Commuters: Do you ever lane split/filter even if it's not legal where you live?

[jbrown]

...
It's funny to see the two opposite extremes here in the US: Lane splitting at 80 mph in California, and no lane splitting whatsoever in the other 49 states.

The California CHP guidelines don't allow lane splitting at 80. They specify a delta over surrounding traffic of 10 MPH, and only at a maximum traffic speed of 30 MPH. After that it's up to the CHP officer to decide if you are being unsafe. There used to be no mention of lane splitting at all. It was entirely up to the officer's judgement.

http://www.chp.ca.gov/programs/lanesplitguide.html

 

[Geekay]

i can't believe it isn't legal everywhere - i've never even considered the legal status anywhere other than the UK - just assumed it was what we were "meant" to do.

you know, car drivers stay dry, we don't queue.

i wouldn't use a bike if i couldn't filter.

 

[~TABASCO~]

I've been told that here in Texas its not legal... I don't lane split, never have. Here in this large metropolitan area (Dallas - Ft Worth) there are WAY to many IDIOTS that would turn in to close the gap or even open there doors as you head down the 'split'... Then just looking ror an opportunity to sue you for something dumb.... Everyone around here drives like total morons and talking on the phone, you have to anticipate everyone's actions all the time.. Around this area I just think its a bad idea even if it was legal..

 

[Chuck B]

The California CHP guidelines don't allow lane splitting at 80. They specify a delta over surrounding traffic of 10 MPH, and only at a maximum traffic speed of 30 MPH. After that it's up to the CHP officer to decide if you are being unsafe. There used to be no mention of lane splitting at all. It was entirely up to the officer's judgement.

http://www.chp.ca.gov/programs/lanesplitguide.html

Guideline is just that....an arbitrary guideline recently released. The law is there is no law outlining lane sharing other than it is allowed and its up to the officer to decide if your actions are safe and prudent for the conditions. I lane shared for over 20yrs in Calif. While in SF Bay I was traveling for work...typically 150-200 miles a day throughout the BA. My Co-workers were extremely jealous as my work day typically ended anywhere to an hour to two hours before theirs.

I never had an issue though over time you learn to read traffic very well. Most dangerous time (time you were most alert) was when traffic was slowing and in the 25-40mph range. Thats the point drivers start jockeying for positions. Below 25 or above 45 traffic is pretty steady/predictable. I split with everything from Motards to K1200LT. LT was actually pretty good as its mirrors were above most cars and below most trucks. Will have to admit I've knocked 2 or 3 mirrors; including my own. Always tried to stop and hand over a card/info. All the cagers were nice about it....it happens.

2 years ago Az had legislation allowing sharing, however, our gov rightly vetoed it. Legislation only allowed sharing in two counties. As she stated and I agree either allow sharing everywhere or no where. We now have enough commuter lanes lane sharing really isn't needed. Phx metro doesn't really have traffic problems....not like Calif.

 

[Don in Lodi]

Splitting or filtering, I like the Australian definitions. I've split/shared a few times, always only a few mph over almost stopped traffic. Once in a conga line of dozens of bikes on a stalled 101. Very thrilling, mirrors, trucks, semi's, mirrors, tight squeeze, car after car, mirrors, next bikes a dozen feet in front and behind... Gets the heart pumping! I have never filtered to the front though. Never felt the need I guess. I imagine if I lived somewhere where it took a couple light changes to get through I would most likely take it up.
And nowhere is it legal to ride the shoulder. Besides all the random debris, you could wind up with an ambulance or motor cop on your butt in a heartbeat.
I like that Cali put forth some guidelines and didn't just outlaw the whole thing.

 

[AVGeek]

The wife and I were in Oregon this week, and got stuck in the Portland Friday Afternoon Traffic Gridlock (took 2 hours to go from McMinnville to the airport). Even though I know I would not have had it, I was wishing for the bike to be able to split through...

