Almost Died (Lane Splitting)

[everyother_time]

I was cut off by a black mercedes right in front of LAX airport this morning on my commute to work. I went up on my front tire (stoppie), luckily I was able to get out of it, and not damage my bike at all. I'm really glad that I know my bike so well, otherwise it could have been very messy. Wannabe rich self entitled indaviduals think they can do whatever they want... (end of rant). So down here in So Cal we're allowed to lane split. I know in three other states they're lobbying to start allowing them (Texas, Florida, New York), Whats you're opinion on lane splitting?

 

[go cytocis]

Whats you're opinion on lane splitting?

Lane-splitting is a non-issue in most of the rest of the world. It's a proven method for moving more traffic volume through a fixed number of lanes & it's not conclusively shown to be dangerous.

On the other hand, it does require a certain level of skill & there are some inherent risks that a lane-splitter must be willing to tolerate (like you experienced this morning).

I believe it should be legal, but at the discretion of the individual rider.

 

[heagachongoose]

I believe lane splitting requires more self control and foresight than anything, not only for the motorcyclists. Something that many motorists lack.

Glad to hear you were not hurt [up]

Of all of the places in the US I have been, California has some of the worst drivers I have ever encountered. It's a barnyard out there for sure.

 

[eppt]

I wish we were able to do it here in Colorado.

 

[everyother_time]

On the other hand, it does require a certain level of skill & there are some inherent risks that a lane-splitter must be willing to tolerate

I think if more people would start lane splitting, or bringing in more scooters (like in asian countries), Drivers would really start paying more attention to us as well.

 

[halfagiraffe]

Ive had multiple close encounters on the 5 in san diego. Drivers just dont look, and they change lanes when there isnt enough room for them. I flat spotted a tire once trying to stop when someone cut in front of me and didnt get over all the way.

Glad youre okay. I always ride with the assumption that everyone is going to hit me, and keep an exit strategy at all times. California does have some of the worst drivers out there, and most of them dont care one bit about us.

 

[thrstrmech]

California does have some of the worst drivers out there

^you haven't been to Arizona yet San Diego and LA, been there done that for many years...may have seen my boot print on some car doors there

 

[BuellRonin]

Do you ride a black buell? I thought I saw one as I headed toward Burbank, but I live near LAX and travel from that direction.

I almost ate it too when a car decided it didn't want to stay in the HOV lane, but luckily they saw me and I had some room to maneuver. But from my footage on my camera they were less than 3ft from me.

I really try to keep a slow speed, because for me, it helps me react to something like this and not over-react. If I had been going faster I might have thought they were coming over, and I would have swung out into another lane... I usually only try to do between 20-30 miles when lane-splitting, I know it's slow for some, but I feel if you're hauling ass, it gives you less reaction time and you find yourself with little time to process a strategy for safety.

I try and let the faster riders by when I can, but like on the canyons, it's up to the rider behind me to figure out a safe way around if I am not moving out of their way because I am concentrating on whats in front of me.

Keep safe...traffic seems to be getting worse.

Cheers!

 

[everyother_time]

do you ride a black buell?

No, but I work with a guy that rides a Black Lightning (that may be the one you saw), I ride a Red Firebolt, and I go down the 405 every week day around 7:30-8:00 from Devonshire to LAX.


I try and keep my head on a swivel while I'm lane splitting (which seems to be always anymore haha), I know I can stop if I have at least 2 car lenths in front of me, its those A holes that cut over across the double yellow one car ahead of me that make me worry! On these roads down here, if you fall, you're either going to get run over, or you're going to get grated, and everything's uneven pavement, so youre gonna be in some pain regardless.

Anyway my opinion on lane splitting, it should be legal in every major city!

 

[Cooter]

It's not the lane splitting that's dangerous. It's the oblivious, texting, cager that doesn't care enough to look before making a move.
Cali is the worst. Period. I have driven in almost every city in the USA. Anyone who says differently, hasn't driven the 405, 105, 110, 101, 5, 22, 710, 210, or 605 at anytime of day, any day of the week[mad]

That's great news about Florida!! I moved here from Cali and split lanes for six months before anyone mentioned it was illegal here! The good news is most everyone on bikes in Florida is retired, 70 years old, rides a trike, or a Can-am thing, so they won't be an issue The bad news is all the people in cars here are retired, 70 years old, and medicated.

 

[user_deleted]

being from southern PA......lane-splitting scares me. but then again my amish neighbors have been doing it for almost 300 years now. they also run in some select nascar races like talladega....but that's another story entirely.

 

[heagachongoose]

That. Is. Awesome.

 

[user_deleted]

^^^^^ isn't it?
speaking of amish (thread hijack warning) here in amish land you are "in" with them....meaning you can go inside to visit and eat/buy and sell/kibitz/talk on the phone/and have them in your home if and only if you speak PA. dutch which in essence is german. so today i have to go down the road a bit to see Emmanuel Stoltzfus. he's affectionately known locally as "ChainSaw Manny" because he cuts down trees and sells firewood...but only if you're known English, or amish and speak dutch. ChainSaw recently fell out of a tree and had his leg "redone" in his words. i had to feel it and see it before i could pay him. really has nothing to do with lane-splitting but thought i'd just offer it up here for entertainment purposes.

 

[user_deleted]

ChainSaw Manny lives on the other side of this knob.

 

[everyother_time]

ChainSaw recently fell out of a tree and had his leg "redone" in his words

So... is his leg made of out wood? or did he rig up a chainsaw and replace his leg? or just really scarred up?
my immagination is running wild here!

 

[user_deleted]

^^^^^^^^^^^ i really felt bad for ChainSaw. in his own words translated to english: "johnny.....i was way up doin' a topper....and darn limb snapped and i flew off.....got hung up on the way down....then the english boy worked my ladder so i could climb down the rest of the way....but boy oh boy was i hurt. broke my femur. you know which bone that is johnny? ku'men zie....feel this right here...ya feel that? see that? some kinda rod they installed. like a bone but they told me it's stainless so it won't rust or rot out." poor manny.

 

[Cooter]

They had stainless rods to fix a femur in the horse drawn buggy days?? Color me [confused]

 

[Buellaucracy]

I lane split here in FL. Haven't had any issues. It's been years since I've sat through a traffic jam.

 

[rah7777777]

Where I'm at (Dallas Texas), your an idiot if you trust the cagers enough to split lanes.
Too many dumb shits playing on their phones.

 

[everyother_time]

Too many dumb shits playing on their phones.

You just described 99% of LA haha. when I was in Houston, it made me nervous, because not only are they not paying attention, they're in Motorcycle killing Trucks!