Lane Splitting

[toma nova]

My pleasure. And I'll add that I think education will be super important if this spreads to other states. On my last ride into Arizona I forgot that it was illegal and started going up the front of the line at a light. People deliberately blocked me - I think one guy was about ready to get out of his truck and I was planning my escape route. California car drivers are, for the most part, accustomed to lane splitting and don't generally get upset about it (except for the people who blow by at 40mph faster than the flow of traffic).

I was commuting on the interstate here in Houston in the fast lane and an SUV with CA plates pulled to the right side of the lane to let me by!

I was thrilled and gave him a big wave!!

I love splitting and filtering but will be very cautious if this becomes legal in TX.

Tom

[kevdog3019]

The thread is marked NGC.     As a moderator, you don't have to post a reply.  Some are interested in the law passing especially those that ride in CA.  I'm one of them.
[/quote

(NGC) Blatantly showing objectivity shows partiality based on ones emotions. Interjections such as this from a moderator do not give me a lot of confidence nor show much professionalism.

[oldbike54]

 So I gotta give up my amateur status KD ?

 Dusty

[rocker59]

I did a search for lane splitting and the website said to start a new topic. 

http://wildguzzi.com/forum/index.php?action=post;topic=73836.0;last_msg=1154219

Governor Brown signed into law in California.

http://ridermagazine.com/2016/08/19/california-lane-splitting-bill-signed-into-law/

That's not exactly what it said.

The thread has been merged.

[blackcat]

Quote from: guzzi4me on August 21, 2016, 08:03:06 PM

Of course the mind set of the common US driver is "I DON'T want you to get ahead of me" will take a while to change.


Boy, isn't that the truth.  An attitude of disdain.


Yeah, I had a truck driver on I-80 swing his rig into my path as I split lanes in one of those massive backups on that route. I stopped, let him rant, the traffic moved and I quietly passed him.

It's OK for people to speed, tailgate,text,etc. but split lanes while they're stopped and they loose their minds.

[oldbike54]

That's not exactly what it said.

The thread has been merged.

 Thanks Mike , I knew there was another thread , just couldn't locate it .

 Dusty

[Scud]

I was commuting on the interstate here in Houston in the fast lane and an SUV with CA plates pulled to the right side of the lane to let me by!

I was thrilled and gave him a big wave!!

I love splitting and filtering but will be very cautious if this becomes legal in TX.

Tom

That's common in CA. My daily commute doesn't involve freeway anymore (used to), but I usually filter to the front of every signal. When I do ride the freeway at busy times, it's almost like there's an unofficial motorcycle lane between the two LH lanes. People generally move aside a bit to make for easier passage. Whether they're being polite or just worried that a motorcyclist is going to side-swipe them, I can't say - probably some of both. The effect was most noticeable when I had an R1100RT - same profile as the police bikes. I think it helps that the CHP have been splitting lanes for a long time - setting the example.

[rocker59]

Of course the mind set of the common US driver is "I DON'T want you to get ahead of me" will take a while to change.
 

I was taught from kindergarten on not to cut line.  For the water fountain.  For lunch.  For the bus.  For just about everything.  Even when a friend would offer to let me in line, another kid would complain to the teacher.  Every time, I would be sent to the end of the line.  It wasn't just me, but every kid who would cut, or be offered a cut.  The teachers strongly enforced the "no cutting line" rule, because cutting line was obviously "unfair" to the others, so they had a no tolerance policy.

When the schools train kids "absolutely no cutting line" instead of something a more tolerant, is it no wonder that kids grow up to be adults with the "absolutely no cutting" thing ingrained in their heads?

It's a society issue that will not change quickly or easily.  Everyone is taught that cutting line is not fair.

[blackcat]

I have been splitting lanes in NYC for years, but it has gotten much harder since they added all the bicycle lanes so those riders can ignore the traffic laws,run red lights,etc.

[oldbike54]

I have been splitting lanes in NYC for years, but it has gotten much harder since they added all the bicycle lanes so those riders can ignore the traffic laws,run red lights,etc.

 Er , uh , ... hmm ...

 Dusty

[blackcat]

I was taught from kindergarten on not to cut line.  For the water fountain.  For lunch.  For the bus.  For just about everything.  Even when a friend would offer to let me in line, another kid would complain to the teacher.  Every time, I would be sent to the end of the line.  It wasn't just me, but every kid who would cut, or be offered a cut.  The teachers strongly enforced the "no cutting line" rule, because cutting line was obviously "unfair" to the others, so they had a no tolerance policy.

