Lane Splitting. A Wimp's Guide.

**SPman** · 23rd November 2004, 17:40

I enjoy lane splitting. I enjoy the freedom of effortlessly weaving between cars, criss crossing lane space to lane space in heavy traffic - yay - even racing down the middle. I enjoy long lines of cars on highways and the easy, effortless flitting, twisting and squirting dash up the outside between corners, oncoming traffic and other hazards.

Am I abnormal?

SP

**Hitcher** · 23rd November 2004, 18:11

Originally Posted by SPman

Am I abnormal?

Be careful what you ask for...

**James Deuce** · 23rd November 2004, 18:34

Originally Posted by SPman

Am I abnormal?

SP

NO, you're unique like everyone else.

**Riff Raff** · 23rd November 2004, 18:49

Originally Posted by SpeedMedic

And the bit about cops is a bunch of crap too... sure theres the odd unlucky person gets nabbed, but i go past numerous HP guys each day whilst splitting and they do nothing (how can they,there stuck with all the other cages ha ha.) Yep.. cruising on down between all the stupid drivers is great, flame me if you like but its just me.. risks and all, I'll make that call.

(rant over)

You of all people should be being good at the moment!!!
I'm too much of a scaredy cat to do lane splitting unless the traffic is completely stopped. Then again, I don't often ride in rush hour traffic (yay for shift work) so I probably have no right to judge others who have to suffer through it.

**Hitcher** · 23rd November 2004, 18:55

Death comes quickly. She drives a Prado and uses the mirrors to observe her makeup application.

**Kendog** · 23rd November 2004, 19:04

Originally Posted by gareth_d

And as for the 'legality' of lane splitting, you can only split lanes (travelling in same direction) when they are stopped i.e, gridlock on the motorway (up the middle not along the sides), or through lines at lights (again up the middle) otherwise if you get seen by the police you'll get napped!

Legal? Is this in the road code?

**JohnBoy** · 23rd November 2004, 19:39

i always thought that if you were passing in heavy traffic as long as you keep within the left lane and left of the dividing line you were offically over taking (thus legal). but, i an't no lawyer so don't quote me on it!

i love lane splittling but only do it when i am late or pissed.
but just to shock all you out there in the urban sprawl, i dont get any major traffic on my commute. hell, the worst you get is a couple of late running milk tankers. so i can do the 50 odd KM commute in little over 35min (on the bike, wont let my best time on the bike out cause that happened on a special "one time" only occation)

**Lou Girardin** · 23rd November 2004, 20:07

How many times has this been covered and people still don't don't know what's legal or not?
As for pissing off drivers, for every caged wanker that tries to close the gap I see ten who move over to let me past. In fact, last Friday I was splitting up to the head of a queue when I saw a guy in a Mitsi move right to close the gap, only he didn't quite. As I pulled alongside his window I said there was still room to get past. He damn near had apoplexy, I thought he was going to chase me on foot. Sad man.

**jrandom** · 23rd November 2004, 20:13

As Lou says, the legal details surrounding filtering have been thrashed out on the forum, ad nauseum. A search will turn them up.

Personally, after having to commute in a cage the last two weeks (oh, the humanity!) I can attest to a deeply felt desire to ease well out of the way in my lane and wave a fist of solidarity at every biker who splits past.

They're never paying attention, though...

**Jamezo** · 23rd November 2004, 22:05

Originally Posted by jrandom

Personally, after having to commute in a cage the last two weeks (oh, the humanity!) I can attest to a deeply felt desire to ease well out of the way in my lane and wave a fist of solidarity at every biker who splits past.

I may be sounding quite dumb, but I cannot elucidate whether this means you are for or against filtering. I can't work out whether the ol' "fist of solidarity" is meant to unite the cages or support the biker. The "well out of the way" part seems to support the biker, but I am still perplexed. Help?

**jrandom** · 24th November 2004, 06:24

Originally Posted by Jamezo

I may be sounding quite dumb, but I cannot elucidate whether this means you are for or against filtering. I can't work out whether the ol' "fist of solidarity" is meant to unite the cages or support the biker. The "well out of the way" part seems to support the biker, but I am still perplexed. Help?

Yes, I was lovely and ambiguous there, wasn't I? Blame last night's cab sav.

I was thinking along the lines of being *for* the filterers. Inasmuch as I shall be, Bob willing, rejoining their ranks next week.

**Ms Piggy** · 24th November 2004, 06:40

Originally Posted by Lou Girardin

How many times has this been covered and people still don't don't know what's legal or not?

Thoese asking could be new members who haven't seen previous posts on the legalities. Don't get a knickers in a knot.

**riffer** · 24th November 2004, 07:02

Originally Posted by Celtic_Sea_lily

Thoese asking could be new members who haven't seen previous posts on the legalities. Don't get a knickers in a knot.

I don't really care about the legalities.

Lanesplitting is a judgement call. And ultimately, I will, if I continue tto do it, crash again one day - the odds are against me.

Good call on the COSINE Jim2. I have noticed my tendency to indulge in a spot of competitive lanesplitting on the Welly motorway and you're right - why hurry to get to work? In my case, it's not because I'm late for work; it's usually that I haven't had my fix of weekend scratching for a while and it tends to come out in my commuting.

However, I go mad staying in the traffic - you know - itchy fingers, facial twitches etc, and something inside me just has to get past those cars... so I lanesplit.

And yup - I got thrown off a beauty in June - same reason as jrandom - wet road - car doesn't see me and pulls in front - I took evasive manouevres - and then he saw me. Of course I tried to move again - end result - "oh sit" moment followed by an "oh shit shit" moment, and then I hit the ground.

So its a gamble. And your rules, if followed, will definitely put the odd in your favour.

Nice one. Have a rep point on me.

**Blakamin** · 24th November 2004, 07:54

Originally Posted by merv

Yeah bugger commuting on the bike. Save it for fun.

my other choice is walking... i dont think so...
picked my sister up from wtgn airport yesterday... what a hell trip! sitting in traffic thinking "why arent I on my bike, I'd be home by now"