Lane Splitting 101 needed

[Rider_of_the_Strom]

I finally have an excuse to do the trip I've always wanted to do. I have a friend getting marreid in Del Mar at the end of September and I am going to be riding the coast all the way from Portland. Having never ridden in SoCal before I am looking for some tips on riding in the traffic and what to watch out for (besides people opening doors on me).

Are there some lanes that are better than others?
How much faster do I go than the rest of the traffic?
Any hand signals to be used, etc?

Once I get to Santa Monica I think I'll just jump on the 405 to get thru LA. It will be mid-week, mid-day. Is that the best way thru town or should I do something different? Any neighborhoods to avoid?

Any help to a complete novice would be appreciated. It's not like I've never ridden in traffic, I was just hoping some locals could help me with some of my unfamiliarity.

Thanks!

[turboderek]

besides people opening doors on me
don't worry about doors being opened on you

Are there some lanes that are better than others?
far left lane. It's much easier to split around the car pool double yellow

How much faster do I go than the rest of the traffic?
0-15 mph

I'd say find a bike and follow it. It's summer so there will be plenty of bikes out.

[johnonastrom]

I guess your taking the 5 down from Oregon,you will hit the split at San Fernando for the 405,at midday it should not be too bad use the Diamond lanes where you can [for carpoolers and motorcycles],dont go over the double yellows to get in or out of them as its a big fine.You will probably find traffic will slow at the Supulveda Pass coming over the Santa Monica mountains and around West Los Angeles where the 10 freeway crosses until you are passed the airport.My advice is general but I wouldnt stop for gas or to eat between Westchester L.A.County {close to the airport}and Westminister in Orange County,roughly 30 miles before or after that should be fine.What to look out for is the same thing as in Oregon only much more of it.People spend hours driving everyday and daydream,make last second lane changes,talk on the phone,put make-up on,eat and drink and I have even seen people reading newspapers while they drive.Lane splitting, yes I do it but it never feels good,sweaty neck if you know what I mean.Have a safe trip.

[DogBoy]

You will get plenty of experience in the SF Bay Area before you ever get to Southern CA.


+1 to all Turboderek's advice. No one is going to open a car door on you.

Just pretend you're invisible as you would in normal traffic. Stay relaxed.

Pay attention to the driver's head. Someone moving or turning their head is about to change lanes.

DON'T lane share between two big rigs, busses or other large trucks. Be patient and wait for one truck to get a head of the other. Then you can pass.

Watch for other bikes coming up behind you and move into a lane to make room for them.

Most important: only lane share when you are comfortable doing it.

[gibbage]

Lane splitting is something you sort of brake yourself into. Dont expect to go very far on your 1st split. Split a few cars and see how it feels. Most of the time, there is room to split a VS Bug between lanes, BUT!!! Watch out for doolies, SUV's with big side view mirrors and such. I find staying in 1st and 2nd gear keeps me out of trouble. Also, once traffic startst to pack, DONT split till the traffic "settles" since thats the time most people make those last min "no look" lane changes. Once the traffic settles, them most of the lane changing is done. If you see a hole big enough for a car, a car WILL fill it.If you see a hole half the size of a car, a car WILL fill it. So any gap in traffic, be ready.

Its the law to only split the #1 and #2 lane. I dont know if the carpool is considered #1, but I see people constantly splitting the yellow. LOTS of room on the yellow, but lots of bumps also.

Like I said. Split a few, and see how you feel. Its not for everyone. Baby steps ;)

As for following another bike, dont. Just because HE made it THAT fast, does NOT mean you can also. Its like people always say, "ride at your own pace". I tried that and wound up tapping a mirror.

P.S. Tapping a mirror is not as bad as I thought it would be. Most mirrors brake right off and not mess up your hand guards that much!

[tac3]

Vehicle code says to pass no more than 5 mph faster than the car you are overtaking. No one in cars or trucks HAVE to move over to let you by. Lots of people are aware of the law that allows lane splitting and will move over for you, but don't think you will automatically get them all to move over. Some will try to block you, just back off and find another way around them.

