Bonneville America Forums Forums Rider Safety Forums Riding Technique Splitting traffic

I would appreciate if anyone could give some advice about splitting traffic. I’m headed to CA for a couple months and thinking about using my bike to commute. I’ve been riding for 20 plus years, but never In Ca.
Thanks Tom

Well, apparently it's a way of life in California, in fact here's a guide for you to make sure you do it right. Personally I don't care what they say, dunno never rode in California, but I think it's pretty insane. I base that on riding here in Chicago. I'd never even attempt it here as I can guarantee you that you'd wizz off someone enough that they would purposely make an Oreo out of you. This is where the mindset is that ANYONE getting ANYWHERE faster than you must die. Ever see the one's that jump into the on ramp lane and run it till the end so that they can merge back in oh I dunno, 10 or 12 cars ahead of you? I have witnessed their kind forced right into overpasses and the lovely yellow trash cans filled with sand by those with little tolerance for "cheaters".

Dub

I rode in CA last year & the link that Glazer provided pretty much covers it all. Just take it easy until you are really comfortable with it. As a rule, I only do it in traffic with both lanes moving at the same speed, and never when the other traffic is doing more than 20mph.

Take care & enjoy.

Nobby

The CHP guidelines are:
1. spilt lanes only when the traffic speed is less than 30 MPH.
2. Never go more than 15 MPH faster than traffic.
3. If possible, go between the leftmost 2 lanes.
4. Never ride up the left or right "emergency" lanes.
5. If a cop is near and seems to be in a bad mood, be extra careful. He could give you a ticket if you fail to signal before crossing the lane markers.

While lane splitting is not completely legal, it is not specifically illegal because there are no laws either permitting nor prohibiting it.
Don't do it on city streets because some local laws are written or interpreted differently.
The logic used by the CHP is that there are potentially a lot fewer problems caused by lane splitting than by bikes stick in the middle of the highway with an overheated, seized engine.

Last time I was in CA was in 1986. They were splitting back then due to heavy heavy daily traffic. Heck they change tires at 55mph. Isn't that were road rage started?? After ready a little more about splitting I see it as a good thing although I personally would do everything possible not to be in a situation like that to include not moving to CA. Then again I'm in Florida with only hurricanes instead of earth quakes, fires, mudslides etc. We do have a Hollywood here too LOL

Last time I was in CA was in 1986. They were splitting back then due to heavy heavy daily traffic. Heck they change tires at 55mph. Isn't that were road rage started?? After reading a little more about splitting I see it as a good thing although I personally would do everything possible not to be in a situation like that to include not moving to CA. Then again I'm in Florida with only hurricanes instead of earth quakes, fires, mudslides etc. We do have a Hollywood here too LOL

If you've ever sat in the middle of a stopped Southern California freeway on a 500lb motorcycle, you'll understand why the Highway Patrol allows lane splitting. SITTING DUCK! The bottom line is... you can take evasive action much easier when you're rolling.
I hate riding SoCal freeways at rush hours. I try and avoid them as much as possible.

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

Hiya Dub
I metioned this a little while ago and I get the impression CA is the only place in the US you can get away with lane splitting.
In the UK, we call it filtering and it's vertually expected!
What's the point of having a bike and sitting at the back of a queue of traffic!!???
Over here, I'll filter on the motorway up to about 40mph.
Just look out for gaps in the traffic - if you imagine riding past a gap, the car you're going past will no doubt decide to move into it as you go past
If you have bikes come up behind you, move when you can safely and let them go faster if they want - ride at your pace!

A mate (who has a Harl*y) rides with some (other Harl*y) 'bad lads' and will travel miles doing what they call 'line dancing'. Basically riding down the centre line of two-way traffic. I wouldn't recommend that!

Whatever you do - good luck and ride safe

Thanks for all the help.
I know my reaction time is not the same as 20 years ago, so I won’t be too aggressive.
Thanks again Tom

Those people are crazy! Did you notice the guy splitting traffic in the yellow cage?