Has lane-splitting reached critical mass?

**vtec** · 14th October 2009, 08:56

Stuck in my car in traffic yesterday, and noticed that there were plenty of motorcycles splitting through the crawling traffic, and people in their vehicles were actually moving over to let them through as opposed to moving to block like they often used to.

Is this because the number of splitters has finally reached a critical mass where it is seen as acceptable behaviour by the masses. Have the car driving population realised that if a bike filters through it actually frees up road space for faster flowing traffic? Have the police all got a similar engagement policy for lane splitters, like it's safe up until a certain speed differential?

Attitudes seem to have changed in the last couple of years.

**Headbanger** · 14th October 2009, 09:32

If I can find two cars traveling parallel to each other in these parts then I'll have a crack at scooting between them and get back to ya with my thoughts on the matter.

Personally if I had to ride between rows and rows and rows of crawling cars, I'd move to some place that didn't suck.

**vifferman** · 14th October 2009, 09:44

Originally Posted by Headbanger

Personally if I had to ride between rows and rows and rows of crawling cars, I'd move to some place that didn't suck.

A good thought. Oh, that it were that simple....

To be honest, even though I live in APlaceThatSucks (Aucks, fer shirt), I very rarely need to be splitting the lanes apart with my SplittingThang. That can be avoided, mostly, by choosing the time of one's departure. I don't like doing the LoonSplittingThang, as there's those knobbly things on the road, that go babump, babump, babump, and those retards that can't drive unless there's markings on the road to help them steer their vehicles, so they tend to drive close to them, so they can aim along the dotted dot things. This leaves little room for TheLooninessOfLoonSpilting, so one must do this on the blindside, or in the gutter, or OtherPlacesNotTreeeelllyIntendedForTraffickingOn, which also tend to be full of Road Shite (a distant cousin of Gob Shite). 73.63% of bogus made-up statistics about punctures in motorbicyckle tyres come from these forbidden zones.

**Insanity_rules** · 14th October 2009, 09:46

Lane spliting is the best invention known to man, it means I can get home from work about 20- 25 minutes quicker than when i have to be caged. I have noticed fewer and fewer cagers trying to kill me so it must be getting acceptable.

**FROSTY:Me** · 14th October 2009, 09:47

on my daily commute i dont see much lane splitting

**Cheshire Cat** · 14th October 2009, 09:49

is lane-splitting illegal?

**R6_kid:Me** · 14th October 2009, 10:00

I think there are still tossers out there who take it too far - doing stupid speeds, and even lane splitting when the traffic is doing 80-90-100kmh already.

I don't rely on it anywhere near as much as I used to, and as such I don't feel the need to lane split at break neck speeds. I still find myself catching up to other people but that's because they are doing it extra-cautiously and only passing when one lane is completely stopped.

It's more or less illegal, but if you practice common sense and don't ride like a dickhead when you're doing it you usually don't have any trouble. I pass cop cars nearly everyday - I've been pulled over once in 6 years, and I deserved it at the time.

**Crisis management** · 14th October 2009, 10:04

Originally Posted by vtec

Attitudes seem to have changed in the last couple of years.

I agree, it's easier now and cars etc move aside to create a gap for me, I will quite often have chat to the drivers I'm stopped next too and I've not had any snide comments, more about, nice bike, looks like fun stuff...

Maybe it's an attitude tho, I don't go out to cut up cars and cause mayhem either....that's a not so subtle hint at some of the dickheads on bikes I see.

**sleemanj** · 14th October 2009, 10:28

Originally Posted by R6_kid

It's more or less illegal, but if you practice common sense and don't ride like a dickhead when you're doing it you usually don't have any trouble. I pass cop cars nearly everyday - I've been pulled over once in 6 years, and I deserved it at the time.

Not illegal as I understand.

Passing stopped cars is fine, they are deemed to be parked.

Overtaking on the right is fine. Stay in the lane with car on your left, do it at low speed so as to not be dangerous. All good.

**huff3r** · 14th October 2009, 10:31

It seems quite a few people seem to move out of the way these days, but there are still those that intentionally block you. I can't understand why, is it jealousy? I've heard claims of "I don't let them past because what they are doing is dangerous" but it seems to me its considerably more dangerous when a car you're trying to pass at a reasonably slow and safe speed suddenly decides to pull in front of you!

**bogan** · 14th October 2009, 10:35

Some cars know it's legal, others hate you for it, and some reckon its illegal but just dont care, quite possibly in equaly proportions!

**Marmoot** · 14th October 2009, 10:37

Originally Posted by Headbanger

If I can find two cars traveling parallel to each other in these parts then I'll have a crack at scooting between them and get back to ya with my thoughts on the matter.

Where in the world is Wanganui???

**CookMySock** · 14th October 2009, 10:37

I think its the bikers who are more worried, than anyone else.

1.) It feels like "cheating" and people may dissaprove.

2.) Riders still think they are as wide as a car, and won't fit in that gap - a brain thing.

3.) It feels illegal, when its not.. but still..

I have had only a few times had cars deliberately close a gap in heavy traffic. Suffice to say that was only a temporary measure. I have never had anyone do a deliberately dangerous manoevre in front of me in retaliation.

I have been in a car with (boy racer) mates, where a biker cut through in front of them, and they were really fucked off. I laughed at him and said "nar bikes can do that - its legal too!". He was not impressed.

I once split to the front of a line of traffic stopped at the lights, and some dick took umbrage at me, hurling abuse and blasting his horn. Fortunately he was already behind me, and at the green light I was long gone. Seconds later, disco lights everywhere and the fuzz has HIM pulled up on the side of the road and no doubt had a wee "discussion" about such behaviour. Fuck I was worried though, lol.

Steve

**Cheshire Cat** · 14th October 2009, 10:37

Originally Posted by R6_kid

I think there are still tossers out there who take it too far - doing stupid speeds, and even lane splitting when the traffic is doing 80-90-100kmh already.

I don't rely on it anywhere near as much as I used to, and as such I don't feel the need to lane split at break neck speeds. I still find myself catching up to other people but that's because they are doing it extra-cautiously and only passing when one lane is completely stopped.

It's more or less illegal, but if you practice common sense and don't ride like a dickhead when you're doing it you usually don't have any trouble. I pass cop cars nearly everyday - I've been pulled over once in 6 years, and I deserved it at the time.

I was taught by the best then eh

**Hiflyer** · 14th October 2009, 10:39

I think it's deemed acceptable by some, some others think its great and move over for you but I have never had anyone actually move to get in the way.

There have been times when people are just stupid and dont realise the right hand side of their car bumping along over the catseyes and dont move over.... I want their suspension