Proof That Lane Splitting Is Safe

[techie81]

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.

The government has no business telling anyone to wear a helmet or a seatbelt. Only a dumbfuck needs the government to tell them what to do.

 

[Throckmorton]

The government has no business telling anyone to wear a helmet or a seatbelt. Only a dumbfuck needs the government to tell them what to do.

Exactly my point, people who ride without helmets are dumbfucks and need the government to tell them what to do.

 

[techie81]

Exactly my point, people who ride without helmets are dumbfucks and need the government to tell them what to do.

Personal responsibility, not the governments responsibility. Why would you want the government to enforce something like that?

What's funny is I have lived in states that required helmets and have been caught but the cops let me go. They have told me they don't agree with the law.

I have lived in states that did not require helmets AND practiced lane splitting. It was awesome and I am still alive.

 

[z1ggy]

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.

How is driving between cars, some possibily moving, ever really "safe"? All the car has to do, on either side of you, is move over toward you like 6 inches, and you get to become nice and cozy with the pavement.

Regardless of how safe I can ride my motorcycle, that doesn't mean somebody else can't ruin my day because of their carelessness.

Edit: Side note, I live in CT where people drive like fucking madmen. Just yesterday I almost got ran off the road by some old dude in a white VW rabbit. I had to look back as I merged onto the highway like 7 times to make sure he wasn't still coming at the same speed, which he was. I don't know how you don't see me, I have a yellow bike...

Also, that article you posted the verbiage from, talks about going on the "freeway" but that it's only safe at speed of "20mph". Who goes 20mph anywhere other than on super heavy congested roads? In which case, I wouldn't be on a cruiser/sportbike/any thing other than a moped, if I chose to be on two wheels.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Personal responsibility, not the governments responsibility. Why would you want the government to enforce something like that?

Why not? In states with mandatory helmet laws nearly 100% of the motorcycling public wears a helmet. In states without mandatory helmet laws only around 50-55% wear helmets. I think it sets a poor example to new riders. Do as I say, not as I do.

What's funny is I have lived in states that required helmets and have been caught but the cops let me go. They have told me they don't agree with the law.

I have lived in states that did not require helmets AND practiced lane splitting. It was awesome and I am still alive.

CA has a mandatory helmet law and I'm fine with that. I am also fine with mandatory seatbelt laws. Wearing a helmet or a seatbelt is a minor inconvenience.

I almost never see anyone riding a motorcycle without a helmet on here.

 

[kalrith]

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"

I agree with you. I'd also add that automobile drivers are more used to motorcycles when they're on the road year round. When a driver sees practically no motorcycles for 4-5 months out of the year, he's less likely to notice them when they suddenly reappear on a warm spring day.

 

[techie81]

Why not? In states with mandatory helmet laws nearly 100% of the motorcycling public wears a helmet. In states without mandatory helmet laws only around 50-55% wear helmets. I think it sets a poor example to new riders. Do as I say, not as I do.



CA has a mandatory helmet law and I'm fine with that. I am also fine with mandatory seatbelt laws. Wearing a helmet or a seatbelt is a minor inconvenience.

I almost never see anyone riding a motorcycle without a helmet on here.

I guess for me it is principal, not that it is an inconvenience.

 

[JulesMaximus]

How is driving between cars, some possibily moving, ever really "safe"? All the car has to do, on either side of you, is move over toward you like 6 inches, and you get to become nice and cozy with the pavement.

Regardless of how safe I can ride my motorcycle, that doesn't mean somebody else can't ruin my day because of their carelessness.

Edit: Side note, I live in CT where people drive like fucking madmen. Just yesterday I almost got ran off the road by some old dude in a white VW rabbit. I had to look back as I merged onto the highway like 7 times to make sure he wasn't still coming at the same speed, which he was. I don't know how you don't see me, I have a yellow bike...

Also, that article you posted the verbiage from, talks about going on the "freeway" but that it's only safe at speed of "20mph". Who goes 20mph anywhere other than on super heavy congested roads? In which case, I wouldn't be on a cruiser/sportbike/any thing other than a moped, if I chose to be on two wheels.

Rarely is the gap down to 6 inches on either side although I have gone through gaps that tight but only when traffic was stopped and I was barely moving. It is more like a couple feet. At least it is with my bike which is very narrow and has folding bar end mirrors.

Like I said, it is easy to tell if someone is moving over into your lane. MOST people don't move over into a lane when there is a car there. Watch it when you're in someone's blind spot and there is an opening. Give those vehicles a little extra room and be prepared to accelerate around them if they start changing lanes. Also, scan the front wheels of cars as you are approaching from behind. You can tell what a car is going to do based on which way the front wheels are pointing. If you see them start to turn, start executing your avoidance plan.

If traffic is stopped completely there is zero added danger from lane splitting as you are basically moving between parked cars.

