Lane splitting etiquette

[MaxCannon]

I'm sure there's already been a thread mentioning this but I think it bears reiterating.

Check your mirrors while splitting.

Most people I come up behind while splitting wave me though.
If I see someone splitting faster than me I signal that I've seen them and move aside as quick as I can.
Either way - we usually exchange a wave or a thumbs up and carry on pissing off cagers who are stuck bumper to bumper.

Today I was stuck behind two riders, one of the way to work and one of the way home that were oblivious to traffic behind them.
Not about to force my past I ended up behind each one for over 10km.
I've noticed an increase lately in the number of bikes / scooters that I come up behind that have no idea I'm there.
This seems much more prevalent on the NW motorway than I remember it on the Southern or the South Western.

So, remember to check whats in your mirrors. It's courteous to other lane splitters and I vaguely recall something about it in the road code too.

[rustic101]

At least I'm not alone. Nothing more frustrating and have noticed over the past two weeks an increasing trend from like minded slower splitters. I'm a nut bar at the best of times when splitting but always check for that faster headlight filling my mirror lol.

[Headbanger]

Fuck sake, Sharing the road with others is a bastard aint it?

Personally I'm on the other side of the coin, The arse bandit who came screaming up behind me a couple of weeks back can go fuck himself, I hope I ruined his day, In fact I think I did just by daring to be on his road.

[CookMySock]

Fuck sake, Sharing the road with others is a bastard aint it? Personally I'm on the other side of the coin, The arse bandit who came screaming up behind me a couple of weeks back can go fuck himself, I hope I ruined his day, In fact I think I did just by daring to be on his road.Yeah that about summarises it perfectly.

If you are stuck, then you are. Live with it. Suck your guts in and cope. Boo hoo hoo. Sometimes shit is frustrating, and its your own problem - not anyone elses'.

Steve

[Mully]

So, remember to check whats in your mirrors. It's courteous to other lane splitters and I vaguely recall something about it in the road code too.

I generally do let others go. I filter at a speed I consider safe, so if someone feels they can go faster safely, I just let them go.

As for scooters, there are a number of them that use the North Western carpark which aren't entitled to be on the motorway at all.

[Swoop]

I wait for a while if behind someone. If they choose not to pull over... A quick blip of the throttle generally alerts them to another bike up behind.
Failing that... 1a.

[zeocen]

I was stuck behind a fatty BMW in stand still traffic yesterday morning, I see him regularly as he has his hazards on when he splits. He was all over the show trying to split as slow as he could due to the width of his bike.

I didn't get angry, I simply changed lanes and split through and went back to the former lane ahead of him and went on my merry way. No need to get angry :)

[Cayman911]

Nothing's as crazy as the scooters splitting down symond st while im trying to split on my bike. looking in the mirror dosnt even help because they are there and arent there in a matter of a second.
its just crazy, they are in and out of traffic like flies. i find them to be more of a hazard to me than the cagers in that particular area.

[GOONR]

Nothing's as crazy as the scooters splitting down symond st while im trying to split on my bike. looking in the mirror dosnt even help because they are there and arent there in a matter of a second.
its just crazy, they are in and out of traffic like flies. i find them to be more of a hazard to me than the cagers in that particular area.

Totally agree with ya there, I was filtering in that neck of the woods when a scooter squeezes between me and one of the cars I'm filtering past at a stupid speed. Crazy!

When I'm splitting on the motorway I keep an eye out for the faster splitters and make it obvious I have seen them, move over and let them past. Usually get a wave or a nod in return. I actually had a bus move over and wave me through on the harbour bridge this morning, that was a first.

[CookMySock]

I didn't get angry, I simply changed lanes and split through and went back to the former lane ahead of him and went on my merry way. No need to get angry :)Lone voice of sense and reason... tumbleweed...

Steve

[PuppetMaster]

Fuck sake, Sharing the road with others is a bastard aint it?

Personally I'm on the other side of the coin, The arse bandit who came screaming up behind me a couple of weeks back can go fuck himself, I hope I ruined his day, In fact I think I did just by daring to be on his road.


I understand your sentiment. But really, why would you bother. The other side of the coin should be moving back into traffic to let said cock sucker past, so you can get back to enjoying your ride. Spit on the fucker as they pass if required (remember to raise visor).
Im no speed demon mental cunty fuck face. I split at my speed and I reguarly catch up with nubs whom mostly let me pass. Some dont cause they are most likely too busy thinking about fiddling with kids at the local school, but most let me pass. And I always show other bikers respect and let them pass, sometimes with spit, sometimes without.

[Headbanger]

I understand your sentiment. But really, why would you bother. The other side of the coin should be moving back into traffic to let said cock sucker past.

