Great article on lane splitting.

[Adios Pantalones]

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la...,3665468.story

[svs]

A very good article.

First I'd like to reassure you that, no matter how much you may fear it, you will not swerve your car sideways and hit me. By the time I invade your space, I've been studying your driving from four cars back. I know if you're on your cellphone or putting on your makeup. I know if you're following too close or lagging behind. I know if you hug to the left or right, or weave.
If you're the worst kind of driver, the one who trudges along at your own slow pace locked mirror-to-mirror with the car beside you, I've been cursing you for as long as it takes you to wake from your reverie and hit the gas, giving me the few feet of separation I need to tip my handlebars around your side view mirror.
It takes me about a half second to make my move. Once I do, you can't react fast enough to hit me.

[scottrnelson]

I thought that article and the short video that they included with it was quite good. It's the sort of thing we would like the car drivers to read and watch.

Thanks for the pointer to it.

[scottrnelson]

It's worth reading this follow-up article too:

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la...,3796541.story

[Adios Pantalones]

Thanks for the follow up, I missed that.

[Gummee!]

I'll agree with the 'hold your position' sentiment. Keep on keeping on 'cause I've planned on you not doing anything sudden.

Amazingly, I didn't see any of the usual 'you #$%^$ motorcyclsts!' kind of comments.

M

[Navy Chief]

Good read thanks for sharing that!

[MarlonXR]

Quite humbling. As a polite biker myself, I try to keep the "feelings" of motorists in mind all the time, I try to be graceful, I try not to blip my FMF right next to a guy with an open windows... I do many things. I just hope the Cape Town style of driver would heed to an article like this, and attempt to understand... the ignorant, 'the world owes me, because i pay tax' types.

[jesse v]

Great article and video; thanks for sharing.

[mendoje]

California Highway Patrol
Guidelines to Lane Splitting

http://www.chp.ca.gov/programs/lanesplitguide.html

[duck]

Originally Posted by mendoje

California Highway Patrol
Guidelines to Lane Splitting

http://www.chp.ca.gov/programs/lanesplitguide.html

You should NOT lane split:

- If you can't fit.

I learn something new every day.

[mendoje]

Originally Posted by mendoje

California Highway Patrol
Guidelines to Lane Splitting

http://www.chp.ca.gov/programs/lanesplitguide.html

Messages for Other Vehicle Drivers

1) Lane splitting by motorcycles is not illegal in California when done in a safe and prudent manner.

2) Motorists should not take it upon themselves to discourage motorcyclists from lane splitting.

3) Intentionally blocking or impeding a motorcyclist in a way that could cause harm to the rider is illegal (CVC 22400).

4) Opening a vehicle door to impede a motorcycle is illegal (CVC 22517).

5) Never drive while distracted.

6) You can help keep motorcyclists and all road users safe by

Checking mirrors and blind spots, especially before changing lanes or turning
Signaling your intentions before changing lanes or merging with traffic
Allowing more following distance, three or four seconds, when behind a motorcycle so the motorcyclist has enough time to maneuver or stop in an emergency