stop and go highway traffic question

Mael

Mael

Well-known member
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hey just wondering if using the shoulder on the highway in stopped traffic is like using the parked car lane? I feel like it would be safer.
what do people do in highway rush hour type traffic
 
Practice riding slowly for stop and go situations.

If you don't feel safe then practice more until you do.

Riding on the shoulder is not allowed and could get you a stunting ticket.

When you get hit in stop and go, would you like lots of people riding on the shoulder, blocking the ambulance from getting to you?
 
lol the shoulder? Would you do that in a car? Why not? It would fit...

That will piss people off, you could easily get a flat, you're blocking the emergency lane, and it could land you a stunting charge (which means bye bye bike and license for a week, plus $$$$ in impound fees, plus possible fines).

I sit in traffic on the highway like most other riders I see. Actually, I haven't seen anyone lane splitting this year. I used to see a guy daily whippin' down the middle at like 60 kph higher than traffic was moving on 401 east bound right around Mississauga Road. The most I'll do is accelerate past traffic in the exit ramp lane but even that probably pisses everyone off and could probably get me into trouble. I don't do it in the car because it doesn't have the same kind of acceleration and is much larger so will affect traffic more and piss people off more.
 
Laaannnnneee sppppllllliiiiiiiiitttttt
 
That's the same shoulder dotted with burst truck tires, gravel, broken down cars, people stopped for a piss, workmen...and cops?

I feel safer on the road actually.
 
I lane split (if its completely gridlocked) to the nearest way out (offramp, side street, whatever). Can't stand traffic, so I don't get myself into it on the bike.

If it's just moving somewhat slowly, tough it out.
 
mmmnaked said:
I lane split (if its completely gridlocked) to the nearest way out (offramp, side street, whatever). Can't stand traffic, so I don't get myself into it on the bike.

If it's just moving somewhat slowly, tough it out.
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I haven't had to yet, but this is the same way I think.

If the cars are moving I'll wait, if they're totally stopped, then I'll do it.
 
your a part of the traffic mate, wait like the rest of them. If you can weave yourself out, try...lane splitting is an option if you think you can dodge cars that might decide to switch lanes even if there is no room. I personally am not that comfortable yet on a bike to do that. Maybe next year.
 
If you split do so only when traffic is at a stand still ( not that I recommend or do it myself ). I have had seen a few instances where people get ****** off and open their door or block (turning in to ) the biker so be ready for that if you do. People could care less about another life, all they see it a dumb @$$ on a bike and all they want to do it cause you physical harm. Enjoy the ride and be safe =D
 
I stay in stop-and-go stretches of highways as little as possible in my commute from Steeles East to D/T every day. I take local streets like Don Mills with the diamond lane and only bear with DVP between Gardiner and Don Mills exit. IMO I'd rather spend a portion of the time stopped at stop lights and move in between than to snail-pace a long stretch of road, even if both routes end up around the same travel time. You're also much less likely to get rear-ended on city streets than in stop-and-go traffic where jackass behind you is texting or falling asleep.

You get used to the stop-and-go bits. Stay in your lane and don't weave around and you're much more likely to arrive at your destination alive.
 
unL33T said:
lol the shoulder? Would you do that in a car? Why not? It would fit...
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This. ^^

You wouldn't do it in your car, why would you on a bike?
If you're going to do stupid ****, at least do stupid **** that you couldn't get away with in a car, like lane splitting or riding on sidewalks to get ahead of traffic.

Thats what I do. When riding the sidewalk, I at least honk so people know to GTFO of my way.
 
Did this for a few days and it SUCKED. Killed the fun of riding. Started taking dundas and such. Much more fun and took a little longer (only bc of construction which I am sure u can detour). Try that if u don't like the brutal stop and go of highway.
 
You could be charged for failure to drive in a marked lane, and i think there is another charge for unauthorized use of shoulder or something along those lines... Highly unlikely that you'd be charged with stunting for driving on the shoulder to pass traffic.
 
A bit off topic, but what do some of you guys with air cooled engines do in heavy stop and go traffic on a really hot day.
 
onixiii said:
A bit off topic, but what do some of you guys with air cooled engines do in heavy stop and go traffic on a really hot day.
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Stop for a smoke.

So riding on the shoulder is a stunting ticket? How am I stunting when (hypothetically) doing 40 on the shoulder when everyone else is standing still.
 
vdk said:
Stop for a smoke.

So riding on the shoulder is a stunting ticket? How am I stunting when (hypothetically) doing 40 on the shoulder when everyone else is standing still.
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It's not guaranteed, but it has happened before; same with splitting. It depends on the cop. If you're doing 40 and everyone else is doing 5, then you could be considered to be outpacing everyone.
 
<3 Ontario.
 
unL33T said:
lol the shoulder? Would you do that in a car? Why not? It would fit...
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+1
if you like to be treated and respected like a car on the road than you should act like one....

lots of riders on this forum complains about cagers not sharing the road with them...I understand they should be more vigilant abt riders presence but stupidity like this makes me thinks not every accident is a cager's fault......
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