Lane filtering/splitting....Alberta

I know a couple things:

1. I've seen motorcycle "operators" who are worse than any cage driver.
2. I don't fear for the safety of society, I can only control my own choices.
3. Protecting the lowest common denominator is seldom beneficial to furthering a species
4. If it isn't something I would do, I don't do it...but I also wouldn't voice an opinion that might affect those that would do it.

 

Out of curiosity, what's the penalty for you guys if you're caught filtering in a state where it's not legal? Or is that dependent on which one?

It's commonplace and legal for me, although pretty evident that riders here differ greatly in their attitude to when it's appropriate to do so and when not to...

I tend to err on the cautious side of that divide, but as others have said, a great deal of focus is required to avoid a swift and unpleasant halt at the hands of an unaware driver. It can be done safely, but get your head screwed on damn tight before you start!

 

Don't you think there is a difference between "filtering" with traffic stopped and bikes moving to the front and lane splitting with bike zipping between cars and trucks at speed? I ran into a situation recently were filtering would have been very beneficial in traffic that was at a stand still. Last week, while driving a car, I had a rider split lanes at almost double the posted limit. It pissed me off and I knew what he was doing. I can see both sides.

 

Great question. Is there a difference between the two or is this just two ways to express the same thing? Back to squid vs calamari maybe?

This is the WIKI take on the issue.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lane_splitting





In CA there are two "official" versions of "whatchamacallit: That issued as law in the California Vehicle Code and that issued by the California Highway Patrol.

What we can be sure of is that legal or not there are gonna be cage drivers since they do all kinds of other shit anyway are going to be pissed off because some dude on a bike passed them.

Then we got traffic conditions that are controlled by cop shops to generate revenue or traffic conditions that are controlled by chambers of commerce to hold up or slow traffic in small burgs.

Please notice that in a rare show of altruism I did not lay this on harleydoods.

 

Below is part of the report. If you read the report then you would get your answers.....


The helmets used at the time of collision also differed by lane-splitting status. LSM were more likely to be wearing a full-face helmet than other motorcyclists (79% and 64%, respectively) and less likely to be wearing a novelty helmet (1.9% and 4.1%, respectively). Motorcyclists who were not lane-splitting were more likely to wearing a 1/2- or 3/4-helmet (23%) than LSM (13%).
Patterns of injury were significantly different comparing LSM and other motorcyclists (Table 9). LSM were notably less likely to suffer head injury (9.1% vs 16.5%), torso injury (18.6% vs 27.3%), or fatal injury (1.4% vs 3.1%) than other motorcyclists. The occurrence of neck injury and arm/leg injury did not differ meaningfully by lane-splitting status.

 

I don't think I'd have the balls. I've mention before the lanes up here are separated by road tits. I'd ride the shoulder but they would have to sweep them, too many road hazards. Thank God I don't commute...

 

This was done in Toronto. It is illegal. This shows how it works, why we should be able to do it and he does a great job.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BP08wJrXnE0

This is just stupid. This is not how to do it....just dangerous.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Y9yrqSesWI

 

I would LS if the vehicle traffic was at or near an standstill. Otherwise there are too many variables all of which are a no win situation for a motorcycle.

 

Lane Filtering/lane splitting works best when car drivers expect it.

Here in CA it's become a way of life so 90% of drivers know we do it and so they either maintain their position in traffic or actually move over. There's always the odd asshole/hater who will try to squeeze you but that doesn't last long. Keep in mind there are a lot of idiot drivers here too yet we manage to split lanes safely most times. So the presence of morons and selfish SOB's doesn't make lane splitting/filtering unsafe.

Open your minds Canadians. Pass the law to allow it. It's sensible but it will take time for other drivers to get used to it and act accordingly.

 

When lane splitting is legal, although it should be obvious, ya still have the choice to do it or not.