Lane Splitting on I-5, Anaheim to San Diego.

[SonnyC]

     Boy did I stir a hornet's nest.   My original post was simply informational ( a great and fun Saturday ride in SoCal traffic).  Either I sent the wrong message or the message was wrongly interpreted.  Either way, I offer my "mea culpa"  It was not my intent to boast of my supposedly "ego", as one member eloquently stated.  I understand that "lane splitting" is disdained by some members especially from other states, but for us California riders, it is almost a fact of life, an accepted practice (riders) and legal. Whether you agree or not, it is your inherent prerogative.  But to express that prerogative in a visceral manner and tone leaves little to be desired.

     I joined this forum shortly after I bought my new 09 Connie.  It was helpful then and continue to do so now.  To those who contributed great technical advise or gave a hand to help a fellow Connie owner, I applaud you and I hope you continue to do so.  With that said, I bid you fellow Connie owners adieu on this matter.

[Rhino]

Lane splitting is not for me but I have no problem with others doing it where it is legal. It is a fact of life in the rest of the world. In India it is an absurd concept as there are no lanes. More like maze splitting. Total chaos and some how most survive the practice.

[Conrad]

What to say?
I'm happy not to drive my bike in the US! 
That's killing the pleasure of "riding" it.
Driving a bike as if it were a car... it's a nonsense IMO.
But we have different cultures and heritages...
I respect yours in your Country and if I should ever ride there, I'd be compliant with the local regulations.

Not all of our states allow lane splitting Ugcon. My state does not.

[RFH87_Connie]

Is it correct that it is only legal in California?

I know it has been discussed in the media in Northern VA, and the DC region (where I am) but nothing ever comes from it.  Driving and commuting by HOV over many years, I can imaging that if it is allowed here, death and mayhem will result.  It is hard enough just to maintain your lane during rush hour without being hit or crowded intentionally by a car.  I can easily see the same person intentionally changing lanes on you (playing the bluff game) and then of course say "I never saw them, they must have been speeding".

In VA it is illegal for two motor vehicles to operate in a single traffic lane (even cops).  This law would also have to be modified.  In VA, I just don't see it happening.  Our region also just won the "worst traffic" in the US award last month again from AAA.  What joy.

[MrPepsi]

Is it correct that it is only legal in California?

Correct. there are attemps to get laws passed in other states as we speak.

Like Nevada.

1. There is no illegal speed for lane splitting in CA.

This is just not true. The "law" which it is not, states generally to be safe. This means if any officer sees you split at what he\she feels is in an unsafe manner, they can still issue a performance award.

[Rhino]

Not all of our states allow lane splitting Ugcon. My state does not.

I think he is saying that he's in favor of lane splitting. Seems like EVERY motorcycle does it in France and Italy routinely.

[deepseamdv]

As MrPepsi states "The "Law" which it is not" is quit accurate. In CA lane splitting is not "Legal" but specifically it is "Not illegal" and you can get ticketed if the officer feels you were unsafe. With a little sense and courtesy I have found that many cages will drift over to give more room to let you by, even at freeway speeds. I have also seen riders wiz past cars and thought to myself what an ass. It is the same as loud pipes IMHO, there will always be the 1%ers that make us all look bad.

[ugocon]

I think he is saying that he's in favor of lane splitting. Seems like EVERY motorcycle does it in France and Italy routinely.

Exactly! If you line up with cars they will shout at you: go ahead, don't slow the traffic! You've got a bike, not a cage! (or at least that's what they think for sure!)
 

[oldsmoboat]

Older thread but...
I lane split in California but not always.  I've had people move to give me room and move to cut me off.  I generally ride with traffic till a motorcycle moves past me splitting and then I will follow him.  He can clear the way for me.  Works really well if the motorcycle is CHP.

At a traffic light, I will not ride up to the front and wait for the light to change.  I will position myself so when I see the left turn lane turn green I can start splitting and arrive at the light/front of traffic as our light turns green.  Then I have a rolling start on the traffic.

The comment about splitting being "not illegal" is correct.  Everything is legal till they pass a law to make it illegal.

[Son of Pappy]

My lane sharing vehicle of choice recently!  The amber lens covers and aux lights surely let folks know where were there.  This was my first and will NOT be the last.  Most drivers move over, as if they are expecting you to move along.  Only pinchers I noticed were the smaller box trucks.

[connie14boy]

I really miss lane splitting and riding in Ca. I am recently working in Raleigh and find myself "cheating" much to the chagrin of the cages. You get spoiled very quickly in Ca., and it's no fun sitting in a long line of belching diesel trucks and buses in rush hour on a hot day. I have witnessed some gonzo splitters going thru traffic at triple digits in SoCal- the cops don't even bother because they can't get them anyways, unless they are riding one of the new C-14's. That is the fastest pursuit vehicle in the history of CHP and the motor cops love them for running down the squids and Porsches, etc.

[Boxer]

  I commute daily on the I15 from Temecula to Corona, about 40 miles, and have done it daily for
the last 3 years.  3-5 miles in each direction is lane splitting.  I have only had two drivers in that
time that intentionally tried to block me.  Many times I've suspected people of trying
to jam me up but slowing down and giving them a moment 8 out of 10 finally see I'm there and
move over.  The other 2 out of 10 are just oblivious to me being there. 
  Every time I see someone honk or rev pipes to pass I cringe.  Why **** people off with being
obnoxious?  I'd rather encourage the behavior I want by waving  thanks to the 50 people a day
who see me coming and move over.  Why would you want to alienate them?
 

[Cold Streak]

As ugo says:

Exactly! If you line up with cars they will shout at you: go ahead, don't slow the traffic! You've got a bike, not a cage! (or at least that's what they think for sure!)

Having lived in Germany for awhile it makes me nauseous to drive here in the States.  Over there it isn't a contest to see who can be the biggest  .  People actually stay in the right lane unless they are passing, not living in the left lane, running at the speed limit or lower.  I could go on and on about how the driving culture over there is so much more advanced than here is the US.  I feel really badly for any Euro's who venture over here and have the culture shock of dealing with ignorant US drivers.