I got split on!

[mangell6]

Couldn't believe it.

This morning riding to work traffic was moving nicely and as I came up to the Melling Lights (Wgtn) I couldn't split as a silver falcoon was in the right hand lane hugging the centre line. Tosser I thought as I idled past. Well the lights were about to change to go so I decided to just idle behind the traffic noticing that the silver car had moved in behind me, Ah well.

I was approximately one metre to the left of the line and about a car length behind the car in front when the silver falcoon decides to move up on the inside and undertake me!!!!

Couldn't believe it! So I thought sod you and split through the remaining moving vehicles (admission of guilt) to the intersection.

As a result of this "shocking" event, I didn't even notice Hamish, of Lynda fame, pulling to the extreme right to allow me past when I was behind him.

I mean incredible

Mike

[FROSTY:Me]

Scarey isnt it ? Tempting to lean back on him and see what he does but heck its you that will always come off second best

[mangell6]

Gave me hell of a fright, as the road splits into three lanes at the point he passed me. I figure that he must have had a hard morning so far, 7am, and wanted to prove a point, go figure.

[Zed]

Let's face it, commuting on a bike in traffic is dangerous!

Things I am eagle-eyed about when filtering/splitting:

1. Whenever gaps appear in front of me always slow down, cos some plonker will cut in there quickly without indication if given the chance.

2. Other bikes, cos sometimes they pull out suddenly to lanesplit also and may not see you coming from behind.

3. Cages that purposely pull over so you can't get passed, cos these are the ones who will kill you if given the chance! Like the maniac who lanesplit you today Mr mangell6. These psychos are out there people, and they will go to all extremes to make sure they ruin your day.


Zed

[FROSTY:Me]

Gave me hell of a fright, as the road splits into three lanes at the point he passed me. I figure that he must have had a hard morning so far, 7am, and wanted to prove a point, go figure.

had a similar experience on the ol FXR a couple of weeks ago.A boy racer in his rumde dum thump de thump lowered mobile. I'd split to the front of the line at lights and he diddn't like it. he kept pulling forward on the line
trying to push me over.
I guess its just part of being a biker.

[LB]

I saw your headlights in the mirror, and I said "that's Mike I think" and Hamish said "no it's not, he'd be lanesplitting". Then you passed us (legally!) so I knew it was you.

I'll tell him on the way to work why you were not your normal self.

What a prat in the Falcoon. Hope his is one of the ones that needs recalling.

[RiderInBlack]

What a prat in the Falcoon. Hope his is one of the ones that needs recalling.

Lane Splitting in a Falcon with a steering faultI hope not

[riffer]

Splitting in Welly traffic is dangerous. Ask anyone...

Didn't see you this morning though Mike, though you probably passed me and John in the silver Honda Accord. We were at Korokoro lights at 7.28 approx.

That Silver Falcon sounds a worry though. Maybe his steering was a bit funny.....

[Devil]

had a similar experience on the ol FXR a couple of weeks ago.A boy racer in his rumde dum thump de thump lowered mobile. I'd split to the front of the line at lights and he diddn't like it. he kept pulling forward on the line
trying to push me over.
I guess its just part of being a biker.

Heh. ok, dont know if it was the same sorta situation, but...

When im in my car at the front of a queue at traffic lights, there are times when I want to just boot it out of there. It fucks me RIGHT off when a biker splits up next to me and pulls in front of me. Ok if they stay off to the side then fine, but swerving in front of someone who's just about to launch a it...

Watch what you pull in front of!

[Omega1]

Yes,I am in Lower Hutt and do commute often to Wellington.Last night I picked up my Seven from Motorad after getting a WOF and rode home to Lower Hutt at aprox 5.30pm obviously it was dark. I did lane split thing several times on the way but later when I was putting my bike away at home it struck me how freaky it is to ride down the middle of two rows of cars with their lights flashing past you in the dark, the whole line splitting exercise requires a heap of concentration.just my thoughts....

