Lane splitting/filtering: the legal and commonsense answers

[skippa1]

Doing great thanks. I have a job I love, a Mrs who takes great care of me and good friends who I can trust with my life. I had the pleasure of enjoying a nice ride up SH16 yesterday with that "new tyre feeling" on my Kawasaki, what more can one ask for out of life?

good for you, sounds like you are living the dream. Im good thanks for asking. I start a new job tomorrow, I also have a good woman and just racked up 4000kms on the new bike in three weeks.

[DMNTD:Me]

what happened?

He ran out of perceived talent and losted, hard by the looks

Was that a few hundred meters past the constellation drive on-ramp? Black sports bike? I've been passed by some real nutters long there. I don't leave my indicator on while lane splitting. I use it to indicate when I am pulling back into a lane. The way I see it, all responsibility rests with me. The drivers can't be expected to watch out for lane splitter all the time. Most are pretty good. I hat doing it, but my regular route involves a road works and a narrow single lane. I am not going back until that's sorted. Well I hope the rider is OK. I have no way of knowing what happened, so I am not going to judge him. What we are doing is really risky and this cannot be compensated for by skill alone.

Yerp...but he is one of several matching that description around there. There's another guy that does the most divine stand up wheelies too.
Here's hoping he doesn't run out of talent too because that shit will hurt.

Re indicators...please do leave them on as I do not want to be apart of an accident/mirror clipping scenario and with them flashing away I have more chance of reading others riding etc
You could buy a decent lil bike with the cost of replacing on of "my"wing mirrors

[Katman]

Re indicators...please do leave them on as I do not want to be apart of an accident/mirror clipping scenario and with them flashing away I have more chance of reading others riding etc

It's all about the sharing of information.

[DMNTD:Me]

It's all about the sharing of information.

True that fulla bro...the more I can read about others on the road, the less likely they will mess up my car/bike

[SNF]

My commonwhore tuggomatic does not have to launch off at 16,000rpm on a hill start, so it is highly unlikely that you you will end up being spat out under my back bumper. However I have more self dicipline to drive my cage than some ride their bikes, guess it helps to keep the road toll down, and I actually make my destination, rather than dead on time.

Was in a grump from said incident, guess I ran out of patience and discipline that day. Need to look at how I ride, occasionally do some dumb things. Don't really want to become another "mad bastard on a sports bike with L's!" statistic.

[Grashopper]

You could buy a decent lil bike with the cost of replacing on of "my"wing mirrors

Can I have one of your mirrors, please? Or better both, I do want to upgrade

[DMNTD:Me]

Can I have one of your mirrors, please? Or better both, I do want to upgrade

Sure, we are offering 0% and 1/3 1/3 1/3 until the end of this month

[swbarnett]

Have you never observed random behaviour by drivers. Like "oh, I'll just take that call", or "oops, I spilled my latte"? I am not going to argue with you, but I don't share your confidence.

I disagree with your assertion on two counts:

1. Done properly, lane splitting is no more risky than any other form of road use.

2. The rider's skills are exactly what is needed to keep a lane splitter out of trouble. No, we can't control the actions of other drivers/riders; but we sure as hell can control how I react to them.

Leaving enough margin for error (mine or theirs) is something that was drummed into me when I first started riding. If I get myself into a situation where a mistake on either side results in harm to myself then I have not fulfilled my responsibility to my own safety.

Yes, I have observed random behaviour by drivers. I have had cars swerve towards me while I was lane splitting. However, I have always had the room to avoid an injurious impact. The few times I have made contact with the other vehicle only resulted in damage to my ego and were entirely my own fault.

[swbarnett]

So ... overtaking vehicles ... that can be close enough that you "clip" their wing mirrors ... is not dangerous.

Done at the right speed, no.

And ... takes NO skill to perform at any time ... ???

Where the hell did you get that? Skill is DEFINITELY required. What I disagreed with was the assertion that skill alone is not enough to keep us out of trouble.

[swbarnett]

I believe that for Mr Branett it's all about self-justification

I have come to the beliefs I now hold from exactly the opposite. Look back over my posts and you'll find that I have conceded a point on a number of occasions. I believe in listening to the arguments of others and gleaning what seems reasonable, if that is contrary to my current thinking then all the better; that means I've learnt something. I am happy to change my views if mine are shown to be illogical. You failed to do so.

[Disco Dan]

You get pretty good at predicting cars that are going to change lanes. Most of the time that has nothing to do with their indicator lights. Small changes in road position of the car, driver turning their head and gaps in traffic are the basic ones for me. You see a gap appear - instantly look at cars nearby who may wish to move into it. Cars moving to the edges of their lane - drivers naturally drift to the edge of the lane before they indicate and cross that line. Also look out for those that are actively checking their side mirrors as you approach - they are either angry/jealous and plan to move over to block you/make it more difficult for your or they are pro bikers and keeping an eye on your position. The few that do indicate generally indicate at the same time they begin moving so never rely on that as an early indication of them moving.

Keep a look out for trucks/trailers/caravans/horse boxes etc - they can create 'pinch points' especially on bends (even long sweeping bends) between the lanes of stationary traffic. Never go between two large trucks on a bend... unless they are both stationary and you can get through quickly and before anything moves again.

Keep an eye out behind you - if your going slower than other bikers splitting you can start to hold them up. Join the flow, let them pass and continue at your pace.

Always be prepared for ANY vehicle to suddenly move into your path. Cover your brake lever and your clutch lever, know your exit - have a plan that you constantly update in your head. Ie - if that red one moves over, I have space to brake or I have space to get behind the green one to avoid... etc etc

I found I would say to myself - that car is going to change lanes, then they would indicate and change lanes a few seconds later. Almost felt like I was predicting the future.. (was awesome) but then I started to really analyse what was going on and started noticing all these little clues (as mentioned) there is more but tricky for me to put into words.

Generally I would say for you to avoid lane splitting if you still panic brake when given a sudden incident. If you remain calm as a cucumber when someone pulls out on you or you have to suddenly avoid something - react calmly but quickly, then that is a pretty good indicator that your ready for lane splitting.

Hope that helps...

[Madness]

I am happy to change my views if mine are shown to be illogical. You failed to do so.

Had any post in this thread shown my personal views on this subject to be illogical I would be happy to change them. Unfortunately this is yet to happen and if anything at all your own posts in this thread have simply reinforced my views. I'd call that a fail.

Disco; nice post, well put.

[FJRider]

Done at the right speed, no.

So ... what is the right speed to lane split .. ??

Where the hell did you get that? Skill is DEFINITELY required. What I disagreed with was the assertion that skill alone is not enough to keep us out of trouble.

What else is required then ... a fair dose of luck ... ???

[bosslady]

[Dragon]

So ... what is the right speed to lane split .. ??




What else is required then ... a fair dose of luck ... ???

I think the ablity to not go oh shit and panic as well as knowing the bike well/how to get out of trouble helps

On friday I was splitting down the wellington motorway behind a guy on a Triumph and I almost went up the back of him due to the fact somone cut him off ( I think im not 100% sure why he slammed on his brakes because I was trying to avoid hitting him)

I managed to get around him but it could have gone very bad, I fucked up and shouldnt have let the situation happen and looking back I was probably pushing my splitting skill level to the conditons but the fact I was aware of a gap to go for and not to just lock up the brakes I did okish :s

Still a scary expirence that I will learn from