That is exactly what I did do, However I do not appreciate the pressure being put on my tail. It creates an unnecessary situation. Fuck em.

[Gone Burger]

I am a very slow lane splitter. Still getting used to it. But I am constantly on the look out in my mirrors for faster folk coming up behind me. And I always pull back into the traffic when I spot them. But sometimes it may take me a moment to find a comfortable space to merge back in to let them past, and some people get shitty within a second of being behind me.

Come on people, you can see I'm trying to get out of your way, don't get so shitty if I can't do it as fast as you. Gotta learn somehow right? Still, I always move, 98% of the time well before they have reached me. It seems that that still isn't enough for some people.

[meteor]

That's what mirrors are for isn't it, just like... dare I say it.. when you're in a car... get the F. outta of the way of faster traffic and it's safer for everyone. I avoid the motorway but a couple of weeks ago was splitting up behind a fat Harley with wide bars between lanes 2-3 around Greenlane. He had his passenger (think it was a girl) and after a minute or so sitting behind him he nearly came off, coming to grief beside and nearly under a truck. I chopped over to between lanes 1-2 and left him to it. Gotta leave yourself options!

[firefighter]

What I find worse is when some dick-face on a cruiser flys passed you when you are splitting and have stopped beside the cars, obviously for a reason, to let a car cross the traffic into a driveway, and said dipshit flying down passed you, cuts off the car and keeps going like he's the Lord of the fucking road.

If this was you and you turned right at the rounabout into Massey Uni/Albany last week, open your fucken eyes and do'nt be an arrogant twat. That person you cut off may just take it out on me next time. You fucken moron. You truely deserved to have that car turn in front of you and I would have 100% backed him up when the cops came along.

[proseuche]

freaks, just push in over to the next lane then split up that lane for a bit then push back over and give the guy a backwards finger for being a dick and going so slow. bet they were in hi-vis.

[zeocen]

freaks, just push in over to the next lane then split up that lane for a bit then push back over and give the guy a backwards finger for being a dick and going so slow. bet they were in hi-vis.

"Push in"?
You're aware the road isn't solely yours, right? You sound like a fucking idiot, christ, I hope the time I leave for work is different to yours.

[Laxi]

followed the worst splitter into town today, braked for no reason and was slow as fuck! but whet really ripped my undies was when he finaly moved over like he was letting me passed then slammed the door on me when I was right behind him, my fault for being in a bad mood and running late but the resulting lockup must have made him shit himself, the funny thing was i finaly passed him when he paused at the sight of a cop car, then filtered past it only to pull in front of it:crazy:

[MaxCannon]

Haha - well they don't make my blood boil like some on here.

I will on occassion zip across a lane to get around slow lane splitters but I tend to be very cautious whenever there are tons of cars/trucks/busses around.

[Skyryder]

I tried splitting a lane the other day but some bastard stuck it back.


Skyryder

[mattian]

freaks, just push in over to the next lane then split up that lane for a bit then push back over and give the guy a backwards finger for being a dick and going so slow. bet they were in hi-vis.

duuuuuuuuhhhh. you sound like the unfortunate creation of 2 cousins who got married.

[SPP]

I've been riding a bit wild lately so wanted to check myself. Taking it easy and politely, especially filtering. Word of advice, its easy to "nod off" when ambling along. Had my wake up call today by pulling over to let another bike through. Rear ended the nice lady in front.

Lesson:
It doesn't hurt to pull over. What may hurt is paying more attention to the guy behind than the car in front.

[MarkH]

So, remember to check whats in your mirrors. It's courteous to other lane splitters and I vaguely recall something about it in the road code too.

This is a good idea, especially for the slow & nervous lane splitters. More than once I have come up behind a biker straddling the line between the lanes looking at the gap between the cars ahead and thinking about whether to try squeezing through or not. I generally split with confidence and don't really need much leeway on either side, I wouldn't be the fastest lane splitter, but I probably split faster than average. When I come up behind another bike in my way then I'll switch to 1a if there are 3 lanes or I'll wait semi-patiently if there are only 2 lanes. When someone notices I am behind them and moves into a lane to let me pass then I am grateful for the courtesy.

[Kendog]

When I am splitting my full attention is on what is in front of me. The last thing I need to be worried about is someone behind me.

I am even less worried about holding up some of the posters in this thread. Talk about the wrong attitude for riding on the road.

[Tunahunter]

Do you have to lane split in Whanganui - do have rush hours?

[<Rhino>]

I was splitting the other day, was really fucked up, people were really pissed, swerving all over the place, giving me the fingers, swearing and giving me right shit!!! FUCKERS.........

