Lane-Splitting Etiquette (California)

After reading my latest edition of Cycle World, I feel motivated to expound on the issue of "lane splitting, lane-sharing, filtering," whatever terminology doesn't bind your chonies. I switched to thongs myself, so this is not an issue for me anymore. :bootyshake:

The reason I am bringing this up is because of what I believe (from years, and years, of lane-splitting each day in Southern California) is what are some of the more safer ways to lane-split, and ways to ensure that we are allowed to lane-split for years to come without upsetting the masses anymore than we already do. I know that each person is a distinctive character, with a distinctive personality, and each has their version (case-in-point) of what they think is kosher or not. Well, this is my version based on what I see each day.

Each day I ride to work is a 100 mile roundtrip between Orange County, and San Diego County. On my return home, I have to lane-split each day...varying from 7-8 miles, to a whopping 35+ miles on extreme days. If you visualize a freeway in your mind, Caltrans (or your state highway department) numbers the lanes from left to right. The far left is the number "1" lane, the next one to the right is the number "2" lane, all the way up to 6 or 8 depending on the amount of lanes on said freeway. If there is a carpool (HOV) lane, that is not considered the number "1" lane that is still referred to as the HOV/Carpool lane. Keep that thought burned in your memory banks.

Figure example of freeway lane numbering:


Ok, back to my ride home. Suffice to say, I see a lot of commuting each day, and along with it, accidents, near-misses, improper lane changes, regular squids, mohawk squids, military squids, biker boyz (with their BADAZZ leather vests)etc, etc. As stated above, I have to lane-split each day on my way home. What I see a lot of that I believe is a hinderance to our ability to co-exist with cars, and whatnot, is motorcyclists splitting in every lane on the freeway. I normally split between the number "1" and number "2" lane, unless there is an HOV lane, then I split between the HOV lane, and the number "1" lane. The example picture I am showing below is (what I believe) is the proper way to lane-split. Between the number 1 and number 2 lanes (or HOV as mentioned prior).



So, what happens when a motorcyclist is splitting between the number 1/2 lane, and then a motorcyclist (or two) comes up splitting in the number 2/3 lane? Car drivers are more accustomed to see a rider in the 1/2 lane, or HOV/1 lane, and they many times move to the right/left to make room and allow you to pass (a wave to the driver is always appreciated). Well, if I am in the number 1/2 lane, and a rider comes up in the number 2/3 lane, they cause this driver to become stressed, and move to the left (into me) then they get more shocked/stressed and either move to one extreme side or the other. This squeezes me out, potentially taking me out in the process. This exact scenario has happened so many times, I cannot even keep track. Mind you, I am a vigilant rider, I frequently scan my mirrors, and although I split at a decent speed, I always move over and wave a faster rider by who is on my tail trying to get by.

Imagine you are the rider in this picture, in the 1/2 lane, and a rider comes up in the 2/3 lane causing the driver in the car next to you to be surprised and put the "squeeze" on you...let me know if you have clean shorts after that coming out of that predicament.



When you have riders splitting in multiple lanes (especially at the same time), you cause more stress to car drivers. This causes them to make quick reactions that may affect/injure another rider. At the very least, it is unpleasant, and it upsets drivers (and me), and causes then to have a negative view of motorcyclists. They already view a lot of us as hooligans presently as it is. The more reckless we appear, and the more we do things that may or not endanger them/us/others...well, it causes new laws to be enacted, and/or crackdown by the CHP. A state senator recently was submitting a lane-splitting bill, but it did not pass. You may think it cannot EVER happen here, however, like other recent tragedies in the news as of late, if something happens is big enough, or becomes a bigger issue/safety hazard things change can and do change really fast.

Here are the CHP "guidelines" that are not technically law, but good to follow.