[Dr Bob]

I had a thought this morning, about those cars that sit in the right hand side of the lane. From the statutory regs (Traffic Regs 1976) we have...

(4)Notwithstanding the provisions of subclause (3) of this regulation, where a driver's speed is such as to impede the normal and reasonable flow of traffic, he shall, as soon as reasonably practicable, move his vehicle as far as practicable to the left side of the roadway when this is necessary to allow following traffic to pass.

Which means that if a motorbike could normally and reasonably overtake the vehicle then they should move to the left. So....

Overtaking—
(1)No driver shall pass or attempt to pass on the left of another vehicle moving in the same direction unless—
(a)The movement can be made with safety and is made with due consideration for other users of the road; and
(b)Either—
(i)The 2 vehicles are in different lanes; or
(ii)The overtaken vehicle is stationary or its driver has given or is giving the prescribed signal of his intention to turn to the right; or
.....
(2)No driver shall pass or attempt to pass on the right of another vehicle moving in the same direction when approaching or crossing an intersection, unless—
(a)Where the roadway is marked in lanes, his vehicle does not encroach on a lane available for opposing traffic; or
(b)The manoeuvre can be made with safety and is made with due consideration for users of the intersecting road.
.....

So a motorbike can overtake moving traffic in a lane even on the left!!! Obviousley there has to be an assessment of safety - however; prima facie it can be done legally.

[Dr Bob]

No, hang on there's an AND in there. The vehicle has to be stationary - bugger.

That means that you do have to be on the left hand side of the dotted line.

[Posh Tourer :P]

Heh. ok, dont know if it was the same sorta situation, but...

When im in my car at the front of a queue at traffic lights, there are times when I want to just boot it out of there. It fucks me RIGHT off when a biker splits up next to me and pulls in front of me. Ok if they stay off to the side then fine, but swerving in front of someone who's just about to launch a it...

Watch what you pull in front of!

Yes but unless I'm sure I can boot it infront of other people, I'd prefer to claim a lane to use after the intersection. I do *not* want to be caught between two cars accelerating to 60 or so. I lanesplit in traffic up to about 10kmh, I dont like doing it any faster, let alone 60. If it was me Devil, your launching will just have to wait. My safety comes first.

Having said that, I often choose which vehicle to pull infront of by choosing the slower looking one.

Also, pulling over to the side allows another biker to lanesplit up to the front and get infront of the traffic too. More room, more safer. I just dont trust cagers to see me and not move slightly to left or right and hit me. Nor do I quite trust myself to stay in a perfectly straight line, as I have a habit of weaving a little when taking off in first.

[Devil]

No, hang on there's an AND in there. The vehicle has to be stationary - bugger.

That means that you do have to be on the left hand side of the dotted line.

Heh i got confused with all the debate previously.
So right hand side of lane, but staying in it of course, with lane markings on your right...

[Devil]

Yes but unless I'm sure I can boot it infront of other people, I'd prefer to claim a lane to use after the intersection. I do *not* want to be caught between two cars accelerating to 60 or so. I lanesplit in traffic up to about 10kmh, I dont like doing it any faster, let alone 60. If it was me Devil, your launching will just have to wait. My safety comes first.

Having said that, I often choose which vehicle to pull infront of by choosing the slower looking one.

Also, pulling over to the side allows another biker to lanesplit up to the front and get infront of the traffic too. More room, more safer. I just dont trust cagers to see me and not move slightly to left or right and hit me. Nor do I quite trust myself to stay in a perfectly straight line, as I have a habit of weaving a little when taking off in first.

Yeah, of course have to wait. No question, wouldnt risk hitting a bike. But the times its happened hasnt even been rush hour or anything, just stopping at a multi lane set of traffic lights...I dont see the point of lane splitting there.

As far as your safety is concerned. The safest option would be to not split at all..