 

[toemoss]

It's one of the few bennies of living in Cali, came in handy the other day when a brush fire closed my normal commute twisty road I was able to pass at least 100 vehicles most folks if they see you coming will move over I know I do when I'm driving something with four wheels.

 

[galaksija]

Ride in NYC and split it all the time. It is illegal here. Friend of mine got 5 tickets, when police stopped him for spliting the lane, 10 days ago.
::019::

 

[cosmic]

i can't believe it isn't legal everywhere - i've never even considered the legal status anywhere other than the UK - just assumed it was what we were "meant" to do.

you know, car drivers stay dry, we don't queue.

i wouldn't use a bike if i couldn't filter.

+1

In Croatia, as far as I know, is not covered by low. In fact is more like a tradion, and nobody, except the tourist's stay in line. If you ever find yourself riding over here and if you have enough space, just go for it, even if it's between two police cars.
Oh boy, I just thought of Italy... Lane splitting heaven.

Ride in NYC and split it all the time. It is illegal here. Friend of mine got 5 tickets, when police stopped him for spliting the lane, 10 days ago.
::019::

There's always the Yellow Cab.

 

[imcja]

Have not attempted lane splitting here in Colorado. Colorado drivers are a mix bag of transplants; unpredictable. I do filter left or right of stopped traffic at some lights if making a left or right turn...heck I do this in my car if there is room. And I've been known to pass a car on the right that is stopped at the beginning of an on ramp with a merge lane...annoying.

 

[greg the pole]

only do it in California, when I'm there.

too many jealous muppets here that would prevent us from doing it up here.

 

[merchant]

From this month's AMA magazine:

A recent Office of Administrative Law order resulted in the California Highway Patrol, the Department of Motor Vehicles and other agencies removing CHP lane-splitting guidelines from their websites and ridding their offices of pamphlets, fliers and other documents that contained the safety information.
The CHP also removed references to lane splitting from its online FAQ, where information had been available long before the agency released its guidelines early in 2013. The AMA supports the continued use of safe lane splitting in California and the implementation of lane-splitting laws in other states, coupled with extensive rider and driver education programs.
The AMA position statement reads, in part: "Reducing a motorcyclist's exposure to vehicles that are frequently accelerating and decelerating on congested roadways can be one way to reduce front- and rear-end collisions for those most vulnerable in traffic."
The AMA petition seeks to demonstrate to the OAL that its narrow interpretation of CHP Commissioner J.A. Farrow's promise not to “issue” the guidelines jeopardizes thousands of California motorcyclists, automobile and truck drivers and visitors to the state, because they are being denied access to safety information that affects their roadway environment.
The CHP guidelines remain available from the AMA here: http://americanmotorcyclist.com/Libraries/Rights_Documents_State/lanesplitting_guidelines.sflb.ashx?download=true.
The complete AMA lane splitting position statement is available here: http://americanmotorcyclist.com/Rights/PositionStatements/LaneSplitting.aspx.

 

[BravoBravo]

Guilty of the left on red... Sometimes the bike doesn't trip those sensors.

Never consider lane splitting, though.

::026:: I would be concerned about generating extreme road rage from people who feel they have a moral imperative to be further ahead in line.

-Bruce

 

[Squibb]

Here in the UK most bikers split & filter, usually with caution if you want to live another day. Police are pretty relaxed on the issue, provided the over-speed is reasonable - say 20 mph...ish. However high speed splitting/weaving in & out of fast moving traffic is unwelcome & will attract a caution.

Being such a common event, most car/truck drivers are pretty relaxed on the issue & will usually move over, recognising that bikers are in no way affecting their progression. However aggresive use of the horn to make space usually creates annoyance.

When we were in the States a few years back, we were warned not to filter on the rental bikes, except in CA. My H-D was fit to burst, it was so hot when we came across a crash on the Interstate near St.Louis. It seemed crazy to us, but we found all the bikes just pulled over & waited until the jam cleared. This would never happen in the UK - the bikes would all filter through to the head of the queue, & then be long gone. I accept it's an acquired skill, second guessing drivers reaction, but I have rarely seen a mishap in over 40 years of riding.

