Lane splitting/filtering: the legal and commonsense answers

[Lou Girardin]

to drag off the first cage in line when the lights change?

I don't, it feels a bit bad mannered like pushing in to the line at the bank, I will sit in their mirror and merge behind them as they move off.

Until you meet Mr Psycho Driver who runs you into the kerb (it happened) get away quick and build a good safety cushion from the car behind.
I was filtering down the Grafton on-ramp on Tuesday and wondered why the bike ahead was stopped in the traffic, 10 metres further on I saw the reason - Bike Plod. So, nothing ventured, nothing gained, I carried on past him. Plod couldn't have cared less. I guess he thought it was a bigger crime to sit in traffic on a bike.

[Roj]

Oh, by the way, the other day I made the 11km commute in 9min ?sec, can you guys up north do that?

Not a problem in Hamilton

We think there is a traffic jam if you have to wait 1 minute...

[stelartia]

i have just read this entire thread and yes it has helped alot. ive been riding for 2 years now and after driving a car for 9 years i find it hard to judge that gap between cars for lane-splitting. have been practising though and find it better every time. i prefer to travel like a car unless its heavy traffic. like was said earlier - why have a bike otherwise.

[bull]

My views on splitting.
As a noob i approached Riffer as a mentor to lead me through for a couple of runs into Wellington. Was my first time ever lane-splitting and those three morning runs in peak hr traffic did wonders for my confidence. The next few days by myself i was quite comfortable to split through. As Riffer advised me - always cover the front brake and always have an escape route.
After a month or so of splitting i have found that i cna read the traffic alot better, simple things like checking for gaps ahead of high sided vehicles as cages like to jump into the gaps willy nilly. Searching as far ahead as possible, checking mirrors for other bikes coming through and taking care when passing other bikes incase they decide to just come out to split.
Also having a good look at what cars are at the front of the queue, boy racers etc then i dont filter to the front, also if cops at the front i dont like the thought of sitting beside their windows. Did make the mistake of pulling in front of a boy racer on Wednesday just gone, he took exception to it and fair revved the shit out of his car behind me on takeoff, i went for gold and left him behind for a while then when he caught up he was in the fast lane doing about 130km/h whilst i cruised at 109km/h - but he hadnt seen the cop over on the left with lights flashing - obviously he still had the red mist in his eyes from the traffic lights, i laughed my head off as his car dived under braking.

So by all means do it if youre comfortable doing it but make sure you do it safely and expect the unexpected

[BarBender]

Did make the mistake of pulling in front of a boy racer on Wednesday just gone, he took exception to it and fair revved the shit out of his car behind me on takeoff, i went for gold and left him behind for a while then when he caught up he was in the fast lane doing about 130km/h whilst i cruised at 109km/h - but he hadnt seen the cop over on the left with lights flashing - obviously he still had the red mist in his eyes from the traffic lights, i laughed my head off as his car dived under braking.

So by all means do it if youre comfortable doing it but make sure you do it safely and expect the unexpected

LOL Great set up.

You did well not to go past the boy racer and do this.... or this or perhaps this or even this .

[Big Dan]

Just on my way to work driving my car thru hillsborough traffic was slowing i was doing about 30kph a bike on the left hand side just blasted past. it does give you a fright weather i'm on the motoway or road if i see a biker i give them as much room as possible as i genrally look out for them

[Ixion]

Just on my way to work driving my car thru hillsborough traffic was slowing i was doing about 30kph a bike on the left hand side just blasted past. it does give you a fright weather i'm on the motoway or road if i see a biker i give them as much room as possible as i genrally look out for them

There's y' problem. Ride y' bike to work. Sorted.

[Multiman]

Been splitting every day for two years. Just take a deep breath relax and scan the traffic ahead. and for christ sake keep an eye out for the wankers who close the gap just to try and cut you off. Mind you there are a few bikers out there with a death wish Splitting @ 80k? fuck wits.

[moko]

Splitting @ 80k? fuck wits.

Better not ride over here then mate because that's normal.

[Will]

Splitting on the Southern Motorway yesterday morning, I caught up to a cop on a bike that wasn't splitting. Said Good Morning as I went past. Got thinking about why was he sitting parked with the traffic when I thought that maybe he was trying to ambush the faster lane splitters. Couldn't think of any other reason why he would be staying with the cars.

[sinned]

Splitting on the Southern Motorway yesterday morning, I caught up to a cop on a bike that wasn't splitting. Said Good Morning as I went past. Got thinking about why was he sitting parked with the traffic when I thought that maybe he was trying to ambush the faster lane splitters. Couldn't think of any other reason why he would be staying with the cars.

That was tempting fate. Of course the cop has to stay with the traffic.

[Winter]

That was tempting fate. Of course the cop has to stay with the traffic.

Was it?

On the northern the other day I was the last of three bikes that were splitting. We all past a biker cop. I had slowed because the car infront right of me was doing odd thins. I ended up nearly riding two abreast with the cop. Looked at him and gave him a nod, then took off again.

I could have sworn i heard one of those police beep whoop things tho!

[Will]

That was tempting fate. Of course the cop has to stay with the traffic.

I have had one splitting right behind me one day and another time I was following one as we split.


So no, I don't think that they have to stay with the traffic.

[Racey Rider]

I asked this in another thread, but would like more input from those here.
This is not talking about a motorway situation, just a normal road.

... why would you indicate to pass a car on the right while staying in the same lane as that car. Surly you indicate to notify a change of lanes, not to notify a pass in the same lane?
If you pass on the right, while remaining in the same lane as the other vehicle, you don't need to indicate?
True or False?

[BAD DAD]

So if there are 2 stationary queues of fat people lined up at that doughnut stand and me being a little on the slim side , slip up the middle to the front of said Q's to get served first should I expect several biffs in the head or no negative response at all? Although I did do this ONCE at the local bakery, I would never expect to do it again without a bit of black n blue.