Eric Lai, "Why ‘lane-splitting’ in a motorcycle is just asking for trouble"

[GentlemanRacer]

Re: Eric Lai, "Why ‘lane-splitting’ in a motorcycle is just asking for trouble"

I see nothing wrong or even dangerous about passing between two cars that are not in a staggered position on the road, specifically if they are driving at less than the speed of traffic.

Most early mornings on the 401 and 400, you see these people sitting in the passing lane with cruise control on at about 118km/h, and some other idjit with CC on bungling along beside them. There is about 1-2km of open highway in front of them, and a cluster of bunched up traffic behind them.

It is safer to take the risk and pass between them on the line and get into less crowded territory than to drive behind people who are not paying attention, and who are driving by only using their brakes. Automatic transmissions are bad enough. Cruise control is a menace.

 

[Major]

Re: Why ‘lane-splitting’ on a motorcycle is just asking for trouble

Are you trying to tell us that you've done all of the above?

I'm not commenting on the lane-splitting issue specifically. My point to the poster is that rather than whine and complain on an Internet forum which will solve nothing, if you feel that strongly, do something constructive about it.

Posting here is going to do nothing to change the legal status of this issue.

Either you are part of the solution or part of the problem. Make a more constructive choice.

 

[TiburonJA]

Re: Why ‘lane-splitting’ on a motorcycle is just asking for trouble

I tend to lane split to the front at a red light if I'm stuck behind 1-3 cars. I never split while traffic is moving, just seems wayyyyy to risky. (I do realize lane splitting whether traffic is moving or not is still considered illegal.)

Today I was in a great mood after work, was in a bit of a rush to get home so I split through some traffic at a red light and I split right to the front and to my surprise there was a cop on the opposite side of the road waiting to turn left. He fully saw me split up because we made eye contact when I came to a stop, I then immediately tried to nonchalantly look around and enjoy the sky... I thought I was a gonner but nope, he just turned and was on his way. Now, this incident would make it the 3rd time that a police officer has witnessed me lane split and I have yet to get a warning or a ticket.

I honestly feel like cops are just out there to make sure people aren't doing completely reckless and irresponsible things. If I were to lane split past like 20 cars at 40 kmph while they're all stopped then perhaps yeah I would get a big fat fine, but splitting past 1-3 stopped cars at a crawl is something that I feel most cops would let slide.

Personally, I feel there is no harm lane splitting during red lights, we accelerate much faster than cars anyways so it pretty much has no impact on their commute. Splitting while traffic is moving is a completely different story though, it's just too risky (in my oppinion), plus drivers would get annoying since it would mean an extra thing to look out for while driving.

 

[Mr.K]

Re: Why ‘lane-splitting’ on a motorcycle is just asking for trouble

I tend to lane split to the front at a red light if I'm stuck behind 1-3 cars. I never split while traffic is moving, just seems wayyyyy to risky. (I do realize lane splitting whether traffic is moving or not is still considered illegal.)

Today I was in a great mood after work, was in a bit of a rush to get home so I split through some traffic at a red light and I split right to the front and to my surprise there was a cop on the opposite side of the road waiting to turn left. He fully saw me split up because we made eye contact when I came to a stop, I then immediately tried to nonchalantly look around and enjoy the sky... I thought I was a gonner but nope, he just turned and was on his way. Now, this incident would make it the 3rd time that a police officer has witnessed me lane split and I have yet to get a warning or a ticket.

I honestly feel like cops are just out there to make sure people aren't doing completely reckless and irresponsible things. If I were to lane split past like 20 cars at 40 kmph while they're all stopped then perhaps yeah I would get a big fat fine, but splitting past 1-3 stopped cars at a crawl is something that I feel most cops would let slide.

Personally, I feel there is no harm lane splitting during red lights, we accelerate much faster than cars anyways so it pretty much has no impact on their commute. Splitting while traffic is moving is a completely different story though, it's just too risky (in my oppinion), plus drivers would get annoying since it would mean an extra thing to look out for while driving.

What you're describing is "filtering", and I agree, is completely harmless, and often safer for the rider.

 

[llaen]

Re: Why ‘lane-splitting’ on a motorcycle is just asking for trouble

I tend to lane split to the front at a red light if I'm stuck behind 1-3 cars. I never split while traffic is moving, just seems wayyyyy to risky. (I do realize lane splitting whether traffic is moving or not is still considered illegal.)

Today I was in a great mood after work, was in a bit of a rush to get home so I split through some traffic at a red light and I split right to the front and to my surprise there was a cop on the opposite side of the road waiting to turn left. He fully saw me split up because we made eye contact when I came to a stop, I then immediately tried to nonchalantly look around and enjoy the sky... I thought I was a gonner but nope, he just turned and was on his way. Now, this incident would make it the 3rd time that a police officer has witnessed me lane split and I have yet to get a warning or a ticket.

I honestly feel like cops are just out there to make sure people aren't doing completely reckless and irresponsible things. If I were to lane split past like 20 cars at 40 kmph while they're all stopped then perhaps yeah I would get a big fat fine, but splitting past 1-3 stopped cars at a crawl is something that I feel most cops would let slide.