[gibbage]

Some will try to block you, just back off and find another way around them.

I have seen this. Its rare, but it does happen. What it is are cagers pissed off that THEY are stuck in traffic, and want YOU to also suffer.

Also, most people who dont know motorcycles DONT know that splitting lanes is even legal. Most Californian's just think its just one of those illegal things those punk motorcycle riders do! So they expect motorcycles to split lanes, they just dont agree with the fact they do that.

[USMC V-STROMMER]

Also, for safety sake, it is much safer to lane split when cars are next to each other rather than staggered. If a car is next to a car, it has no open space to move into. Most of the cagers down this way think that turn signals are an unnecessary accessory on their vehicles too so beware of that. Also, the vehicle code for lane splitting according to my MSF instructor says "any speed, any lane" but like the other folks have already said, it's much safer between the 1&2 lanes. I was watching a CHP officer on his bike lane splitting. He was ultra smooth in all lanes. Unfortunately I was in my cage with a couple of people. I would have loved to have been on my bike behind him. It would have been great to be behind a professional.
Safe travels.

[vaara]

I have seen this. Its rare, but it does happen. What it is are cagers pissed off that THEY are stuck in traffic, and want YOU to also suffer.

Also, most people who dont know motorcycles DONT know that splitting lanes is even legal.

In fact, lane-sharing isn't legal. It's "not illegal." A fine distinction, but it means that if a CHP officer sees you riding in what he thinks is an unsafe manner, he can pull you over no matter how safely you *think* you're riding.

Everyone seems to have their own threshold for lane-splitting. I usually only do it if traffic is going 25mph or less, and then I'll go 10mph faster than traffic, at the most. If you do lane-split, make sure to watch your 6, because there are plenty of riders who think it's perfectly OK to split at 40-50mph faster than traffic, and they WILL expect you to move over.

And good luck staying off the Botts dots.

[skerbdawg]

I finally have an excuse to do the trip I've always wanted to do. I have a friend getting marreid in Del Mar at the end of September and I am going to be riding the coast all the way from Portland. Having never ridden in SoCal before I am looking for some tips on riding in the traffic and what to watch out for (besides people opening doors on me).

Are there some lanes that are better than others?
How much faster do I go than the rest of the traffic?
Any hand signals to be used, etc?

Once I get to Santa Monica I think I'll just jump on the 405 to get thru LA. It will be mid-week, mid-day. Is that the best way thru town or should I do something different? Any neighborhoods to avoid?

Any help to a complete novice would be appreciated. It's not like I've never ridden in traffic, I was just hoping some locals could help me with some of my unfamiliarity.

Thanks!


I always split between the car pool and the #1 (fast lane). I generally stay in the carpool lane but if a car is going slower than the speed limit by all means split around them. I stay on the white line near the doulble yellow and sometimes cross the double yellow line if a car makes a sudden move. It's actually illegal but the CHP is fairly tolerant of it if aren't being careless. One thing I've found is that other bikers will ride your butt if you don't split at the same speed. Everybody here in SoCal is in a hurry. Just take it easy and watch for the cellphone talkers, eaters, readers, text messaging cager types. Oh and the massive amounts of road debis.

Steve in Huntington Beach

[Rider_of_the_Strom]

Thanks everyone for your comments. I feel I'm pretty alert and adept in traffic, so now I get to find out what it's like in those situations I usually have to say, "If I could only..."

Ride safe all!

[gibbage]

Also, be carefull of panners if you have them. If they are big, I would suggest against them. Cars are wider low, so just because your handlebars can bake it does not mean that your panners will if they are not wider then your bars.