Plus, people here are pretty used to motorcycles lane splitting and many of them will even move over to give you a little extra room. I do this when I drive the car.

Answer me this, how many times have you seen cars off on the side of the road, one with front end damage and the other with rear end damage? The answer is ALL THE FRICKEN TIME!!! It happens every day, many times a day. Cars side swiping each other? Not so much. Your chances of being rear ended are much higher than your chances of being side swiped. What vehicle you are in/on is inconsequential.

I didn't say it was safe, I said it was less dangerous. Personally, I'd rather be side swiped than rear ended on a bike so I split lanes because it is less dangerous.

 

[JulesMaximus]

I guess for me it is principal, not that it is an inconvenience.

It is the principal for me too and the principal is safety and setting a good example for beginning riders.

 

[z1ggy]

Cars side swiping each other?

Because cars don't really lane split? The only time I splint "lanes" in my car is when somebody stops suddenly and I have to use the shoulder to drive around them (if they are making a left hand turn on a road where there is only one lane of travel).

In CA, like you said, you are used to it, so I am sure it's no problem. Driving on the highway here in CT is scary as fuck. People go 75mph+ in 55s and just weave in and out of their lanes, no looks, no signals, nothing. I have had 5 close calls so far on my bike where a few feet either way of myself or the car and I would have gone down. 5/5 were on the highway, with cars coming from the side, whether they didn't see me merging or they came into my lane.

Granted I agree with you that lane splitting between slowly moving/not moving traffic is generally going to be perfectly safe, I wouldn't do it at any other time...And probably not in this state.

Taken from the "lane splitting" wiki page-
Lane splitting is never mentioned anywhere in the Hurt Report, and all of the data was collected in California, so no comparison was made between of lane splitting vs. non-lane splitting.

^^ I can't risk doing this based on that statement.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Also, that article you posted the verbiage from, talks about going on the "freeway" but that it's only safe at speed of "20mph". Who goes 20mph anywhere other than on super heavy congested roads? In which case, I wouldn't be on a cruiser/sportbike/any thing other than a moped, if I chose to be on two wheels.

Welcome to Southern California where rush hour traffic can be found on our freeways 24/7 but especially between the hours of 6AM-10AM and 3PM-6PM Monday through Friday. Gridlock is the norm. That is one of the reasons so many people ride here and why hybrids are so popular.

If traffic is flowing along at 10-15mph I can filter through at 20-25mph. If traffic is stopped, I can filter through at 10-15mph. If traffic is moving along at 40+ I generally don't split lanes but just go with the flow of traffic making sure to scan for slowing traffic ahead and keeping an eye on what is coming up behind me in preparation to split lanes.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Because cars don't really lane split? The only time I splint "lanes" in my car is when somebody stops suddenly and I have to use the shoulder to drive around them (if they are making a left hand turn on a road where there is only one lane of travel).

In CA, like you said, you are used to it, so I am sure it's no problem. Driving on the highway here in CT is scary as fuck. People go 75mph+ in 55s and just weave in and out of their lanes, no looks, no signals, nothing. I have had 5 close calls so far on my bike where a few feet either way of myself or the car and I would have gone down. 5/5 were on the highway, with cars coming from the side, whether they didn't see me merging or they came into my lane.

Granted I agree with you that lane splitting between slowly moving/not moving traffic is generally going to be perfectly safe, I wouldn't do it at any other time...And probably not in this state.

Well, there is no reason to split lanes at 55-75mph. You are no more or less safe than I am at those speeds. And we have our share of crazy drivers here too. But I think that, as a whole, people here are more laid back and accepting of the practice of lane splitting. I may get a honk every once in a great while from an impatient driver.

I've had cars come over into my lane without seeing me a number of times. But almost never while lane splitting and the couple times it has happened there was a gap in the lane next to me they were moving into that I could use to accelerate around them. That has happened to me a couple times.

I've seen gaps closing between cars as I split so I just slow and prepare to stop if I feel it is too narrow.

 

[z1ggy]

But I think that, as a whole, people here are more laid back and accepting of the practice of lane splitting.

Bingo.

Of the years I can remember being a driver and passenger, I have never seen a rider lane split here or in NY (where I grew up).

Sounds like to me, it's safe in places where it is common and car drivers can expect it and pay attention for it.

Otherwise it sounds like a really bad idea that is going to get you a ticket most likely, or at the least piss off a ton of people.

 

[Kelvrick]

Bingo.

Of the years I can remember being a driver and passenger, I have never seen a rider lane split here or in NY (where I grew up).

Sounds like to me, it's safe in places where it is common and car drivers can expect it and pay attention for it.

Otherwise it sounds like a really bad idea that is going to get you a ticket most likely, or at the least piss off a ton of people.

