Lane-Splitting 1.01

[slofox]

This morning I had an appointment in d'Auckland at 9.00am. In K Road. (with a tailor, not a hooker....)

Being of unsound mind I decided this was an opportunity for a ride (despite the fog). I figured it would be
a). cheaper and
b). probably quicker what with morning rush hour traffic etc...also
c). a chance to see just how crazy the motorway is at that time of morning.

Right on all three counts.

I have to take my hat off to those who use that motorway on a mobike every day. You are a braver lot than I am. Yes I did split - a bit - when the gaps looked wide enough. And I did weave around a bit as well - that felt easier than the splitting. But I watched with admiration as larger bikes than mine were squeezed through the narrowest of gaps between cars, trucks and all other vehemicles.

What also impressed me was the equanimity of the motorists regarding bikes squeezing all round them - not once did I see the sort of reaction I would expect in The Tron (they get shitty here). So hats off to them as well.

All in all, an interesting lesson. I found that even fifteen minutes of it was enough to encourage a little more "enterprise" on my part.

I might try it again. One day...

[ready4whatever]

c'mon slofox why were you really down k road. Its ok, its legal now

[michael]

Trust me not all cagers are so 'accommodating'. I've had bus drivers try swerve in front of me and cars try narrow gaps on purpose. Sometimes its almost better to not have them see you coming so they can't make any sudden changes to either make room or try cut you off (sometimes it's a thin line between the two).

[slofox]

c'mon slofox why were you really down k road. Its ok, its legal now

Hafta pay $500 deposit as well...:Oi:

[Mystic13]

Slofox knows the morning rates are cheaper and the selection better from what I hear. We all know it was a lady you went to see Slofox. lol. She does a good job. Which reminds me I need to zip in and see her. You know you can park out the back instead of on K'Road? It's more discreet. And easier to get a park.

Cheers.

[Swoop]

It is a good thing you picked a day with a "light" amount of traffic. Come back on a wednesday and see the difference.

[slofox]

Slofox knows the morning rates are cheaper and the selection better from what I hear. We all know it was a lady you went to see Slofox. lol. She does a good job. Which reminds me I need to zip in and see her. You know you can park out the back instead of on K'Road? It's more discreet. And easier to get a park.

Cheers.


"from what I hear". Sure,bro, sure. A likely story!

[p.dath]

Slofox knows the morning rates are cheaper and the selection better from what I hear. We all know it was a lady you went to see Slofox. lol. She does a good job. Which reminds me I need to zip in and see her. You know you can park out the back instead of on K'Road? It's more discreet. And easier to get a park.

Cheers.

Do they offer motorcycle parks yet - you know - for those in a hurry?

[YellowDog]

Slofox knows the morning rates are cheaper and the selection better from what I hear. We all know it was a lady you went to see Slofox. lol. She does a good job. Which reminds me I need to zip in and see her. You know you can park out the back instead of on K'Road? It's more discreet. And easier to get a park.

Cheers.
They also tend to loosen up a it by the afternoons.......

The traffic I mean.

I personally find the Southern Motorway a bit overcrowded and quite a chore.

You get some quite good lane splitting mini convoys you can tag onto when the traffic is really heavy. Cop bikes are good to follow :oi-grr:

[steve_t]

Yup. Good ol' Hamiltron. Any time I see a bike split to the front at the lights, the cager at the front decides it's time for a drag race. Hilarious! There aren't a lot of cars that can get to 50 anywhere near as fast as even a 250 :banana:

[MarkH]

You know you can park out the back instead

I'm pretty sure they charge extra for that.

[wysper]

I'm pretty sure they charge extra for that.

Ba Boom Tsh!

or

As the actress said to the bishop

[Ronin]

Ba Boom Tsh!

or

As the actress said to the bishop

As the bishop said to the altar boy

[cowpatz]

Trust me not all cagers are so 'accommodating'. I've had bus drivers try swerve in front of me and cars try narrow gaps on purpose. Sometimes its almost better to not have them see you coming so they can't make any sudden changes to either make room or try cut you off (sometimes it's a thin line between the two).

