last night 401 east

[Rob MacLennan]

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I'm going to have to side with Rob on this as the dude in the video doing the lane splitting says, "...don't quote me on this but I don't think there's is a law that states you can lane split but there's also no law that says you cant. Which is basically what Rob was saying too. As long drivers in California are ok with it than why make a big fuss over it unlike here.

Same goes with Florida's helmet law which I think it's illegal to not wear one but if the general populace don't raise a hell storm over it than that's why they allow people to not wear helmet. But here people are so worried about other people's behaviour, what they wear, how they drive/ride, etc.. If they think long term it's actually more a benefit to them as they get to work faster and more people will get into 2 wheel riding easing the road congestion as well.

[video=youtube;c2WgLYenN2A]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c2WgLYenN2A[/video]

Not that I think Wikipedia should ever be cited as a critical source, however the entry on lane splitting does reference a book by Pat Hahn.

The legal confusion in Australia is not exceptional. In California no law explicitly and clearly prohibits lane splitting, and significantly, it has become the traditional policy of law enforcement, the courts, and the public in California to tolerate it when it is done safely. However, those engaged in unsafe behavior, including unsafe lane splitting, can still be cited for violating certain sections of the vehicle code.[SUP][57][/SUP] Motorcycle safety author and consultant Pat Hahn wrote in his 50-state handbook of US motorcycling laws that, "Lane sharing with vehicles other than motorcycles is not legal anywhere, including California. However, it is tolerated in California to large degree" and that "California is the only state in the country that allows lane splitting, lane sharing, and filtering. However, contrary to legend, it is not legal. Nor is it illegal. It falls in a gray area unique to California … You can (and will) get stopped and cited if you're riding like an ***."[SUP][58][/SUP] California has no laws explicitly prohibiting lane splitting, and is the only U.S. state for which official statements state that lane splitting, when done safely, is legal.[SUP][59][/SUP][SUP][60][/SUP] California is not the only state for which there is no traffic law that explicitly prohibits lane splitting,[SUP][37][/SUP][SUP][39][/SUP][SUP][61][/SUP][SUP][62][/SUP] but officials rely on other laws to regularly interpret lane splitting as unlawful.[SUP][61][/SUP] For example, New Mexico does not address lane splitting by name, but has language requiring turn signals be used continuously for at least 100 ft (30 m) before changing lanes,[SUP][63][/SUP] as well as other codes which may be cited by an officer.[SUP][57][/SUP][SUP][64][/SUP] Many other states have identical codes, derived from the Uniform Vehicle Code.[SUP][65][/SUP]

 

[revrandy]

Thanks Rob,

Lane filtering/splitting are indeed gray areas in California. On some of the motorcycle boards down there you will run into people being charged for doing so, all because they were asshats. Splitting while riding at 80 mph etc.

 

[Rob MacLennan]

Thanks Rob,

Lane filtering/splitting are indeed gray areas in California. On some of the motorcycle boards down there you will run into people being charged for doing so, all because they were asshats. Splitting while riding at 80 mph etc.

It also seems to not be universally understood by California drivers. I remember hearing about some radio host, in (I believe) L.A., commenting about wanting to give motorcyclists the door prize for doing it a couple of years back. The AMA went nuts on him.

 

[kmawani]

Too many guys filter at 50 - 60 kph and often a lot more...that is just asking for something bad to happen, and no other responsible road user, no matter how open-minded they may be, are gonna be ****** if you do that.

Hmmm....do you think that thats the reason why filtering is illegal here?

 

[Outlaws Justice]

On topic, filtering or splitting is illegal, and so are many other things.

I feel that before the OP or anyone else condems ANYONE for something you first need to make sure that you are not breaking ANY laws, as has been mentioned the law is the law, who are you to decided what laws it is ok to break or which ones should be enforced. Maybe it makes the community as a whole look bad, but so does any rider breaking any law.

I rode about 850 k this weekend on the 401, seems every vehicle was doing more than the posted 100 km/h in fact seemed the average was well over 120 km/h so that still makes it illegal and that means every rider I saw should have slowed down to the speed limit or below regardless of what everyone else was doing.

I see it like this, if you have ever broken a law (Even if not ticketed for it) then you really have no right to say anything about another rider breaking a law. Unless thier doing so causes you injury.

 

[Rob MacLennan]

Please keep in mind that such a black and white view doesn't take into account that there are varying degrees of stupid.

 

[Outlaws Justice]

Please keep in mind that such a black and white view doesn't take into account that there are varying degrees of stupid.

