Tricks for beating traffic | GTAMotorcycle.com

Tricks for beating traffic

Corsara

Corsara

Well-known member
Site Supporter
Forum Sponsor
I was commuting today from Hamilton to Toronto during the morning hours, so I hit some pretty slow moving traffic on the 403 and QEW. In those cases, what I usually do is to get to the right lane and use on-ramps, where in order to "maintain my blocking position" I need to get into the lane, but hey---it's empty, so I easily beat 200-300 meters of traffic, even if not speeding too much. I believe this is perfectly legal (no?)

What are your tricks?
 
If I'm stuck in that type of traffic, I stay in the right lane and block people from using on ramps to pass me, nothing like a mini-van with a big soccer ball sticker on the back for that, then I get off and take a better route.
 
Baggsy said:
If I'm stuck in that type of traffic, I stay in the right lane and block people from using on ramps to pass me, nothing like a mini-van with a big soccer ball sticker on the back for that, then I get off and take a better route.
Click to expand...

+1 OP seems to be describing what I usually term a "douchemove"...or a traffic movement born out of total selfishness. I'm hoping that if you do this often then the traffic in your left lane eventually refuses to let you back in.
 
When I see people that can obviously notice that there is a traffic jam rush up to the front of the line, I do my best to NOT let them in :)

When I see a line like that, I get in as early as possible. Pointless to jump ahead like that when everyone is moving at the same pace.
 
Last edited:
I never let people in who race to the end of the merging lane just to advance a few hundred metres.
 
I have the feeling that my question was misunderstood. I didn't ask what you do or don't do to other people. If you have any tricks for beating traffic, please share them or please don't post. When I'm fully geared up, sweating and dehydrating in the scorching sun, I couldn't care less for all of you cagers sipping comfortably coffee in your cars and dragging along. My bike is small, doesn't take your space and you won't get to your destination slower because of me. My strategy is not illegal, while your attitude and things you obviously do to other people on the road can be considered road rage. Shame on you.
 
popcorn.jpg
 
Corsara said:
I have the feeling that my question was misunderstood. I didn't ask what you do or don't do to other people. If you have any tricks for beating traffic, please share them or please don't post. When I'm fully geared up, sweating and dehydrating in the scorching sun, I couldn't care less for all of you cagers sipping comfortably coffee in your cars and dragging along. My bike is small, doesn't take your space and you won't get to your destination slower because of me. My strategy is not illegal, while your attitude and things you obviously do to other people on the road can be considered road rage. Shame on you.
Click to expand...

Ramps are not through lanes, so La Policia might believe otherwise. No one forced you to ride a motorcycle, either. If you don't give a damn about your fellow motorists, don't be surprised if they return the favour. Highways are like any other government service: expensive, slow and annoying. Get used to it and buy a CamelBak. The paramedics have enough to do without tending to dizzy riders.
 
Corsara said:
I have the feeling that my question was misunderstood. I didn't ask what you do or don't do to other people. If you have any tricks for beating traffic, please share them or please don't post. When I'm fully geared up, sweating and dehydrating in the scorching sun, I couldn't care less for all of you cagers sipping comfortably coffee in your cars and dragging along. My bike is small, doesn't take your space and you won't get to your destination slower because of me. My strategy is not illegal, while your attitude and things you obviously do to other people on the road can be considered road rage. Shame on you.
Click to expand...

Given how selfish and "douchey" that maneuver actually is, I'd happily bet a creative cop will find someway to nail you for it.

Been riding since July huh? I guess your sense of self entitlement is well earned given your vast experience to date. And here you are now, posting flame bait in a motorcycle forum calling the rest of us out as raging cagers? :rolleyes:
 
I don't know I think I side with Corsair on this one. It sucks being stuck in the hot sun under leather and my bike can easily merge into traffic without impeding stalled traffic. I'll even hug the line so cars can be bumper to bumper with their fellow cars. My bike easily overheats too. I've had my head gasket blown twice; parts cost $30 + labour costs of 4 hours totalling $500. Or I can pull over to the shoulder so gawkers can stare at me slowing down traffic even more.
 
