Played Pinball Today on the Freeway

[HavBlue]

First and foremost I am glad you and the bike came out of this OK.

Now to the incident at hand. Having lived in SoCal most of my adult life and spent thousands of miles on two wheels while there I have a few problems with this incident and some of the posts that appear on this thread. The reasons for this are simple in that they are extremely misleading.

First, lane splitting in California, anywhere in California is not "legal." It never has been and it never will be. It is however permissible and there is a huge difference. Now, before anybody cares to challenge this, I would highly recommend you consider the strength of your argument and take the time to research the subject in the California Vehicle Code, which is better known as the CVC. If and when you find a reference to "lane splitting" please post the code you have found that makes it legal. You will also note the California Highway Patrol website where it is clearly spelled out as "permissible" and not legal. You have no rights or reciprocity if you crash while splitting and the liability is all on you.

Second, there are a limited few places with the City of Los Angeles where the speed limit is 70mph. Rather, most roadways within the city are posted 65 and in many cases 55mph. So, what was the posted limit and how fast was the slow poke going while in that #1 lane? If the driver was going at or quite near the posted speed the rider is dead wrong here.

Third, if a bike is splitting and a driver opens a door without using reasonable caution before opening that door, which subsequently causes that rider to crash, the driver of said car/truck just bought a bike because opening that door in a traffic area is illegal as is throwing anything at a moving vehicle which causes the driver/rider of another vehicle to crash. A great example of this is where vehicles park along the curb and then just open a door only to have it pulled off by the traffic coming along side their vehicle. They just bought their own door and a crash bill from that other vehicles insurance company.

Now to splitting: Lane splitting is an art form and the skills required to split safely are clearly acquired over time and miles. The rider that splits traffic must have a focus level far beyond 100% and they must perceive the possible hazards long before they actually occur or they are toast. In SoCal, you will often find drivers and riders doing all sorts of insane things in traffic and trust me, if there is a gap on the right or left while you are splitting I can tell you from personal experience that idiot with a dually pick-up will try and fit that 25' truck in an 18' slot only to take up the lane you are splitting in. Splitting next to any commercial truck is a fools bet and you are asking for trouble when doing so because that trucker in most cases can't see your sorry butt so why pray tell are you there unless you have a death wish. As to splitting outside SoCal, yeah, I miss it dearly but I also know these folks back here in Kentucky are insane and they could give a sh*t about that bike as you will get run over. Additionally, the lanes aren't as wide as SoCal and the gap is much narrower.

For you folks in SoCal, enjoy that permissible option but use it with caution. As for me, yeah, I still split when it is necessary and only for my own safety. It also keeps that skill alive....

 

[bmccrary]

For all you peeps over the pond, what is required of you to get your licence? How hard is the test and how in depth does a class room course go if yall have one.

See here in the states, its a joke. When I went back to get my new ID when I turned 21, I watched one of the DMV ladys let an old man slide on the sight test. He couldnt see the signs in the little viewing machine. She said, "Oh its tough to see through that thing." From there she let him move to each station using the different machines, and still could not make out the signs. He walked out the door with his renewed licence. If he couldnt see a series of bright yellow road markers, what makes you think hes going to see you coming when hes at a stop sign? That and how many times do you see women puttin on their makeup as they go to work, using their rear view to get the tough spots around their eyes?

Just last week here in my home town, 3 people were killed on motorcycles with in 5 square miles of each other in three days. One was a guy I went to highschool with, we played tennis together. The driver crossed the double yellow and caught him head on. He died in the hospitial a couple days later. People here simply do not watch, they dont care!

The other rider, a 16 year old girl pulled out in front of him at the last second and the rider hit the side of the SUV. He left a 2 week old child and a wife of one year behind...

Now you wonder why riders in the states condone lane spliting? Its because people like that are on the road everyday.

In no way shape or form should it be legal.

-bryan

 

[HavBlue]

For all you peeps over the pond, what is required of you to get your licence? How hard is the test and how in depth does a class room course go if yall have one.

See here in the states, its a joke. When I went back to get my new ID when I turned 21, I watched one of the DMV ladys let an old man slide on the sight test. He couldn't see the signs in the little viewing machine. She said, "Oh its tough to see through that thing." From there she let him move to each station using the different machines, and still could not make out the signs. He walked out the door with his renewed licence. If he couldnt see a series of bright yellow road markers, what makes you think hes going to see you coming when hes at a stop sign? That and how many times do you see women puttin on their makeup as they go to work, using their rear view to get the tough spots around their eyes?