When the schools train kids "absolutely no cutting line" instead of something a more tolerant, is it no wonder that kids grow up to be adults with the "absolutely no cutting" thing ingrained in their heads?

It's a society issue that will not change quickly or easily.  Everyone is taught that cutting line is not fair.

I was splitting lanes when some guy from NJ* started giving me shit. I usually don't say anything but I stopped, backed up and suggested that his commute would be less painful if there were more people on motorcycles splitting lanes than the pack of endless cars in front of him.  I was polite, he looked bewildered and I continued my way home. This isn't cutting in line to displace someone else.

*This has nothing against NJ or it's drivers.

[rocker59]

   This isn't cutting in line to displace someone else.

But the drivers don't "feel" this way.  And it's all about "feelings", no?  LOL!

They've been taught that cutting line is gaining an advantage, whether that's true or not.

Cutting line to get on a bus after school makes no difference and doesn't affect anyone's ability to get on the bus in time to depart.  But the kids who cut are still sent to the back of the line.

Hey man, I agree with you.  I'm just pointing out that this no cutting thing is ingrained.  It's "not fair" for you to have an advantage on your motorcycle.

[blackcat]

But the drivers don't "feel" this way.  And it's all about "feelings", no?  LOL!

They've been taught that cutting line is gaining an advantage, whether that's true or not.

Cutting line to get on a bus after school makes no difference and doesn't affect anyone's ability to get on the bus in time to depart.  But the kids who cut are still sent to the back of the line.

Hey man, I agree with you.  I'm just pointing out that this no cutting thing is ingrained.  It's "not fair" for you to have an advantage on your motorcycle.

I'm not arguing with you either. Yeah it isn't fair, but in almost all cases it doesn't impede their ability to get to their destination, because the cars in front of them are the problem, not some rider putting past them in their frozen vehicles.

[Lannis]

I'm not arguing with you either. Yeah it isn't fair, but in almost all cases it doesn't impede their ability to get to their destination, because the cars in front of them are the problem, not some rider putting past them in their frozen vehicles.

There are several other data points that you can observe on the road every day that indicate that "No Fair Cutting In On The Lunch Line" is just a small part of the problem.

How many times have you seen someone tailgating you, trying to get around you on a two or four lane road, then finally getting a gap, passing you like a ball of fire with the four-barrel cut in ....

... and then, 30 seconds later, you are back up beside them again because they have slowed down to slower than YOU were going?   They weren't thinking about queues or you were going to take advantage of them.

They wanted to BEAT YOU!   Get In Front of you!    Show You Who's Tough!   And once they did it, they don't care any more, they've shown YOU!    Same with lane splitting.   If they're stuck in their $40,000 car, and you idle past them on your $4000 motorcycle, it's as if you're dry-humping them in front of all their friends.   They won't put up with it, and they might swerve or pretend to open a door or whatever.   

It's a facet of the American character that I dislike the most, and understand the least ....

Lannis

[Nic in Western NYS]

Win-Win = Mutual benefit
Win-Lose = Competition
Lose-Lose = Spite

We can argue about the relative benefits of win-win versus win-lose orientations, but the willingness of drivers to put themselves in lose-lose situations for their own reasons is a big cause of bad things happening on the road. 

[oldbike54]

 Nothing new here , cars try to "share" lanes with motorbikes on a regular basis out here in the middle .

 Dusty

[blackcat]

There are several other data points that you can observe on the road every day that indicate that "No Fair Cutting In On The Lunch Line" is just a small part of the problem.

How many times have you seen someone tailgating you, trying to get around you on a two or four lane road, then finally getting a gap, passing you like a ball of fire with the four-barrel cut in ....

... and then, 30 seconds later, you are back up beside them again because they have slowed down to slower than YOU were going?   They weren't thinking about queues or you were going to take advantage of them.

They wanted to BEAT YOU!   Get In Front of you!    Show You Who's Tough!   And once they did it, they don't care any more, they've shown YOU!    Same with lane splitting.   If they're stuck in their $40,000 car, and you idle past them on your $4000 motorcycle, it's as if you're dry-humping them in front of all their friends.   They won't put up with it, and they might swerve or pretend to open a door or whatever.   

