NC Riders: Do You Ever Split Lanes?

I'm likely transferring from the west coast to the triangle area and use my bike mostly for transportation as well as recreation. California is the only state that I'm aware of where you can legally split lanes as long as you're being reasonable.

I understand that it is not legal in North Carolina, however in the peak traffic times I'm sure that traffic does get gridlocked (especially in Charlotte and RDU) and I'm wondering if perhaps the police may look the other way or give motorcycles to break especially if it's hot.

I've also heard from a couple riders that they will slide by on the shoulder during heavy traffic without problems from LEO's, does that seem to be the case?

I can't imagine sitting behind an endless line of cars going 5-10 miles per hour with people texting and not paying attention and what not...

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I would be inclined to push the envelope on that.

 

I grew up in LA lane splitting now live in NC. They will pull you over for thinking about lane splitting or skirting the side of the road, and if the cops don't get you first the rednecks will squeeze you into road juice. They don't take to it "kindly" in the south.

 

That's not good news...how have you adjusted to riding in NC otherwise?

Do you miss the west coast?

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I'm thinking that would be traffic school around here.

 

I wouldn't even think about lane splitting anywhere in the South. A previous poster explained why.

Having ridden several thousand miles in NC, I would characterize the po po as near Nazi's. Look at the interstate speed limits. In western NC, you're speeding whether you are or whether you aren't. If you're on a motorcycle, you're speeding. Nothing that $200 and a sleazy NC lawyer can't take care of for you though. Just the way it is.

 

Aw man... Is it better near the urban centers like Raleigh and Charlotte?

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I now live in Colorado, but rode a ZX11 in NC for 10 years - previous posters are quite accurate. You do not lane split. Period. I've seen a few out here in the Rockies lane splitting and I just don't do it. If the LEO don't get you, "Bubba" will.

 

No.

 

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Really not any good places to lane split. They don't give you room, pinch you off. Not worth the pain in the ass.

 

No. Technically it is legal if the cars are stopped (filtering), but I've asked the cops in the RideSafe courses I've taken. They all said that they would give tickets if they saw a bike do it. Drivers here are not used to it under any condition and beign taken out may become a local sport...

 

I knew that I had this sucker somewhere!

https://www.motorcyclelegalfoundation.com/motorcycle-lane-splitting-guidelines-2022/