I agree 100% but the OP seems upset that someone was on the shoulder, he did not say they were doing 100 km/h on the shoulder or doing wheelies etc. He was using the fact that it was illegal, nothing else and how it makes us all look bad.

I was on the 401 West Friday evening, at about 10:15 or 10:30 several "Squids" past me in my lane weaving in and out of traffic at well above the speed limit. I did not see or hear them coming until the first one past me. I was not thrilled with that action, as it startled me, on a busy road in heavy traffic while on my bike pulling a trailer. But who am I to complain, not like I was running under the speed limit prior to that myself. And nothing they did physically effected me.

 

[Irocian]

not angry at all just stating the fact that not only is it illegal it is also dangerous due to all the crap that gathers on the shoulder. They would be the first to whine about getting a ticket or wiping out in it.

Was just stating what i saw and if that OPP had of pulled me over and accused me of the doing same as so many bikes look the same then yes i would have been ****** off.

 

[LoneRonin]

Buncha lamewads here overly concerned with their "good public image"

Might as well revoke licences for all road offenses. Rolling through stop signs, turning on red without stopping, improper lane change... All that stuff results in many more accidents than lane splitting.

+1....for once I agree with this man.
OP quit being a pussy...
if you don't want to do it don't, but don't go whining about other people for doing it. You sound like the dumb cager that left a car and half space from the white line and then tried to ***** at me as I filtered in front of them them...seriously?? were you also the whiny tattle teller as a child?

 

[azia]

I used to get mad (and sometimes I still can't help myself) when fellow bikers do stupid things....but now I realize it's just a losing game.
You can't help that some people are idiots....you also can't help that some people think we're ALL idiots.

Only thing you can do is ride/act the way you would think is right and hope to change some misconceptions people may have about your "kind".

As for lane splitting specifically....I'm undecided as to whether it's "right" or "wrong" (see logic below). I just think it's stupid to do it HERE. Mainly because drivers here don't expect you to be doing it and even worse, get mad if you do. So you're only risking your own safety (IMO). But if someone believes it's actually safer? Then okay, they can do it at their own risk...or lackthereof.

Now as for my rationale: I would be super mad if a car swerved out into the shoulder/emergency lane or drove between two smaller cars to get forwards (and yes, I've seen someone try to do that between the HOV and left lane!) so I feel like I should use the same logic towards bikes. I don't want to be treated differently when it comes to parking (as in, someone thinking I shouldn't take up a parking spot since I'm smaller) so on the flipside, I shouldn't want to be treated differently when it comes to lanes/passing, right?

I dunno, that logic is probably flawed...for now, I'm just gonna torture my clutch hand and pretend I'm in a free sauna. Mostly cause I just can't be bothered....

 

[Irocian]

+1....for once I agree with this man.
OP quit being a pussy...
if you don't want to do it don't, but don't go whining about other people for doing it. You sound like the dumb cager that left a car and half space from the white line and then tried to ***** at me as I filtered in front of them them...seriously?? were you also the whiny tattle teller as a child?

yet another attack when just state what happened. Wasn't angry was just saying as im sure if you got pulled over due the actions of others youd fine with that.

Go on attacking me makes me laugh that why i come on here now for good laughs sometimes

 

[adv_round]

I've done stupid stuff in the past... I'll admit to that, but in my grown-up state, I don't like seeing shoulder passing - not so much because it's illegal, but more so because of its anti-social element.
Some people just feel it's OK to inconvenience 20-30-50 other motorists so the can save 1 minute off their commute... Cagers are much worse, because when they do it, it IS much more of an inconvenience, as they slow traffic down when they cut back into live lane... It's simply not civilized, and that behaviour is often a cause for traffic slowing down... That's just ********* lifestyle, and I hope we as a society grow up past that kind of ignorance one day.

 

[gr33nmachine]

its funy how we say we're a community but we find any reason to tear on each other. Im a new rider IMO i bought my bike i pay the insurance i will ride it how i want wearing what i want...regardeless if you think i look like a squid or riding dangerously im not riding for your satisfaction or for your approval i make my own decision based on me. So for all those people who lanesplit/ filter all the power to you...and for those who sit in traffic full gear same goes for you but remember you made the choice to sit there and they made their choice to split. If you are one of those who complain dont get mad and cry about it because your hot and sweaty and try to hide that real reason by using whether what they are doing is illegal...last i checked not everyone is a full fledged law abiding citizen i can almost guarantee everyone has broken a law on the road whether it be as minor as 1km over the posted limited on 2 wheels or 4. so for all those people who talk smack and cry about people breaking the law since your such a good citizen apply for a police officer position and you might catch me doing something wrong then i might listen for about a whole 5mins and only agree with you just to give you that sense of accomplishment of your job as you write me a ticket

 

[wild2crazy]

Though that wasn't me, I don't know what you're complaining about. The less vehicles on the road = the more freely traffic can flow - that's why lane splitting is legal in some places; those places are wise enough to understand that you gotta keep people moving to alleviate congestion.

