Study finds lane splitting safe.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2013
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From: Houston, TX
Yes I have experienced that. I have seen it done to riders and have seen the mirrors broken on vehicles. I've seen cars and trucks punched and kicked. I have a chp friend that worked hwy 1 out of Santa Cruz who said that they get calls from people being punched or hit in the face with wrenches and other objects.
Usually it's younger people that punch the gas pedal and make the car hop in your direction before stopping. They must be pissed because they are stopped in mile long backups and you are moving. Doesn't always work out to good for them.
Usually it's younger people that punch the gas pedal and make the car hop in your direction before stopping. They must be pissed because they are stopped in mile long backups and you are moving. Doesn't always work out to good for them.
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From: Here and now
Also, where your anecdotal evidence of lane splitting being safe based upon your individual experience is duly noted here, if you were to testify before the Senate Transportation Committee opposing a proposed ban, they would require something more comprehensive than "I've been doing it for fifty years" before advancing or killing the bill.
As it stands right now the results of the study are a major blow to the anti- lane splitting crowd. Personally I find it to be one of the better uses of my tax dollars that I've seen in quite a while here.
Also, the fact is that everyone here except for our friends to our north helped fund this study, as the California Office of Traffic Safety is funded with federal dollars likely from the federal gasoline tax that we all pay.
From their website:
"OTS draws from several federal government funding sources for its grants. OTS also mounts public awareness campaigns and acts as a primary traffic safety resource in order to enlist the help of the general public and the media encouraging traffic safety".
Last edited by dribble; Nov 3, 2014 at 10:22 AM.
Stellar HDF Member
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From: east texas
[QUOTE=dribble;13344962]What we learned is, if you lane-split in a safe or prudent manner, it is no more dangerous than motorcycling in any other circumstance, Office of Traffic Safety spokesman Chris Cochran said. If you are speeding or have a wide speed differential (with other traffic), that is where the fatalities came about.
Well Duh!!
bet he has a great job for being so brilliant
Well Duh!!
bet he has a great job for being so brilliant
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From: Ft. Worth, TX
What we learned is, if you lane-split in a safe or prudent manner, it is no more dangerous than motorcycling in any other circumstance, Office of Traffic Safety spokesman Chris Cochran said. If you are speeding or have a wide speed differential (with other traffic), that is where the fatalities came about.
"Lane-splitters had a greater chance of being involved in a crash during the morning and afternoon commute hours than motorcyclists who were not lane-splitting. The study also found that lane-splitting cyclists who were involved in crashes typically wore safer helmets than motorcyclists as a whole."
Seems like conflicting data......
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I'm not sure how they can reach that conclusion when their study also concludes:
"Lane-splitters had a greater chance of being involved in a crash during the morning and afternoon commute hours than motorcyclists who were not lane-splitting. The study also found that lane-splitting cyclists who were involved in crashes typically wore safer helmets than motorcyclists as a whole."
Seems like conflicting data......
"Lane-splitters had a greater chance of being involved in a crash during the morning and afternoon commute hours than motorcyclists who were not lane-splitting. The study also found that lane-splitting cyclists who were involved in crashes typically wore safer helmets than motorcyclists as a whole."
Seems like conflicting data......
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From: Ft. Worth, TX
The tables show that you were more likely to be in a crash during commute hours but that was balanced out by the fact that it appears that you are actually less likely to be in a crash while splitting other times particularly on weekends and other non commute hours. Also, the study showed that you are less likely to be rear ended but more likely to rear end someone. That's why the study as a whole showed it to be no more dangerous.
Last edited by Juan L; Nov 4, 2014 at 06:32 PM.
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I haven't worked in two years and I have split numerous times since then in construction traffic, heavy traffic coming back from Tahoe, a bottle neck on the way to Napa, and other places. Personally, I don't split if the traffic is moving over 30MPH because I don't figure that I need to. I usually split if it is creeping, if there is a huge line to the front of a stoplight or the traffic is going 10-30 MPH in a 65 or higher speed zone.
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From: New Bern NC
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Joined: Oct 2012
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From: southampton,uk
I "filter" as we call it over here all the time and its one of the benefits of having a motorcycle over here as are roads are terrible and always stop and go! I only work 2 miles from home yet at 5pm the traffic is nose to tail outside my work and in a car it takes about 30 mins but on my bike I can go around and down the side of the traffic and be home in about 6-7 mins! but most days I do walk as so close.
However when im on the motorway or "freeway" as you guys call it I will only filter if traffic is going under 30 ish mph and then I will only go a bit faster, I prefer to go slow so hopefully should I need too I could stop easily. I see loads of bikes over here filtering at full speed through the cars when they are stopped in all three lanes or moving at the speed allowed and im like ......CRINGE! SOD THAT!
I find most people will see or here you and will move over slightly and then always get a thumbs up but their are the odd tossers that will try and block you and then its usually give em a different hand gesture or if bad enough yank their wing mirror as you go bye!!
However when im on the motorway or "freeway" as you guys call it I will only filter if traffic is going under 30 ish mph and then I will only go a bit faster, I prefer to go slow so hopefully should I need too I could stop easily. I see loads of bikes over here filtering at full speed through the cars when they are stopped in all three lanes or moving at the speed allowed and im like ......CRINGE! SOD THAT!
I find most people will see or here you and will move over slightly and then always get a thumbs up but their are the odd tossers that will try and block you and then its usually give em a different hand gesture or if bad enough yank their wing mirror as you go bye!!
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