[2wheeldeb]

I just rode in southern cal the first of july and I come from very rural back roads in new mexico. I felt things happened quickly but well orchestrated when a fast lane change happened it seemed to magiclally work. I didn't even try splitting because of big caribou bags and real lack of experience. I felt that I needed to concentrate all my effort on where to be for exits some to the right some to the left go figure. I did get a little lost in riverside but usually able to get off and on the opposite direction ok. I remember some construction at the 5 exit from pacific coast in dana point. The laguna beach traffic was busy but the view was worth the stop and go's. make sure you take 1 from oceanside-carlsbad-encinata right on the ocean fantastic views. They'll stop you going north on 5 to check your motorcycle for illegal aliens I voluntered to take off my seat!

[2wheeldeb]

I just rode in southern cal the first of july and I come from very rural back roads in new mexico. I felt things happened quickly but well orchestrated when a fast lane change happened it seemed to magiclally work. I didn't even try splitting because of big caribou bags and real lack of experience. I felt that I needed to concentrate all my effort on where to be for exits some to the right some to the left go figure. I did get a little lost in riverside but usually able to get off and on the opposite direction ok. I remember some construction at the 5 exit from pacific coast in dana point. The laguna beach traffic was busy but the view was worth the stop and go's. make sure you take 1 from oceanside-carlsbad-encinata right on the ocean fantastic views. They'll stop you going north on 5 to check your motorcycle for illegal aliens I voluntered to take off my seat!
Deb

[vaara]

I had a scary lane-splitting experience last night. I was coming home from a 3-pass group ride (Ebbetts, Monitor, Tioga) at around 10pm when we came across a monumental traffic jam on 580 westbound just after it splits from 5. I started splitting but quickly got freaked out. Reason: there was a strong crosswind, which made it difficult to keep the bike upright even when standing still - I can't flatfoot it. Plus I have the stock shield and it's adjusted to the top-most position, and it really catches the wind.

So I waved my friends past and just did the stop & go routine for 30 minutes. After I got through and sped back up to 70mph, I had to keep the bike leaned over about 10 degrees just to stay in a straight line.

Anyway, my point is that lane-splitting isn't much fun if it's windy, esp. on a Strom.

(Other than that, it was a tremendous ride.)

[turboderek]

I'm with you on that. I have caught some bad wind at night lane splitting on the way home from work. I just weave in and out the best I can to deal with the wind pushing me around

I had a scary lane-splitting experience last night. I was coming home from a 3-pass group ride (Ebbetts, Monitor, Tioga) at around 10pm when we came across a monumental traffic jam on 580 westbound just after it splits from 5. I started splitting but quickly got freaked out. Reason: there was a strong crosswind, which made it difficult to keep the bike upright even when standing still - I can't flatfoot it. Plus I have the stock shield and it's adjusted to the top-most position, and it really catches the wind.

So I waved my friends past and just did the stop & go routine for 30 minutes. After I got through and sped back up to 70mph, I had to keep the bike leaned over about 10 degrees just to stay in a straight line.

Anyway, my point is that lane-splitting isn't much fun if it's windy, esp. on a Strom.

(Other than that, it was a tremendous ride.)

[ostion]

+1 on High Beams




1. Use your high beams

[rev383]

Technically in California there is no such thing as "lane splitting". As such there is nothing in the vehicle code against "lane splitting". However the vehicle code does address "lane sharing". Lane sharing is addressed and can result in a vehicle moving infraction.

The Motorcycle Drivers Manual text reads:

Lane Sharing
Cars and motorcycles each need a full lane to operate safely. Lane sharing is not safe.
Riding between rows of stopped or moving cars in the same lane can leave you vulnerable. A car could turn suddenly or change lanes, a door could open, or a hand could come out of a window. Discourage lane sharing by others. Keep a center position whenever drivers might be tempted to squeeze by you. Drivers are most tempted to do this:
•In heavy, bumper-to-bumper traffic.
•When they want to pass you.
•When you are preparing to turn at an intersection.
•When you are moving into an exit lane or leaving a highway.

