Lane Splitting on multi-lane roads

**Rhino** · 12th December 2007, 17:19

Every working day i travel in the work cage along several roads that have two lanes in each direction and get passed by many bikes that are lane splitting (nothing wrong with that

)

The question is where would you ride in this situation, and why?

1. To the left of the leftmost lane (in the gutter)
2. Between the two lanes
3. To the right of the rightmost lane (close/over the centre-line)
4. Stay in a wheel track in either lane

My observations are that most of the scooter/L plate riders choose option 1 while the larger capacity bike riders seem to choose option 2.

When in the situation on a bike, I would avoid #1 like the plague, as I usually see at least one passenger exit a stationary cage at traffic lights/stop signs every day on my journey.

**jrandom** · 12th December 2007, 17:22

Option 1 will kill you.

Option 2 is correct technique.

Option 3 is for use when there's insufficient space for Option 2.

Option 4 is much more comfortable in a car with AC and stereo.

**James Deuce** · 12th December 2007, 17:24

Originally Posted by Rhino

My observations are that most of the scooter/L plate riders choose option 1 while the larger capacity bike riders seem to choose option 2.

When in the situation on a bike, I would avoid #1 like the plague, as I usually see at least one passenger exit a stationary cage at traffic lights/stop signs every day on my journey.

They won't learn until they are picking door out of their teeth, so I wouldn't have wasted keystrokes with that observation (even though it is a REALLY good one) quite honestly.

Even after they've finished picking door out of their teeth they'll just complain that it wasn't their fault, "the passenger should have looked before they got out".

**vtec** · 12th December 2007, 17:27

I split anywhere as long as I feel that I can get clear of any car. Often when I join the motorway I ride along the small bit of tarseal that overflows onto the red breakdown lane and I just stay there for quite a bit until all the cars have sorted themselves out into a lane. Most often though I'll go between two lanes. But there is no reason you can't do to the right of the right lane when the circumstances are good or to the left of the left lane.

**Rhino** · 12th December 2007, 17:28

The only problem with option 3 is the number of dipshits that decide to do a u turn without looking when stuck in traffic. A mate of mine had his knee stuffed and bike written off by cage that did that recently.

I would agree that option 2 is where I would be, although the 'Wing is a tad portly for lane splitting.

**imdying** · 12th December 2007, 17:29

Originally Posted by Jim2

"the passenger should have looked before they got out".

Which of course is their legal obligation... plenty of cyclists have nailed people in court for this.

**crashe** · 12th December 2007, 17:31

Just riding a scooter in a lane - slightly off topic

Rhino - seen two scooter riders very recently riding along in option 1......
and I felt for their safety as to what car drivers were doing, being so close to them.
I managed to chat to them both and get them to OWN their lane.....

Saw one of them later on that arvo on the same day, and he was OWNing his lane...
When he saw me and realised I was the one who had chatted to him earlier, he said "Hows this" I gave him the thumbs up and he grinned.

I would hate to see them get taken out by cars forcing them off the road into the gutters and them falling off their bikes and being injured.

This is where scooter riders who only have a car license really dont seem to know how to own the road when riding this 49cc scooters.
They dont have to do the 'Basic Handling Course' at all.
Which is a shame, as I reckon they would learn so much more about road skills when riding a scooter.

**James Deuce** · 12th December 2007, 17:33

Originally Posted by imdying

Which of course is their legal obligation... plenty of cyclists have nailed people in court for this.

Yes, it couldn't possibly be the motorcyclist at fault for performing an illegal overtaking move could it?

**Katman** · 12th December 2007, 17:37

Originally Posted by Jim2

Yes, it couldn't possibly be the motorcyclist at fault for performing an illegal overtaking move could it?

How dare you even suggest it Jim!

**imdying** · 12th December 2007, 17:58

Originally Posted by Jim2

Yes, it couldn't possibly be the motorcyclist at fault for performing an illegal overtaking move could it?

Personally, I'm of the opinion that being in the right does you bugger all good when you're in hospital

I only split traffic that isn't moving... of course, we don't get 5km/h traffic jams here...

**Toaster** · 12th December 2007, 18:06

Lane-splitting has become a hard more challenging now the bike is a foot wider than the last one.

Passing on the left of the left lane is illegal. But hey, so is speeding and tax evasion, or flashing my balls to the world.

**Subike** · 12th December 2007, 18:10

I only do this when aproaching traffic lights
at a speed which would allow me to stop within a bike length if a door opened
The difference in time on twin laned roads to get to my destination is not much faster if I traffic split, so I dont bother.
Traffic jams can be quickly threaded trough at walking pace safley
Lane changing on multi lane roads when gaps allow is safer for me, and the cages know I am there.
I have seen too many close calls for splitting to be an option just because the oppotunity is presented.
I like my bike and my skin, it dont belong on a car door

**McJim** · 12th December 2007, 18:21

Ahhhh - how refreshing - another splitting thread.

Used to travel about 25km to work and 25km back along the Southern Motorway in Auckland. Had a friend got booked for lane splitting. I never got stopped however...probably coz I'm so sensible

Option 2 is the only option. (unless you're not actually splitting at all....)

I've said this before: It's legal to lane split in Britain - it's actually expected - The authorities encourage it because it eases congestion.

**Boob Johnson** · 12th December 2007, 21:34

Originally Posted by vtec

I split anywhere as long as I feel that I can get clear of any car. Often when I join the motorway I ride along the small bit of tarseal that overflows onto the red breakdown lane and I just stay there for quite a bit until all the cars have sorted themselves out into a lane. Most often though I'll go between two lanes. But there is no reason you can't do to the right of the right lane when the circumstances are good or to the left of the left lane.

As above is what I do

**sunhuntin** · 12th December 2007, 21:42

Originally Posted by imdying

Personally, I'm of the opinion that being in the right does you bugger all good when you're in hospital

I only split traffic that isn't moving... of course, we don't get 5km/h traffic jams here...

ditto... ive only done it once, and that was on the road to taupo from turangi... damn round the lake run *fucking bullshit* bike was slowing turning my legs into a roast, so it was the only option. split a couple of cars at a time, forcing my way back.

and the strangest thing? i got to the end, and never did see the reason for the damn hold up! it wasnt support vehicles as they were already parked up... must have been damn rubber neckers.

it is tons of fun when playing pillion, as mr disco showed me earlier this year.