Questions about lane splitting

[Drunken Monkey]

Legally speaking you can't lane split. In a thread ages ago the legal stuff was explained to us by I think one of the legal begal types.

Well they're wrong, it isn't illegal. Even after I pointed out the specific pages in the Rode Code for Motorcyclists which described how one could do so legally, people still have this strange habit of posting statements like 'lane splitting is illegal'. As the rode code has been superceeded twice in recent times, the pages are probably no longer 67 - 68, but I'm sure someone can look it up again.

In just two posts above (2 smoker and salex) we have seen how you can pass -legally- on both sides of a vehicle. ***If this isn't lane splitting, what is?*** We've also seen at times (especially recently) that the people responsible for upholding the law, don't necessarily know the law.

[Ms Piggy]

Thanks for the info & advice guys. It's not somnething I'll have to do a lot b/c city traffic isn't too bad most of the time but sometimes it would be handy. I'll be careful & sensible about it though...don't wanna give us bikers a bad rep!

[vifferman]

Provided you aren't splitting like an idiot I don't think you have much of a problem. It is the idiots who swerve in and out of traffic that is happily travelling at 80kph+ that piss me off.

... and make the rest of us look bad.
I rarely lane-split, because I don't need to, but when I have my experiences have generally been good. Contrary to the warnings I've had from workmates, I've never had anyone sitting in a car get pissed off with me and try to block me. In fact, I've had lots of incidents of people moving over to let me through.

I have been pulled up twice - once for passing both lanes of traffic and going down the other side of the road. The cop (standing on the side of the road) who pulled me over basically said I hadn't indicated my manoeuvre. The other time was a cop on an ST1100, who went completely off his nut at me and abused me and the other two bikers who were carefully filtering to the front of stopped traffic for "giving other motorcyclists a bad name" and for "riding like an idiot instead of a proper motorcyclist". I'm still waiting for someone to explain that to me...

I used to lane-split and filter more than I do now, as I've found it makes stuff all difference to my travel times while markedly increasing the risk. What does make a difference is taking a route which is longer, more interesting and involves very little traffic (stopped or otherwise) and effectively shorter time-wise.

[Posh Tourer :P]

I'm going to be blatantly honest here, and say if there's a gap, I've started splitting at lights even when there's only one car in each lane. What can I say?? I'm a freedom/acceleration junkie, tho I can't be that heavily addicted what with riding a BM and all... I think I just like the freedom thing of an open road in front of me.

I almost always split up to lights unless the gap is really tight / there is no chance of accelerating away from the lights much. I did my first bit of motorway splitting yesterday, made sure that I was not splitting when there was a gap that someone might have swerved into, and not much faster than surrounding traffic. Also stopped when I saw HP until I was out of sight/reach again. Both left and right of lanes, just whereever there was the biggest gap really. Can't see much difference if I was in the left of one lane or the right of the other, if it's a gap it's a gap. Strange though that most Akl drivers like to be slightly further to the right of their lanes, and leave a big gap on the left. Perhaps they just dont know where the edges of their cars are...

[riffer]

I have at time been a shocking lane splitter.

I've tempered it a bit lately, particularly as my bin was a result of lane splitting as I was rushing to get to a meeting at work. Technically I wasn't lane splitting when I dropped the bike, but hey, lets not split hairs or anything.

Since I got back on the bike, I've found the pucker factor a bit easier to reach, although that is tending to ease off a bit now.

I find that in rain there seems to be a lot more "only drive in the rain" types, who don't know what to do when a bike comes past.

But mostly the Wellington traffic is good and people will pull over in their lane to allow you safe passage. For those that refuse to, a quick boot to the door, or swipe of their mirror usually wakes them up!

I commute either between Upper Hutt & Wellington (Hutt Motorway SH2) or Upper Hutt & Tawa (Haywards Hill, SH1) and find the Hutt Motorway traffic worse. There is a patch between Melling and Korokoro, where the traffic stands still. Even the police split through there. I have only had one car try and take me out on that patch of road (A Pajero, would you believe it?) and the idiot did it while I was splitting with a Police ST1100 behind me splitting as well. Hope he got a big ticket.

So, to kind of repeat what everyone has said, be sensible with your splitting and the cops will GENERALLY turn a blind eye. Remember, there is always some damn fool who will try and pull into your lane without indicating or looking, and unless you are able to stop in a hurry you will quite likely grab a handfull of front brake and drop the bike. I know, I've done it. No less than 5 cars pulled out in front of me without looking this morning. Thank goodness I'm still paranoid.

