Bonneville America Forums Forums Rider Safety Forums Riding Technique Maneuvering around traffic jams

Any thoughts on using our Motorcycle's maneuverability to get around traffic jams?

For example...
1) Last year on the Interstate heading to Myrtle Beach traffic came to a screeching halt! My riding partner and I sat there for a while until a few other bikes flew by on the right hand shoulder! We glanced at each other and joined them**. Mind you traffic was moving about 1mph at best but a couple of SemiTrucks tried to block us by driving onto the shoulder and actually the grass! What's up with that?? (Later found out we avoided a 12hour Interstate shutdown!)

2) Just yesterday, the same thing happened during an 8hour ride passing through Nashville, TN. I thought ok...I will be "Mr. Good Soldier" and sit here..and thought I must look like an idiot because I had a bike and didn't take advantage of it? I waited for another motorcycle to pass but that never happened? It took 2+ hrs to drive 4 miles which could've easily be cut down to 40 minutes if i would have taken the shoulder (and possibly upset the Police ahead...maybe not?).

Is it breaking the law if I ride the shoulder to get around a traffic jam? I always thought gee, that's why I got a motorcycle? Bad manners??? Thoughts??

I don't think this is a safety issue...it's just some people get a "If I can't move, no one else is" attitude!!

If it's a parking lot because of an accident, the police are busy with other things than you. If the trucks pull onto the grass, go around them on the other side, or split the lane. Of course, I have ticket lawyers on speed dial too. If it's just traffic, you might get stopped, but not if it's an accident.

It is absolutely against the law in Florida to use the shoulder or breakdown lane to circumvent traffic delays for any reason, for any vehicle.

Do I do it? Yep, although I've been stopped. I plead air cooled motor/overheating, even point to the temp gauge. Gotten off with a warning every time!!

I've done it. Probably against the law like Phil said. But I wasn't going to sit on an UPHILL section, having to ride the clutch every time we moved a half inch... No way. That's actually the time I later pulled over into shade to cool for a while.

As for safety, just be careful because a car or someone might have the same idea and not see you coming.

Sitting in traffic you could go around makes as much sense as waiting at a red light that will not trip for a motorcycle. Do what makes sense but be ready to defend it.

I won't sit still in construction or accident traffic, I try to find a way out legal or not, we're are just too vulnerable. I also won't sit at a red light that won't change...had to blow on Sunday night.

There is still a law on the books in Pa allowing motorcycles to go around stopped traffic. Dating back to the 20s or 30s. It was due to aircolled engine not being able to cool standing still. A cop will still try and ticket you for it but you can beat it in court. I know from personal experience. Now you can't dive like a maniac or yopu will get wreckless driving.

I wrote that law.

I have also used the shoulder in Florida rather than overheat an air cooled engine. An August day at 3:00 PM in stopped traffic on I4 is not fun with an aircooled engine. I am amazed, however, at the number of people who get pissed off by it, even though it is no skin off their a$$. One trucker tried to actually cut off me and a fellow rider. As an ex motorcycle cop, I can always talk my way out of tickets!

So as an Exmotorcycle cop, what do you think about those training videos that supposed use "police training tips".
Or do you have any tips?

As an ex-motorcycle cop, what should a guy you pull over on a TBA say to try and get out of a speeding ticket, or a lane-splitting ticket???

Over here in Uk we have the opposite attitude to Motorcycles. If traffic is slow or stationary car drivers will pull over a bit to give you more room to pass. Obviously there are wank3rs that do not give this courtesy but they are few and far between. In France even better they love the motorcyclist and will always give way and admire as you pass.