Personally, I feel there is no harm lane splitting during red lights, we accelerate much faster than cars anyways so it pretty much has no impact on their commute. Splitting while traffic is moving is a completely different story though, it's just too risky (in my oppinion), plus drivers would get annoying since it would mean an extra thing to look out for while driving.

Sure, some cops are out there to make sure people aren't doing reckless things.

And some are out there cause they get a kick out of enforcing their authority and screwing you over OR are having a bad day OR need to write up a few tickets. Congrats on not being spotted by one of those (yet).

I'm not saying don't do it. I'm saying don't be naive about the lack of bad cops.

 

[Major]

Re: Why ‘lane-splitting’ on a motorcycle is just asking for trouble

Sure, some cops are out there to make sure people aren't doing reckless things.

And some are out there cause they get a kick out of enforcing their authority and screwing you over OR are having a bad day OR need to write up a few tickets. Congrats on not being spotted by one of those (yet).

I'm not saying don't do it. I'm saying don't be naive about the lack of bad cops.

It's not even about 'good' vs. 'bad' cops. Uniformed officers in vehicles are assigned to different areas of law enforcement. In my experience, officers NOT assigned for traffic duty are going to take into account the recklessness/dangerousness of the violation. Also, they may be patrolling for other reasons more important to them than this possible minor traffic violation (in their eyes).

Either way, you're always going to take your chances if the cops see you doing something in violation of the HTA.

 

[Griffin]

Re: Why ‘lane-splitting’ on a motorcycle is just asking for trouble

I tend to lane split to the front at a red light if I'm stuck behind 1-3 cars. I never split while traffic is moving, just seems wayyyyy to risky. (I do realize lane splitting whether traffic is moving or not is still considered illegal.)

Today I was in a great mood after work, was in a bit of a rush to get home so I split through some traffic at a red light and I split right to the front and to my surprise there was a cop on the opposite side of the road waiting to turn left. He fully saw me split up because we made eye contact when I came to a stop, I then immediately tried to nonchalantly look around and enjoy the sky... I thought I was a gonner but nope, he just turned and was on his way. Now, this incident would make it the 3rd time that a police officer has witnessed me lane split and I have yet to get a warning or a ticket.

I honestly feel like cops are just out there to make sure people aren't doing completely reckless and irresponsible things. If I were to lane split past like 20 cars at 40 kmph while they're all stopped then perhaps yeah I would get a big fat fine, but splitting past 1-3 stopped cars at a crawl is something that I feel most cops would let slide.

Personally, I feel there is no harm lane splitting during red lights, we accelerate much faster than cars anyways so it pretty much has no impact on their commute. Splitting while traffic is moving is a completely different story though, it's just too risky (in my oppinion), plus drivers would get annoying since it would mean an extra thing to look out for while driving.

Even though you've done it in front of a cop three times doesn't mean the fourth cop won't nail you for HTA 172. Be aware of the risk.

 

[DOHC1]

Re: Why ‘lane-splitting’ on a motorcycle is just asking for trouble

Two cops came into my workplace today, I struck up conversation and asked what charge I was looking at if I were going in between cars while stuck in traffic. They said "if you were doing it safely I wouldn't have an issue with it". The other officer agreed. She added that it was dangerous for me, and that if I got into an accident doing so, I would be slapped with careless driving. Weaving is something they have a huge problem with. I guess as long as you filter/lanesplit cautiously and responsibly, most cops will overlook it.

 

[Tomo]

Re: Why ‘lane-splitting’ on a motorcycle is just asking for trouble

Isn't 172 stunting / racing.

Is the traffic is stationary and you cautiously filter down the cetnre to a red light at little over walking speed could that charge stand up in court?

Has anyone been charged of doing it in that scenario?

I'm from the UK and it's second nature to me. You are taught to do it and even expected to do it in your test if safe / the situation dictates.

I am refraining from doing it here so far.

 

[Rob MacLennan]

Re: Why ‘lane-splitting’ on a motorcycle is just asking for trouble

Isn't 172 stunting / racing.

Is the traffic is stationary and you cautiously filter down the cetnre to a red light at little over walking speed could that charge stand up in court?

Has anyone been charged of doing it in that scenario?

I'm from the UK and it's second nature to me. You are taught to do it and even expected to do it in your test if safe / the situation dictates.

I am refraining from doing it here so far.

http://www.gtamotorcycle.com/vbforu...ate-of-the-law-in-Ontario-a-look-at-R-v-Bunda

 

[Tomo]

Re: Why ‘lane-splitting’ on a motorcycle is just asking for trouble

What you're describing is "filtering", and I agree, is completely harmless, and often safer for the rider.

Exactly. When you are at the front you know the cars behind you have stopped. Unliek being at the end where a car could be coming towards you at anything from 50 - 80kph + Also by filtering to the front should anything happen behind you will likely be slightly offset from the rest of the traffic also avoiding injury.

Would it stand up in court? Different story I guess.