Proof That Lane Splitting Is Safe

[olds]

California is the only state that allows it and we have fewer deaths...
ya, ya, ya. correlation does not imply causation

Motorcycle deaths rise nationally but fall in California

Motorcycle deaths rose nationally in 2012, a study found, and the culprits may have been warmer weather and economic changes.

Notably, though, California motorcycle fatality numbers were slightly down.

The Governors Highway Safety Association is estimating motorcycle deaths topped 5,000 across the country last year, a 9 percent increase from the previous year, in part because better weather lengthened the motorcycling seasons in many states, and also because higher gas prices prompted more people to drive motorcycles.

"With the economy improving in 2012 and further strengthening in 2013, more people have disposable income for purchasing and riding motorcycles," the report concludes. "At the same time, high gas prices may cause more individuals to choose fuel-efficient vehicles like motorcycles as their preferred mode of transportation."

California was among the handful of states were motorcycle fatalities dropped from the previous year. During the first nine months of 2012, the months for which data were available, the number of motorcycle deaths in California dropped slightly from 321 to 318.

Officials credited increased awareness campaigns in California as part of the reason. Highway officials last year launched an aggressive "share the road" campaign aimed at making car drivers more aware of motorcyclists.

The report notes that only 19 states have helmet laws that apply to all riders, down from 26 in 1997.

http://www.sacbee.com/2013/04/24/5368336/motorcycle-deaths-rise-nationally.html

 

[sgrinavi]

I've done it a quite few times overseas where they are really aware of bikes. I've even ridden the line on two lane roads - everyone just eases over a little and lets you go through. You're not safe smack dab in the middle of the lane here in SW Florida LOL.

 

[michal1980]

correlation does not equal causation.

I personally think lane splitting, and the allowing of it is stupid.

bikers want to be treated the same? They want a full lane? then they should act like the need a full lane. Not cut in whenever the f they want.

 

[Dumac]

Lane splitting is great. Besides irrational jealousy at someone passing you, I don't know why you'd be against it. Lane splitting reduces traffic congestion, keeps things moving, and is safe when implemented properly. It is a win-win-win 😉

 

[techie81]

correlation does not equal causation.

I personally think lane splitting, and the allowing of it is stupid.

bikers want to be treated the same? They want a full lane? then they should act like the need a full lane. Not cut in whenever the f they want.

Its only bad when people are texting on their phones and not paying attention but that is always a danger so...Either way riding a bike is inherently dangerous. There is nothing more dangerous about splitting lanes. People are not paying attention whether you are splitting or in the next lane.

 

[michal1980]

Lane splitting is great. Besides irrational jealousy at someone passing you, I don't know why you'd be against it. Lane splitting reduces traffic congestion, keeps things moving, and is safe when implemented properly. It is a win-win-win 😉

good. Then if I pass a biker, I can do so in the same lane as him. We're just splitting.

 

[olds]

good. Then if I pass a biker, I can do so in the same lane as him. We're just splitting.

Of course.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Death increases in other states could possibly be due to some idiot states repealing helmet laws too.

That said, lane splitting is awesome. I do it all the time when I ride.

 

[JulesMaximus]

correlation does not equal causation.

I personally think lane splitting, and the allowing of it is stupid.

bikers want to be treated the same? They want a full lane? then they should act like the need a full lane. Not cut in whenever the f they want.

You should just get over your angry self and thank us for not adding one more cage to the roads in your daily commute. Once you do this, the world will be a better place.

I get it... you're in a cage and you're angry. But motorcyclists aren't slowing you down and we are actually safer when we do this so suck it up buttercup.

I'm cagin' it a lot of the time and you know what I do when a motorcyclist comes splitting up behind me? I move over and give him extra room.

 

[Kelvrick]

good. Then if I pass a biker, I can do so in the same lane as him. We're just splitting.

I think you're fixated on bikes "sharing" lanes with you at higher speeds as they pass and I agree with you in that scenario.