Then I remembered I had sold my bike and I was back in my cage....

[CookMySock]

freaks, just push in over to the next lane then split up that lane for a bit then push back over and give the guy a backwards finger for being a dick and going so slow. bet they were in hi-vis.LOL thats great! You'd be fun to ride with!


When I am splitting my full attention is on what is in front of me. The last thing I need to be worried about is someone behind me.Hrm you need to have a good dose of speed on to ignore what's behind you. Let's hope his headlights are on fullbeam at least, so you are alerted.


I am even less worried about holding up some of the posters in this thread. Talk about the wrong attitude for riding on the road.They should do a trackday - that'll put them straight.

What's in front of you is your responsibility. Same rule applies for the person behind you.

Steve

[proseuche]

haters. i'm only little, i fit fine. they love it.

mattian - keep that shit in glenfield please. don't be shopping it around in here.

third hater - i'm east, not south. ew, now i have to shower.

[Headbanger]

Do you have to lane split in Whanganui - do have rush hours?

Damned if I know, Never heard of the place.Sounds like a shithole.

That aside, I roam far and wide, and sometimes I have the misfortune of visiting towns where people haven't have the good sense to get the fuck out, This results in many miserable people in cars, and douche bags on bikes racing between the lanes.

If thats what motorcycling was about, I'd give it away and go and do something that doesn't suck.

[Swoop]

Fuck I laughed this morning!
Being held up by another bike AND having a bright blue bumblebee scroter up my arse. He didn't hang about on the scrote once I pulled over!
Go the motorway scooter riders of doom!!!:Punk::Punk::rockon:

[Ferkletastic]

freaks, just push in over to the next lane then split up that lane for a bit then push back over and give the guy a backwards finger for being a dick and going so slow. bet they were in hi-vis.


Push in over? I'll keep an eye out for a flat vtr. As for the hi-vis hate, yeah man screw those guys for wanting to be a bit more visible, what dicks, they probably don't even mind wearing their helmets.

[modboy]

Saw a scooter dude in a tee shirt and shorts absolutely scream through very slow traffic on vivian street the other day ...
Weaved past me as I was carefully splitting. I was just waiting for a lane changer and watch him cartwheel ...

Not as dumb as the boyracer muppet the other day that flew past me in a 50k zone, 100 metres up the road indicated left, pulled over then immediately U turned right in front of me. Mary mother of god, I was so tempted to turn and chase him down.

[Laxi]

, I was so tempted to turn and chase him down.
like the dog chasing the car! what do you do if you catch him?

[modboy]

like the dog chasing the car! what do you do if you catch him?

haha yea that did occur to me, but I felt like giving him a taste of the hard knuckle panels on my Triumph Expeditions...

he looked to be a skinny little knob.

[Cayman911]

Saw a scooter dude in a tee shirt and shorts absolutely scream through very slow traffic on vivian street the other day ...
Weaved past me as I was carefully splitting. I was just waiting for a lane changer and watch him cartwheel ...



It seems they think just because they are on a 50cc scooter they are immune to "motorcycle crashes"

[zeocen]

haters. i'm only little, i fit fine. they love it..

I'd hazard a guess at my mirrors being just as wide as yours. Though your ego seems to be limitless.
I stand by the "fucking idiot" remark.

[PrincessBandit]

I have to say that the experience of splitting (a necessity for me now getting into the city at peak travel times) means I've become more adept at it. The mental effort it takes though is compounded by also having to "watch out" for bum bandits who feel that those of us doing our best have to shove over. For what it's worth, my eyes are doing a constant check for riders coming up my behind and do move across asap to let them through. People who feel the need to split at considerably higher speeds than mine surely are clever enough to pick another "inbetween" lane than the one I'm in!

[proseuche]

ferkle - exactly, well put. dicks.

zeo - you can squeeze those suckers inwards if need be. fucking idiot? you give me too much credit. blushskies. :> xx

[mattian]

ferkle - exactly, well put. dicks.

zeo - you can squeeze those suckers inwards if need be. fucking idiot? you give me too much credit. blushskies. :> xx

Are you related to Dean by any chance?

[Clean_up]

haters. i'm only little, i fit fine. they love it.




I bet you say that to all the boys ;)

[Ferkletastic]

ferkle - exactly, well put. dicks.

zeo - you can squeeze those suckers inwards if need be. fucking idiot? you give me too much credit. blushskies. :> xx


Your sarcasm meter is broken.

I'm calling troll.

[proseuche]

bahaha you're serious, aren't you? that's so awesome. i double-cross sarcasmed your ass. maybe this hasn't lost the funness yet afterall.

[RUSS]

Not wanting to sound like your misus, but you're probably doing it too quick.