Now if you wanna sit in traffic and swelter in 40deg heat with full leathers on, be my guest. You're a law abiding citizen and should be applauded. Me? I'll split the lane or take the shoulder and wave as I pass you by
ottytrain2:

^^ This

 

[Ugur Dinch]

I've done stupid stuff in the past... I'll admit to that, but in my grown-up state, I don't like seeing shoulder passing - not so much because it's illegal, but more so because of its anti-social element.
Some people just feel it's OK to inconvenience 20-30-50 other motorists so the can save 1 minute off their commute... Cagers are much worse, because when they do it, it IS much more of an inconvenience, as they slow traffic down when they cut back into live lane... It's simply not civilized, and that behaviour is often a cause for traffic slowing down... That's just ********* lifestyle, and I hope we as a society grow up past that kind of ignorance one day.

If I had to make a priority list of "anti-social behaviour" in traffic, shoulder passing would probably be #137.
If the person on the right lane decides to leave a 50m gap in stop n go traffic to write a text, then I will shoulder pass.
It's not always about saving 1minute btw. As previously stated before, more about air circulation.

 

[Rob MacLennan]

its funy how we say we're a community but we find any reason to tear on each other. Im a new rider IMO i bought my bike i pay the insurance i will ride it how i want wearing what i want...regardeless if you think i look like a squid or riding dangerously im not riding for your satisfaction or for your approval i make my own decision based on me. So for all those people who lanesplit/ filter all the power to you...and for those who sit in traffic full gear same goes for you but remember you made the choice to sit there and they made their choice to split. If you are one of those who complain dont get mad and cry about it because your hot and sweaty and try to hide that real reason by using whether what they are doing is illegal...last i checked not everyone is a full fledged law abiding citizen i can almost guarantee everyone has broken a law on the road whether it be as minor as 1km over the posted limited on 2 wheels or 4. so for all those people who talk smack and cry about people breaking the law since your such a good citizen apply for a police officer position and you might catch me doing something wrong then i might listen for about a whole 5mins and only agree with you just to give you that sense of accomplishment of your job as you write me a ticket

When I started riding, and for maybe the first decade, I believed in The Brotherhood of the Biker. Not now. Not anymore. To many people who don't care one whit about the rest of society.

 

[LoneRonin]

I've done stupid stuff in the past... I'll admit to that, but in my grown-up state, I don't like seeing shoulder passing - not so much because it's illegal, but more so because of its anti-social element.
Some people just feel it's OK to inconvenience 20-30-50 other motorists so the can save 1 minute off their commute... Cagers are much worse, because when they do it, it IS much more of an inconvenience, as they slow traffic down when they cut back into live lane... It's simply not civilized, and that behaviour is often a cause for traffic slowing down... That's just ********* lifestyle, and I hope we as a society grow up past that kind of ignorance one day.

again, what a stupid statement...are you guys riders or what?? If a bike does happen to go down the shoulder please tell me how it is inconvenient for a driver stuck in traffic? That doesn't make sense..the rider isn't cutting them off or weaving in and out (hopefully). I'd much rather this "anti-social" behaviour than all the social dumbasses yapping and texting away on their phones while driving.

 

[adv_round]

What a stupid response. Why did you stop highlighting right there... and not included part about cagers. I don't make a point about riders/bikes, but about behaviour. No double standards, like it or not...

 

[acernec]

I got warned by the moderator stating I was insulting the OP. The OP insulted / criticized the rider he saw and I stated if other bikers tarnish his image he should not ride. What gives one person the right to criticize and another not. I guess it's all in how its phrased. What if the other biker had an emergency or as others stated, his bike was overheating.

I still believe if the OP is so concerned about image, he should seek other activities that better suit his lifestyle so not to tarnish his image. Filtering is efficient... it will never happen here as we can't even use many HOV lanes.

 

[OMGSelenaGomez]

Some people just feel it's OK to inconvenience 20-30-50 other motorists so the can save 1 minute off their commute... Cagers are much worse, because when they do it, it IS much more of an inconvenience, as they slow traffic down when they cut back into live lane....

How does a motorcycle shoulder passing many cages (or even the one dumbass who decides that texting is okay) inconvenience "20-30-50" other motorists?

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