Bonneville America Forums Forums Rider Safety Forums Legislation Lane splitting

When I lived in California (1981 through 1983) I split the lane all the time, and I was riding a 1980 Honda Goldwing. It was much safer splitting the lane than staying in the flow of traffic. Several times if I hadn't moved in between the lanes I would have been rear ended. Back then it wasn't people talking or texting, but rather reading the morning paper, a book or putting their makeup on.

Splitting the lane in city traffic was the best. I could get anywhere in half the time, plus I spent 90% of my riding time with no traffic around me. When cars were around me they were all stopped. It's very hard to get hit by a car if it isn't moving.

Almost every European country allows Lane Splitting or as they call it Filtering, and the traffic in most of those countries is much worse than anything you could experience in the Northeastern US.

Tom