However, I believe the law was designed for when cars are at a stop or moving slowly in heavy traffic. I live in california and when I ride, that is the only time I "share lanes". I believe that is also in the benefit of the car drivers who now don't have to deal with a big block of highway being occupied by a motorcycle.

In what I believe is the spirit of the law, your counterpoint in sharing lanes with a car wouldn't make as much sense as you're not going to find lanes wide enough to safely pass between other vehicles in your car.

 

[Fenixgoon]

Having driven in a car on the 405...definitely agree that pane splitting is safer for bikes

 

[Greenman]

good. Then if I pass a biker, I can do so in the same lane as him. We're just splitting.

No, you can't. It's legal for bikes to split lanes, not cars.

 

[pauldun170]

States where riders ride year round (hence more experience) have stable fatality rates and states that have seasonal riders see rise in fatalities when season is extended?

Sure.... its all about lane splitting.
Gotta be the reason.

In other news, UK riders found have lower wet weather accidents because of riding on the opposite side of the road and the use of the word "bullocks"

 

[AMCRambler]

California is the only state that allows it and we have fewer deaths...
ya, ya, ya. correlation does not imply causation

Motorcycle deaths rise nationally but fall in California

Motorcycle deaths rose nationally in 2012, a study found, and the culprits may have been warmer weather and economic changes.

Notably, though, California motorcycle fatality numbers were slightly down.

The Governors Highway Safety Association is estimating motorcycle deaths topped 5,000 across the country last year, a 9 percent increase from the previous year, in part because better weather lengthened the motorcycling seasons in many states, and also because higher gas prices prompted more people to drive motorcycles.

"With the economy improving in 2012 and further strengthening in 2013, more people have disposable income for purchasing and riding motorcycles," the report concludes. "At the same time, high gas prices may cause more individuals to choose fuel-efficient vehicles like motorcycles as their preferred mode of transportation."

California was among the handful of states were motorcycle fatalities dropped from the previous year. During the first nine months of 2012, the months for which data were available, the number of motorcycle deaths in California dropped slightly from 321 to 318.

Officials credited increased awareness campaigns in California as part of the reason. Highway officials last year launched an aggressive "share the road" campaign aimed at making car drivers more aware of motorcyclists.

The report notes that only 19 states have helmet laws that apply to all riders, down from 26 in 1997.

http://www.sacbee.com/2013/04/24/5368336/motorcycle-deaths-rise-nationally.html

So you're attributing a less than .3% drop in motorcycle fatalities in California to lane splitting being legal? Hehehe. I really don't think these statistics are significant enough to be evidence of anything other than 3 Californian motorcyclists beat the odds last year. They are horking down your troll bait though Olds, so +1 on that count.

 

[Doppel]

California is the only state that allows it and we have fewer deaths...

California was among the handful of states were motorcycle fatalities dropped from the previous year.

Do I even have to ask? Apparently. Why did the other states without lane splitting enjoy a reduction in fatalities? I think you answered this thread on the second line of your post when you spoke of correlation.

 

[Railgun]

Holy fk...no.

The ONLY reason there's any correlation is because California expects it, just as it's expected here in London. ANY other state in the US it's illegal, and yet, you have tons of asshat squids doing it anyway. Get these geniuses to stop pretending they're cooler than anyone else and I would be willing to bet my left nad that this argument goes away.

 

[Charles Kozierok]

It's your funeral.

 

[JCH13]

These numbers are entirely meaningless in their absolute form. Deaths-per-rider-mile would considerably more meaningful.

Deaths dropped <1% in CA... so what? Did motorcycle ridership drop the same amount?

Deaths increased 9% in the US... so what? Again there is no comparison to overall ridership. If ridership increased 9.1% in the US that would mean a lower death rate.

Laughably incomplete "study" with laughably meaningless conclusions.

I assume that OP posted the article in sarcasm and I really hope he's not dumb enough to buy into it.