Just last week here in my home town, 3 people were killed on motorcycles with in 5 square miles of each other in three days. One was a guy I went to high school with, we played tennis together. The driver crossed the double yellow and caught him head on. He died in the hospital a couple days later. People here simply do not watch, they don't care!

The other rider, a 16 year old girl pulled out in front of him at the last second and the rider hit the side of the SUV. He left a 2 week old child and a wife of one year behind...

Now you wonder why riders in the states condone lane splitting? Its because people like that are on the road everyday.

In no way shape or form should it be legal.

-bryan

So let me get this straight, a guy goes to DMV and a clerk passes him on the eye test and you think the rider of a motorcycle should be forced to sit in front of this blind guy as opposed to going by him in the gap. Does that cover it? If not, let me make this clear, I will never, not in a million years be as safe sitting between two cages like a piece of ham on a sandwich as I will be if I am splitting in a cautious manner. Ive been in Kentucky where you can not split for 2 years now and had more close calls from idiots that follow too close or can't see than I had it all the years I split traffic in SoCal. Now, I figure based on folks who have posted there are a number that have never split traffic yet have been on two wheels for years. Don't sit there and tell me how unsafe it is until you have done it yourself on a daily basis and understood what an awesome tool it is. Furthermore, don't put me in danger because the idiot that writes the law hasn't a clue what I face as a rider on the streets. Not only should it be as legal here as it is in other free countries, it should be taught in the MSF classes because when all else fails, knowing how to split may just save your sorry hide some day when you need an out and if you don't know how to use it you may just crash when you didn't have to at all.

 

[bmccrary]

When ever I come to a stop light or I am in any amount of traffic I checking behind me as much as I am infront of me. Its habbit, I dont need a MSF class to teach me that. When I sit at stop lights I am always in gear with the clutch in, incase I have to move quickly. IF I was stuck on the highway and had to get out of the way because a car has not seen me then I would use the shoulder!

I dont have to practice lane spliting to tell you how unsafe and stupid it is. I use a little common since. Im sorry. There is nothing that you could come up with to change my feelings about lane splitting, just like I am not going to be able to change yours.

I am just stating my opinions. By now you all know that I dont thinks its safe nor should it be legal. I avoid certain areas and plan ahead to avoid traffic. If I am stuck in it I am watching everything around me closely. The only highways I travel on I know the back roads around as well. So if I do get stuck, then at the next exit, waiting till I get there and not riding down the shoulder, I will get off and continue down the back roads. I-85 between Gastonia and Greensboro is a pain.

I am another vehical on the highway. I obey the laws that other vehicals have to abide by. I know the risks I take riding a motorcycle and in no way do I feel that I should get special privilages for it.

To each his own.

-bryan

 

[Nelly]

You WERE the only one! That post has inspired me to cut the forefinger off of my glove! :rockon:

Don't destroy your glove mate, borrow a toddler and get them to Pre-load it for you. That's what I am gonna do.

Back on topic, I think that I can safely say that regardless of the 2cents worth from us all (which if you add it up come to about a billion $). None of us would take any pleasure in reading that you have died.

Its a tricky one, none of us were there and we all have our opinions which we all believe are valid. In the UK 70mph is the speed limit often it is possible to split lanes (which are far narrower than the US) at 85mph safely.
If traffic is at a standstill then I reckon that 15-20 mph is my own personal max speed to maintain a window of error.
As long as we all live and learn by these posts what more can we ask for.

we have all seen this one to coin Charlies phrase "Ham sandwhich"

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nT1zMJlXmDE"]YouTube - Ride Right Pass Left 6[/ame]

Lane splitting

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_GH8D2EqDZs"]YouTube - Motorcycle Crash Lane Splitting[/ame]

Nelly

 

[Wavex]

First, lane splitting in California, anywhere in California is not "legal." It never has been and it never will be. It is however permissible and there is a huge difference. Now, before anybody cares to challenge this, I would highly recommend you consider the strength of your argument and take the time to research the subject in the California Vehicle Code, which is better known as the CVC. If and when you find a reference to "lane splitting" please post the code you have found that makes it legal. You will also note the California Highway Patrol website where it is clearly spelled out as "permissible" and not legal. You have no rights or reciprocity if you crash while splitting and the liability is all on you.

