Bonneville America Forums Forums Rider Safety Forums Riding Technique Splitting traffic

When I lived in CA in the the early 80's splitting the lanes was necessary and safe as long as you didn't push it. On the highway I only did it when the traffic was rolling at 35 mph or less and then I split going 5 to 15 mph faster than the traffic around me. My speed relative to the traffic flow changed more positively the slower they went. Traffic 0 me 15, traffic 30-35 me 35 40 mph.

Back then I also split city traffic but only at traffic lights when the cars are stopped. If you are in CA long enough you will see the CHP and city motorcycle police doing the same. This basically took me out of the car traffic. When the light turned green I basically had the road to myself, with the exception of the other motorcycles. At the next stop light I would slow down and wait for the cars to bunch up and then move to the front and wait again for the light to turn green.

Take it easy, observe and learn.

Tom