[wkid_one]

Well they're wrong, it isn't illegal. Even after I pointed out the specific pages in the Rode Code for Motorcyclists which described how one could do so legally, people still have this strange habit of posting statements like 'lane splitting is illegal'. As the rode code has been superceeded twice in recent times, the pages are probably no longer 67 - 68, but I'm sure someone can look it up again.

In just two posts above (2 smoker and salex) we have seen how you can pass -legally- on both sides of a vehicle. ***If this isn't lane splitting, what is?*** We've also seen at times (especially recently) that the people responsible for upholding the law, don't necessarily know the law.

Here is where you are wrong...

It is illegal to pass on the left unless the vehicle is stationary or turning right or there is a spare lane on the inside to do so.

To occupy the same lane as a moving vehicle is a violation of the Traffic Act.

I have posted the legalities of lane splitting and fucked if I am doing it again.

Essentially TS is right - you can only LEGALLY pass on the left if all the traffic you are passing are stationary or turning right.

Good luck with your logic DM - but failing to only lane split when traffic is stationary and being pulled by a cop - I don't think you would win the argument.

That is the law in black and white!

[Drunken Monkey]

Well I never specifically said you could pass on the left of a moving car. Isn't it still 'lane splitting' if you're moving up through stationary cars at the traffic lights? And as re-iterated above - one can pass legally on the right, as long as they don't cross the centre line - is that not lane splitting also.

Perhaps my understanding of the term 'lane splitting' is wrong then. But it seems to me that it's perfectly legal to pass on the left of stationary cars at the traffic lights and on the right when ever you have room - I would personally call that lane splitting. Others may have different ideas.

I did a quick serach through the old forums, but couldn't find your post... Did it specifically forbid with the terms 'lane splitting' or 'filtering'?
I could only describe my search of the Land Transport Act 'inconclusive'.

Oh well, don't waste your time on my behalf. I generally don't filter anyway, as I don't spend much time in traffic. Those times I have, cops never turned their head. Granted, I have heard of people being ticketed for it also. A customer of mine got a lecture from a cop who insisted he pass on the LEFT in future - said customer got back on his motorbike a small fine poorer and a tad more confused...

[FROSTY:Me]

Celtic -all the debate aside. My opinion -YOU shouldn't lane split at this stage of your riding experience.
just reading a couple of your posts on other threads tells me your reaction to an -"oh Shit' situation might not yet be the best one.
an example-I was lane splitting at a set of traffic lights and the passenger in one of the stopped cars opened their door and hopped out. I stopped just in time.
Another--and very common-I was on the motorway -splitting lanes again and a guy in the fast lane spotted a gap in the middle lane and launched himself into it.--He had no reason to think a bike would be there.

[wkid_one]

They don't have too specify it as there are enough individual infringements to deal with it - illegal lane change, failing to indicate, following to close, reckless driving.

Lane Splitting is a term we as a fraternity use. Law's relate to passing on the left. I will find it as it will only take 2 mins

You can only pass on the left when:

there are two or more lanes on your side of the centre line, and you are able to pass safely by using the left-hand lane (ie not occupy the same lane!)

you are directed to by a police officer

the vehicle you are passing:

has stopped, or

is signalling a right turn, or

is turning right

At all other times you must pass on the right.

PS - you are also not allowed to use the flush median to pass either!

Some more for you
TRAFFIC REGULATIONS 1976
PART 2 - DRIVING RULES
5. Driving in lanes—
(2)No driver shall drive, either wholly or partly, in any lane that is not available to him
(ie - you can't occupy a lane with another vehicle)

Passing on the right is considered just that - passing! Provided you either don't cross the yellow line, or pass safely on a white - this is passing - not lane splitting.

You can only lane split/filter (Ie ride between traffic) when the traffic is stationary or turning right. Under no circumstances can you ride in the break down lane.

When traffic is moving this is a whole different ball game. I am not saying I didn't and won't do it (bloody oathe I will) - I am just saying you can be ticketed under present traffic law for doing it.

OZ apparently DOES have specific motorcycle focused filtering laws -which we will no doubt adopt.

[dangerous]

Celtic -all the debate aside. My opinion -YOU shouldn't lane split at this stage of your riding experience.


an example-I was lane splitting at a set of traffic lights and the passenger in one of the stopped cars opened their door and hopped out. I stopped just in time.
Another--and very common-I was on the motorway -splitting lanes again and a guy in the fast lane spotted a gap in the middle lane and launched himself into it.--He had no reason to think a bike would be there.

