[esoteric]

Originally Posted by literbike

...isn't it pretty difficult to find a spot to move back into the center of the lane in heavy traffic? (say, in G-Force's picture) I couldn't imagine the envious cage drivers being friendly about helping you out.

It's very easy. It's not that they're unfriendly about helping out, it's that their awareness is very narrow (and forward) and their reaction time non-existant. Even in packed traffic you find an overwhelming amount of space between cars that you can pull a bike completely into whetehr it's moving or not. I see people bounce between these zones at speed, but that's flavored a little risky and unnecessary for my tastes.

From work we have an onramp to the 405 that is 3 lanes wide with metered access so everyone hits a phased light sequence. Not being interested in sitting through this a dozen cars deep, I regularly split up to two cars back and take a space before the next guy pulls ahead. Very easy.

[strika]

They usually don't see you again! Once past you filter to the front, and nail the traffic light GP!

[Kidder]

For the record, it is NOT LEGAL in Texas. It never got out of committee (like the above poster said). AFAIK, it is only legal in Kalifornia.

[steingar]

I spent seven years splitting lanes in SoCal and the closest I cam to hitting anything was another bike. I can't imagine driving in LA without a bike, er yes I can. They made a movie about it with Michael Douglas (Falling Down), I would probably have the same reaction as him.

I don't think there is a law for or against in my perspicacious state, not that it would deter me in the slightest. The only accident I have ever had on a bike was a rear end collision. Fortunately, I live in a one-horse cow town (of course, the horse is pretty damn big...)
so I don't have to do it very often.

[Zippy]

Great movie it was too. I can really relate to that movie after living there.

[strika]

Local research here in Oz suggests there is little or no evidence to support claims that lane splitting is dangerous. As a matter of fact, the research here in Oz, where it is legal in most states, suggests that lane splitting is actually a safer method of traffic negotiation than staying in line with the cars.

[LITEITUP]

Well the real world says that its more dangerous. Researches are never right cause there are too many factors in play and thats with everything.

[jhonda41]

Top 10 Rules for Lane Splitting

10) Dont do anything that will make that driver try to run the next rider off the road
9) be patient... they will still be in traffic when you are home, putting your kickstand down
8) always assume everyone is trying to kill you
7) watch for the nice drivers who do head checks before changing lanes
6) watch the front wheels for d---head drivers who dont check
5) be aware of other cars/bikes in the other lanes too (chain reactions get ugly quick)
4) keep spark plugs handy for NYC cabbies (and others) who like to open doors or drive into you purposely
3) If you need to use the spark plug..PLEASE make sure you have the ability/route to get away
2) give an appreciative wave for those who make space for you

oh yeah...
1) if its illegal in your state.... STOP DOING IT WHEN YOU SEE THE COPS

-jh
proud supporter of the bonus rule: If said cops see you AND they are stuck in the traffic AND you decide not to stop ...SEE RULE #3

[booracer]

study says it's slightly safer to split lane in cali. just slightly. more riders get rear ended or rear ends a car.

i try to gesture a thank you to every driver allowing passage. those that travels the same freeway as i do seems to appreciate courteous lane splitters. harley guys, however, must feel they are too macho to do so because majority of them just rev the crap out of their engine and expect to be given the right of way. that's another story...

[Repeater]

Originally Posted by LITEITUP

Well the real world says that its more dangerous. Researches are never right cause there are too many factors in play and thats with everything.

As a long time lane splitter i can tell you that it is safer to be inbetween two cars than between two cars. cars will see each other and not u on a bike so go inbetween them. they aren't going to change lanes into each other are they? if you are spliting lanes and come upon an open space that a cage can fit in you make a nice arc before entering back into the "split". i have riden in many states and could care less if it is legal or not. hey i'm from cali! lets see a cop chase me down in traffic (not that i would run it is just he is stuck)

Save gas split lanes.