Splitting Lanes: Should it be Legal Everywhere?
#322
09-17-2014 | 01:11 PM
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 11,165
Likes: 1,791
From: Puget Sound, WA.
"Base, cannot continue pursuit.."
Not only do I know of a motorcop on an HD who pulled over a guy on a CBR (i'm almost positive it was a 929RR, and yeah, the guy started to run and then stopped) after the guy went flying by him, I also know of a cop in a Crown Vic who pursued and caught a guy on a Harley who fled into a park after riding through those poles set in the concrete to keep cars out of the park. The guys dropped his bike on the grass as the Crown Vic came into the park from around the corner.
It's not a free pass, even when you think it would be.
It's not a free pass, even when you think it would be.
#323
09-17-2014 | 01:12 PM
Road Master
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 843
Likes: 28
From: CO
Never had this happen to me in 3 years lane splitting in Cali. If it had, the law would have been on my side. Either way...pay attention and take the risk or sit your *** in traffic. Your choice. No one is trying to force anyone to do anything they don't want to do.
#324
09-17-2014 | 01:14 PM
Road Master
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 843
Likes: 28
From: CO
I have almost bit the dust because of rolling stop right turns. They're supposed to stop and look before proceeding, but often don't. Yes, I very much have my eye on them as I approach because I know they might do something illegal.
The only thing that's ridiculous is you not understanding that running a red light is illegal, and people doing it on purpose know they're creating great risk for themselves and others. However, someone sitting in traffic, stopped, who opens his door, is doing nothing illegal, and it would never cross his mind (understandably) that he might be putting someone at risk.
I don't have any hatred or animosity about lane splitting. I just think it's a risk that I would not accept because of the above.
The only thing that's ridiculous is you not understanding that running a red light is illegal, and people doing it on purpose know they're creating great risk for themselves and others. However, someone sitting in traffic, stopped, who opens his door, is doing nothing illegal, and it would never cross his mind (understandably) that he might be putting someone at risk.
I don't have any hatred or animosity about lane splitting. I just think it's a risk that I would not accept because of the above.
#325
09-17-2014 | 01:16 PM
Road Master
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 843
Likes: 28
From: CO
Have heard of people opening doors on purpose to stop motorcyclists from doing this. Correct me if I'm mistaken but it's the motorcyclist's fault if anything happens...?
I have mixed emotions about it. Is it safe....no. Is it consistently unsafe....no.
Still can't understand how in a state that won't allow you to ride without a helmet would let you split lanes.
I have mixed emotions about it. Is it safe....no. Is it consistently unsafe....no.
Still can't understand how in a state that won't allow you to ride without a helmet would let you split lanes.
http://lanesplittingislegal.com/
Note #3 and #4
Last edited by Red Dragons; 09-17-2014 at 01:29 PM.
#326
09-17-2014 | 01:24 PM
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 1,817
Likes: 116
From: Raleigh, NC
I do believe that many drivers in CA may in fact check behind them before opening their doors while stopped in a traffic lane, but I can also understand those for whom it would never occur to check. Remember, lane splitting not illegal in CA, but it's also not explicitly legal....it's just tolerated.
#327
09-17-2014 | 01:38 PM
Road Master
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 843
Likes: 28
From: CO
I know that it is not illegal in CA. That was not the "illegality" reference in my post.
I do believe that many drivers in CA may in fact check behind them before opening their doors while stopped in a traffic lane, but I can also understand those for whom it would never occur to check. Remember, lane splitting not illegal in CA, but it's also not explicitly legal....it's just tolerated.
I do believe that many drivers in CA may in fact check behind them before opening their doors while stopped in a traffic lane, but I can also understand those for whom it would never occur to check. Remember, lane splitting not illegal in CA, but it's also not explicitly legal....it's just tolerated.
#328
09-17-2014 | 01:39 PM
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 5,767
Likes: 2,479
From: UK
If it annoys you that bikes are going past you in slow traffic....then buy a bike and do it yourself. It's not rocket science and getting mad or trying to get even is primary school behaviour.
Just back from a ride this afternoon myself, with about 2 miles of filtering past stopped cars due to an accident. Straight up to the front of the queue then waved right through by the police cleaning it all up. Nobody in the stuck traffic opened a door to try and kill me, and I bet a few people thought "wish I had a bike".
This thread seems to have gone on a while for something that almost the entire planet thinks is perfectly acceptable. Like all riding, just keep your wits about you and scan for hazards constantly.
#329
09-17-2014 | 01:44 PM
Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 203
Likes: 1
From: Quantico, VA
absolutely not, wait your turn in line like everyone else. you have done nothing to deserve special privileges. now if the state wanted to charge $1,000 a year to split lanes, and you went thru a special class and had a decal on your bike to show that you were paying for the privilege...that should be fine with the majority of the motoring public. then it would be more like a toll road--where you pay to drive on less crowded roadways and get to your destination quicker.
#330
09-17-2014 | 01:46 PM
Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 203
Likes: 1
From: Quantico, VA
I am seriously blown away by the "no" replies. "Wait your turn"?! Are you kidding me?! Did you even watch the video?! Lane-splitting has nothing to with "cutting in front of the line" with a grade-school mentality. Pay $1000.00 and get a special decal put on your bike?! Are you joking?!! Do you guys even ride motorcycles?! Are you all for the helmet law in every state? Are you Americans?! Holy cow...I can't believe this. THIS IS A MOTORCYCLE FORUM FOR CRYING OUT LOUD!! 
lol...ok...I am over it. What are ya gonna do... ...oh. Yeah. Of course I am for it!
lol...ok...I am over it. What are ya gonna do... ...oh. Yeah. Of course I am for it!