Lane split while waiting on traffic lights

[RR929]

I was in Europe for a while and noticed that most if not ALL motorcyclist would lane split while waiting on traffic lights, including motorcycle cops!!

Come to think of it, it would be a safer defensive position in the event of a 'blind cager' rear ending you on a traffic stop.

Anyway, I know if we do that here in Toronto, we would get dirty looks from drivers and possibly a ticket from traffic cops.

 

[eljay]

mmm

 

[rmemedic]

You would get more than dirty looks. Other drivers will purposely attempt to stop you from advancing, using their vehicles to pinch you off.

 

[PLau]

I was in Europe for a while and noticed that most if not ALL motorcyclist would lane split while waiting on traffic lights, including motorcycle cops!!

Come to think of it, it would be a safer defensive position in the event of a 'blind cager' rear ending you on a traffic stop.

Anyway, I know if we do that here in Toronto, we would get dirty looks from drivers and possibly a ticket from traffic cops.

You would get more than dirty looks. Other drivers will purposely attempt to stop you from advancing, using their vehicles to pinch you off.

What rmemedic said... You'll find that it will happen a lot in Markham too.

 

[zeniceguy]

I do it sometimes if I'm 1 car back. People don't like it

 

[matthew]

lane splitting is safe
loud pipes save lives
we need to ride in the HOV lane

 

[MarcosSantiago]

It happens all the time downtown.... I have seen it a lot since I got a job there last year.

Some people (drivers) do not like it but they are getting used to it. It is the new normal.

 

[imnothng]

lane splitting is safe
loud pipes save lives
we need to ride in the HOV lane

Well, two outta three ain't bad....

 

[Rob MacLennan]

Here, let me link you to the sticky post that shows you can be charged and convicted, under Ontario's racing and stunting law, for lane splitting.

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

 

[油井緋色]

And to add...

http://www.gtamotorcycle.com/vbforu...-Hypothetical-situation-lane-split-door-prize

It's not worth it.

 

[nobbie48]

Not that it affects the laws or attitudes but isn't that filtering.

 

[cleaver]

I'd be all for filtering being accepted as it is in Europe. However, just being legal would not be enough... it needs to be accepted by drivers. Too many people are diligent enforcers of what they *think* the law should be. I've had people try to run me off the road on my bicycle (not so much in Toronto, but more in smaller cities).

 

[Tomo]

It happens all the time downtown.... I have seen it a lot since I got a job there last year.

Some people (drivers) do not like it but they are getting used to it. It is the new normal.

As it should be. There is no sense in a bike taking up the space of a cage in an already congested city.

I can't see the laws coming around anytime soon

 

[Elena P.]

[video=youtube;gwko6sGQC60]http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=gwko6sGQC60[/video]

 

[ZX600]

I got hit from behind while at a red light, bike totaled, I wish we could lane split, it would be safere

Very similar hit like the video above.

 

[kiwi]

I was in Europe for a while and noticed that most if not ALL motorcyclist would lane split while waiting on traffic lights, including motorcycle cops!!

Come to think of it, it would be a safer defensive position in the event of a 'blind cager' rear ending you on a traffic stop.

Anyway, I know if we do that here in Toronto, we would get dirty looks from drivers and possibly a ticket from traffic cops.

This is called "Filtering" - to filter to the front of the lanes. Lanespitting is usually when all vehicles are moving and you ride between them..

Here, in Toronto.. people would probably open a door on you.. thats the Ontario way.

 

[SRADguy]

Here, in Toronto.. people would probably open a door on you.. thats the Ontario way.

Drivers in Toronto are way more aggressive, people just want to get from point a to point b as fast as possible. In Italy things are different, most drivers are on their way to the beach, visiting family for lunch/dinner, meeting friends for espresso/ice cream lol, you get the idea. I lived in Italy, lifestyle plays a large role in the mannerisms of traffic.

 

[unL33T]

You would get more than dirty looks. Other drivers will purposely attempt to stop you from advancing, using their vehicles to pinch you off.

Yep, I've had people do this even when I have a good portion of a parked car lane to use. People will just straddle the line or start weaving across them back and forth so I can't pass. I've even had people in large pickups drive on the centre line when I'm in my car so I can't go around them. Super douchey. The J&P tow trucks they use on St. Clair West at 4pm are the worst for this.

 

[Rob MacLennan]

Yep, I've had people do this even when I have a good portion of a parked car lane to use. People will just straddle the line or start weaving across them back and forth so I can't pass. I've even had people in large pickups drive on the centre line when I'm in my car so I can't go around them. Super douchey. The J&P tow trucks they use on St. Clair West at 4pm are the worst for this.

On one occasion, when there was a collision at the 401 eastbound split just before 427, traffic was blocked for miles and well past 410. I got on 401 at 410 and got stuck in traffic. When my air/oil cooled bike started to act up as if it was overheating, I tried to split in order to make my way to the shoulder. I got blocked by multiple cars. I had a couple of pickup drivers damned near take me off the bike with their mirrors. I even had a couple of doors opened on me. Ultimately I ended up splitting all the way from the 410 ramp to past the collision, simply because drivers would not let me get across traffic to the breakdown lane.

This is NOT the place for lane splitting.

 

[karentsang]

[video=youtube;gwko6sGQC60]http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=gwko6sGQC60[/video]

I hope that Renault driver with the idiotic bookshelv-I mean spoiler got a skyrocketing insurance premium for following so closely and obviously not paying attention. The rider could've been crushed and poof.