People whine about the dangers of second-hand smoke but have you EVER considered second-hand chew? That stuff is really slick. I've almost wiped out several times on all of the chew and cow pee.

 

AND I'll have you know, the Native Americans are STILL really angry over the whole land-grab thing.

 

AND my RT is oil cooled. Getting stuck in traffic lugging your way up a Kansas mountain pass will cook your engine fast.

 

So give me a break. You need to do anything you can to put as much of this State in your rear-view mirrors.

 

I don't care who you are...that's funny!!!

 

We have it bad here in Kansas but next door in Missouri, it's worse. Missouri women chew huge wads of tobacco, I mean real lip stretchers. They talk on cell-phones all the time but all the tobacco juice and lipstick gums up the phone keys. Whenever they get a phone call they have to hoark a wad of chew out of the window. That is why Missouri has helmet laws.

 

Always were GOOD eye protection when riding anywhere in the mid-west. I caught a dose of second-hand chew at 70 MPH and my eyeball was on fire for half a day.

[BeniciaRT_GT]

Sooooooooooooooooooooooo...

 

I guess now isn't the time to ask if you wanted to step up to President of the Kansas Fan Club/Boosters?