It's a facet of the American character that I dislike the most, and understand the least ....

Lannis

Yeah, I don't understand the problem. I can see it if was a race, but what idiot thinks they can win in a car,etc. vs. a motorcycle in congested urban traffic provided they stay within the boundaries of the roadway?

PS. I have only encountered one door opener and I would never engage a person who thinks death is the answer for lane splitting.

[Fuzzy]

They wanted to BEAT YOU!   Get In Front of you!    Show You Who's Tough!   And once they did it, they don't care any more, they've shown YOU!   
Lannis

Or they were stoned 8-)

[Fuzzy]

Er , uh , ... hmm ...

 Dusty

Oh, he'll show those two-wheelin', lane-splitting, helmet wearin' scofflaws who's boss. You bet!

[kirkemon]

I was taught from kindergarten on not to cut line.  For the water fountain.  For lunch.  For the bus.  For just about everything.

It's a society issue that will not change quickly or easily.  Everyone is taught that cutting line is not fair.

Curious if you've ever been to Europe or Asia?

These days, it seems splitting is more acceptable. I say that because in the '70s some cage drivers tried to block me when splitting, now I find more drivers are moving to give me more room.

[rocker59]

Curious if you've ever been to Europe

I think that trip is still classified, so my answer is "no".

[pebra]

Since line cutting has become a topic in this thread  -
I consider going to the front at traffic lights bad form, maybe unless the line was several lights long.
But here, in ferry lines it's expected that bikes go to the front. Do you have the same practice in the US?

[derek533]

Honestly, I don't trust a driver in a car to not be a douche and open a door while I'm splitting.

People are becoming more and more unhinged.  Youtube angry people and look at all the crazies out there! 

[stormshearon]

In Washington state, yes. Motorcycles get to go directly to the front and get to get off first on arrival. It is very civilized.

[Tom]

First,  Thanks Mike, for merging the threads for reasons stated on the start of the other thread. 

The passing of a law that directly involves motorcycle usage and definitely codifies it should make it easier for motorcyclists in that state.  Hopefully it'll influence other states to address the urban congestion that slows their traffic.  It encourages use of other transport besides a single passenger in a vehicle at the same time when others are using the same roadway.

The U.S situation will change slowly when urban congestion gets so bad that "other" solutions will need enactment.  Putting a young American in a car with unfettered use does not help the problem.  Tiered licensing and price of vehicles/insurance will also have a big influence on how Americans view motorcyclists.  It will change with time.

[Cool Runnings]

Next Cali needs legal Lane Spliffin. 

Up In Smoke 

[Jerdo1]

Here in France drivers will almost put themselves into a ditch to LET you pass them. 

If you are behind a car on a normal road or a motorway they will even make room in their own lane to let you pass - even if you don't want to, or are travelling at the same speed and haven't shown any intent / interest in passing. 

UK is same as US - they'd rather put you IN the ditch than let you past.  These are the two extremes that I have experienced, with most countries in Europe somewhere in between.

I don't know if there is some presumption of guilt if a car driver collides with a m/c over here - but they are VERY bike aware. All you do is 'kick a leg' to show your appreciation.

[Lannis]

I don't know if there is some presumption of guilt if a car driver collides with a m/c over here - but they are VERY bike aware. All you do is 'kick a leg' to show your appreciation.

That "kick a leg" thing always reminds me of a dog raising his leg to pee; doesn't look like a Thank You to me!   I'm sticking with a friendly wave ....

Lannis

[Tom]

 :1:  The first time I saw the leg wave.  I was thinking "WTF!"  Doesn't take much effort to wave with the left hand.  Maybe they're afraid to take their hand off the handlebars. 

[ITSec]

Since line cutting has become a topic in this thread  -
I consider going to the front at traffic lights bad form, maybe unless the line was several lights long.
But here, in ferry lines it's expected that bikes go to the front. Do you have the same practice in the US?

In many places, (British Columbia, Canadian Maritimes, US northwest), motorcycles are not only allowed but expected to move to the front at ferry lines. I have seen signs to that effect in some of these locations, directing riders to move to the front. In some cases, this is because they can move more quickly off the ferry on arrival, and so they're placed at the area nearest the roll-off door. In other cases, it allows ferry staff to place the motorcycles in locations where they can be parked in spots that wouldn't hold a car or truck.