Yesterday was my first time riding in traffic, in Colombia where I used to ride before it is not illegal to go in the middle and what not but I know here it is. So I was sitting in traffic for a while feeling retarded because I knew I would fit fine. After seeing a scooter and about 3 or 4 bikes pass through the middle i decided to do it. I then saw a cop ahead and pulled over to a gas station to fill up.
What do you guys do? would that cop pull me over is he saw me? What is the norm here, we know it's illegal but do all bikes pretty much do it?
I dont see many bikes splitting lanes here. Cops around here will crack down pretty hard if you're caught doing that so i just sit back and complain about the traffic and how hot its getting. Also some of the people are dumb and will call it in sometimes so theres another reason i dont. Where do you live? The only place in the US that its legal to split lanes is in Cali so if you're there you're golden, if not its illegal and yes you would of gotten pulled over.
In IL it is a nono and if a cop sees you he will pull you over if possible. I would be more afraid of the cagers though...the ones in the Chicago area are always angry for some reason and looking to murder a biker.
I'm in NY. I just saw so many guys doing it and they actually had to have pass the cop that i saw. I guess I'll just keep it safe and straight for now.
I'm in southern california where it's legal. Except for maybe the guys on huge cruisers, just about everyone seems to split lanes. I've rode out to Las Vegas a couple times where it's illegal to split, wow it's hard to sit in traffic. We usually end up cheating a little bit, as we see guys with Nevada plates doing it.
there are other places besides cali. D.C is legal to split lanes and theres one more i forget. Then there are places with no mention of it being legal or illegal, but either way just be safe, think of your safety first. I know the penalties on the east coast if you do get caught, its mostly a ticket ($200+ usually, and 2pts) (not from experience too btw haha)
Actually Dan, I don't know if you're right about DC. I looked it up on the AMA site, but couldn't find specific info on it.
InVA, it's considered reckless driving to split lanes or ride two abreast if you are not in a parade escort.
Here's the VA summary:
Motorcycles operating two abreast in same lane No. § 46.2-857. Driving two abreast in a single lane. A person shall be guilty of reckless driving who drives any motor vehicle, including any motorcycle, so as to be abreast of another vehicle in a lane designed for one vehicle, or drives any motor vehicle, including any motorcycle, so as to travel abreast of any other vehicle traveling in a lane designed for one vehicle. However, this section shall not apply to any validly authorized parade, motorcade, or motorcycle escort, nor shall it apply to a motor vehicle traveling in the same lane of traffic as a bicycle, electric personal assistive mobility device, electric power-assisted bicycle, or moped.
Lane Splitting § 46.2-857 A person shall be guilty of reckless driving who drives any motor vehicle, including any motorcycle, so as to be abreast of another vehicle in a lane designed for one vehicle, or drives any motor vehicle, including any motorcycle, so as to travel abreast of any other vehicle traveling in a lane designed for one vehicle. However, this section shall not apply to any validly authorized parade, motorcade, or motorcycle escort, nor shall it apply to a motor vehicle traveling in the same lane of traffic as a bicycle, electric personal assistive mobility device, electric power-assisted bicycle, or moped
It's not legal in Arkansas, but damned if I don't do it anyways. It's always backed up in the morning and afternoon rush hour on the free way. If there is room I'll lane split until there isn't room, etc. (I always go really slow though to have time to react to the retards that sporadically switch lanes thinking it is moving faster than the other). I take the shoulder sometimes too if my exit is within a mile or 2. I don't enjoy the feeling of my nuts roasting over a 216 degree engine and hand cramping up from feathering the clutch to putt putt along for 30 min. Until I get a ticket or a slap on the wrist, I'm going to do it during the freeway congestion.
I will not lane split because people in my city are ****ing morons. They take some kind offense to being cut and I wouldn't put it past them to hit me with their door or try to run me over. Hell the other day some guys started arguing and this dude pulled out a gun and killed a woman. Psycho cagers
Splitting lanes in the South is very much illegal but I have seen people do it but not me. These fools down here cant drive and will hit you and keep it moving... Dude got knocked off his bike this pass weekend and found his below the freeway on the ground..
yeah, here in DFW the lanes aren't wide enough to give the room needed. And people don't know to even look for a biker doing that. There would be way too many dead people.
I mean personally i would split lanes in a situation like that. i know it is illegal and i know there are consequences but it wouldnt stop me. we have sportbikes, we all have that inner little gremlin saying "do it"...hahah... correct me if im wrong!
never done lane splitting before...but im just too goodie goodie rider so i don't know if i will have the guts to do it...too afraid of the consequences lol :toocool:
I got stuck in a 10 mile back-up on the Garden State pkwy. After 30 mintues of moving 20 feet my buddy and I began to ride the shoulder, only doing about 10mph. Every time we passed another biker they pulled behind us. The worse part was some cagers would pull into the shoulder trying to prevent us from passing, i was so pissed, but I was breaking the law so.
In cali I usually give a nice :toocool: wave to people who make more room for me to lane split. For whatever reason they do it. Probably cause they don't want their car scratched. When people move intentionally to close my gap then I just keep going and laugh cause "They giving me salty looks, Lawry's"
Geez, I wouldnt be able to sit in traffic after being able to split lanes like out here in Cali.
My hat off to all you guys who have to sit tight smellin those exhaust fumes!
I Live On The Central Coast In Cali, And I Split Lanes All The Time.i Have Never Had Someone Try To Run Me Off The Road. I Would Be Pissed Off If They Would Try That..
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