Keep safe .................. KEN ::001::

 

[groundhog]

Here in the UK most bikers split & filter, usually with caution if you want to live another day. Police are pretty relaxed on the issue, provided the over-speed is reasonable - say 20 mph...ish. However high speed splitting/weaving in & out of fast moving traffic is unwelcome & will attract a caution.

Being such a common event, most car/truck drivers are pretty relaxed on the issue & will usually move over, recognising that bikers are in no way affecting their progression. However aggresive use of the horn to make space usually creates annoyance.

When we were in the States a few years back, we were warned not to filter on the rental bikes, except in CA. My H-D was fit to burst, it was so hot when we came across a crash on the Interstate near St.Louis. It seemed crazy to us, but we found all the bikes just pulled over & waited until the jam cleared. This would never happen in the UK - the bikes would all filter through to the head of the queue, & then be long gone. I accept it's an acquired skill, second guessing drivers reaction, but I have rarely seen a mishap in over 40 years of riding.

Keep safe .................. KEN ::001::

I do it all the time (also UK based) but as Squibb says With caution ! I found in mainland Europe, France particularly that the car drivers often go out of their way to move to the side to give you room. Not quite so obliging generally in the UK though ! Having said all that and being new to the S10 with panniers I will need to exercise a bit more caution with the extra width !!

 

[Will Rotten]

I've never done it and never would. Don't mind those that do, normally. The other day I was sitting at a stop light in my truck when I poser harley rider pulls around all the cars behind me to pull in front. I get it. Didn't bother me. He was wearing a Harley dealership t-shirt and one of those stupid little brain buckets. I didn't care. Then he started revving his engine over and over, as loud as possible. This annoyed me. If he wants to foul his plugs that's his business, but pulling in front of me to blast me with it? So I started honking my horn every time he revved it. He flipped me off. Then he took off as fast as possible, all while flipping the bird and then pulled into one of the poshest neighborhoods in the area. Yeah, he was a "biker" alright...

 

[bigbob]

Coming back from Daytona last month, do not remember if Georgia or Florida, the Interstate backed up and stopped. I was on my air cooled v-twin cruiser, and after a couple of minutes stopped I hit the shoulder and rode about 25 MPH for maybe 10 miles when I got to the accident. Merged back into traffic in front of a truck with a wave and a tap on the helmet to the trucker who gave me space into the one open lane.

Does that count? I would definitely do it again as it hurts nobody and all the police are already at the head of the line! Now in California it would be different.

 

[Don in Lodi]

Even here, riding the shoulder is a no-no. ::005:: I've done it on jammed up two lane ::26:: , just hoping there wasn't a LEO around the next bend, but on multi-lane ya gotta share.

 

[CentralCal]

Used to commute in So. Cal. lane split all the time. Only on the freeway not on the side streets.

Have to drive in LA to realize that's it's safer to lane split. Less chance of being in someone's blind spot as they swerve over. They see a car not a bike.

Less chance of getting hit in the rear as they are texting. They see big car first!

One less car clogging up traffic.

Now I'm stuck in a truck sitting in traffic watching all the bikes go by. It looks like it's a crazy thing to do until you experience it on a bike. Not sure what it's like in other parts of the world but here everyone is talking and texting and not paying attention.

 

[TheHelios]

I do it all the time. On I-95, the far left lane is an HOV lane during rush hour and has a wide double broken white line setup to show that it's an HOV lane. What that does it make the lane extra wide. When traffic is running <35 MPH and both lanes are congested to the point where no one is going to suddenly pop out to change lanes due to the congestion, then I'll lane split. If there's a possibility someone could successfully switch lanes due to an open space in an adjoining lane, then I won't pass them.