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[Chains]

Thanks for posting. I have done it in construction sites and stop and go traffic to keep bike from overheating. Depending on who you ride with, sometimes it is difficult to get everyone to do it.

[JCZ]

While my posts above were tongue in cheek, twisted humor, I'll try to be serious for a minute.  Yesterday it took me 48 minutes to go 8 miles here in San Diego and fortunately, I was in my truck.  Often, in the summer months up in the valley (the big valley) it's in the triple digits, but even when it's in the 80s and 90s in other parts of the state, being stuck in that stop and go kind of traffic (mostly stopped!), you're definitely going to overheat and that's why we do it.  To add to the daily temps, you have the added heat coming from all the cars around you with their A/C cranked up....it gets miserable real fast.

While other states may have this kind of traffic in a large city, California has this kind of traffic all up and down the state....we just have more vehicles on the road than other states.  What other states have freeways five or six lanes wide and they're all stopped?  Those that have traveled here from other states and traveled on weekdays during the commute hours (note...no longer called the "rush hour"), they know and have experienced it first hand.

You get stuck in this traffic and don't lane split, soon you'll hear your motor making noises that aren't supposed to be coming from a motorcycle.  

[GregKhougaz]

                That's crazy!    

I don't you will find any California riders that have not Lane split through traffic regularly.  Rode 35 miles last night to visit my father. He was recently widowed for a second time so it's important I get out there.  It took me nearly an hour and I split traffic for about half the ride. It would have taken me nearly twice that had I been in the car.

[Ironhorse]

Say what you will about lane splitting, but it's a lot safer than going through an intersection.

[Puma]

Say what you will about lane splitting, but it's a lot safer than going through an intersection.

True

[Dr.D]

This is the great thing about a bike if you go down and die you won't hurt any one in the semi truck or car. If you want to lane split go for it. I can see a manageable risk but the way this guy on the video was going he has no margin for the unexpected.

I was just talking to a man from Iowa about and get somewhere weather and deer hunting and he mentioned a relative that lived in San Diego and how nice the weather was . I told him it was to crowded for me. I am glad I do not have to take that much risk just to ride my bike.

I enjoyed the revving of the motor when coming up on the slow bike also lane splitting.  BTW I did live eight years in the San Bernardino /Riverside area. Enjoyed it a lot but had enough.

[Fired00d]

I'm just glad I don't live someplace where you have to ride like that to get out of/thru traffic.... I'll take cold, snow, salt, sand, and whatever else comes here before I'd want to or be comfortable riding like that.... Each to their own but that's not for me.

 
Ride Safe,
Fired00d
 

[jachd17]

 

Not a chance here in Mass - don't care if it's legal or not, you will be wiped out. We're famous for lane changes without signals, diving from one lane to another to "get ahead" of everyone else, etc., etc.

    100% correct.
 Watching that video makes the ole "ballon knot" pucker!

[Ironhorse]

The thing about lane splitting is:

It doesn't matter if others do it, the choice is yours. It's legal, but it's not the law, meaning one does not HAVE to do it. No one will fault you for riding in traffic if that's what you choose to do. Having choice is good.

Do I split lanes? Yes
Do I do it aggressively? No, I do it wisely. I wait for gaps. I wait till I know I am noticed as most cars will scoot over a tad if they see you're coming up. If not, then wait till one does.
Do I always split lanes? No, but I do most of the time. On the days I choose not to it's usually for reasons such as weather, poor visibility, lighting, position of the sun into drivers eyes, or just the "gut feeling" not to.
Do I feel safer splitting lanes? Yes I do.

There is a greater risk that you will get rear ended in slow and go traffic, than getting sideswiped by a car in lane. We all know of someone, maybe even ourselves, who has been rear ended in traffic. An occurrence of sideswiping is much. much lower. Speaking only for myself, I can think of no worse way to end up than sandwiched between the car stopped in front of you, and the car rolling up from behind.

Remember, the onus is on the rider to be safe. If you don't feel safe doing it, than don't.

But that's me, and I may be wrong.

[Puma]

The thing about lane splitting is:

It doesn't matter if others do it, the choice is yours. It's legal, but it's not the law, meaning one does not HAVE to do it. No one will fault you for riding in traffic if that's what you choose to do. Having choice is good.

Do I split lanes? Yes
Do I do it aggressively? No, I do it wisely. I wait for gaps. I wait till I know I am noticed as most cars will scoot over a tad if they see you're coming up. If not, then wait till one does.
Do I always split lanes? No, but I do most of the time. On the days I choose not to it's usually for reasons such as weather, poor visibility, lighting, position of the sun into drivers eyes, or just the "gut feeling" not to.
Do I feel safer splitting lanes? Yes I do.

There is a greater risk that you will get rear ended in slow and go traffic, than getting sideswiped by a car in lane. We all know of someone, maybe even ourselves, who has been rear ended in traffic. An occurrence of sideswiping is much. much lower. Speaking only for myself, I can think of no worse way to end up than sandwiched between the car stopped in front of you, and the car rolling up from behind.

Remember, the onus is on the rider to be safe. If you don't feel safe doing it, than don't.

But that's me, and I may be wrong.

Well said, and you are definitely not wrong.

[Trapperdog]

Yes, well said Mark. I might add that like many other aspects of riding, or learning to ride, once one has done it enough times and understands the particulars, it becomes somewhat second nature. It's also much easier on a lighter bike with no side bags, a lot easier. At night, in the rain is when things really get interesting.
Several of us here in Ca. Have had the opportunity to split behind a CHPie motor, very exciting.

[2 ROSE]

It appears from these post that lane-splitting is not a common practice outside of CA and it is not legal in my state of Pennsylvania. If it was, it would definitely take some getting use to...not only as a rider but also as an operator of a four wheel vehicle.
All you Californians Stay Safe!!!

[Ripcord]

A few months ago I was at my local indy and picked up this free sticker. Figured I'd share it .....

[lilcoot]

As far as that video goes, that's not legal lane splitting; that's thrill seeking idiocy.  That fool is probably dead as we speak.

I was not comfortable the first few times I started splitting lanes in CA, but I am completely sold on it now (when done properly).  It makes a world of difference during commuting, and seems no more dangerous than riding on surface streets.  I'm not sure what the statistics are;  I've read conflicting reports and opinions.  I've been rear ended on the freeway here, and I've been nearly hit at intersections and by people pulling into the road without paying attention. 

There will always be fools who drive dangerously, particularly young males.  This is a fact of life that everyone has to accept and look out for.  Thank god I lived through that phase of my life! 

[CVO2FIXUP]

 Was riding in San Fran a few years ago, and following my bud off the free way in the city. Bumper to bumper, so he starts splitting lanes. So I follow. We are coming down a very high ramp  ( 100 to 150 feet up in the air close to Oakland Bay Bridge ) We are on the out side lane. The guard rail is only about 2 feet high on my left and cars on my right. I have maybe 3 feet or less to squeeze through on my Ultra. Man I was chitting. One wrong move and I would go right over that tiny guard rail. Ever glad to get back down. Over all lane splitting is cool as long as the cars know its happening and check the mirrors before doing some funky maneuvers.