I almost killed a motorcycle rider this morning

[kang]

I was making a perfectly safe lane change in rush hour traffic, going maybe 20 or 30 MPH. I had already crossed the line (to my left) when I double checked my mirror and spotted a motorcycle splitting lanes, going maybe 40 or 50. I jerked the wheel back to my right, and he swerved into the lane to my left, and then swerved back again, to avoid rear-ending the next car in that lane. If I had not made that double check in my mirror, I would not have spotted him, and it would have been all over.

If we had collided, it would have been his fault, but what a mess it would have been. I hope he got a good scare and learned his lesson, but somehow, I doubt it.

[vash]

damn. good save on both parts.

it annoys me when bikes split lanes when the traffic is moving. i only did it when it was safe and traffic was at a standstill.

[Hugh R]

Don't know where you are, but in California, motorcyclists legally can only lane split between the No. 1 and No. 2 lanes, but they do it in all lanes.

[vash]

Originally Posted by Hugh R

Don't know where you are, but in California, motorcyclists legally can only lane split between the No. 1 and No. 2 lanes, but they do it in all lanes.

i didnt know that! wow.

that is the most popular (in between) ane here in the bay area. i used to be all over the place. the only rule i remember, was that it was only allowed with very slow traffic, and when conditions are safe.

i see fools splitting in clear/fast traffic.

[ramonesfreak]

as a motorcyclist, the only time i will split lanes is when doing so, helps get me out of a dangerous environment. otherwise its not worth the risk just because my clutch hand hurts or the bike is overheating or your late for lunch

better to be late, Mr. Driver, than to be the late Mr. Driver

[speeder]

Lane-splitting, (very cautiously), during stop-and-go freeway traffic can be a hell of a lot safer than sitting in line waiting to be rear-ended by 5k lb. SUV with someone texting behind the wheel. I'm talking about times when it is switching from 70 mph to zero on an intermittent basis, very common in L.A. I jump between the cars in 1&2 lane as soon as the brake lights all go on in unison and the front ends dive. Still, there's a safe way to do it and a dangerous way. The dangerous way is when you don't slow down yourself and just shoot between them like you're zooming down a hallway @ 60 mph.

I agree that there are a lot of extremely reckless MC riders out there. Really crazy since you can have a ball on a MC and still beat traffic while riding in a safe, prudent manner.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Moron is my first thought when I see a bike rider splitting lanes. All it takes is one of many unattentive drivers not checking their blind spot and it's all over. Being the little guy on the road and also arrogant isn't a good combination.

[911boost]

It alwasy surprises me when I travel to CA to see the folks spillting lanes on bigger bikes. As a rider, I agree that it can be done safely when traffic is moving slowing. Now, with that being said, I'd be on some sort of dual sport / dirt bike type bike like one of these:

Ducati:


or the BMW:


They are light and you can react quickly on them. Plus, if you lay it down, its just plastic to replace.

Bill

[SLO-BOB]

Originally Posted by BSiple

I'd be on some sort of dual sport / dirt bike type bike like one of these:
or the BMW:


They are light and you can react quickly on them. Plus, if you lay it down, its just plastic to replace.

Bill

Nah - those big jugs hanging off each side scrape the car doors. and the ground if you lay them down. No protectors on the one in the pic.

Light? You ever been on one of them?

All relative I guess but they're huge and weigh damn near 600 lbs.

[JavaBrewer]

When done right, traffic speeds a 30 mph or less, I have no problem with lane "sharing". I did it for years and never felt threatened. A MC rider needs to be aggressive and not loiter between cars while sharing. The worst situation to be in as a MC rider is hoping the surrounding drivers see you. Every stop light/sign intersection I would split to the front of the line. I was never going to hang my ass out back waiting to be the meat part of a 2 car sandwich.

[911boost]

The BMW does have the cylinders poking out, but it wieghs 395 pounds, so while not as light as say my CR250R, not too hefty.


Bill

[Eric 951]

If you want to see CRAZY lane-splitting, check out Sao Paulo Brazil---some of the stuff I saw during rush hour just made me cringe--multiple lines of bikes splitting 6 lanes of traffic--with lots of buses and heavy trucks mixed in...insane.

[Steve Carlton]

I seriously doubt there's a restriction on which lanes you can split in CA. That said, the common guideline is not to split traffic going more than 40mph and not exceed their speed by more than 10mph. Accidents when splitting are considered the fault of the motorcyclist (unless something deliberate was done).

[Uber-fanatic]

I split lanes every day on my LA commute; always between lanes 1 & 2, never going faster than the allowed limit ( 5mph faster than traffic that is moving below the posted speed limit). It sounds like the bike that you nearly took out was going too fast...even so, collisions nearly happen EVERY DAY between cars as well, so it is what it is...you both were aware of your surrounding, and tragedy was averted...primarily due to your driving skill, not his. I know that a good number of people are irritated when I share the lane with them; I simply try to be as law abiding and safe a rider as possible. Part of the reason that it's legal in the first place is due to the fact that it is safer in the long run...as has been stated in an earlier post, it's far more dangerous staying in lane with traffic fast approaching from behind where the situation is entirely out of your control than it is to continue moving forward through traffic where your speed IS under your control...

That being said, I have to move to the side quite often for bikes that come screaming up behind me as well...some people are just idiots! Thank you for not being one of them...

[legion]

Lane splitting is only legal in CA, correct?

I don't know that I'd ever have the balls to try it if it was legal here.

[SLO-BOB]

Originally Posted by BSiple

The BMW does have the cylinders poking out, but it wieghs 395 pounds, so while not as light as say my CR250R, not too hefty.


Bill

I know. Mostly messing around. I have a R1100R. Not too many HP2s running around tho. I would love to try one out. I was more referring to the GS bikes.

[Uber-fanatic]

California and Australia I believe are the only two locations where lane splitting is not formally illegal. There are simply no codes that address lane sharing in the California DMV Handbook; it's only referred to as unsafe and to be avoided.

[Dottore]

Originally Posted by SLO-BOB

Not too many HP2s running around tho. I would love to try one out.

Agreed. And worth a picture. I thought I was through with bikes after my last accident. But this one has had me visiting the dealer more than once. I mean is there a better looking bike? This is the Eva Mendez of bikes in my view...

[Dottore]

Forgot the pic..

[SLO-BOB]

Originally Posted by Dottore

I mean is there a better looking bike? This is the Eva Mendez of bikes in my view...

Maybe....



if this is the Jessica Alba.

I would beside myself with glee with either. The bikes I mean. Uh, ....the girls too.

Sorry for the hijack. Carry on. Yes. Dangerous. I concur.