What's the difference between permissible and legal? it`s either legal or illegal is it not?

Liability is not automatically on you if something happens and you crash while splitting lanes.... Talk to any motorcycle lawyer and he will tell you there are plenty of cases where the motorcyclist was splitting lane, ended up in an accident, and won the case in court.

Now, when I did talk to a friend's oncle (moto lawyer) he did mention that what often happens is that the rider will be judged partly responsible... not great, but not "all bad" either.



A few more interesting views on lane-sharing:

David Hough; Moto-journalist, and author of Proficicient Motorcycling:

"I'll go on record in favor of lane sharing being a viable concept. There may not be as many motorcyclists in the WA traffic mix as there could be, but there are more than a few, and many are year-round commuters. Every person on a bike is one less driver in a 4-wheeler.

These days CA traffic in the LA basin and around San Francisco is so congested that bikes are a definite "alternate vehicle", and lane sharing allows the same number of 4-wheelers with an increase in the number of 2-wheelers. Puget Sound traffic is rapidly becoming as congested as in LA or SF.

The obvious advantage to drivers in general is that more non-motorcyclists get to occupy the available space. I agree that research is the key to making this a reality. When the "Hurt Report" was done back in the late 1970's, traffic in CA was milder, and there was less need to share lanes. So, there is little data in the report to give us clues about the "safety" of lane sharing.

IMHO, (and if you need my credentials I'll be glad to provide them) the risks are not increased by lane sharing, provided that other drivers accept the practice, and motorcyclists understand the "rules."



Nick Ienatsch. Sport Riding Techniques
Page 112
...understand that the California Highway Patrol (CHP) regards lane sharing as a “good thing” because it reduces congestion. Every rider I know is thankful for lane sharing, so it’s important that we don’t abuse it to the point we can no longer enjoy it legally.



Both the HURT and FARS reports showed that California has 30% less rider fatalities due to rear-ending compared to other states, thanks to lane sharing... and that it is slightly safer overall (taking everything into account) to split lanes as opposed to not :thumbup::cheer:

 

[Wavex]

I dont have to practice lane spliting to tell you how unsafe and stupid it is.
-bryan

Before you call us all "stupid" you should google "lane splitting" or "lane-sharing" and get informed.

 

[Nelly]

For all you peeps over the pond, what is required of you to get your licence? How hard is the test and how in depth does a class room course go if yall have one.
-bryan

Get a bike license
This may answer a few of your questions mate. I took my test years ago when you had to do four left turns, four right turns, a combination of left and right turns to form a figure eight. The piste de résistance... is the emergency stop. The examiner steps of the curb and holds up a clip board.
My little brother did his test under the CBT guidelines. It took him four months to gain the training where you are followed by a rider connected by two way radio. The test is along the same format. It cost my brother about £600.00 for the pleasure of taking his licence. That was in 1997.

Nelly

 

[HavBlue]

What's the difference between permissible and legal? it`s either legal or illegal is it not?

Nick Ienatsch. Sport Riding Techniques
Page 112
...understand that the California Highway Patrol (CHP) regards lane sharing as a “good thing” because it reduces congestion. Every rider I know is thankful for lane sharing, so it’s important that we don’t abuse it to the point we can no longer enjoy it legally.

The last two states to look at lane splitting (not lane sharing) were Washingtom and Texas; both bills to allow it were shot down. Please note that both bills would have made it legal as opposed to what i consider a much better option which is permissible. More recently the State of New Jersey has begun a study on lane splitting.

Making it law: As a defined and codified law the rider would have reciprocity meaning if he/she got run over by some crazy cager the law would offer protection much like that offered those who say breach a Right Of Way. In the permissible form there is no reciprocity and the rider who is splitting carries the burden of any actions that may occur as a result of their splitting.
In other words the rider is on his.her own. I like it and here again it becomes my choice. It also allows the LEO the latitude to write my sorry butt a citation for being unsafe or stupid while doing it. It's pretty simple when you think about it.