As you eventually go past just give a friendly downward tap on the side mirror so it is left dangling on the wires ...... might be the best way to educate those errant cagers

[DMNTD]

I've certainly found it 'interesting' to have commute 74kms in that shit everyday. Have done it on many different bikes now and in general if the car drivers know you're coming they move over slightly.
Interestingly enough the ZX14 has been the best to lane split on due to its noise and a wall of headlights

[Thani-B]

I'd guess most Aucklanders are used to having bikes go past them by now. Will see if my new bright and shiny makes a difference to how they act towards me compared to when Im on my GN tomorrow. And try Friday arvo, thats real fun.

[vtec]

Over the last few years, we've been busy training them. I did my fair share morning and night at pace. We have now just blended into their subconscious like the rest of things they encounter on their crawl to and from their cubicle prisons.

[PrincessBandit]

...We all know it was a lady you went to see Slofox. lol. She does a good job. Which reminds me I need to zip in and see her. You know you can park out the back instead of on K'Road? It's more discreet. And easier to get a park.

Cheers.

I always park in the Mercury Lane carpark when i require to go and see "the lady" in K Road....

She does a blimmin' fantastic job, and i've been back more than once!!

[jeffs]

I commute every single day up Aucklands motorways in rush hour , sun, rain, fog no difference to me, I ride.
Nearly all my riding is commuting 10,000k a year +.
I did my first year on a 150cc scooter on the motorways.

In 3 years I have NOT ONCE had a car cut me off, or try to be an ass. I pull to the front of every queue and have never, ever been drag raced. I find if a car sees me, it always opens the gap, never closes it.

The only thing that slows me down are sports bikes who can not see over cars ( don't rise to that one :) ).

Why do I do it.

1. It takes be 1/2 hour less that a car each way. So an hour of my life back each day.
2. If it rains the traffic is slower so easy to ride through.
3. If its sunny, the traffic flows freely so easy to ride with.
4. When I leave work, I concentrate on my riding so switch off to my job. When I get home I am work detoxed.
5. I never have a problem parking.
6. And I love riding my bike.

.
.
.

Biking is not just about open roads, and my list goes on and on...

[MarkH]

Why do I do it.

Good list of reasons. For me there is also the fact that I used my car so little after getting the scooter that I sold it and now don't have a car at all. Driving a car in Auckland traffic is not an experience that I will miss!

[wysper]

I've certainly found it 'interesting' to have commute 74kms in that shit everyday. Have done it on many different bikes now and in general if the car drivers know you're coming they move over slightly.
Interestingly enough the ZX14 has been the best to lane split on due to its noise and a wall of headlights

Interesting aye. Part of me likes the idea of a quiet bike, gone by the time they even know I was there.
I know there is the 'loud pipes save lives' brigade, and there is a certain amount of truth to that. But there is also the "loud pipes scare the shit out of the driver and they do something erratic" effect. Which can be disconcerting.

I even get that on the bike occasionally when a loud pipe bike passes me that I haven't seen coming, you don't even hear them until they are practically passed you anyway, and then it is shit loads of noise and a streak all of a sudden. Hopefully not a streak in your leathers. Can really make you jump.

[GOONR]

I commute every single day up Aucklands motorways in rush hour , sun, rain, fog no difference to me, I ride.
Nearly all my riding is commuting 10,000k a year +.
I did my first year on a 150cc scooter on the motorways.

In 3 years I have NOT ONCE had a car cut me off, or try to be an ass. I pull to the front of every queue and have never, ever been drag raced. I find if a car sees me, it always opens the gap, never closes it.

The only thing that slows me down are sports bikes who can not see over cars ( don't rise to that one :) ).

Why do I do it.

1. It takes be 1/2 hour less that a car each way. So an hour of my life back each day.
2. If it rains the traffic is slower so easy to ride through.
3. If its sunny, the traffic flows freely so easy to ride with.
4. When I leave work, I concentrate on my riding so switch off to my job. When I get home I am work detoxed.
5. I never have a problem parking.
6. And I love riding my bike.

.
.
.

Biking is not just about open roads, and my list goes on and on...

Good list, #4 I hadn't even thought about but you are so right. before I got the bike I would spend my journey home thinking about work, what I need to get done the following day etc. Now as soon as the lid goes on and the start button is pressed work is a distant memory.