 

[z1ggy]

Would not ever lane split. All the youtube videos I watch regarding bike accidents...Over half were caused by dipshits lane splitting. I would personally never even attempt this unless I had to do it to save my own life.

It's dangerous enough to be on a motorcycle as is...Now trying to cut between two cars?? Nope.

 

[brainhulk]

i get nervous when i see a bike coming in my rear view mirror lane splitting. I try to inch away to try to give him space but I can see how it might distract some people

 

[JulesMaximus]

Would not ever lane split. All the youtube videos I watch regarding bike accidents...Over half were caused by dipshits lane splitting. I would personally never even attempt this unless I had to do it to save my own life.

It's dangerous enough to be on a motorcycle as is...Now trying to cut between two cars?? Nope.

Contrary to what you believe it is actually safer to lane split than it is to sit in stop and go traffic.

Oh, and youtube videos are hardly indicative of real life. Being a dipshit on a motorcycle is almost always going to end badly for the dipshit. Lane splitting, if done safely, is not more dangerous, it is less dangerous.

 

[JCH13]

Contrary to what you believe it is actually safer to lane split than it is to sit in stop and go traffic.

Oh, and youtube videos are hardly indicative of real life. Being a dipshit on a motorcycle is almost always going to end badly for the dipshit. Lane splitting, if done safely, is not more dangerous, it is less dangerous.

I'd be very interested in some hard numbers to support that claim. Would be very interesting if true.

 

[techie81]

I could never imagine not lane splitting on a bike, while it looks dangerous stopping and accelerating with traffic would be horrible. Not to mention your bike would bike is putting off an insane amount of heat and lane splitting keeps things cooler 🙂

 

[JulesMaximus]

I'd be very interested in some hard numbers to support that claim. Would be very interesting if true.

Unfortunately, there isn't a whole lot of hard data on this... or even recent data collected but I've been doing it for years and personally, I've never once had even a close call that I couldn't avoid easily. And I have had cars change lanes as I'm filtering through. As long as you are paying attention and aren't going too fast it is quite easy to anticipate this and avoid it.

Getting rear ended is much harder to prevent or avoid if you are on a motorcycle. At least when you are between cars you aren't going to get plowed into from behind.

Nearly all of the accidents I've been involved in while driving a car were being hit from behind. It is probably one of the most common vehicle collisions and I see it all the time on the freeway. If you are hit from behind on a motorcycle it can easily be deadly. A side swipe is far less dangerous and easier to avoid. This is just common sense.

http://cycleconnections.com/articledetail.asp?TypeID=24&ID=680

While many drivers and motorcyclists think lane splitting is dangerous and a little crazy, the 1981 Hurt Report said the practice reduces serious motorcycle crashes!

"It's actually the safest place for motorcycles to be on the freeway,'' said Harry Hurt, a semi-retired USC professor who wrote the report and has studied motorcycle collisions for about half a century.

Lane splitting keeps motorcyclists from being sandwiched between cars in traffic and makes it easier for them to avoid hitting freeway debris, such as tire rubber, which might be hidden by vehicles in front of them, he said.

"The visibility you get in between the lanes is a major factor,'' he said. Lane splitting increases the chance of a side impact, but Hurt said those are less dangerous than rear-end collisions on a motorcycle. Riders should watch the front wheels of vehicles ahead of them as they cut through traffic to make sure no one is about to change lanes, and they also shouldn't drive faster than about 20 mph.

"If you do that, you are in pretty good shape,'' he said.

 

[Throckmorton]

The report notes that only 19 states have helmet laws that apply to all riders, down from 26 in 1997.

http://www.sacbee.com/2013/04/24/5368336/motorcycle-deaths-rise-nationally.html

We need to end the libertarian madness. There is no reason to not wear a helmet, just like there is no reason not to wear a seatbelt. It shouldn't be a choice at all. Too stupid to wear one by choice means you're stupid enough that the government has to make the decision for you.