As to the comment by Nick Ienatsch; Yeah right, if that is true then why did the CHP officer who wrote the article for Thunder Press suggest it wasn't safe and should only be done in those cases where it was absolutely necessary? I'll tell you why, because it isn't and there are so many newbs that see it done without realizing it is an acquired skill and very hazardous to them because they don't have the time in the saddle to be able to get a good read on the gap. This is why I would highly recommend they split at lights where the cages can not move and are locked in. I also recommend they get a good handle on their respective launch capabilities before they do it as some idiot cages at the lights just love jumping all over that throttle because the bike may get out first. Again, it's an acquired skill and not something the newb should jump into with both feet.

I edited this post to add something I found over on the CBR forum. This is pretty much as I have always understood things to be. I would however note this guy has got to be blind if he has never seen that double yellow that is between the HOV lane and the #1 lane.

A CHP friend of mine wrote this up for me to share with you.

Lane splitting by motorcycles is permissible under California law but must be done in a safe and prudent manner.

If you lane split, avoid weaving between the two lanes and don't exceed traffic speed by more than 10mph.

Your odds of getting ticketed also increase if you lane split between the carpool and fast lane. A double yellow line divides the two lanes and those are illegal to cross. However, he did say it is up to the officer on this. --Also, I don't think I have ever noticed the double yellow line.

Also, when merging onto a highway: If there are two lanes on the ramp you may split to the front. If there is a stop light for both sides obey the light. If one side has a light and the other does not (for carpool usually) it is ok to move into the carpool side without stopping. If you split to the front and the light allows one vehicle per light, then you should give the light to the vehicle first and wait for the next light. If you go together you are violating the sign posting. If it is two vehicles per light, then you can go with the other vehicle you are sharing lanes with.

Just thought I would post up his views on the unofficial "laws"

 

[VEGASRIDER]

I-85 between Gastonia and Greensboro is a pain.


-bryan

Obviously, you haven't been to very many places. I'm sure that stretch of the highway does get busy, but from my expererience on that stretch of highway, that's a very nice stretch of pavement all the way to Raleigh since they have finished with all of the construction. Multiple wide lanes in great shape. Not sure what your complaining about, if it's traffic, well you can pretty much find it everywhere and we all have to deal with it. I've been to Charlotte, Greensboro, Raleigh more than I can count.

 

[nimzotech]

I totally disagree.

This is an extract from "12 MOTORCYCLE SAFETY MYTHS AND MISCONCEPTIONS", From the February 2006 issue of Motorcycle Cruiser magazine -- by Art Friedman.


Myth 10: It's Better to Stay in Your Lane than Split Lanes

"In most parts of the world, motorcycles split lanes all the time, everywhere traffic is heavy. Here in the U.S., people often act as if lane-splitting is insane. But when someone actually studied it in the only place in the U.S. where it's legal (California), they discovered it's actually slightly safer than staying in the lane in heavy, slow-moving traffic. Still many motorcyclists berate others who do it, when they should in fact be endorsing it."

^^ coming from Europe where splitting lanes is comon, I can only agree with this. I split lanes everyday and cannot imagine not doing it... it would defeat part of the purpose of motorcycles imho.

Agreed 100%. Riding on a motorcycle not only saves money on the insanely increasing gas prices; but the fact that motorcycles can "legally" split lanes in California is an added benefit to choosing a two-wheeler for transportation. All those that think it is "stupid" to split lanes; they are either ignorant or jealous that it is not allowed in their place of residence and they can

I did not start this thread to start a discussion on whether lane splitting should be legal or not. I don't give a hoot about what the California Haters think or say about the lane splitting. I was simply sharing my close encounter "of the third degree" and needed to vent a little. The bottom line is that lane splitting is currently allowed in CA and anyone that does not split lanes in CA either is a NOOB and/or should not operate a vehicle on the streets, freeways and highways. If one is bound to always think they are safe by not splitting lanes, danger will also be encountered by being cut off by other "faster" drivers and or riders. There a million things than can go wrong and cause one to crash even though you think you are driving/riding "safely".

...The following is my personal opinion, and not dig at you in any way...

I feel that if someone takes it upon themselves to drive in a unsafe manner(IMO), then they lose the right to bitch about stupid cagers. I'm sure he thought just as highly of you as you did of him! I'm not sure what the law in CA is, but i'm sure it has a speed limit too it. What is it, I don't know, but would hope it wasn't 70MPH. True the car was wrong, but were you right? If he were a member of a forum what would his post be labled? "Why are bikers so reckless, and think they can do whatever they want?"