I ride over the harbour bridge heading in to town for my commute, most people on there are really good at giving bikes that bit more room, some will move over a little more if they see ya coming up but generally they leave a good gap anyway.

I don't go that fast when I'm splitting (because I'm fairly new to it) so keep an eye out for the faster bikes coming up behind me then pick a gap to move into before they arrive. Some of the quicker bikes fly between the smallest gaps :gob:, I'm not the brave. I won't split the final third of the bridge in the morning either, too many cars changing lanes and jostling for position by then.

I do get the traffic light drag artist's having a go though, Normally on the North Shore for some reason. I don't know if it's because I have the "L" on the back of the bike or what. I just shrug it off, even my little 250 is quicker off the mark than most cars without even trying. If they get in front I'm not bothered, if they end up tailgating I'll pull up and let them head towards their own accident.

But yeah, I have seen some fast precise splitting on my commutes in Auckland.

[firefighter]

The only thing that slows me down are sports bikes who can not see over cars

Weird.......dunno what kinda sportsbikes you've seen or ridden? All the ones iv'e seen and ridden seem to have the highest viewpoint.

[PrincessBandit]

The thought of commuting into the city every day does not appeal to me, but I still agree the bike is the way to do it. I'm not a seasoned lane splitter and generally if in doubt I avoid doing it - much to the scorn of some riders who split past my patient crawl in the queue.
I'm such a goody two shoes that I'd hate to cause damage to anyones car in the process so only do it when I can 99.9% guarantee to myself that I won't end up in trouble. My bike is such a heavy beast for me that I don't push my luck trying to "do the biker thing" and ending up making a fool of myself.
I do admire those who appear to split so effortlessly, and know that practice improves the skill, but I'll stick with being a slow learner in that respect.

[Supermac Jr]

Good list, #4 .....Now as soon as the lid goes on and the start button is pressed work is a distant memory.



True! try to get in the right frame of mind while putting my gear on after work and try to get work out of my head before heading off.
Sometimes I'll stand and just look at my bike (oh I love her...:love:) to relax

[DMNTD]

I even get that on the bike occasionally when a loud pipe bike passes me that I haven't seen coming, you don't even hear them until they are practically passed you anyway, and then it is shit loads of noise and a streak all of a sudden...

That certainly would be the way if someone is splitting quickly.
TBH I don't split very quick at all...I mean I'm only going to work so why hurry eh? :eek:

[wysper]

That certainly would be the way if someone is splitting quickly.
TBH I don't split very quick at all...I mean I'm only going to work so why hurry eh? :eek:

I even get it occasionally on the open road. But I am with you, I don't rush to work LOL.

I find most drivers to be pretty good when I am splitting though.

[PuppetMaster]

This morning I had an appointment in d'Auckland at 9.00am. In K Road. (with a hooker....)..


Welcome to "the SUCK".

[jeffs]

There are many things to remember to have a safe easy ride in commuter traffic.

But the number one rule while lane splitting is " Ride to you abilities".

If you see a bike catching you, pull over and let them past. If you do not, they are likely to put themselves at risk to get around you.

Once they have gone past, don't follow at their speed. You were not riding like them before they caught you, so don't ride like them after they pass you.

Don't keep switching lanes, you will stick out like a sore thumb to the police.

Don't keep switching lanes, because cars using their mirrors before a lane change ( and some do ) will loose sight of you and its not their fault.

Don't just look for police cars, keep you eyes out for cars with extra lights in the rear windows ( un-marked cars ).

If the traffic starts to flow freely, don't just lane split quicker, feed in and flow with the traffic.

Don't cry if you get pulled over, but if you are doing less that 20kph faster than the traffic around you ( and it is not stopped ), and you are not ducking and weaving between the cars, you probably wont be ( unless its a bike cop, then there is not doubt, you will be stopped ).

Remember 20kph fasted that a queue of cars doing 60. Is 80k between a line on cars 1.5 meters apart.

50kph faster than a queue of cars doing 10, with drivers half asleep all trying to work out how they can go faster, is psychotic.

[Mystic13]

I always park in the Mercury Lane carpark when i require to go and see "the lady" in K Road....

She does a blimmin' fantastic job, and i've been back more than once!!

PB, You really need to try the back door. It's a walk of around 3 metres to her door. You can also sit on the bike while she checks the fit. Poynton Terrace.

