Lane Spliting

[Slingshot]

Rant hijack... (well in addition)

The onus is on the passer, not the passee.

I agree to a certain extent...the onus is on the passer to slow down and assess the situation, the passer should be continually assessing the situation anyway though.

The onus is on the Passé to check mirrors/head check before moving from a non-splitting position to a splitting position.

So far this thread is having the desired impact...that is to bring this to the front of people's minds. Hopefully, tonight on the way home the people that have read this thread will be a little more aware.

Thank me later :cool2:

PS...I'm not trying to say that I'm perfect, I might be guilty of splitting a little too fast

[vifferman]

I guess all I expect from bikers, being superior beings in all, is that we would practice what we preach and head check when changing the lanes that we're splitting between as well as checking mirrors etc.

Fairy Nuff.
I was merely admitting to sometimes being surprised by bikers (who I hadn't previously noticed) suddently appearing behind me. On reflection, this has happened when I'm concentrating on looking where I'm going, not where I've been, or I'm in "nah, I'll just sit in the traffic - no hurry to get to work" mode, or I'm in the car in "ordinary dozy commuter" mode.

By and large, riding a bike has made me much more alert, aware and observant than Joe Plonker, which makes it annoying when I drive my wife (who mostly travels by bus, so isn't 'streetwise') somewhere, and she's practicaly having a heart attack at all the mentalness that's going on around us. She'll go, "Look out!!" and I'll think it's something I haven't noticed, when it's something I've long since noted, reacted to, dismissed. Then it's me who nearly has a hear attack!

But I must admit to being caught out a few times; once, I was waiting (on my bike) to take off at an intersection, and I didn't (at first) see a scooter that was coming, even though it had its light on. Plus you get very good at reading the traffic, and anticipating what Joe and Jo Plonker are going to do merely by observing the position of their vehicle prior to a lane change, subtle changes in speed, head movements, etc. (Can't rely on confirminators, coz the eedjits don't use 'em). That's how I crashed my VFR750, because I'd become really adept at reading the traffic AND ignored the little voice that said "tootle him melodiously just to make sure he really has seen you", when the Audi driver's actions pointed towards "he's seen me, and pulled over to let me past", when in fact it was "he's a plonker, and is about to crack a U-turn without checking his mirrors."

[Dr Bob]

I am sorry, but there is an important point to be made here. Passing vehicles within a lane is not illegal, passing on the left of a vehicle is illegal unless it is indicating right or it is stationary. If I am travelling behind cars and they are still moving I will pull out and pass them on the left only when they are coming to a stop, and I will be indicating to pass them on the left. Likewise when I am passing within a lane, then I will wait for there to be sufficient space on the right hand side of the cars, then I will indicate, then I will pass.

I may fall into the category of this gripe; however, I will always be indicating my intentions. Never overtake a vehicle that is indicating to go in the direction you wish to overtake it.

If your definition of lane splitting is simply to go between the cars irrespective of the regulations, then if you hit me you will be responsible for the damage to my bike, your bike, and all of the cars we bounce off.

[Dr Bob]

Although, on the other hand, I think I am very observant and I do check my mirrors etc. I have never caused a close call, but I have been on the receiving end.

[Slingshot]

I may fall into the category of this gripe; however, I will always be indicating my intentions. Never overtake a vehicle that is indicating to go in the direction you wish to overtake it.

Very good points Dr Bob, my intention wasn't to debate the legality of lane splitting, or where blame would lie if the worst was to happen.

Big thumbs up to you indicating your intentions!! Don't you hate it when someone changes lanes and indicates half way through the manoeuvre!

[Coldkiwi]

If I am travelling behind cars and they are still moving I will pull out and pass them on the left only when they are coming to a stop, and I will be indicating to pass them on the left. .

mate, if you're stopped, I'll give you a very wide berth until I know you've either a) seen me or b) are in a position that I can get past you before you can move into my way. No probs with that. But forget the legality issues already, its all about how to do it safely!

I agree about the emphasis being on the faster lane splitter. There's enough to worry about in front of you without worrying about whats behind. The ONLY exception would be on a two lane road where there is only line to split along. If you're good enough to be going faster than someone on the 3 lane mwy, you should be good enough to change lanes, split ahead and then move back in front.

I do occasionally check in my mirrors while splitting but most of the time its too see if a) the cops are out of view b) the cop I didn't spot earlier has turned the party lights on or c) to see if some other biker is likely to be willing to indulge in some mutual speedy splitting

[jrandom]

She'll go, "Look out!!" and I'll think it's something I haven't noticed, when it's something I've long since noted, reacted to, dismissed. Then it's me who nearly has a hear attack!

You too?

Mrs Random does that to me all the time, when I'm driving.

On a related note (hope she doesn't read this post) her driving put me in complete sphincter-clenching mode along the length of Scenic Drive a few weeks ago. It wasn't particularly fast, just jerky and, well, random, IYSWIM.

