Motorcycle Lane Splitter Visibility

[Cybertruck26]

This is primarily for CA residents, but I assume others have encountered it as well. I am wondering if anyone else has had issues seeing lane splitters coming up from behind your truck? A few days ago I was on 101, and a motorcyclist flew past me, turned back and flipped me off. This was the 3rd time I have had this happen. I typically move over for lane splitters, but- when they are going 80 mph and you're mostly focused on the traffic in front of you, really not super obvious and makes me nervous. I reviewed my dashcam and the dude did have ample room despite not seeing him, so maybe he just wasn't a fan lol (oh well).

I am just curious if anyone else has run into this. I know there are certain stipulations lane splitters are supposed to be following, but I obviously don't want to hit anyone. Stay safe out there!

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[Brandon708]

Are you suggesting that there is an auto door open feature that will engage when a lane splitter is detected? lol

 

[CTofLosGatos]

This is primarily for CA residents, but I assume others have encountered it as well. I am wondering if anyone else has had issues seeing lane splitters coming up from behind your truck? A few days ago I was on 101, and a motorcyclist flew past me, turned back and flipped me off. This was the 3rd time I have had this happen. I typically move over for lane splitters, but- when they are going 80 mph and you're mostly focused on the traffic in front of you, really not super obvious and makes me nervous. I reviewed my dashcam and the dude did have ample room despite not seeing him, so maybe he just wasn't a fan lol (oh well).

I am just curious if anyone else has run into this. I know there are certain stipulations lane splitters are supposed to be following, but I obviously don't want to hit anyone. Stay safe out there!

Not so far. Though I drive mostly on 280 and then to Lawrence Expy, both of which have enough space for motorcycles to pass.

 

[SSonnentag]

If you're doing 80 and they're still splitting lanes, it's only a matter of time before they're smeared on a road somewhere anyway. It's not your fault they are stupid.

 

[Cybertruck26]

Are you suggesting that there is an auto door open feature that will engage when a lane splitter is detected? lol

I didn't mean for that subtle implication

Not so far. Though I drive mostly on 280 and then to Lawrence Expy, both of which have enough space for motorcycles to pass.

Thanks! This has been happening to me on 101S in the express lane. I honestly never had this issue with my Model Y, so- just curious if anyone else has dealt with it.

 

[Cybertruck26]

If you're doing 80 and they're still splitting lanes, it's only a matter of time before they're smeared on a road somewhere anyway. It's not your fault they are stupid.

I was doing like 65-68 (due to traffic), they were definitely going faster than traffic was.

 

[jf64k]

FWIW, this is coming from a motorcyclist: I've noticed this trend where, if the vehicles in the left-most lane don't move WAY over to the left, increasing numbers of MCs are acting like super-entitled babies when lane splitting: Hand gestures, flipping people off, revving their engines, etc.

There is PLENTY of room to get by, but they act like they're entitled to the maximum amount of room possible and seem to be angry if cars don't move over to the left.

I imagine this has something to do with the 2017 change to the lane splitting law in CA??

I thought that it had something to do with FSD, as FSD tends to keep the car in the center of the lane, and some MC's don't think that's enough room?? But I see the MC's getting riled-up at non-Tesla drivers, too.

OP, I've had that happen in my MYLR and now in my CT. Only a couple of times to me, but I've noticed it increasing over the years directed to other drivers ahead of or behind me in traffic.

 

[Cybertruck26]

FWIW, this is coming from a motorcyclist: I've noticed this trend where, if the vehicles in the left-most lane don't move WAY over to the left, increasing numbers of MCs are acting like super-entitled babies when lane splitting: Hand gestures, flipping people off, revving their engines, etc.

There is PLENTY of room to get by, but they act like they're entitled to the maximum amount of room possible and seem to be angry if cars don't move over to the left.

I imagine this has something to do with the 2017 change to the lane splitting law in CA??

I thought that it had something to do with FSD, as FSD tends to keep the car in the center of the lane, and some MC's don't think that's enough room?? But I see the MC's getting riled-up at non-Tesla drivers, too.

OP, I've had that happen in my MYLR and now in my CT. Only a couple of times to me, but I've noticed it increasing over the years directed to other drivers ahead of or behind me in traffic.

Thanks @jf64k , ride safe!

 

[illadave]

I’m on the same boat. I don’t know if it’s the quality of the rearview camera but it takes me longer to spot a motorcyclist, especially at night. I’ve been more attentive for MCs but it’s definitely easier to spot when driving my Y.

 

[Cybertruck26]

I’m on the same boat. I don’t know if it’s the quality of the rearview camera but it takes me longer to spot a motorcyclist, especially at night. I’ve been more attentive for MCs but it’s definitely easier to spot when driving my Y.

Same. Thanks for the feedback, at least it's not just me. I am pretty aware of my surroundings, so I found it strange that I kept missing them. But, as others have said... if we're going speed limit and they're going 15-20 over, while we're in traffic, it's not really our fault. We can pay attention to everything in our path, it's hard to anticipate things you can't see coming.

 

[Gaximus]

I think you getting flipped off has nothing to do with the way you were driving. I’ve gotten more middle fingers from motorcyclists than any other vehicle type, coming the other direction and in cross roads.
As a motorcyclist myself, I usually get waves from them, when on my bike.

 

[Cybertruck26]

I think you getting flipped off has nothing to do with the way you were driving. I’ve gotten more middle fingers from motorcyclists than any other vehicle type, coming the other direction and in cross roads.
As a motorcyclist myself, I usually get waves from them, when on my bike.

I typically move over for that peace sign... Every time I get one I feel like I am accepted in the club lol

You may be right bc I haven't gotten flipped off by anyone else believe it or not.

 

[Crissa]

Also a motorcyclist: It's probably just a non-Tesla fan. Just keep the truck centered in the lane and don't make un-signalized moves.

In California, you're required to not block them - but if they're passing at speed or higher... that's really their problem. You can't be expected to see a tiny, fast-moving object in the distance.

The truck really does need some better detection and rear-view. But as a motorcyclist, I assume people can't see me.

If you're doing 80 and they're still splitting lanes, it's only a matter of time before they're smeared on a road somewhere anyway. It's not your fault they are stupid.

The kinds of accidents from lane-splitting are generally less fatal than the ones from not. So California doesn't have a higher per mile per population fatality rate for motorcyclists than you'd expect given our climate.

-Crissa

 

[igs]

They deserve whatever they get.

 

[Gaximus]

I typically move over for that peace sign... Every time I get one I feel like I am accepted in the club lol

You may be right bc I haven't gotten flipped off by anyone else believe it or not.

I actually get the thumbs down more than the finger. And honestly that hurts worse.

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