And I'm certain all the posters who criticize the OP are perfect drivers and riders who never speed, zipped through traffic, taken a corner way faster than they should have, or have never done anything "douchey" on their bike. Especially with an avatar, oh, say, like "hooligan" in it. :rolleyes:
 
I spent a year driving the 401 to Pickering, so I know how aggravating the traffic can be. The only "trick" I have ever used is to drive in the right hand lane - it seems to flow steadily (albeit slowly) whereas the "passing" lane is usually stop and go because there are too many impatient people there. Also, keep an eye on the trucks - they usually seem to pick the lane that gets through the fastest with the least drama. You are increasing your risk by using the onramps and offramps to advance a small distance ahead - I have seen it too many times where some twit gets tired of the traffic and darts onto the offramp to escape the aggravation. Expect other drivers to do stupid things and you will rarely be disappointed. Another "trick" is to adjust your departure time - leaving 10 or 20 minutes earlier can sometimes work wonders and you may find the highway to be nearly free of traffic.

Traffic congestion sucks, but if you find that you are getting too hot, then buy a mesh riding jacket and pants. Also carry a couple of water bottles in a tank bag or use a camelback. You could also drive your cage on those really hot days - why suffer?
 
ike said:
I spent a year driving the 401 to Pickering, so I know how aggravating the traffic can be. The only "trick" I have ever used is to drive in the right hand lane - it seems to flow steadily (albeit slowly) whereas the "passing" lane is usually stop and go because there are too many impatient people there. Also, keep an eye on the trucks - they usually seem to pick the lane that gets through the fastest with the least drama. You are increasing your risk by using the onramps and offramps to advance a small distance ahead - I have seen it too many times where some twit gets tired of the traffic and darts onto the offramp to escape the aggravation. Expect other drivers to do stupid things and you will rarely be disappointed. Another "trick" is to adjust your departure time - leaving 10 or 20 minutes earlier can sometimes work wonders and you may find the highway to be nearly free of traffic.

Traffic congestion sucks, but if you find that you are getting too hot, then buy a mesh riding jacket and pants. Also carry a couple of water bottles in a tank bag or use a camelback. You could also drive your cage on those really hot days - why suffer?
Click to expand...

Well this is a worthy reply, I appreciate it. In fact, I will most probably reconsider using that "strategy" in the future, though most certainly I'm happy to see that other people have also noticed and confirm that the right lane moves faster.

Some of the other replies that called me a "*********" and my move a "douchemove", also judging my experience from the fact that I'm riding since July (I've been driving for about 15 years, in terms of commuting, riding is the same but with a smaller vehicle, thank you very much): if anything, if I were to allow emotion to get me, your comments would have prompted me to use the on/off ramps even more for advancing traffic, so more or less I think this thread would have done much better without your off-topic comments.

Thanks to the other posts that defend me though, and certainly--thanks for the suggestion for a CamelBak, I'll check this out. As for using the cager---that's an option, however I'm usually trying to save the $23 parking that's needed for it in Toronto :(
 
redlinerush said:
yep, seen that happen
Click to expand...

I seen a couple of cops monitoring the end of the onramp the other morning on southbound 410 at derry rd. Its kind of funny that you need to keep that lane open for emergency vehicles, meanwhile 2 cops were blocking the shoulder looking for people doing the exact same.

Ya, just leave a little earlier if you can, then you can chill and grab a coffee when you get where you need to be.
 
when in toronto, use the diamond lanes... motorcycles are welcome to travel in these lanes.
 
Corsara said:
Lol, this is something I didn't know!!! I thought it's only buses, cabs and bicycles! Great :)
Click to expand...

You have to check the signs over those lanes. Some of the diamond lanes ARE only for buses and nothing else, while some others allow buses and taxis but not motorcycles or passenger vehicles with 3+ occupants.
 
Flywheel said:
Ramps are not through lanes, so La Policia might believe otherwise. No one forced you to ride a motorcycle, either. If you don't give a damn about your fellow motorists, don't be surprised if they return the favour. Highways are like any other government service: expensive, slow and annoying. Get used to it and buy a CamelBak. The paramedics have enough to do without tending to dizzy riders.
Click to expand...

Thanks for saving me from typing the same thoughts. It seems the OP only wants the good parts about riding a bike. If the going gets tough he dumps his problem on people that made better travel choices. Motorcycles are rarely eco or budget friendly. They are toys.
Forum Sponsor
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Back
Top Bottom