Lane Splitting

[ScionDriver]

As I am sure most of you know, if you live in the Los Angeles area and drive a motorcycle it is perfectly legal to drive down the middle of the lanes in between cars.

Well here is a video demonstrating such driving. Wicked.
YouTube - Lane splitting Los Angeles

EDIT: The film on this was sped up. I didn't realize that until after I posted.

[faksta]

I used to try something like this as a passenger with my mate on a 50cc scooter (yeah, know, no comparance ). It's a scary thing, I'd even say panty-crapping Tho maybe it's just first time(s)? But you never know when cars drivers on your way will decide to change their lane - that's what scares.

[The_Canuck]

Crazy.

I can't believe that is legal.

[fisetdavid26]

Originally Posted by The_Canuck

Crazy.

I can't believe that is legal.

^ What he said.

[Suka]

Originally Posted by fisetdavid26

^ What he said.

Only in:
* Austria
* Brasil
* Croatia
* Estonia
* France
* Greece
* Italy
* Japan
* Netherlands
* Norway
* Portugal
* Spain
* South Africa
* United Kingdom
* United States — only in California

[ScionDriver]

I guess they give motorcycles the right to do that because of the traffic congestion, almost as an incentive like "You get to drive fast and reckless and use the carpool lane because your motorcycle is better for the environment, causes less congestion, and has a better carbon footprint." But yeah its crazy and probably quite dangerous. I remember when I visited LA, if you're not use to them creeping up on you on your blind side they seem to come out of nowhere. That's scary.

[drakkie]

Very simple. In a traffic jam forget the rear view mirror, use your side mirrors all the time to spot bikes. If you see one, move to the opposite side a little bit. Just like you'd do when driving anyway, checking your mirrors and stuff. Atleast once every 2 seconds is minimum, atleast that's what they taught me and is required on a exam anyway.

[Ferrer]

I'm frankly firmly against it. It's very dangerous and perfectly avoidable.

[faksta]

Originally Posted by drakkie

Very simple. In a traffic jam forget the rear view mirror, use your side mirrors all the time to spot bikes. If you see one, move to the opposite side a little bit. Just like you'd do when driving anyway, checking your mirrors and stuff. Atleast once every 2 seconds is minimum, atleast that's what they taught me and is required on a exam anyway.

Many drivers just hate bikers, so they will never move...

[Ferrer]

Originally Posted by faksta

Many drivers just hate bikers, so they will never move...

If they are inside their lane, why should they?

[syko]

I don't mind normal sport bikes doing it but dirt bikes are a pain because of how wide they are. Once had a mirror broken by someone on a dirt bike while waiting at traffic lights. Bastard just rode off.

[Clivey]

Originally Posted by Ferrer

I'm frankly firmly against it. It's very dangerous and perfectly avoidable.

Seconded.

Originally Posted by syko

I don't mind normal sport bikes doing it but dirt bikes are a pain because of how wide they are. Once had a mirror broken by someone on a dirt bike while waiting at traffic lights. Bastard just rode off.

If someone did that to me and I later caught up with them - they'd be under the wheels of my car rather than on their bike.

There's NO excuse for damaging someone's car and just driving/riding/walking off.

[Matra et Alpine]

"Filtering" as it is called in the UK is NOT dangerous and is a better way of keeping traffic moving than Ken Livingstones fantasy congestion charge BS.

As a biker who does it in slow moving traffic, you DO have to be much more alert than normal as here many plonkers will think they jhave the right to close the lane gap and block your progress. When we rode to Le Mans 2 years ago I was VERY pleased to find the French car drivers were fantastic and cleared as wide a gap as possible for the bikes to go through.

It's the petty jealousy from idiots who think it's bad JUST because some people abuse it.
One form of abuse being speeding a film up to make it look more dangerous.
AND car drivesr knock wing mirrors too and drive off. It's not the bike or procedure that's the problem then but just human nature.

[Wolf03]

Normal speed version:
YouTube - Lane splitting Los Angeles (normal speed)
Still crazy though.

[2ndclasscitizen]

That video's interesting. Personally, I never need to split through moving traffic here in Canberra, but that's only because there's sod all traffic, but I always filter through slow/stopped traffic. Some of those cars the rider was going through were probably a bit quick.

EDIT: Just watched the normal speed version, it's fine.

Originally Posted by Ferrer

I'm frankly firmly against it. It's very dangerous and perfectly avoidable.

Jealous. And it's only dangerous because people can't drive and don't look around and keep aware of their surroundings.

Originally Posted by Ferrer

If they are inside their lane, why should they?

If you check your local road rules you might find that 1) filtering is legal where you are and 2) you are required to stay to the right of your lane.

Originally Posted by syko

I don't mind normal sport bikes doing it but dirt bikes are a pain because of how wide they are. Once had a mirror broken by someone on a dirt bike while waiting at traffic lights. Bastard just rode off.

Dirt bikes are far narrower than sports bikes, they'd only be wider if it was something like a GS with enormous panniers, or was wearing some huge Barkbusters.

Originally Posted by Clivey

If someone did that to me and I later caught up with them - they'd be under the wheels of my car rather than on their bike.

I'd be on a look out for bits of spark plugs, emergency hammers, chains et al.