Once again i'm not taking a dig at you, but in my opinion that is just plain stupid. Granted I don't have to deal with CA traffic, but I do deal with Philadelphia traffic on a daily basis, and survive. Have you ever ridden in the North East?

Please stay safe guys!!!!!

I hope you are not saying all this just because you are Asian and felt offended. My wife is ASIAN and there always some exceptions to that stereotype; she for instance is a good driver. Perhaps even better than you. :Flip: On the other hand you don't know what exactly the "stupid cager thought about me". From what it looked like was that they were scared shi/tless as when I looked in the mirror they were way way in the back, and propably starting braking agressively when they saw my bike wobble at freeway speeds.

For all you peeps over the pond, what is required of you to get your licence? How hard is the test and how in depth does a class room course go if yall have one.

See here in the states, its a joke. When I went back to get my new ID when I turned 21, I watched one of the DMV ladys let an old man slide on the sight test. He couldnt see the signs in the little viewing machine. She said, "Oh its tough to see through that thing." From there she let him move to each station using the different machines, and still could not make out the signs. He walked out the door with his renewed licence. If he couldnt see a series of bright yellow road markers, what makes you think hes going to see you coming when hes at a stop sign? That and how many times do you see women puttin on their makeup as they go to work, using their rear view to get the tough spots around their eyes?

Just last week here in my home town, 3 people were killed on motorcycles with in 5 square miles of each other in three days. One was a guy I went to highschool with, we played tennis together. The driver crossed the double yellow and caught him head on. He died in the hospitial a couple days later. People here simply do not watch, they dont care!

The other rider, a 16 year old girl pulled out in front of him at the last second and the rider hit the side of the SUV. He left a 2 week old child and a wife of one year behind...

Now you wonder why riders in the states condone lane spliting? Its because people like that are on the road everyday.

In no way shape or form should it be legal.

-bryan

Before you call us all "stupid" you should google "lane splitting" or "lane-sharing" and get informed.

+1 Some people will be jelous of the CA DMV codes and as a result make bitter remarks to make themselves feel better. I will continue lane splitting judging the situation better next time and ofcourse pass at higher speeds so that the cager has no time to squeeze me out of the lane. Maybe I'll pass one of you haters (while splitting lanes) and show you a :Flip: all at the same time.

What is most important is that I managed to keep the bike upright, did not cause harm to self, my bike, and other vehicles. Cheers.

 

[HavBlue]

Obviously, you haven't been to very many places. I'm sure that stretch of the highway does get busy, but from my expererience on that stretch of highway, that's a very nice stretch of pavement all the way to Raleigh since they have finished with all of the construction. Multiple wide lanes in great shape. Not sure what your complaining about, if it's traffic, well you can pretty much find it everywhere and we all have to deal with it. I've been to Charlotte, Greensboro, Raleigh more than I can count.

California traffic is unreal to those who may experience the normal hustle and bustle of the large city and they all have their respective traffic problems. In SoCal, you are talking about 25 million people within 2 hours of each other that move from one place to another within that zone every day. A very good example of this is that parking lot known the locals as the 91 freeway between Riverside and Orange County. Another would be the 5 freeway between La Mirada and East LA. How about the 10 freeway between El Monte and downtown LA? To the north there is the traffic coming from Saugus into LA each day. This is a place where sitting becomes the order of the day. Remember these roads have eight lanes in many cases and it is still a parking lot.

The misses and I were talking tonight about when we used to pack up the kids to head for the dez on a 3 day weekend and how it took us three hours to go twenty miles on the way to the high desert. What a drag that was. Now, from what I am told it is only getting worse so this is why splitting, especially on an air cooled bike is almost a must.. One must also remember the cagers in California have observed the splitting phenomenon for years and they are accustomed to it. In other areas they are not and this makes any attempt to implement it dangerous to not only the rider, but the cagers too.

 

[lonesoldier84]

wow man great job keeping it upright. mount a dash cam from now on i wanna see the crazy adventures of the 2-wheeled F-Z-6-Special-Pin-Ball-Edition

im the type that disregards local laws when it is sensible to do so. but id never lanesplit here id be terrified of trying it. i have been sooooo tempted tho sometimes. and the thing about riders being safer as lane-splitters probably reflects the fact that the more skilled and confident among us are the splitters. noobs like me and high-km-noobs refuse to lane split.

