Lane splitting/filtering: the legal and commonsense answers

**Indiana_Jones** · 29th November 2006, 11:24

How slippery do the cat eyes, or those bubble things on the M-way get when it's wet?

-Indy

**vamr** · 29th November 2006, 19:00

Originally Posted by Indiana_Jones

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How slippery do the cat eyes, or those bubble things on the M-way get when it's wet?

-Indy

As long as you don't brake, open the throttle or lean the bike on them I doubt you'd notice they are even there (apart from the bump over the cat eyes).

**apteryx_haasti** · 29th November 2006, 20:29

Well, it finally happened. On my way home this afternoon I lane split right past a cop car. Traffic was maybe going 20 kph and I was going maybe 30 kph. I didn't see him until I was about 1 car behind, so I just remembered what I'd read and carried on past in the same fashion as I had been riding.

MY question - if I was actually doing anything that said cop thought was not correct, would they have to pull me over on my travels, or can I receive an infringement notice (for whatever it might be) in the mail if he took offense (and my rego number!)....?

Very curious. Like I say, I don't THINK I was doing anything wrong, but it is such a grey area....

**Ixion** · 29th November 2006, 21:36

In theory he can send u a ticket in the mail. Or break your front door in and arrest you and cart you off to the Clink. But in practice I would be utterly astonished if he did anything at all.

Oh, and your reason for editing is not sufficient. Please unedit it immediately
'

**Gremlin** · 30th November 2006, 00:50

Originally Posted by Indiana_Jones

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How slippery do the cat eyes, or those bubble things on the M-way get when it's wet?

depends... ride over a huge line of them, with high revs, and it can be interesting

Just remember its smooth wet plastic, so grip would be hard to achieve in most circumstances. I really hate it when I almost get stuck on them, and ride over multiple sets at a time, it really gets irritating

I have also found that the cops sitting in traffic actually cut you the most slack (well, from my own experience). The ones you have to normally watch out for, are sitting on the over bridges, or hiding on the on-ramps.

**Karma** · 30th November 2006, 01:29

Originally Posted by Toaster

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city bus lanes are okay for bikers to play on the lovely green paint (I wonder how much fun that stuff would be in the wet...)

Actually the paint would be quite good... it's not just paint on it's own, it actually has more grip than the rest of the road...

**Indiana_Jones** · 30th November 2006, 07:10

Originally Posted by Gremlin

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I really hate it when I almost get stuck on them, and ride over multiple sets at a time, it really gets irritating

lol yea, that's annoying!

And I went past 2 cops this week, they cager cops don't seem to mind, but myself and a few other riders saw a biker cop ahead on the way home yesterday, and as the other guy said who was riding next to me "We're all beening good boys!"

-Indy

**Swoop** · 30th November 2006, 11:53

Originally Posted by apteryx_haasti

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I didn't see him until I was about 1 car behind...

I think you might need to be looking further in front of you when riding! To only see something when it is that close...
Marked cars are easy, mufti cops (isn't a mufti an islamic leader???) are more of a challenge.

**Indiana_Jones** · 7th December 2006, 11:24

Originally Posted by Swoop

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I think you might need to be looking further in front of you when riding! To only see something when it is that close...
Marked cars are easy, mufti cops (isn't a mufti an islamic leader???) are more of a challenge.

Pretty true, HP cars u can spot ages away. But marked ones are a bitch, well for me at least. I started splitting in front of one today, only knew he was a cop cause' I saw a guy in unifrom behind the wheel lol, I quickly buzzed off and hoped he hadn't radioed ahead

-Indy

**Ixion** · 7th December 2006, 11:29

Apropos of which, am I the only one who thinks it's a right pain the number of people wearing hi-vis vests when driving (presumably, on their way to or from work - lots of places make people wear them now).

One easily spotted marker of a mufti used to be the glimpse of green fluoro .(Course, *some* of the bastiges didn't play fair and wear them ) Now it's all over the shop.

**The_Dover** · 7th December 2006, 11:31

I just constantly scan the rear window.

The disco lights aren't exactly inconspicuous, unless you're splitting like a right twat.

**WickedOne** · 7th December 2006, 11:33

On my way home yesterday I was sitting behind a bike cop because I wasn't sure if he would pull me up about lane splitting or not. The guy then opens his helmet and pulls in besides me. Turns out to be an english fellow and he says to me: "Go ahead, it's alright to filter as long as you do it safely, otherwise there's no point in owning a motorcycle is there? So thanks mr officer and off I go!!! Bring on more cops like that!!!

**Kflasher** · 7th December 2006, 11:39

Well Wednesday morning heading to work, lane splitting as you do, passed a small truck only to find a concealed HP car in front of it. Not only was I totally committed to my lane splitting actions there were a few extra officers in the car as well. One appeared to be of high command to the others. I know I have split passed unmarked cars before but marked cars seem to have an uneasy feeling about them…

**apteryx_haasti** · 7th December 2006, 11:51

Originally Posted by WickedOne

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On my way home yesterday I was sitting behind a bike cop because I wasn't sure if he would pull me up about lane splitting or not. The guy then opens his helmet and pulls in besides me. Turns out to be an english fellow and he says to me: "Go ahead, it's alright to filter as long as you do it safely, otherwise there's no point in owning a motorcycle is there? So thanks mr officer and off I go!!! Bring on more cops like that!!!

Awesome! Bling to that copper - whoever he is. Since I don't know, I will just bling you instead (for sharing!)