I used to commute across the bay bridge to redwood city so I sorta know this route. The folks who've chimed in have already hit most points, here's what I'd repeat for effect and add:
-- Stay in the carpool lane as much as possible. I tend to stay in the far left side of the lane.
-- As has been said, just pretend that no one sees you and if they do, they don't like/respect you. I love the "...if they don't see you, you're a gap...". Brilliant.
-- Get a fastrak unit for your bike. I've got mine mounted up, inside the fairing and it works just fine. You might miss commute time on your bike and it just kinda blows to have to stop, take off glove, fish out wallet...
-- Work on lane-sharing in less tense settings than bay area morning commute traffic. And then when you do attempt it during your commute, start by taking small steps. Pass a few cars at a time, then get back into the flow.
-- Don't get complacent when you're not filtering. If I've been riding along in heavy traffic, staying in the same lane, I'll move from side to side in the lane just to help remind those around me that I'm there. Just be certain that you check for other motorcycle riders before making such a shift as someone may be near and not ready for your move.
-- Some folks like headlight modulators. I think they're a good enough idea though I don't have one and don't know that I'd bother. I have gotten into the habit of turning on my high beams whenever I start splitting.
-- As has been said, practice front brake stops. And, though I know it's not taught in the msf course, I ride always with two fingers on the front brake lever.
-- I'm like vegas, in that I keep my left thumb on the horn at all times. I'll use it to wake up drivers who're about to do something stupid -- you know the ones: you see them with their phone plastered to their ear, you see them glance in their mirror to see if there's room in the lane next to them, but you know full well that they did not see you -- toot, toot, wake 'em up...
-- Scan, scan, scan, scan, and scan some more. Do not allow your mind to wander while lane-sharing. When I arrive at a destination after having spent time filtering through traffic, my mind is super alert/awake. My eyes go back and forth from car to car. You may find that, in time, you can "read" a great deal of driver intent through the "body language" of their car. You'll see what I mean...
-- Scan, scan, scan for "outs." Don't get going at such a high rate of speed while splitting such that the speed differential, between you and the slower car traffic, is too high. I'm sure that it's written into the law and since I don't know it, I won't guess. I know that there's a limit to how much faster we can travel than slower traffic. If you find out what it is, let us know. In any case, don't be stupid or greedy about speed.
-- Expect drivers to not use their signals when lane changing. And if they do use it, it'll be one of those "start to change and then turn on the signal" sort of moves. YOU don't exist...
-- Know the width of your bike and the space it'll fit through. Even though I lane-share all of the time, I touched mirrors with a truck just last week. Really minor, didn't even change the position of the mirror. But it still happened. Not good. I've ridden with my mirrors pulled in before and even did it right in front of a cop (though he wasn't a chp).
-- There are some drivers who will just hate on you for your ability to keep moving. There are a number of reasons why folks might try and block you from lane-sharing. I don't know 'em all and so won't try to cite them. If you get behind one of them, take a breath, and wait 'em out. You'll eventually get past them. Don't get aggro.
-- I like to acknowledge nice drivers who make space. It's your call how much attention you want to divert from your forward travel, forward-looking, attention. I usually just give a quick wave when folks make a little room for me.
-- Keep the bike on the power -- low gear, like soviet suggests. I don't stay in first, but you'll have to find your groove.
-- Definitely don't allow ego to factor into your lane-sharing. If another rider comes up on your tail while splitting, move out of the way and let them pass.
Finally -- Fast reflexes come from a relaxed body. Don't ride flat-footed, keep on the balls of your feet. Breathe and do a quick mental scan of your body from time to time as you're riding. Are you super tense in your arms/neck/shoulders? If so, take a breath, allow those muscles to relax. Smile inside your helmet, you're riding!
You'll do fine.
(Hence, why I got a bike) Just looking for anyone's advice and experiences riding in this area. Thanks.
