What is in their minds??

[steveindenmark]

Just imagine the scene.

A 2 laned motorway backed up with traffic because of a lorry burning about 10km in the distance. police are guiding the vehiles past in one lane.

So you and your 7 other riding friends approach the end of the 10km queue. Being sensible we are aware that something is going on up ahead somewhere we keep away from the hard shoulder...never ride on there it is not only for emergency vehicles but it is full of the debris bein blown off the motorway and will puncture your ryres in double quick time.

So we slowly, filter through the centre of the vehilcles.

In the 10km stretch I cannot recall how many car drivers actually moved their vehicles to try and block us. One fat 20 year old guy actually wound down his window and started shaking his fist out of the window and threatening the lead rider. There were 7 other bikers in a line behind him...I think some people have a death wish.

Whats your experiences of this type of situation?

Steve

 

[thatguyx]

i have no problem with it when a bike filters or lane splitting. what i do have a problem is with people who drive on the shoulder or break rules in the cars just to get ahead. and most of the time it's only about 30seconds faster and then they're stuck in traffic again.

i think it really comes down to people who follow rules are just getting pissed off at those who don't and get away with it. while this applies to my thoughts on cars, maybe they don't realize that a bike filtering/lane splitting is much more efficient. would they go out of their way to block a bicyclist who was filtering? I think the general public is uninformed or just generally jaded/selfish and when they have to sit and wait in traffic... you should too. funny i feel the same way and get pissed, mostly because (for cars) some douchebag decides to run up the shoulder only to have to merge back in. That merge tends to make other cars stop and wait and then increase traffic. Or better yet when one lane is closed and cars don't alternate between merging into one lane. It is more efficient and would help everyone else out, yet there's some a**hole who "has to be first" and then holds up one merge and then causes a chain effect that slows down everyone else.

my personal reaction to cages is "WTF makes you so special that you don't have to wait like the rest of us?" followed by "Good job f*cktard you've gotten 5seconds ahead of me and now you're slowing everyone else down" and then "well you're a douchebag and after all that Bullsh*t and swerving and cutting off people. I'm a head of you again. Congrats you accomplished nothing"

when it's a bike, I smile and give'em a little more room. Maybe because I ride, or maybe because I realize that the bike is not gonna have problems merging and slowing down.

 

[VEGASRIDER]

It's safer to filter than being sandwiched between a bunch of metal who may not be paying attention. We have no crumple zone, therefore, a minor fender bender for them, most likely will result in a trip to the hospital for us. Why can't people get that through their heads.

 

[Nelly]

I have experienced similar behaviour. One guy who pulled over to block me in London got a bollocking from a motorcycle cop who was behind me. Thats what I call justice lol.
Most drivers in the UK don't or won't read the highway code. So They all beleive it is breaking the law to filter.
I think your group of bike should have stopped the guy for a chat
It may have been that they drivers (some of them) did not see you and were trying to edge out into the other lane?

If people give me grief for filtering I ask them, "If you were on my bike ;would you sit here in three miles of traffic .When you could safely carry on with you journey"?

Enough said.

 

[keira]

It's safer to filter than being sandwiched between a bunch of metal who may not be paying attention. We have no crumple zone, therefore, a minor fender bender for them, most likely will result in a trip to the hospital for us. Why can't people get that through their heads.

my thought as well. Though, around here (i.e. in mass), you do that and people open their doors to hurt you... thankfully, in NH rush hour is never that bad. it goes slow, but you never have to lane split, you can always just merge left and right and do it in actual lanes. people still get mad though.

 

[reiobard]

people are dumb. I am pretty bad about road rage in my car, but would never direct it at a biker.

 

[madmanmaigret]

that is when you give them the "bootograph" I hate stupid people.

 

[HavBlue]

It's safer to filter than being sandwiched between a bunch of metal who may not be paying attention. We have no crumple zone, therefore, a minor fender bender for them, most likely will result in a trip to the hospital for us. Why can't people get that through their heads.

Better yet, why can't legislators get it through their head?

 

[bmccrary]

+1...
I don't care what anyone says there is no good reason to lane split. We all know that the people driving cars today are about worthless and all it would take when you split is for one guy to take his eyes off for a sec and drift over a bit...

-bryan

 

[steveindenmark]

I am not sure what you mean by lane splitting.

The people who tried to block us were doing it in such a way that it was obvious they were trying to block us.

As you drive south in Europe, into Germany, Holland,France, Spain. Drivers actually look out for bikers and in the scenario we were in they actually move over to the left and right to make the centre gap bigger to allow bikes to filter through.

Over here in Europe we have a lot of 2 lane motorways where we are not allowed to ride on the hard shoulder which is for emergency vehicles only. In long queues of traffic our only choice is to go through the middle or stay where we are.

It is not illegal to filter through the middle over here.

The idea of dragging the fat pig out of the car, stripping him, putting his gear in the car, locking it and throwing the keys into the field was discussed over a beer later on.

I cannot wait for the next fool who wants to try that trick agaon.

Hopefully it will be a 26 year old blond chick with huge boobs.

Steve

 

[4fun]

The only time I get upset about people filtering is when they blow past you. I nearly S*** my pants once. I think the guy was being chased or something, must of been going at least 60 through stop and go traffic. Stupid

 

[bmccrary]

I guess the main reason I really do not see a point in it beside the obvious danger is because I avoid the highway at all possible costs. I do not ride my bike to and from work or school. I feel that doing so takes the pleasure out of riding.