This example below shows wide lanes (I love WIDE lanes!), and although there is ample room at this point, I want to stress the point that it is best to split in the number 1/2 lane, and safer. There is a less chance for cars to hit you upon entering and exiting the freeway, and "usually" drivers move around less in the 1/2 lanes than the far right lanes (due to entering/exiting). You allow car drivers to get "used to" the fact we normally are in the 1/2 lanes, and stress out less. I know when I am in the truck on the freeway I am not obsessing about a rider on each side. It is up to the rider to be vigilant and look out for cars, as we are much smaller and more difficult to see. Expect that you are invisible to the driver(s).




Another issue is the speed at which a motorcyclist lane-splits. If traffic is travelling at 10MPH, please use your head and do not travel at 40MPH or 50MPH. This again angers enough of the wrong people, and well, then we have stricter enforcement as a result...and/or more laws stirring up in the state legislature. I have seen several lane-splitting accidents over the last 15 years, and all of them were because of some moronic rider blasting down the road way too fast...unable to stop or maneuver out of the way. This, along with riders splitting lanes with motorcycles that are way too wide too fit, or have saddlebags on and bounce off of cars are not a way to make more friends for us. We already have enough enemies, we don't need to make anymore.

Just to clarify, I am speaking of freeway lane-splitting here primarily. Stopped at a stoplight, as long as the motorcycles take off quickly before the cars do, multiple lane-splitting is not that big of an issue. Back to freeway lane-splitting.....if we stick with things that car drivers accept and expect us to do, it is better for all of us. Stress out and piss off enough people and be prepared to feel the wrath.

If you and I practice the proper lane-spitting etiquette we will very likely be able to continue this practice indefinitely.....and maybe, hopefully, there's a chance that we may some other states to hop on the lane-splitting bandwagon down the road (fingers crossed).

Fun picture for jest. Well, most of us do not live in Bangkok, so we don't have this as a daily occurrence...:lol:



Thanks for reading! Keep the rubba side down, brah!

:vtr2:


UPDATE: Member OOTVS reminded me of another good point that I missed. If you cannot fit by two vehicles, please refrain from smacking their car with your hand, and please do not sit on their rear quarter panel and rev your engine to the moon until they move. This does nothing but infuriate many people, and make us look like worse in their eyes. Patience and good manners (waving thanks, saying thanks if their window is down and they can hear you) goes a long ways.

 

The latter. I do ride in the HOV lane whenever it is moving, however, it frequently backs up, so when it stops or goes below 35 or so, I split between HOV/1. On my daily commute, I only have 8 miles of HOV lanes, however, on the weekends (in Orange County) I ride in them most everywhere, and in-between when it stops/slows.

You would be surprised at how many people actually do move out of the way....and they appreciate a wave, as many wave back. It does make a difference to be cordial to peeps on the road. I still on occasion get what I call "resistance" though. Some clown likes to make me work for safe passage. Where there's a will, there's a way!

Speaking of the Lone Star state. I thought I read a article that a lane-spitting bill was created, but may have died in the senate. That true? Even if it did pass, it takes DECADES for peeps to abide by it and be ok with letting you by them without interference.
Thanks for reading boss.

 

They blocked my porn websites, so I suddenly have all of this freetime. :tongue:

 

You "legally" cannot ride in the breakdown lane, and CHP will quickly ticket you for it. It is not a law to do 1/2 lane, just a courtesy. CHP advises it as well. Motorcycles are allowed in all HOV lanes, however, not the "express" lane (read: pay lanes), unless you have a transponder, or cover your plate and hope the PO-PO ain't in the bushes.

:behindsofa:

 

If you ride in tennis shoes, you are not required to have a license plate either.


nice thread jason.

 

Yeah Toe, I spilt in various lanes on surface streets, however, mainly while traffic is stopped.

 

It's too bad that the article from cycle world isn't cross published into Cosmopolitan and Glamour so they'd friggen learn it is not illegal...maybe they could mention not doing your makeup or texting while driving, too.

 

Thanks OOTVS. I neglected to mention "revving" of the engine, and the smacking/touching of a car to get them to move. I have see more than my fair share of sportbike riders rev their engines to the moon trying to get a car to move that has nowhere to go. Intellect and subtly is not their strong suit.