 

[HavBlue]

+1 Some people will be jealous of the CA DMV codes and as a result make bitter remarks to make themselves feel better. I will continue lane splitting judging the situation better next time and of course pass at higher speeds so that the cager has no time to squeeze me out of the lane. Maybe I'll pass one of you haters (while splitting lanes) and show you a :Flip: all at the same time.

What is most important is that I managed to keep the bike upright, did not cause harm to self, my bike, and other vehicles. Cheers.

You are correct, the important part is all parties including yourself and the bike made it OK. I also agree that many are jealous if they have never found the fruits of splitting. I do not however agree splitting at speed is either necessary or in any way legal and this is in no way why splitting is permissible in the first place. I also feel splitting at anything above around 35mph makes us all look like a bunch of fools. Remember this, when you split at 70 and trust me, that's child's play, you have zero chance should something really go wrong. Having said this you will also note if any driver is involved you may just bring harm to them as well and what for, because you had to get somewhere just a bit faster than had you simply used good technique and legally passed while using skill and quality lane control? Splitting at speed is quite frankly useless as the rider with skills and an ability to read the road will just motor right by the cages as opposed to even thing about to ramifications associated with splitting at highway speeds.

When I lived in SoCal I had a neighbor with a YZF 1000 Thunderace. The bike was beautiful and he was a skilled rider that loved to split. For years he traveled between Riverside and Temecula. One weekend I was out in the front yard and I noticed he had casts on his right leg and arm. In talking to him I found out he was on his way home and when he got into the Corona area he was in the gap and a guy in an SUV cut him off. the bike hit the back of the SUV at an angle and he flew of hitting another cage as well as the pavement. When I left SoCal he was back at it again on a 2006 Gixer 1000.

In any event I wish you the best of luck....
Charlie

 

[poorwboy]

Lane spitting at 70mph is ballsy. And they will ban lane splitting in cali soon. They have taken everything else away, why not.

 

[FZ1inNH]

I don't hate lane-splitting. I'm not jealous. I simply avoid situations that warrant the need for it. I know where and what time the roads are jammed and what roads to take to remain moving. The slab is the very last place you'll find me, even in the middle of the night with no traffic. I bought my bike for the corners, not the straight lines.

Nimzotech, please don't make such blanket statements as they are very unfair and offending to a lot of folks here. I understand your frustration but clearly there are better choices for wording.

Persons in CA have lived with this for a long time and as Charlie stated, have become accustomed to it. Here on the East coast, it's never been legal or permissible thus when a biker does split lanes, he is an open target to the extremely low tollerance of the non-biker cagers who turn ugly shades of red to see them "cheating" and breaking the law so in their attempt to be the vigilante, they cause great harm without regard by cutting off the law breaker. It's simply two different cultures, two sets of laws and two type of tollerances. It has nothing to do with hate or jealousy. It is people who feel they need to intervene by inducing their twisted sense of justice to stop a law breaker. Do I agree or do this myself? No! Of course not!

With all that said, when I do need to stop in traffic, I am ever ready and willing to split a lane to avoid becoming the greasy slab of meat in a cager sandwich. Yes, if I think I am in danger with a cager who appears to be unable to or misjudged and cannot stop in time, I will drop the hammer and get myself into a safer spot, but only out of harms way and then stop. Did I split a lane, sure! Did I do it to get ahead of traffic, no! I did it to save myself from harm and no cop here is going to dispute that. This is the ONLY time I see lane splitting as sensible in my opinion and certainly only when traffic is stopped or at a mere crawl. I stand by my opinion that a biker splitting at speed is suicidal because I see no other way to explain it.

Sorry for being long winded but I felt it necessary to defend my opinion as well as remove myself from wrongful blanket statements that generalize the members here.

 

[wrightme43]

Yeah I think this one is getting a little heated.

Bought all the info on this thread is in.

So I am closing it.

 

[wrightme43]

Well I cant close it. So its open still.

 

[Wavex]

The last two states to look at lane splitting (not lane sharing) were Washingtom and Texas; both bills to allow it were shot down. Please note that both bills would have made it legal as opposed to what i consider a much better option which is permissible. More recently the State of New Jersey has begun a study on lane splitting.

