Lane Splitting

[dgates]

I would lane split or more likely "filter" to the front of the line of traffic at a stop light if allowed. I have done this once or twice when traffic was grid locked and my turn was about 50 feet ahead of me and there was a clear pathway. If you are ever downtown Seattle look and see all the bicyclists all over the place through the traffic etc...
I don't know, I think once cagers are used to seeing motorcyclists getting through traffic, they may just leave the car in the garage and ride (bike or MC) to work or wherever.

[Airman]

I would lane split or more likely "filter" to the front of the line of traffic at a stop light if allowed. I have done this once or twice when traffic was grid locked and my turn was about 50 feet ahead of me and there was a clear pathway. If you are ever downtown Seattle look and see all the bicyclists all over the place through the traffic etc...
I don't know, I think once cagers are used to seeing motorcyclists getting through traffic, they may just leave the car in the garage and ride (bike or MC) to work or wherever.

I worked down at the space needle for a few months a couple years ago. I would take Denny (I think it was) to I-5. There's a long steep hill that tempts you to run up the middle so you don't have to stop on that hill. I didn't spend much time in the core area, but I can imagine. I would see those dinky scooters down there and think, maybe there is a use for those things. They certainly can get in the cracks in traffic in those really congested areas.

[dragonmojo]

Here in Washington state, lane splitting is not permitted. I think it's a common belief here that lane splitting is a bad idea due to the angry frustrated cagers. I think they would try to cut off a lane spitter. When I took the MSF course they said lane splitting is simply not addressed in law in California. The CHP could write you up for many other infractions if you appear to be riding in an unsafe manner. Bikers can use the carpool (HOV) lanes here though. That allows me to pass thousands of cars a day on the way to work. I use the verges sometimes approaching intersections, but well away from any cages. I don't think that would be considered lane sharing.

This has been covered by various national motorcycle publications, and yes, in CA it is simply not addressed (read: it does not say it is illegal, but also does not say it is legal). The bottom line is safety. I have done it, but usually at a long line at a stop, or when freeway traffic is moving at 15mph... and only if there is room to maneuver and watching out for inattentive cagers. You also don't go zipping by the traffic you are passing; with this opportunity comes a lot of responsibility. Most cagers would probably rather have a couple dozen motorcyclists proceed with splitting than having to sit (further back) in traffic behind them.

[1150929]

In the philippines, we lane split. It's against the law, but then, there's no law, so who cares.

I think it was the same in my time in Lisbon.

In Canada, we can't split and there's no sign that we will.