The way the idiots drive and shift lanes all the time in Atlanta, you wouldn't live long splitting lanes here. You be taken out by some fool in a Suburban switching lanes without looking, while talking on their cell phone and sipping their latte...
I read a few LA Times accounts where it appeared drivers intentionally opened doors or cut off the zone when a bike or bikes was coming up the lane just to be mean. I viewed many riders lane-splitting and generally the space was nowhere near as large as the photograph in Greg's initial post indicates. I can see why they allow it though, traffic there is horrific and we'd probably all do it if riding there on a daily basis. It appeared most drivers were polite about this and allowed as much room as they could if they viewed a scoot coming up.
I agree with this story. I do split lanes even though it's certainly not as easy on my bike as some but I usually don't do it over 40mph when traffic is moving ok, just when traffic on the freeways is almost (or is) stopped and then I try and stay around 10 mph over whatever the traffic is moving at. Couple of weeks ago I got rear ended in my car during rush hour and though it did little damage to my car, would have been catastrophic on my bike! That's why I personLly feel it's safer to keep moving by splitting lanes very carefully.http://youtu.be/A8G-Hh2wmz0
Lane splitting nowadays is like playing Russian roulette if you ask me, too many distracted drivers (or I should say phone holders steering down the road) these days. I never agreed with it period, same thing as cutting in line. Remember what happens to the kids that cut the lunch line? I can see why some people open doors and close the gap. I hate traffic just like the next person, but just because I'm on a bike doesn't make me anymore special than other motorists sitting in line waiting their turn. I know air cooled engines don't enjoy bumper to bumper traffic and that's exactly why I avoid it. If I have to go somewhere and can't avoid it no matter what route I take, that's when the bike stays home and what an air conditioned car is for.
I agree, lane splitting in stop and go traffic is fine.
At speeds above 30 mph, not so much!!
Also I believe studies have shown that lane splitting it is safer for riders by making collisions from the rear of motorcycles less likely to happen if they are allowed to go to the front on stopped traffic at red lights.
I read a few LA Times accounts where it appeared drivers intentionally opened doors or cut off the zone when a bike or bikes was coming up the lane just to be mean. I viewed many riders lane-splitting and generally the space was nowhere near as large as the photograph in Greg's initial post indicates. I can see why they allow it though, traffic there is horrific and we'd probably all do it if riding there on a daily basis. It appeared most drivers were polite about this and allowed as much room as they could if they viewed a scoot coming up.