Making it law: As a defined and codified law the rider would have reciprocity meaning if he/she got run over by some crazy cager the law would offer protection much like that offered those who say breach a Right Of Way. In the permissible form there is no reciprocity and the rider who is splitting carries the burden of any actions that may occur as a result of their splitting.
In other words the rider is on his.her own. I like it and here again it becomes my choice. It also allows the LEO the latitude to write my sorry butt a citation for being unsafe or stupid while doing it. It's pretty simple when you think about it.

As to the comment by Nick Ienatsch; Yeah right, if that is true then why did the CHP officer who wrote the article for Thunder Press suggest it wasn't safe and should only be done in those cases where it was absolutely necessary? I'll tell you why, because it isn't and there are so many newbs that see it done without realizing it is an acquired skill and very hazardous to them because they don't have the time in the saddle to be able to get a good read on the gap. This is why I would highly recommend they split at lights where the cages can not move and are locked in. I also recommend they get a good handle on their respective launch capabilities before they do it as some idiot cages at the lights just love jumping all over that throttle because the bike may get out first. Again, it's an acquired skill and not something the newb should jump into with both feet.

I edited this post to add something I found over on the CBR forum. This is pretty much as I have always understood things to be. I would however note this guy has got to be blind if he has never seen that double yellow that is between the HOV lane and the #1 lane.

A CHP friend of mine wrote this up for me to share with you.

Lane splitting by motorcycles is permissible under California law but must be done in a safe and prudent manner.

If you lane split, avoid weaving between the two lanes and don't exceed traffic speed by more than 10mph.

Your odds of getting ticketed also increase if you lane split between the carpool and fast lane. A double yellow line divides the two lanes and those are illegal to cross. However, he did say it is up to the officer on this. --Also, I don't think I have ever noticed the double yellow line.

Also, when merging onto a highway: If there are two lanes on the ramp you may split to the front. If there is a stop light for both sides obey the light. If one side has a light and the other does not (for carpool usually) it is ok to move into the carpool side without stopping. If you split to the front and the light allows one vehicle per light, then you should give the light to the vehicle first and wait for the next light. If you go together you are violating the sign posting. If it is two vehicles per light, then you can go with the other vehicle you are sharing lanes with.

Just thought I would post up his views on the unofficial "laws"

I spent 30min on google today, searching "lane splitting" and 3/4 of what you wrote above showed up in articles on the first page... I guess you were on google too today huh? I mention it because some of the sentences are word for word what are in these articles hehe... copy/paste FTW!

Anyway, I still don`t believe that because you split lanes, anything that happens to you -no matter what the circumstances- will be your responsability (I can get you examples if you want), but whatever... who cares, really...

Cheers!

 

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California traffic is unreal to those who may experience the normal hustle and bustle of the large city and they all have their respective traffic problems. In SoCal, you are talking about 25 million people within 2 hours of each other that move from one place to another within that zone every day. A very good example of this is that parking lot known the locals as the 91 freeway between Riverside and Orange County. Another would be the 5 freeway between La Mirada and East LA. How about the 10 freeway between El Monte and downtown LA? To the north there is the traffic coming from Saugus into LA each day. This is a place where sitting becomes the order of the day. Remember these roads have eight lanes in many cases and it is still a parking lot.

The misses and I were talking tonight about when we used to pack up the kids to head for the dez on a 3 day weekend and how it took us three hours to go twenty miles on the way to the high desert. What a drag that was. Now, from what I am told it is only getting worse so this is why splitting, especially on an air cooled bike is almost a must.. One must also remember the cagers in California have observed the splitting phenomenon for years and they are accustomed to it. In other areas they are not and this makes any attempt to implement it dangerous to not only the rider, but the cagers too.

haha I take the 91 everyday and yes, I call it the "parking lot"

You are a bit exaggerating on the 25Mil ppl lol... the whole Socal area has less that 25 million ppl... LA + Orange County has something like 15 million inhabitants, so a little fewer actual drivers but I get your point :rockon:

Really though, I think ppl make a huge deal of lane splitting when it`s really not that "crazy" if done properly... and doing it properly doesn`t require a rocket science diploma either... just be reasonable and split when traffic is super slow... and don`t go flying between cars like a mad man and you`ll be fine. LA traffic is very dense indeed, but ppl who tell me it's insane and unreal and sooo dangerous don`t really travel much... try riding in Paris... or most large european cities, or my worse experience ever, try riding in Rio de Janeiro... then you`ll see what real challenging riding is.

I`d like to try asia... I hear it`s fun there too lol