187 replies to this topic

[Darth Lefty]

Here's a question for all you motorcycle riders out there. As it seems you have no problem sharing my lane with me when I am at the front of the line, how would you feel if I pulled up alongside YOU at the light? Just wondering.

Happens all the time, unless you are protecting your lane.

[mylo]

Lane splitting in cars... now that's fun!

[SunshineServices]

Happens all the time, unless you are protecting your lane.

I have to say, THAT I have never seen.

[folsombound]

Lane splitting in cars... now that's fun!

If you buy one of these new "Smart" cars you may be able to do it.

[Orangetj]

While the space between cars in traffic may seem impossibly narrow to those in the cars, it doesn't generally look that way at all from the seat of a motorcycle. If you were driving your car and suddenly found that the lane you were in appeared to be plenty wide to accomodate two cars in width, the effect would be about the same as what we see from the motorcycle.

[doj_gal]

That's funny, I notice a lot of young dipsh_t girls are idiots that can't drive and talk on the phone at the same time. I always give them a wide berth as well so they don't turn into me. I also put construction foreman in the same category, I almost was run over by the guy that was contracted to landscape my side yard while he was driving and on the phone. I was glad when he was done with my yard, because I haven't seen him driving in my neighborhood since.

Really...the people I have noticed that cannot drive well and talk on the phone are MEN!!! and older women 35+....As far as people driving and talking on the phone, that is another subject that really has nothing to do with lane spliting and the high rate of motorcycle drivers that chose to ride unsafe and very rudely...Usually old men such as yourself tend to drive safely on their motorcycle but I would say that they are not most common people on motorcycles. It is usually 20-35 year old jerks who like the danger, excitement and only think of themselves!

[Orangetj]

Wow. Nice sweeping, baseless generalization about motorcylists. There are a great many of us who ride for the pure joy of being out in the wind rather than caged up in a car. We ride to experience the simple pleasure of gliding down a country two-lane taking in the sights, smells and sensations that are all missed when driving in a car. Many of us use our bikes to commute because it saves gas and time and affords us premium parking spots. Riding isn't all about excitement, adrenaline and danger...at least not for a great many of us.

[chris v]

I don't ride for the danger, as a father that would be irresponsible. I ride because as far back as I can remember it's what I do. I started when I was about 10, so I have a good 20 years of experience. I am not some weekend warrior who is out to show off and be a bada$$. It is a way of life for me. I ride rain or shine. My wife rides and so does my son. My future child will also ride if they want to.

[Darth Lefty]

I have to say, THAT I have never seen.

You mean you've never seen someone pull up beside a motorcycle? Happens all the time to me esp. when waiting to turn right from Folsom onto Natoma Station when the "no right turn" is lit. No one has respect for the lanes or lights there because they are unrealistic.

Or you've never seen a bike protect his lane? That's basic moto defensive / offensive driving tactics. If you've never noticed it then it's working on you just fine.

[MSgt]

As a rider, I split lanes on the freeway when traffic is under 30 mph. Once it is over that, I fall back into line. I will also split lanes at stop lights and move in front of traffic, precisely as BillZ mentioned --a bike always out accelerates a car.

As a driver, I move over to give extra room, if I see the rider ahead of time.

Most officers will say, lane splitting is legal, but if an accident occurrs, it is the cyclist's fault.

In the case of drivers like you experienced, I also took to carrying 2/3's of an an axe handle to rap across the fender. Just make sure that if you use it, you don't have to stop!

Your such a revolutionist

[Dave Burrell]

I don't ride for the danger, as a father that would be irresponsible. I ride because as far back as I can remember it's what I do. I started when I was about 10, so I have a good 20 years of experience. I am not some weekend warrior who is out to show off and be a bada$. It is a way of life for me. I ride rain or shine. My wife rides and so does my son. My future child will also ride if they want to.

Well said Chris. Folks need to learn to differentiate us good riders from the idiot weekend squid riders out there who's entire focus is on trying to pretend to be a bad arse and ride very stupidly every where they go. (they're the ones who don't end up living a long life)

Just like Chris, I've been riding a motorcylce since I was in 2nd grade and I find it very enjoyable to be out riding on a nice day - its something I often look forward to, not to mention riding a motorcycle is one of the most economical modes of transportation.

I ride every day as its my only transportation and I love it. On some weekends and vacations my wife and I both go out together on the bike and have a ton of fun riding all over wine country and gold country - makes for a great day out together. We're planning a trip now to ride up to Oregon for a week this summer and last summer I did a 2 week, 4000 mile ride.

Biking is great, but its not for everyone - and anyone who does it should always learn to be responsible and aware at all times when on the road

[chris v]

Had a real nice ride today... unfortunately it looks like someone died again on Salmon Falls.

[chris v]

On another note... just got the Chevron bill today. In the past it has been as high as $500, this month $96

[Terry]

CHP says lane splitting is "permissible". But it appears it's the motorcyclist's responsibility to take care. Like someone said before in this thread, if anything bad happens, it's the lane-splitter's fault.


http://www.chp.ca.go...ml/answers.html

[Darth Lefty]

Had a real nice ride today... unfortunately it looks like someone died again on Salmon Falls.

Lots of places on that road to buy it