As far as I know, lane splitting is only legal in California although I'm sure it is done to some extent in all states. Of all the riders I know, most do it and don't think twice about the safety issues. I do it myself... sometimes to a reckless degree. I've heard all kinds of stories of lane splitting from both sides of the issue (cagers and motorcyclists.)
I've heard about riders kicking off the mirrors of cars, carrying things to throw at cars who don't move over, being pissed at the occasional car who purposefully moves into the path of a splitting motorcycle....
I've heard of car drivers being pissed that loud motorcycles come so close to their vehicles, being unhappy that motorcycles are moving while they are stuck sitting in traffic and many that are just startled/scared when a bike flies by their car...
Fact of the matter is, I know all these things happen on a daily basis. There are many irritable and oblivious people out there and safety is compromised regularly. We've all heard the same stories over and over again. What I'm interested in however is the perspective of the motorcyclists who happen to be driving a car in traffic. Or the perspective of motorcyclists who don't lane split. Or the cop perspective. Or even, if possible, a European perspective.
Let me know what you think. Write up some perspectives if you fall into any of these categories.
First of all, the proper/legal term is Lane Sharing. That's what it's called on the California law books.
ReplyDeleteAs a motorcyclist in a car, besides being very jealous of the motorcyclist passing me, I have no problem with it. However, I do get annoyed when someone passes at a rate of speed that seems dangerous. Mostly because I hate the image it gives us. But even I've been startled by a very loud bike coming up next to me and it's never pleasant. So I get why drivers find it obnoxious, but get over. It just means you should be paying more attention to the road anyways.
On a side not, my recent trek to Canada had me cursing the fact that lane sharing is illegal everywhere else. I made the mistake of going through Portland during rush hour. The one upside is that Oregon drivers are ridiculously courteous so it didn't seem as awful as it could have been.
Good comment. Im curious as to why something this contoversial is allowed in CA.
ReplyDeleteAny comments on the riding/roads in Canada?