Ca lane splitting

This was kinda a topic in another thread. Didn't wanna high jack it so here's what I found from the ca motorcycle handbook.

"Lane Splitting
The term lane splitting, sometimes known as lane sharing, filtering, or white-lining refers to the process of a motorcyclist riding between lanes of stopped or slower-moving traffic or moving between lanes to the front of traffic stopped at a traffic light. Lane splitting should not be performed by inexperienced riders. When choosing to lane split, skilled motorcycle riders should consider the following:
• Traffic flow—Travel at a speed that is no more than 10 mph faster than other traffic; danger increases at higher speed differentials. Lane splitting is not advised when traf- fic flow is at 30 mph or faster; danger increases as overall speed increases.
• Traffic lanes—Lane splitting is encouraged to be done between the #1 and #2 lanes; typically, it is safer to lane split in these lanes than between other lanes.
• Environment—The total envi- ronment should be considered, including the width of the lanes,
size of surrounding vehicles, the roadway, weather, and lighting conditions.
• Hazards—Riders should antici- pate possible movements by other road users and be alert at all times.
NOTE: These general guidelines assume a high level of riding com- petency and experience and do not guarantee to keep you safe. Every rider has the ultimate responsibility for his or her own decision making and safety. Riders must be conscious of reducing crash risk at all times."

So I guess it's up to the rider.

 

Moving between lanes to the front of traffic stopped at a light I can see. I've been known to do that myself, but not if it's more than 2 or 3 cars max. And I know better. Why?

Because now you're sitting between two freshly-miffed "lane owners" in their cars which means you have to launch ahead of them to clear the intersection and take a lane.

Breaking one of my cardinal rules of motorcycle survival: NEVER be the first vehicle through an intersection. Let somebody else get T-boned by the nitwit that ran the red trying to beat it.

I honestly don't care how anybody "spins" it, it's not safe. We have to do everything we possibly can to minimize our exposure to potential disaster; not actively court it. You can be the best rider in the world but if some jackass opens his car door six inches before you arrive, it's gonna be a disaster for both of you. If you live, the aftermath may not be something you want to live with.

It's not just "up to the rider" does the person who blindly opens their car door not expecting a motorcycle in their lap have a choice in the matter too?

Being a safe rider means more than just thinking of oneself.

 

Even if I could do it legally where I live, I probably wouldn't.

Ive seen guys try it, I'm in my car sitting on a deadlocked highway. Motorcyclist comes tooting down the inside shoulder, plenty wide enough for him. I've seen a transport and a large pickup on separate occasions take the law into their own hands and pull onto the shoulder right in front of the rider.

The trend I've noticed (at least in southern Ontario) is that there's always one person on the road who thinks that they should decide what is "fast" and have to try and stop everyone else from going faster. Wouldn't want to be lane splitting and have that one person decide that I'm not going faster than them.

 

I felt the same way... then I did it.... now I do it. I agree about the first on in the intersection though. gotta really look.

 

I've been using those guidelines for years. Even posted them on here once or twice. I didn't even realize those were in the handbook.

 

Well they recently removed the guidelines from the CHP website because ONE ass-clown stated that because the text was merely safety suggestions and not actual vehicle code, that the text needed to be removed and some judge agreed. As a result the DMV has stated that because of this action by the CHP that they will not include the text in the next publishing of the handbook.

This is a travesty. The CHP website and the DMV handbook text served as an education tool even for those that do note ride with us. It instructed them what to look out for (us). The CHP site text worked to educate anyone who might think that what we are doing is illegal. (which it is not).

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story time:
Yesterday I attempted to NOT split. The big NOPE! and Split happened when I was sitting there on the freeway, feet down, I hear this loud PSSSHHHH-sss as a f'ing huge ass semi stopped two feet from my back tire. NOPE.
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Sound advice.