Lane splitting/filtering: the legal and commonsense answers

[MarkH]

Sorry princess but you're the one making claims, how about you back those up? It's not a case of putting up stats to prove three fuckwits from USA are wrong. Their stats were probably correct for what they were - it's the claim being made as a result of their interpretation of flawed data.


Fucking scooter riders

Sorry dude, you are a fuckin' idiot and your arguments lack merit so I'll just leave you to believe what you like.
I posted something that may or may not be true - I know I don't have any stats or evidence to back it up.
But your idea that something that can't be proven (even though it might be true) is retarded makes me think that you lack critical thinking skills.
Also your blathering on about bullshit statements and then trying to suggest that the style of my bike means anything in terms of any point in this thread - yeah, why do I want to argue with someone like you?
There is a huge difference between discussing a subject in a reasonable manner with things like "can you back up that claim, I'm dubious" and just rude posting "that's retarded".

And posting some youtube videos of people fucking up?
Wow - that is really retarded!
Do you really think that it is not possible for every person reading this thread to go to youtube and search for "motorbike rear ended"?
There are a bunch of videos of bikes stopping in the lane and getting rear ended and there are a bunch of videos of bikes lane splitting and crashing - this proves nothing either way.

My position is not that I'm certain that I'm right and you are wrong, it is only that I might be and that the assertion that lane splitting is definitively more dangerous lacks proof too.
Certainly it is easy to lane split in a dangerous manner and be at great risk, but most riders could lane split safely and within their skill limits if they wanted to.
If someone only splits when the traffic is moving at under 10kph and rides no more than 10kph above the speed of the other traffic then the risks are pretty low.

For those that don't feel comfortable splitting - I would advise to at least keep an eye on the traffic behind you when you stop within your lane and be prepared to move into the gap between 2 cars if there is a car approaching from behind that will not be able to stop. Nose to tail accidents are far from rare on the motorway. My experience with being rear ended was that I saw it coming and if I'd been on a bike I would have been able to move to avoid it - trust no fucker and always be wary.


I'll amend my original statement to:
Though there are dangers in lane splitting there are also dangers in stopping within your lane, splitting isn't necessarily the most dangerous choice.
Clearly there are many variables and you should always ride within your limits and do your best to keep safe.

So, does anyone have a problem with this point of view that wants to discuss it in a polite and respectful manner?

[Madness]

I posted something that may or may not be true - I know I don't have any stats or evidence

Who's the idiot again?

I'll amend my original statement to:
Though there are dangers in lane splitting there are also dangers in stopping within your lane, splitting isn't necessarily the most dangerous choice.
Clearly there are many variables and you should always ride within your limits and do your best to keep safe.

Nice to see you've pulled your head in. If you want a polite and respectful discussion on a subject try not to post utter drivel in future.

Fuckwit.

[yod]

it's the KB way

[Tigadee]

I was splitting this morning when a car suddenly decided to switch lanes. Thanks to scanning like a Cyclon, caught his movement and smoothly swung around him. Then slowed down to give him a cold hard stare and pointy accusatory finger. I was riding slightly faster than traffic and had an indicator on.

I think when splitting one has to practice the opposite of scanning while riding fast - When riding fast, you look far (12 secs ahead rule) and then scan closer to you, but when filtering, you look near and then ocassionally scan far out. So priority is what's close to you first 'cos what's far out won't affect you as much as as when you're riding fast.

Also, I do believe avoidance is better than trying to stop suddenly. If I had tried to stop suddenly in a panic, this car which is obviously not observant may not stop on time before side-swiping me, in which it would push me over and if still not stopped, then crushed my wheels and maybe me. In swerving around him/her, I avoid touching the car and as cars eventually will stop swerving once in their target lane, you are clear. (It's not like they're trying to run you off the road Mad Max-style.)

So go at a sensible speed, scan constantly, don't panic and DO avoid, not braking in wild panic. You can't always see the driver or his/her eyes/face but like us and our motorbikes, the car itself telegraphs the desired action of the driver, thus indicating a possible or likely direction and movement of the car.

[Berries]

I was splitting this morning when a car suddenly decided to switch lanes. Thanks to scanning like a Cyclon, caught his movement and smoothly swung around him. Then slowed down to give him a cold hard stare and pointy accusatory finger. I was riding slightly faster than traffic and had an indicator on.

Not aimed at you so don't take this the wrong way, but if I was that car driver I would be giving you the wagging finger back. There are two vehicle lanes, I'm in one, the car next to me is in the other. You don't have a lane therefore the onus is on you to keep out of trouble because you are not exactly following the road rules. If there is a gap next to me and I can quite clearly see that there is a gap then I might move in to it. I might not. I might indicate. I might not.