Full text of Motorcycle Drivers Manual is available at:
http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/dl655/dl665mcycle.pdf

Lane sharing by motorcycles in California is tolerated by the CHP and other law enforcement officials. They will cite you if they determine you are endangering yourself or others and it can be a reckless driving ticket.

I was a military MSF instructor under CMSP for years in SoCal. There is nothing I can remember in the BRC or ERC that recommends or trains riders in lane splitting/sharing. The text recommends against lane sharing with any other vehicle including another motorcycle. Instructor say all kinds of things at MSF courses that are not in the text. Myths and legends abound as we got beat up about it at every CMSP update every year.

I also worked in law enforcement in SoCal. There used to be in the vehicle code a section that addressed "lane sharing" by motorcycles. The section was developed to prevent air cooled "old school" bikes from breaking down and causing traffic problems. I do not remember the exact wording but it was such as "if traffic flow is moving below a certain XXMPH then a 2 wheeled (3 wheelers are registered as motorcycles also) vehicle is allowed to share a lane between vehicles moving parrallel in traffic at speed no more than XXMPH above the flow of traffic. I cannot find any current text in the code. It may still be there but the code is large and I just haven't located it yet.

26 years riding all kinds of bikes in SoCal and I don't think I ever split lanes. Just isn't safe. Flow of traffic in a clear pocket with lots of buffer is the safest place to be if you want to keep riding a long time. I've seen lots of folks split lanes to get to the head of line at stop lights, that is just rude and does nothing for our sport. (And supports those that put forward proposed legislation that would curtail it to state and federal goverments.)

[DogBoy]

Great bit of satire Rev383. I was laughing out loud. Especially the last part.

[shaklee909]

I have to go to meetings in Irvine twice a month. In my car it takes about 2 hours to go down, but 2.5 hours go get home.
With my bike it takes 70 minutes going down and 80 to get home.
The drivers on my route home normally move to let me get by.
For me its worth it.

[turboderek]

San bernardino here also. I ride to santa ana on my wee-strom 5 days a week for my commute.

I have to go to meetings in Irvine twice a month. In my car it takes about 2 hours to go down, but 2.5 hours go get home.
With my bike it takes 70 minutes going down and 80 to get home.
The drivers on my route home normally move to let me get by.
For me its worth it.

[gibbage]

26 years riding all kinds of bikes in SoCal and I don't think I ever split lanes. Just isn't safe. Flow of traffic in a clear pocket with lots of buffer is the safest place to be if you want to keep riding a long time. I've seen lots of folks split lanes to get to the head of line at stop lights, that is just rude and does nothing for our sport. (And supports those that put forward proposed legislation that would curtail it to state and federal goverments.)

Thanks for the info. At lights, this is called "Filtering" and I dont do it. I do think its against the law and cant be considered lane splitting. Everything I have heard about lane splitting says #1, California is the only state that allows it and #2, its safer then waiting between two cars if the car behind you does not see you. We ALL know that cars simply DONT see you, and in traffic on freeways, cars hit each other all the time. I just dont want to be between two cagers using cell phones. I would really like to see a study on this, and it it really is safer.

Gibbage

[DogBoy]

Thanks for the info. At lights, this is called "Filtering" and I dont do it. I do think its against the law and cant be considered lane splitting. Everything I have heard about lane splitting says #1, California is the only state that allows it and #2, its safer then waiting between two cars if the car behind you does not see you. We ALL know that cars simply DONT see you, and in traffic on freeways, cars hit each other all the time. I just dont want to be between two cagers using cell phones. I would really like to see a study on this, and it it really is safer.

Gibbage


The CHP doesn't keep records on lane sharing accidents because there are so few they statistically insignificant. However, they do keep records on rear end accidents for cars and motorcycles. I don't believe there is a study on lane sharing but the above information (from an interview in the Sacramento Bee) would point to the activity as being safe because there are less lane sharing accidents than rear end accidents.

Also, its important to think about lane sharing in a context beyond the USA. Lane sharing and filtering is the norm in most (if not all) countries in Europe, Asia and South America.