Should Motorcycles be able to lane split?

Lane-splitting is an absurd law...

 

Why? /6char

 

It's illegal where I live, but legal 10 miles to the west in CA. I never do it. I don't trust anyone in a car.

 

Anyone who rides a motorcycle and thinks cars pay attention to bikers, shouldn't ride a motorcycle.

I ride as defensively as I can, which includes staying as far away from cars as I can. In heavy traffic, this means staying behind a car. Riding between cars makes no sense to me.

 

I think anyone who is stupid enough to put themselves at mortal risk on the assumption that another motorist is going to notice them when they are someplace that motorist is not conditioned to be watching is taking their lives in their hands.

So, obviously, I do not think it should be legal. I think it's very dangerous, to say the least.

And the person in danger is the biker, and not the motorist

Anyone who wants to blame motorists for not seeing a biker doing something like this is a fool. That's my opinion.

 

it should not be allowed in the same way speeding should not be allowed in the fast lane

 

I follow a rule, ALWAYS have SOME disparity between car and bike speeds. You become visible.

 

I agree that you need to ride defensively but the only issue I see with lane splitting is the attitude of American motorists. It seems to work just fine elsewhere in the world where the common response is to make room to let a motorcycle pass rather than kill the motorcyclist because of the crab bucket mentality.

 

Do what you need to do, but the only rule I follow is, don't trust cagers.

Get a water cooled bike, if that's your issue. Plan your rides better. My v-twin is air cooled, but has automatic parade mode. At a certain temperature, the motor shuts down one cylinder while idling. I'm not going to risk life and limb for any reason.

 

I see no reason why motorists should be given a pass as if it's difficult to drive safely. Look then merge, look then turn, just look. I expect people to drive like (*)(*)(*)(*)ing retards and I'm rarely disapointed, however that doesn't mean we should just expect them to play bumper cars and and excuse them when they kill people. As is unless you're drunk you're probably not facing punishment for merging without looking and killing people. I understand accidents and all but people do need to pay attention to what they are doing when they drive. This is not an unreasonable request.

 

I see it as nothing more than complacency. Some people get into their cars and seem to think they're in their own little world, safe and sound.

 

Shouldn't have to on an uncrowded stretch of highway, unless people are hanging out in the blind spot. I adjust the mirrors so there is a very small blind spot. Nobody should be hanging out in the left lane just behind a car or truck for long--either speed up and pass, or slow down so they can see you. I use blinkers when I change lanes. If you can't see my turn signal, you are in my blind spot. I don't do sudden lane changes. I am continously watching the rear view mirror. If you are in my blind spot and I don't know you are there, you've been there for several minutes. That said, I usually look over my shoulder, but it's not a legal requirement--turn signals are.

 

Agreed 100%. People rely too much on mirrors. Blind spots, people! Check your blind spot. It's really easy to do.

 

Good idea, unless you are in the same lane. Then you can stay the same speed. Otherwise I agree.

 

This makes sense, but driving (and riding) are habitual operations. I turn and look habitually. Defensive driving involves developing good habits. It only takes one mistake to cause disaster.

 

I do habitually scan all three mirrors. The thing is, there are times when (due to the nature of the vehicle you are in), turning doesn't help much--there is still a blind spot. As the truck signs say, if you can't see my mirrors, I can't see you.

 

Let them lane split, but any accident is the motorcyclist's fault.

 

Tell it to the judge. And the jailer.

 

This is true, and as long as you are aware, and use proper habits when driving vehicles that do have blind spots, I have no issue. My concern is complacency. Don't develop bad habits because one type vehicle doesn't have much of a blind spot.

ETA: I'm not worried about truckers. You guys are generally the safest drivers out there...after we bikers, of course. Lol.

 

I'm all for it. It's called natural selection and culling the stupid out of the herd

 

Well if what you've written about the law is true, then I'd have to say a majority of bikers are breaking it. At least that's my observation as I travel home on the eastbound 91 Fwy from between where it starts up to at least the 605 interchange afternoons starting at 3:30. If your familiar with the great LA fwy system you should know the stretch I referring to.

 

Traffic laws are unconstitutional because they violate our right to move. There us no need to restrict people to hiw fast they travel. The Constitution does not say that I am not allowed to exceed 120 MPH so can,tbI travel that fast? If traveling fast names me happy why is the ZGubmint allowed to list speed limit signs? The Constitution dies say that the Gubmint has a right to put up stop signs so shy are they on so many corners?

 

When I used to ride I had Ducati's and Moto Guzzi's which were fast, nimble, narrow and had great brakes.

My rules were simple.

1. Assume that the car drivers can't and won't see you, ever, under any circumstances!

2. Keep as much distance as you can between yourself and the other vehicles.

3. Spend as little time as possible in close proximity to other vehicles.

4. Develop 360 awareness of everything around you at all times.

5. Beware of changing road surfaces and conditions.

I don't fault motorists for not seeing cyclists because even as a biker I sometimes miss them coming when I am driving my car. The size of the motorbike and the speed differential are factors to consider at all times.

Most motorists judge the speed of another vehicle by the change in width. As it gets wider it is getting closer. Motorcycles change height instead of width so unless you know to look for that you won't see any significant enough difference in width to judge the speed.

Wearing bright clothing is another safety factor that I adopted as a cyclist. My Guzzi was all white and it was obvious that the handful of motorists who did see me mistook me for a cop.

As far as I am concerned lane splitting is safer and more efficient than pretending that a motorcycle is a car. As described above if you stay in your lane in heavy traffic your odds of being rear ended are increased because the driver behind you can't judge your speed.

When it comes to efficiency motorbikes use a fraction of the fuel of cars and SUV's and considering that most of those have only one occupant the traffic volume would drop by 40% if they were using bikes instead and saving themselves a whole lot of money at the pump into the bargain.

Riding a motorbike is way more fun than almost every car I have ever driven except for possibly my Mini Cooper S.

If it was up to me I would legalize lane splitting per the provisos stipulated. Speeding in heavy traffic is stupid and dangerous and if a biker is doing it then yes, issue them with a fine for endangering others besides themselves. But just lane splitting with a 15 mph differential, that should definitely be allowed nationwide IMO.

 

I agree. I just do it out of habit because it's really easy and can save lives.

 

As long as you accept responsibility for and consequences of the risk you take ... go for it.