At least for me, I never expect the car driver to expect me or pay attention to me. I definitely feel safer going between cars than waiting to get smashed into the stopped one in front of me when the car behind me fails to stop.

Again, we are talking about bikes going probably 10-15mph over the speed of stopped or rolling cars. That is the difference between you stopped or walking and someone running. Zipping between cars at 20+ over their speed or when traffic is moving quickly isn't what we're trying to condone here.

 

[michal1980]

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

Thats my point.

If I can't split a lane with a bike, why can a bike?

hmmm? hmm?

If bikes want a full lane, then fine, have the full lane. But dont pretend that sometimes, well you only want a third.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Thats my point.

If I can't split a lane with a bike, why can a bike?

hmmm? hmm?

If bikes want a full lane, then fine, have the full lane. But dont pretend that sometimes, well you only want a third.

Because I'll smash your mirror off?

Go ahead and try passing a CHP motorcycle cop in your car while sharing his lane with him. See how that works out for you. It isn't about your level of comfort, it is about the motorcyclist's level of comfort whether or not he or she lane splits.

We've already covered the legality. Your point is idiotic.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Bingo.

Of the years I can remember being a driver and passenger, I have never seen a rider lane split here or in NY (where I grew up).

Sounds like to me, it's safe in places where it is common and car drivers can expect it and pay attention for it.

Otherwise it sounds like a really bad idea that is going to get you a ticket most likely, or at the least piss off a ton of people.

It is just a matter of perception and educating the public that it is permitted and getting them used to sharing the road.

 

[JCH13]

Because I'll smash your mirror off?

Go ahead and try passing a CHP motorcycle cop in your car while sharing his lane with him. See how that works out for you. It isn't about your level of comfort, it is about the motorcyclist's level of comfort whether or not he or she lane splits.

We've already covered the legality. Your point is idiotic.

So car drivers don't get to decide what they're comfortable with? Motorcyclists get to force that decision on car drivers?

That doesn't seem right.

 

[EagleKeeper]

Where is the correlation between lane splitting and safety 😕

 

[techie81]

So car drivers don't get to decide what they're comfortable with? Motorcyclists get to force that decision on car drivers?

That doesn't seem right.

Correct! Since you are surrounded by a metal cage.

 

[JulesMaximus]

So car drivers don't get to decide what they're comfortable with? Motorcyclists get to force that decision on car drivers?

Correct! :thumbsup:

Many motorcyclists won't lane split even though it is allowed, I see it all the time. It is at their discretion since they have to weigh their comfort level with it and the risks.

 

[God Mode]

I used to get angry at bikes lanesplitting because I rarely notice them approaching me due to how fast they're going.

I wasn't a negligent driver but if I'm concentrating more on the traffic in front of me and a bike zooms by a few hairs away from me, its upsetting because I could've killed them or they can possibly set off a multicar chain reaction accident.

Since I stopped driving, all the stress is gone. 🙂

 

[JCH13]

Correct! :thumbsup:

Many motorcyclists won't lane split even though it is allowed, I see it all the time. It is at their discretion since they have to weigh their comfort level with it and the risks.

10-15mph closing speed in dense traffic is REALLY fast when a car's visibility is somewhat limited, it's an un-asked level of responsibility for each car driver that a lane-splitter passes.

I'm not saying lane splitting is horrible or that the people who lane split are bad people. I guess I would like to see motorcyclists shoulder most or all of the liability from a lane-splitting accident because the decision was entirely theirs.

I used to get angry at bikes lanesplitting because I rarely notice them approaching me due to how fast they're going.

I wasn't a negligent driver but if I'm concentrating more on the traffic in front of me and a bike zooms by a few hairs away from me, its upsetting because I could've killed them or they can possibly set off a multicar chain reaction accident.

Since I stopped driving, all the stress is gone. 🙂

This is why lane splitting would drive me bat-shit crazy. See your lane? At any moment someone else, who is unprotected from collision, could decide that your lane is now 2-3ft narrower and there is nothing you can do about it.

 

[JulesMaximus]

This is why lane splitting would drive me bat-shit crazy. See your lane? At any moment someone else, who is unprotected from collision, could decide that your lane is now 2-3ft narrower and there is nothing you can do about it.

Unless you go weaving around in your lane I don't see why it would be a problem for drivers. I drive a car in SoCal and haven't had any problem with it, hell, I've been driving in SoCal since 1990.

Anyone who gets behind the wheel of an automobile should be looking in their mirrors and checking their blind spots before changing lanes anyway so it really should not be an issue at all.

Motorcyclists don't just appear out of nowhere. That's just code for I wasn't paying attention and that's why motorists usually are cited when they cause an accident with a motorcyclist.

 

[olds]

Where is the correlation between lane splitting and safety 😕

LTR :whiste: