Splitting Lanes: Should it be Legal Everywhere?
#531
09-25-2014 | 07:16 AM
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 3,157
Likes: 65
From: Martinsburg, WV
I sat on I-95N from the SE beltway to the other side of Baltimore and went throught the Harbor tunnel. What's normally a 10-15 minute trip took over an hour because of traffic and by the time I got to the other side of the tunnel, the bike was overheating so bad, it sounded like it wanted to barely run. Lane splitting > sitting on a broken down bike on the side of the road.
#532
09-25-2014 | 09:16 AM
Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 570
Likes: 0
From: Central IL
No.
Almost got me my first motorcycle early this week. Lane split in very light traffic. Two lanes turning left. I wondered what he would have thought of my "Start Seeing Motorcycle" bumper stickers if he had ended up under my rear tire.
I didn't see anything safe about what he was doing and didn't see that it saved him any time. He was doing it just because.
Now, maybe in heavy freeway standstills, might make a bit more sense.
I live in a cornfield. There's no traffic here.
Bones
Almost got me my first motorcycle early this week. Lane split in very light traffic. Two lanes turning left. I wondered what he would have thought of my "Start Seeing Motorcycle" bumper stickers if he had ended up under my rear tire.
I didn't see anything safe about what he was doing and didn't see that it saved him any time. He was doing it just because.
Now, maybe in heavy freeway standstills, might make a bit more sense.
I live in a cornfield. There's no traffic here.
Bones
Last edited by Bones77; 09-25-2014 at 11:48 AM.
#533
09-25-2014 | 09:33 AM
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 3,414
Likes: 374
From: Southern NY, known as Florida
Do it on my SGS. If its a narrower lane or there is a douche blocking me, I bide my time or cut over to the other lane and split there
#534
09-25-2014 | 09:35 AM
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 3,414
Likes: 374
From: Southern NY, known as Florida
Well I have lane split but more accurately filtered when I lived in San Jose. I still say there is a difference between splitting and filtering. If the traffic is moving I just don't see where you have any more rights than cars so splitting is just wrong unless you have been doing the creepy crawl long enough to be seriously over heating.
Filtering to me is just barely safe enough to do but then my experience with a door being opened to do nothing more than stop me or if I had been going faster, harm me is different than those that have never seen that. So I'm not necessarily "for" lane splitting. But would be "for" filtering. But it's obvious there are those that think they have more "rights" than others.
So it will never end until it's just plain outlawed. It won't be those that "filter" that will force the issue though. JMO
Filtering to me is just barely safe enough to do but then my experience with a door being opened to do nothing more than stop me or if I had been going faster, harm me is different than those that have never seen that. So I'm not necessarily "for" lane splitting. But would be "for" filtering. But it's obvious there are those that think they have more "rights" than others.
So it will never end until it's just plain outlawed. It won't be those that "filter" that will force the issue though. JMO
I actually see that there are a few posters on this forum that WOULD do that
#535
09-25-2014 | 11:17 AM
Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 199
Likes: 0
From: California
I split on my SGS all the time, too. If the fairing fits with more than a couple inches on either side, I'm going through. I'll usually walk it through when traffic is stopped and it's a tight squeeze. However, if there's ANY doubt in my mind whether or not I can fit, I'm pulling up right behind the car and waiting for traffic to start moving again or for the guy to move over a bit (which they do a good majority of the time). Nothing wrong with splitting with these bikes.
#536
09-25-2014 | 11:45 AM
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 4,259
Likes: 689
From: WESTERN CHICAGO AREA
I doubt anyone on this forum would even think of opening their door. Just because some disagree with the concept, bikers usually stick together - unless they're a complete a$$hole. If they do we'll send jcapps after them. 
Just stay safe - only you know the situation facing you. No one else.
Just stay safe - only you know the situation facing you. No one else.
#537
09-25-2014 | 08:06 PM
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,384
Likes: 2
From: California
And to the post regarding not liking 'good' California laws, there is NO LAW that states that lane-splitting in California is legal. In essence, the 'law' just looks the other way on lane-splitting... that is until there is contact, and then the lane-splitter loses.
Last edited by UltraClassicElectraGlide; 09-25-2014 at 08:13 PM.
#539
09-26-2014 | 08:18 AM
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 4,259
Likes: 689
From: WESTERN CHICAGO AREA
I don't care if someone wants to take their lives for granted, that's up to them. I personally won't do it just as I wouldn't ride side by side - my life means more to me.
#540
09-26-2014 | 09:49 AM
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 3,414
Likes: 374
From: Southern NY, known as Florida
Being a good enough rider has nothing to do with it. Safety and respect for other peoples property is.
I don't care if someone wants to take their lives for granted, that's up to them. I personally won't do it just as I wouldn't ride side by side - my life means more to me.
I don't care if someone wants to take their lives for granted, that's up to them. I personally won't do it just as I wouldn't ride side by side - my life means more to me.
I saw a guy on a trike brainfart and start to try splitting one day, luckily he stopped in timeGlad I was able to laugh about it with him as we looked at each other and, once the shock was off, cracked up