Lane splitting

[AdamWilliams]

Here in CT, lane splitting isn't legal, but right over the border in NY it is. This past weekend, I nearly (and accidently) opened my car door into some sportbike jagoff cowboying his way through rush hour traffic. Do any AIM readers regularly lane split, and if so, have you ever been clipped doing it? I'm not looking to start a debate on legailty, but rather, simply hear varied thoughts on a riding tactic that is accepted in some areas, but not in others.

[Wrightturn]

I have done it only in traffic that had completely stopped to get off an interstate.

Sharing a lane with a Fla senior citizen on a cell phone whose last eye exam was 5yrs ago ? No thanks.

[texan321]

In Florida - lane splitting is illegal. I certainly wouldn't do it.......even if it was legal

In Kalifornia it's legal if traffic is less than 15 mph but I see a lot of riders going a lot faster than that. The CHP usually looks the other way in almost all cases. I've heard of and seen car drivers purposely try to cut off bikes that are splittin' by closing the gap with the other cars. Psychotic behavior in my opinion. Jealous I guess. Road rage is kind of rampant out here and the heavy traffic brings out the dark side of some humans. My bike has loud pipes, which I'm planning to quite down a bit, and that usually makes 'em think twice before trying to cut me off.

I have a habit that I'm sure pisses some people off. On four laned surface streets if there is a lot of stopped traffic up ahead of me at a light I'll split the lanes and move to the head of the pack in between the two lead cars at the light. Then when the light changes I'll quickly pop out ahead of the pack. It gets me clear of the mess and, with the crazy way some people are driving these days, I figure it's much safer to be ahead of that pack of rats than in the middle of it all. I always make sure there's plenty of time and space to cleanly pull this off too and it's never been a problem (for me at least!). I also make sure there's no uniforms around. You never know how they would take it. Personally I look at this practice as taking control of my own destiny.

On the freeways I avoid lane splitting as much as possible unless the traffic is really slow but I will definitely ride agressively to keep my path and options open and clear.

[jmk713]

Illegal here in Illinois too, I believe.
Have seen it done; but never tried it.....far too big a risk just to save a little time.
Can't figure out why some states do allow it.

The original reason it was done was because your bike has to have air moving across it to cool the engine. This is especially true for air cooled engines. The parking lot conditions we get on the freeways can kill a stationary bike.

[GOMO]

Originally Posted by AdamWilliams

Here in CT, lane splitting isn't legal, but right over the border in NY it is. This past weekend, I nearly (and accidently) opened my car door into some sportbike jagoff cowboying his way through rush hour traffic. Do any AIM readers regularly lane split, and if so, have you ever been clipped doing it? I'm not looking to start a debate on legailty, but rather, simply hear varied thoughts on a riding tactic that is accepted in some areas, but not in others.

I believe you would have been in your rights to whack the dude. I am fairly sure that the only state that does allow Lane Splitting is sunny CA. Although it is common game here in NY, especially in the Big Apple, it is still a bozo no-no.
I myself do not like to put myself between a couple of tons of metal that I am not sure what their next move would be, but I have traveled along the shoulders at a slow pace during traffic hold ups. Sure it p.o.'s the drivers, but it sure beats standing still and cooking the eggs on a hot summer day. Below was quoted from the NYS DMV manual:


A motorcyclist has the right to the full use of a lane, and motorcyclists are allowed to ride two abreast in a single lane. An experienced motorcyclist will often change position within a lane to get a clearer view of traffic, avoid hazards and be more visible to drivers. You may not pass or drive alongside a motorcycle in the same lane, and a motorcyclist may not share a lane with you.

[BlueBob]

I'm not a fan, but I'm getting ready to move to San Diego and I've seen the traffic leaving Naval Station Coronado at 1600 on any given weekday. I think I may have to give it a try.

[hotrodsporty]

Never done it, never will! The idiots who do need to be hit with a wad of their own $hit.

[JCourneyaP]

Its illegal in Minnesota and yes I have done it. I dont make a habit of it but sometimes its warrented!