Most the time when I ride, I have no set direction or location to get to. I am never in a hurry. Interstates do not have twisties and when have you ever pulled over on the side of the interstate just look at the scenery around you?

I would rather stay alive and enjoy my ride...

But on a side note, I am mentioned this before I think: Some of the powersports big shots are pushing the states to make lane spliting legal in order to boost motorcycle sales. Sounds like a good way to boost casket sales, too.

-bryan

 

[Cloggy]

I am not sure what you mean by lane splitting. Steve

Travelling between the lanes

The people who tried to block us were doing it in such a way that it was obvious they were trying to block us.

As you drive south in Europe, into Germany, Holland,France, Spain. Drivers actually look out for bikers and in the scenario we were in they actually move over to the left and right to make the centre gap bigger to allow bikes to filter through. Steve

This is definately the case in Holland, although you do come across one or two individuals, mainly older guys who need to learn the rules again.

Over here in Europe we have a lot of 2 lane motorways where we are not allowed to ride on the hard shoulder which is for emergency vehicles only. In long queues of traffic our only choice is to go through the middle or stay where we are.

It is not illegal to filter through the middle over here.

The idea of dragging the fat pig out of the car, stripping him, putting his gear in the car, locking it and throwing the keys into the field was discussed over a beer later on.

I cannot wait for the next fool who wants to try that trick agaon.

Hopefully it will be a 26 year old blond chick with huge boobs.

Steve

Well that would make it worth while :thumbup:

 

[Tailgate]

Too much, Steveindenmark! I love it. But, I have to disagree with the poster who knocks lane splitting. Huh? You know what, this may not be scientific, but I think that if some twist-off opens a door to impede/or crash a m/c rider splitting lanes that he/she is also going to have a damaged door. How smart is that. Also, cops, at least in CA, regularly split lanes..especially during freeway crawls. What's the law on that? Cager gonna say, "you can't lane split."?

 

[trampld]

Filtering=lane splitting=filtering

I know that here in the States it is legal in California and possibly some other states as well...but I also know that it is illegal in other states and it is not something that I have done. I view it as an additional risk that I do not want to take on...I have seen too many cagers switch lanes in heavy traffic at the drop of a dime just to get 5 feet ahead.

I do take my bike back and forth to work (60 mile round trip) whenever possible and most of that trip is on the interstate. I find that it is not nearly as enjoyable as twisties, but it is far more enjoyable than my cage.
On that trip back and forth I have had a few cagers not notice me and start to encroach on my space and the common theme in many cases is that I have justed changed lanes, or changed speed - etc.
As a result, I try to remain predictable, especially in traffic. If everyone is moving at a steady pace, I try to move past them at a little bit faster rate, and if that is not an option, I work to stay out of blindspots etc. The trouble with being predictable is that you do not want to be stagnant, that is when you stop getting noticed.

As for cager reactions to splitting/filtering - everyone wants to be the first in line and no one wants to wait - so anyone that can get ahead is a bastard. That is the common mindset...
My issue is with the people that try to avoid 'getting in line' and in doing so, make the traffic worse.
The best example is the sign that reads 'lane closes in one mile' - if upon reading that sign, everyone got out of the left lane, there would be no significant slow down...but so many wait until they physically have to move over that everything gets effed up.

 

[trailblazer87]

I more have a problem with cagers trying to occupy my lane while I am in it. Haven't had too many problems with cars trying to squeeze me while splitting.
Though when I do feel encroached upon I just bend their mirrors and give them a dirty look.:thumbup: Too bad they can't see me behind my dark shield.

 

[bmccrary]

But, I have to disagree with the poster who knocks lane splitting. Huh? You know what, this may not be scientific, but I think that if some twist-off opens a door to impede/or crash a m/c rider splitting lanes that he/she is also going to have a damaged door.

I dont know about you but I feel that my life/ appendages and the function of all my organs is worth more than a damaged door and/or quater panel...

-bryan

 

[nimzotech]

I heard of some Harley riders that carry a pocket size hammer chained to bike or keychain. When someone cuts them off or is obnoxiously threatening them with a fist. While passing the car, the hammer would simply be applied to the driver's side-view mirror. In effect shattering it and teaching the driver a lesson. Of course what i am describing is illegal. I am simply sharing what I have heard.

Cheers.

 

[Tailgate]

I dont know about you but I feel that my life/ appendages and the function of all my organs is worth more than a damaged door and/or quater panel...

-bryan

How smart is it to open a door and cause probable 500lbs or so to crash into your door area, driver side area? You think that opening your door is going to preclude you from also getting injured..never mind the damage to your vehicle? This was my point. Maybe NC is different from CA? It's common practice here (lane splitting, especially at light queues, freeway backups).

 

[hunterfz6]

I have never had reason to filter in stopped traffic, my understanding is that its no big deal because a motorcycle is going to get really hot and the battery probably wont charge right if you idle for a long time. filter away. In kentucky its legal to have a concealed deadly weapon if you have a permit. Some of the ways you can use your firearm is if your life is threatened. I would suggest someone opening a door at your or trying to run you out of a lane would be a good cause for life threatening? an ounce of led is worth a pound of prevention.I always give motorcycles the right away even if I have it legally speaking.