Halfway along I finally screwed together enough courage to pipe up about braking on the straight and accelerating from the apex (we were in the Camry) which she angrily rubbished... I just shut my eyes for the rest of it.

*Don't* believe all that stuff about women being safer drivers, people.

[vifferman]

Is there a Lane-Splitting Code? Mebbe we should create one.
The 10-point Lane-Splitting Code.

1. Only lane-split when the traffic is stopped or moving very slowly. 'Slowly' being some arbitrary figure much lower than how fast you'd like to be travelling.
2. Don't lane split at more than x km/h (30? 100?) faster than the traffic. This is inconsiderate to other motorists who could suffer coronary damage while being startled from their slumber.
3. Lane-split only when doing so is going to save a significant amount of time. Or you feel like it. And you're on a bike (lanesplitting in a truck is fun, but ultimately ineffective).
4. If you are lanesplitting, and come up behind a slower bike, tootle him/her melodiously. If he/she doesn't get the hell out of your way, lane-split him/her. If he/she reacts badly to this, give a friendly wave, with your hand, or various digits. If he/she reacts badly to this, kick his/her mirror off, and speed off into the distance (this is sure to make the other lanesplitter speed up. As he/she tries to catch up to thank you).
5. Be sure to use your mirrors when lane-splitting. They are like a cat's whiskers and have been provided on your bike to help you gauge whether that gap you're trying to squeeze in is big enough, before you get your fat butt bike stuck.
6. If you are lanesplitting, and are surprised by a faster bike coming up behind you, tootling melodiously, don't be alarmed. They are merely complementing you on your expert lane-splitting. You may either slow down so he/she can get a clearer view of your skills, or speed up to show him/her how a real expert does it. If you are stuck because you ignored point 5, you're a plonker.
7. Lane-splitting requires more vigilant attention and superior skills than normal commuting, so stunts should be kept to a minimum. Unless, of course, you possess more vigilant attention and superior skills than your average biker, in which case it is your responsibility to entertain and amaze the punters by stunting most ferociously.
8. If you are lanesplitting and find a gap where your progress is hindered by the mirrors of the vehicles on either side of the gap, it is dangerous to try to squeeze through and possibly bump your mirrors so your rearward view is hindered. Stop. And kick the offending mirrors out of the way. The mirrors are obviously dangerous and illegal for protruding so far from the sides of the vehicle.
9. If, while lane-splitting, you accidentally bump another motorist's mirrors so they are out of adjustment, endeavour to stop and adjust them so they are flat against the vehicle. This will ensure they are not subject to further maladjustment or damage, and also will not hinder any other bikers who may be following you.
10. Lane-splitting more than two abreast is just plain wrong.
    If you have more than two breasts you should be in a circus.
11. If someone opens their vehicle's door to impede your progress, thank them by bumping into it vigorously with your front wheel so that it bangs violently into the vehicle next to theirs. The melee that ensues will teach 'em not to do that again in a hurry.
12. If your lane-splitting results in a road-rage incident, just remember that you are equipped for just such an event: helmets are excellent for vigorously hongi-ing an angry motorist, and carbon-fibre knuckles (even if fake) are perfectly legal knuckle-dusters. They are also quite handy for impromptu panel-beating or mirror adjusting.

[Slingshot]

**ROtFLMAO**

[Coldkiwi]

I like it! point 5 is especially good I'm often suprised at how often the gsxr's mirrors DON'T get clipped when breathing in (stupid thing to do incidentally since it makes you bigger) to get between big trucks!

[jrandom]

The Zeal's mirrors stick out more than the FXR's.

On the Zook, I never hit nuffin'.

Now, I'm accepting the tink-tink-donk of regular mirror-clippings as part of my filtering life.

If I keep riding fast enough through the traffic, justice will never catch up...

[sedge]

So far this thread is having the desired impact...that is to bring this to the front of people's minds. Hopefully, tonight on the way home the people that have read this thread will be a little more aware.

Mwahhahaha... I'll be watching for you tonight... Was on the GSXR yesterday... but I'm on the whale tonight... watch out scared little Honda, the big bikes are all out to get you.

Sedge.

[Storm]

Words of wisdom for us all to take home people- isnt vifferman smart !!

[vifferman]

The Zeal's mirrors stick out more than the FXR's.

On the Zook, I never hit nuffin'.

Now, I'm accepting the tink-tink-donk of regular mirror-clippings as part of my filtering life.

If I keep riding fast enough through the traffic, justice will never catch up...

Ooh - that brings to mind (the cogs turn verra slowly...) point number 15 of the 10-point splitter's guide:
13. Your mirrors are there to guide you, when you've got your eyes shut and are filtering by feel / using the force. If your mirrors are too narrow, not musical enough, or missing (too much filtering), kevlar-armoured elbows or knees may be substituted.

[sedge]

So far this thread is having the desired impact...that is to bring this to the front of people's minds. Hopefully, tonight on the way home the people that have read this thread will be a little more aware.

Actually... just reading that again... So... you're saying someone who has replied to this thread cut you off...

Shit... it wasn't me was it ?

Sedge.