Motorcycle Lane Splitter Visibility

[Crissa]

They deserve whatever they get.

Dude, not cool.

-Crissa

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[Cybertruck26]

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

I did get ONE thumbs down, but it was a lady driving a Honda Fit... her opinion was null in void.

 

[igs]

 

[Cybertruck26]

That's messed up!

 

[SSonnentag]

The vast majority of the lane splitters I see are riding safely. However, there are always those few idiots out there who think they are impervious to laws, courtesy and accidents and their riding style shows it.


CHP’s Motorcycle Safety Program States:

• Motorcycles should travel no more than 10 mph faster than their passing traffic.
• Lane splitting should be avoided when traffic is moving at 30 mph or faster to allow for better reaction time.
• DON’T think that the law protects you from riding badly. Bill AB-51/21658.1 makes the physical act of lane splitting legal under set circumstances and CVC 22400 makes it illegal for drivers to block or impede a motorcyclist. These facts, however, don’t preclude anyone from extending common courtesy to other road users when executing the maneuver, so do be courteous!
• DON’T lane share at night or in the dark. Lane sharing in the dark could confuse divers into making them think you are a four-wheeled vehicle rather than a two-wheeled vehicle.

 

[rlhamil]

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

Darwin would approve of that.

 

[Crissa]

Darwin would approve of that.

Because it would open up your armor to allow a motorcycleist, wearing armor, to land in your, not wearing armor, lap?

-Crissa

 

[rlhamil]

Because it would open up your armor to allow a motorcycleist, wearing armor, to land in your, not wearing armor, lap?

-Crissa

What makes you think I wouldn’t be wearing armor? ? Might even have a BFG 2000.

Even if lane splitting is legal, it’s a judgement call to only do it when it’s at least as safe as just being patient. There are doubtless many sensible motorcycle riders, but the crazies are far more memorable.

 

[jf64k]

That happened to me in my 2020 MYLR while on the freeway, but it wasn't intentional.

The MC pulled over to exchange info. He said he got distracted for just a moment and drifted too close to me.

~$700 to replace the mirror!!

 

[Cybertruck 1974]

Nope I see very well. Front left and right have a blind spot for me.........Flipping you off is the norm, they do it even when you didn't' do anything wrong. Mostly if you didn't move 20 feet over for them, me. I ride and don't get all pissy when people don't move.....I do get pissy when another cyclist pushes me over because Im not driving at 100 splitting a lane. I stay my lane, drive safe and when they fly by they are breaking the law. Cyclists are only allowed to pass you at only 10 mph over what the traffic is flowing. Also California is the only state that made it law to lane split.

California legalized and regulated lane splitting in 2016, defining it as the practice of a motorcycle “riding between rows of stopped or moving vehicles in the same lane.” The state’s guidelines recommend that lane splitting should be done at no more than ten mph above the speed of surrounding traffic and only when it is safe.

 

[DeadSetElectric]

It’s gross how many people think bikers deserve to be hit…ya’ll need to accept there are different rules of the road for cars and bikes. To the OP, the fact you are even thinking about riders safety as you drive is all we ask for. Mistakes happen, blind spots happen, accidents happen. But what happens more often than not is distracted or entitled drivers. That needs to change.

 

[Cybertruck26]

It’s gross how many people think bikers deserve to be hit…ya’ll need to accept there are different rules of the road for cars and bikes. To the OP, the fact you are even thinking about riders safety as you drive is all we ask for. Mistakes happen, blind spots happen, accidents happen. But what happens more often than not is distracted or entitled drivers. That needs to change.

I certainly don't want ANYONE getting hurt, whether I see them or not. I just wanted to see if this issue was more problematic in Cybertruck than other vehicles. It appears to not be the case, but rather the rider speed/closing distance was more the issue. But, I agree, I would never wish ill on anyone...no matter what my opinion on the person.

 

[Cybertruck26]

I do wanna say, to all our bike riding friends... please stay safe out there. There are a lot of idiots in cars AND on bikes, we don't need to lose anyone here.

 

[rlhamil]

It’s gross how many people think bikers deserve to be hit…ya’ll need to accept there are different rules of the road for cars and bikes. To the OP, the fact you are even thinking about riders safety as you drive is all we ask for. Mistakes happen, blind spots happen, accidents happen. But what happens more often than not is distracted or entitled drivers. That needs to change.

Then the guys on the Harleys and big Beemers and even Gold Wings (nice quiet things, said not to shake one's kidneys loose despite their size) need to have a rather direct talking to with the guys on the crotch rockets that do at least 30 above traffic lane splitting in places where it is NOT legal.

I've always left motorcyclists plenty of room. Rode a little 250cc Yamaha 2 cycle street legal enduro (lots of acceleration up to about 35, topped out at about 65) for awhile myself, long ago. But it's the flamboyant @holes that stick in the memory more than the decent ones. Probably the other way around too, because in the at least NYC (and NJ Turnpike) down somewhat south of DC corridor, many drivers and motorcyclists alike think they have the absolute right to be at the head of the pack, and nearly everyone tailgates. Weaving in and out of 1 1/2 vehicle length slots at 75+ whether car, pickup, or motorcycle (my intro to the NJ Turnpike, years ago), will only get you there a few minutes earlier, while reducing the odds of getting there alive.

By contrast, western MD and PA is downright polite, mostly.

 

[Cybertruck26]

Then the guys on the Harleys and big Beemers and even Gold Wings (nice quiet things, said not to shake one's kidneys loose despite their size) need to have a rather direct talking to with the guys on the crotch rockets that do at least 30 above traffic lane splitting in places where it is NOT legal.

I've always left motorcyclists plenty of room. Rode a little 250cc Yamaha 2 cycle street legal enduro (lots of acceleration up to about 35, topped out at about 65) for awhile myself, long ago. But it's the flamboyant @holes that stick in the memory more than the decent ones. Probably the other way around too, because in the at least NYC (and NJ Turnpike) down somewhat south of DC corridor, many drivers and motorcyclists alike think they have the absolute right to be at the head of the pack, and nearly everyone tailgates. Weaving in and out of 1 1/2 vehicle length slots at 75+ whether car, pickup, or motorcycle (my intro to the NJ Turnpike, years ago), will only get you there a few minutes earlier, while reducing the odds of getting there alive.

By contrast, western MD and PA is downright polite, mostly.

I have definitely seen many crotch rockets flying in and out of cars, splitting lanes all over. That said, in the case I mentioned it was actually a fat boy, and dude was wearing a mask. He get about 10 ft in front of my truck, still riding the line, kept one hand on the bars and turned around... then, the longest middle finger I have ever witnessed in full view of the largest windshield he has ever seen. My first thought wasn't even about the finger, it was more like... where did this dude come from? And, this dude is gonna crash his bike, just to flip me off.

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