Okay first order of business is this disclaimer:
I am not advocating lane splitting nor am I offering lessons on the subject.
I am merely giving you my opinions and experiences so that you can make your own decisions about doing so. I am a firm believer in safe riding and I would never put someone else’s life in jeopardy.
I have been riding and splitting lanes for the better part of 20 years and although I am still here, I have had some close calls – not always the cagers fault.
I was not aware that California was one (if not the only state) that allowed this practice and thought we all did this. I also used to ride without a helmet in Texas and Cal until the laws passed.
Thank you to BlueHaya who brought this to my attention.
That said, here is my opinion on those who may now be able to ride lanes with the cages for the first time.
First, take it easy and wait for the right opportunity to get the feel for it.
Never split lanes on city streets unless traffic has come to a full stop.
Get to the front of the line and when the light changes get in front of traffic and give yourself a nice cushion – maybe 100 ft or more depending on the next light or cars in front that have just made a turn. Make sure there is plenty of room for any accessories you may have on your bike i.e. large mirrors, bags, big cans etc.
Even when you are comfortable with doing this I still do not suggest you ever split lanes on city streets while traffic is moving – even if it is just a crawl. People are constantly trying to better their own position and on the city streets they feel it is safer to dart about than on the freeway because they are going slower.
Remember – even a slow speed accident on a bike is either painful or deadly – nothing in between, no such thing as a fender bender on a bike.
Second, know your roads and every bump there is on them. Many times there is a high center which can throw you in a direction you don’t want to go, these high centers are not always obvious and can be hard to detect. The centers of many streets have reflector bumps (which I like to think of as brail for the blind drivers); these can also wreak havoc on a slow moving bike. They are slippery and cause you to lose traction at higher speeds.
Third, when you are on a freeway NEVER, NEVER again NEVER split lanes at high speed. This is just too obvious go into explanation.
Splitting lanes on a freeway is somewhat different in the fact that there are so many lanes to choose from.
I say stay away from the slow lanes to the right.
Reason: these are the lanes that most cars change from and to.
They have either just gotten on and want to get to the left – or they are trying to exit to the right.
I usually only split on the left lane when traffic is going relatively slow, 30 mph or less, just to keep myself going and to keep some air flow while still making time.
Another trick is to be careful of the false since of security you may feel when traffic is staggered – THIS IS DANGEROUS – you may feel that not having someone on one side of you is good BUT NO. AND KNOW THIS – any time there is a gap in traffic someone wants to fill it.
I often find myself riding along with a car on my side as they serve as a block. SUV’s make a great one as they are highly visible and people don’t want to change in front of them. Sometimes when traffic is still rolling I do not actually pass, I simply maintain and make sure the car can see me.
In California it is also legal to ride in NO MAN’s LAND.
This is the area of space between the carpool (or HOV) and regular traffic lanes.
Still must be careful as many idiots still cross the double yellow with no signals.
Fourth, always find the driver in the side mirrors – simple fact of physics – if you can see them, they can see you.
Last and finally – TRUST YOUR GUT INSTINCTS! – These are often based on your subconscious mind and your 5 senses that are cognizant of the surroundings taking them into account and telling you TO NOT DO IT.
I am ready for a flaming on people who do not agree with me but I feel compelled to at least give my riding community my experience, blessings and to let them know I do care for all of our well being should you decide to split lanes if the laws allow.\
REMEMBER: this is a personal decision and as riders we must do everything we can to put ourselves in the safest place, not just for us but for the people who depend on us to be there, family – friends – coworkers – and of course the ORG.
Thank you for your time and patience.
Ride Safe.
Bubba
I am not advocating lane splitting nor am I offering lessons on the subject.
I am merely giving you my opinions and experiences so that you can make your own decisions about doing so. I am a firm believer in safe riding and I would never put someone else’s life in jeopardy.
I have been riding and splitting lanes for the better part of 20 years and although I am still here, I have had some close calls – not always the cagers fault.
I was not aware that California was one (if not the only state) that allowed this practice and thought we all did this. I also used to ride without a helmet in Texas and Cal until the laws passed.
Thank you to BlueHaya who brought this to my attention.
That said, here is my opinion on those who may now be able to ride lanes with the cages for the first time.
First, take it easy and wait for the right opportunity to get the feel for it.
Never split lanes on city streets unless traffic has come to a full stop.
Get to the front of the line and when the light changes get in front of traffic and give yourself a nice cushion – maybe 100 ft or more depending on the next light or cars in front that have just made a turn. Make sure there is plenty of room for any accessories you may have on your bike i.e. large mirrors, bags, big cans etc.
Even when you are comfortable with doing this I still do not suggest you ever split lanes on city streets while traffic is moving – even if it is just a crawl. People are constantly trying to better their own position and on the city streets they feel it is safer to dart about than on the freeway because they are going slower.
Remember – even a slow speed accident on a bike is either painful or deadly – nothing in between, no such thing as a fender bender on a bike.
Second, know your roads and every bump there is on them. Many times there is a high center which can throw you in a direction you don’t want to go, these high centers are not always obvious and can be hard to detect. The centers of many streets have reflector bumps (which I like to think of as brail for the blind drivers); these can also wreak havoc on a slow moving bike. They are slippery and cause you to lose traction at higher speeds.
Third, when you are on a freeway NEVER, NEVER again NEVER split lanes at high speed. This is just too obvious go into explanation.
Splitting lanes on a freeway is somewhat different in the fact that there are so many lanes to choose from.
I say stay away from the slow lanes to the right.
Reason: these are the lanes that most cars change from and to.
They have either just gotten on and want to get to the left – or they are trying to exit to the right.
I usually only split on the left lane when traffic is going relatively slow, 30 mph or less, just to keep myself going and to keep some air flow while still making time.
Another trick is to be careful of the false since of security you may feel when traffic is staggered – THIS IS DANGEROUS – you may feel that not having someone on one side of you is good BUT NO. AND KNOW THIS – any time there is a gap in traffic someone wants to fill it.
I often find myself riding along with a car on my side as they serve as a block. SUV’s make a great one as they are highly visible and people don’t want to change in front of them. Sometimes when traffic is still rolling I do not actually pass, I simply maintain and make sure the car can see me.
In California it is also legal to ride in NO MAN’s LAND.
This is the area of space between the carpool (or HOV) and regular traffic lanes.
Still must be careful as many idiots still cross the double yellow with no signals.
Fourth, always find the driver in the side mirrors – simple fact of physics – if you can see them, they can see you.
Last and finally – TRUST YOUR GUT INSTINCTS! – These are often based on your subconscious mind and your 5 senses that are cognizant of the surroundings taking them into account and telling you TO NOT DO IT.
I am ready for a flaming on people who do not agree with me but I feel compelled to at least give my riding community my experience, blessings and to let them know I do care for all of our well being should you decide to split lanes if the laws allow.\
REMEMBER: this is a personal decision and as riders we must do everything we can to put ourselves in the safest place, not just for us but for the people who depend on us to be there, family – friends – coworkers – and of course the ORG.
Thank you for your time and patience.
Ride Safe.
Bubba
Ride on brutha!
Easy to say it is "too dangerous" but it is only as "unsafe" as you make it.. It is perfectly safe to do correctly.. ride like a fool, die like one...