[PrincessBandit]

PB, You really need to try the back door. It's a walk of around 3 metres to her door. You can also sit on the bike while she checks the fit. Poynton Terrace.

Ah hah! Thanks for that - I had no idea. Will check it out next time I have to visit her. Ta!

[st00ji]

i adore lane splitting, worth the price of bike + gear just for the time and sanity savings it provides. i dont think i've ever had a cager deliberately try and stop me from doing it, though plenty of half asleep muppets of all descriptions drift all over the show in their lane, which might make them look like they are trying to close you out. in my experience its unusual for cars to be so close together that i cant get through, though i've seen a few pretty silly things - like the lady this afternoon who flicked on her indicator (at least she did that) to get into the middle lane from the outside lane. she got her left wheel over the catseyes and stopped dead, waiting for someone to let her in! traffic was coasting at 40 or 50k at this point.

experience definitely helps, and some of what i've learned was a little counter intuitive. for example the safest place to be is often between two cars - they may not see you but they are usually aware of each other, and so less likely to try a sudden lane switch. when you have a car on one side and a gap on the other its ripe for a sudden waking up of the driver who promptly decides the gap in the lane beside him means that lane is moving faster! cue sudden lane change. so i tend to zip past those spots once im committed to passing, and then coast along only 5 or 10ks faster than the cars when they are side by side - minimize your exposure to danger!

anyone splitting through moving traffic at much higher speeds is just rolling the dice, i've had more than a few occasions where a car has done something abrupt just in front of me. every time i've had enough time to slow down / take evasive action, but if i had been going faster things could easily have turned out different. when the conditions change, so should your speed!

[Grasshopperus]

i adore lane splitting, worth the price of bike + gear just for the time and sanity savings it provides

Amen brother!

Today I did my first motorway lane-splitting and it was soooooo satisfying. Aucklands southern motorway was completely screwed from Nelson Street all the way to Papakura, that's about 30Kms of tail-gating ranging from 50km/h to 0km/h.

I lane-split it all, hardout. It was an incredibly satisfying experience. For someone who's always hated Friday traffic, being able to FINALLY pass all those other :) idiots was a type of Eurphoria I can't really describe.

My thought process for lane splitting speed is something like
if ((surrounding_traffic_speed <= 40km/h) && (minimum_space_ahead > (bike_witdh * 2))
....my_speed = surrounding_traffic_speed + 20km/h
else
....my_speed = surrounding_traffic_speed
fi

[Swoop]

Another potential issue comes from our asian residents, tho tend to favour the right hand lane on the motorway.
As an experiment last week (in the cage) I was being followed by a chap who REALLY wanted to be in the most right-hand part of our lane. He was most happy to be there...
So I moved over to be in the exact part of the lane as him, almost riding the white line. Low and behold, he pops back into the centre of the lane.
So, I move back as well.

POP! He is instantly back over to the right.
Fucking odd. You can see it when the m'way is empty as well... right hand lane is full of cars...:2guns:

[SPP]

Amen brother! ...

Amen alright. I can't stand driving in rush hour anymore. Too frustrating. Next time, if you see a red CBR in traffic, wave out. I'll be the one laughing my arse off.


...My thought process for lane splitting speed is something like
if ((surrounding_traffic_speed <= 40km/h) && (minimum_space_ahead > (bike_witdh * 2))
....my_speed = surrounding_traffic_speed + 20km/h
else
....my_speed = surrounding_traffic_speed
fi

The tricky part is not to 'fine tune' to: <=80km/h, +40km/h, Bike_width* 1.25

[CookMySock]

there is also the "loud pipes scare the shit out of the driver and they do something erratic" effect. Which can be disconcerting.You just cant think that way. Way too many people are killed from some chain reaction emotional state, where its not hard to "just cope" and the whole thing is disarmed.


I can no longer drive a car in rush hour. Too frustrating.Basically you have to just give up. If you are in the car, forget it and just sit back.. there is never going to be anything you can do about it, so let it go. It's an important life skill. :done:

Steve

[SPP]

Basically you have to just give up. If you are in the car, forget it and just sit back.. there is never going to be anything you can do about it, so let it go. It's an important life skill. :done:

Steve

yes, I think you're right there.