I agree with the above, You can count on one hand the amount of times I have split. The last time I split I was delivering a new Hayabusa to a mate, the traffic had come to a stop. Bugger it I wanted to keep riding this nice bike so I decided to split between the staionary traffic cue I was in and the parked cars. What I dident see was a lady running across the rd and in frount of the 4x4 I was passing she dident see me and by the time I saw her the rear wheel of the bussa was about 2 foot of the rd and the lady triped on the frount wheel falling over.
Now I felt like a prize wank cos of what I was doing even though it was a leagle manover....... people just dont expect bikes to be in the places that we can get them and doing the things that we can...... be very cearfull.

Things I learnt: people dont think
spliting is dangerous
Bussa's do good stoppies

[bgd]

...people just dont expect bikes to be in the places that we can get them and doing the things that we can......

Regardless, people should look where they are going, it's called personal responsibility. It's also common sense.

[Lou Girardin]

Contrary to popular belief - these are NOT no passing lines - they are NO CROSSING LINES. You aren't allowed to cross the yellow lines in any circumstances - passing or otherwise (including cornering) else you will get a ticket!

Au Contraire, you may not pass a MOVING vehicle. You may cross the lines to pass a stationary vehicle.

Back to the original question, if you don't lane split why bother riding bike?

[scumdog]

They don't have too specify it as there are enough individual infringements to deal with it - illegal lane change, failing to indicate, following to close, reckless driving.

Lane Splitting is a term we as a fraternity use. Law's relate to passing on the left. I will find it as it will only take 2 mins

You can only pass on the left when:

there are two or more lanes on your side of the centre line, and you are able to pass safely by using the left-hand lane (ie not occupy the same lane!)

you are directed to by a police officer

the vehicle you are passing:

has stopped, or

is signalling a right turn, or

is turning right

At all other times you must pass on the right.

PS - you are also not allowed to use the flush median to pass either!

Some more for you
TRAFFIC REGULATIONS 1976
PART 2 - DRIVING RULES
5. Driving in lanes—
(2)No driver shall drive, either wholly or partly, in any lane that is not available to him
(ie - you can't occupy a lane with another vehicle)

Passing on the right is considered just that - passing! Provided you either don't cross the yellow line, or pass safely on a white - this is passing - not lane splitting.

You can only lane split/filter (Ie ride between traffic) when the traffic is stationary or turning right. Under no circumstances can you ride in the break down lane.

When traffic is moving this is a whole different ball game. I am not saying I didn't and won't do it (bloody oathe I will) - I am just saying you can be ticketed under present traffic law for doing it.

OZ apparently DOES have specific motorcycle focused filtering laws -which we will no doubt adopt.

You CAN pass on the flush median on a 100kph are though.

[dangerous]

Au Contraire, you may not pass a MOVING vehicle. You may cross the lines to pass a stationary vehicle.

Back to the original question, if you don't lane split why bother riding bike?

SAY WHAT..... are you telling me that you CAN pass or cross the yellow lines if it is a stationary vechicle???
emmmm I know that it was once your domain but I'm tending to go with W1 on this.

"Back to the original question, if you don't lane split why bother riding bike" thats just the dumbest question

[wkid_one]

Au Contraire, you may not pass a MOVING vehicle. You may cross the lines to pass a stationary vehicle. RUBBISH

Back to the original question, if you don't lane split why bother riding bike?

Sorry - but you are in fact wrong here Lou - check the LTSA and Traffic Act

You can pass at a no-passing line if:

you stay on your side of the solid yellow line, and

you can see 100 metres of clear road in front of you for the whole time while you are passing, and

the lane is wide enough for two vehicles

Sorry Lou - but you CAN pass a moving vehicle provided you don't cross the line

http://www.ltsa.govt.nz/roadcode/key.../passing3.html

And re the flush medians - no - at 100kph this isn't acceptable

http://www.ltsa.govt.nz/factsheets/52.html

Don't use flush medians as:

• overtaking lanes (except for short distances just before the turn or when preparing to turn right and other traffic is occupying the adjacent lane)
• a place to park.

It's an offence to use a flush median to overtake or to park on one.

If you want to argue - I am basing my information on the law as described on here to make sure people get the CORRECT information - rather than common law/beliefs