For all the bluster on here about what is legal and what isn't it all comes down to staying upright. if you are doing something that a car driver would not expect, like splitting or filtering, then you shouldn't expect them to see you. If you want them to see you then stick yourself in the middle of the lane and ride like a car. If you want to get where you are going and use a bike as intended then go for it, but ride like a Cyclon and don't blame anyone else if it all goes wrong. You are where a driver won't expect you to be.



Sent from my pulpit using 4G preaching technology

[swbarnett]

If there is a gap next to me and I can quite clearly see that there is a gap then I might move in to it. I might not. I might indicate. I might not.

Just what I was thinking. Because of this very thing I am extremely weary of gaps in the line of traffic. When splitting I move in to these gaps whether the car in the other lane has moved or not. That way if they do I'm already in a position to easily avoid them.

[Katman]

Not aimed at you so don't take this the wrong way, but if I was that car driver I would be giving you the wagging finger back.

Mine wouldn't be wagging.

[Tigadee]

Mine wouldn't be wagging.

*Must... not... ask...*

Not aimed at you so don't take this the wrong way, but if I was that car driver I would be giving you the wagging finger back.

Not taken in the wrong way, no worries. Maybe... I certainly didn't give him/her the middle finger, I didn't think it was warranted. It was more a reminder for him/her to check his/her mirrors. Had I not been alert, I'd have been on the ground for sure.

There are two vehicle lanes, I'm in one, the car next to me is in the other. You don't have a lane therefore the onus is on you to keep out of trouble...

Fully agree with you there.

If you want them to see you then stick yourself in the middle of the lane and ride like a car.

I disagree there. Sticking yourself in the middle of a lane makes you invisible to cars ahead of and behind you on the left or right.

If in the left lane of a two lane road/motorway, you should be in the right tyre track of the car in front and if in the right lane, you should be in the left tyre track. What drivers will see is you and/or your headlight and know that there is no gap there. From in front and behind, it will look like there is a gap for them to sneak into if you're in the middle.

Besides, there's lots of dropped oil in the middle of the lane...

For all the bluster on here about what is legal and what isn't it all comes down to staying upright. If you want to get where you are going and use a bike as intended then go for it, but ride like a Cyclon and don't blame anyone else if it all goes wrong.

Totally agree.

[DP1512NZ]

I ride through standing traffic on Auckland motorways every day to and from work. I ride safely and to the conditions wearing a high viz vest and with my hazard lights on. Yesterday a motorcycle cop stopped me and said I was speeding at 50kmph. He told me that the Road Code is that there is a 45kmph limit for bikes riding through standing traffic. He was reaasonable about my minor infraction and let me off as I said I was unaware of this restriction and was riding in what I considered a safe and legal manner.

I have emailed the NZTA asking them for the official question to these questions as I can’t find any relevant information on the NZTA website at http://www.nzta.govt.nz/resources/ro...ode/index.html

Is it permitted to ride through standing traffic?
Is a specific speed limit restriction, other than the compulsory applicable speed limit ?
Do I need to have my hazard warning lights on?

I’ll let you know what they come back with, if anything.

Does anyone what a similar experience or know the official line on riding through standing traffic, getting it wrong could be very costly for the daily commute.

Cheers
DP1215NZ

[bosslady]

I ride through standing traffic on Auckland motorways every day to and from work. I ride safely and to the conditions wearing a high viz vest and with my hazard lights on. Yesterday a motorcycle cop stopped me and said I was speeding at 50kmph. He told me that the Road Code is that there is a 45kmph limit for bikes riding through standing traffic. He was reaasonable about my minor infraction and let me off as I said I was unaware of this restriction and was riding in what I considered a safe and legal manner.

I have emailed the NZTA asking them for the official question to these questions as I can’t find any relevant information on the NZTA website at http://www.nzta.govt.nz/resources/ro...ode/index.html

Is it permitted to ride through standing traffic?
Is a specific speed limit restriction, other than the compulsory applicable speed limit ?
Do I need to have my hazard warning lights on?

I’ll let you know what they come back with, if anything.

Does anyone what a similar experience or know the official line on riding through standing traffic, getting it wrong could be very costly for the daily commute.

Cheers
DP1215NZ

Was that near an on-ramp heading north? I saw a motorcycle cop pull over two bikes there yesterday. 60kmh is fast through standing traffic isn't it? less time to react if some tard say, opens their door etc. I dunno.

[unstuck]

I thought it was illegal to drive/ride with your hazards on.

[BoristheBiter]

Oh good god , here we go again.

He didn't give you ticket so take the advise and move on.

[unstuck]

Auckland motorway riding lost it,s appeal for me when they got that damn Eagle.

[Monkfish]

I like Splitting threads.

[nzspokes]

There on BMWs. Any decent bike will drop them in second gear.....