Lane Splitting - Tickets?

[opie]

"What's wrong with lane splitting?" I thought as I sat in traffic crawling home yesterday. I was riding my normal commuting route between Boulder and Aurora and traffic was horrible. My badly ventilated jacket (not mesh) and my overpants (mesh) weren't doing much to slow down the river of sweat running down my back.

I know it's not legal in Colorado, but has anyone gotten a fine for lane splitting? Curious what the ticket looks like because splitting the lane (probably along the shoulder) when traffic is stopped/crawling sure looks like a great solution. If the fine is reasonable, I might be willing to take the chance. I don't think I'd go down the middle b/c it would be very unexpected for drivers here.

Any outlaw lane splitters in the group? Thoughts?

On another note, maybe we could organize and start petitioning some of our politicians. Benefit -> Increased attractiveness of riding for commuters AND lower emissions.

[mushin_man39]

Represented a client recently for lane splitting. Four-point careless driving citation.

[Mac020]

Represented a client recently for lane splitting. Four-point careless driving citation.

How many $'s (including yourself) did it cost him? Was it a slam dunk? Was there any kind of chance for him?

[JustSomeDude]

Represented a client recently for lane splitting. Four-point careless driving citation.

If he was lane splitting - uh - how did he get caught?! Did he pull over and wait 12 minutes for the cop to catch up?

[opie]

That seems harsh. Of course, I'd fight it (something I've done successfully in NY several times). Are tickets routinely dismissed/knocked down in traffic court here?

If not, seems I might be better off petitioning the elected officials.

[Cat118!]

That seems harsh. Of course, I'd fight it (something I've done successfully in NY several times). Are tickets routinely dismissed/knocked down in traffic court here?

If not, seems I might be better off petitioning the elected officials.

Not if you get Judge Archuleta!!
Don't get a traffic tkt in Jefferson County is all I can say!

[Giianee]

Jeff cnty. That's where I got my careless driving tick for cutting lanes

[Nick_Ninja]

If our elected useful idiots are going to mandate noise ordinances on our bikes we need to twist the screws to make lane splitting legal.

[The GECCO]

If our elected useful idiots are going to mandate noise ordinances on our bikes we need to twist the screws to make lane splitting legal.

Yeah, can you imagine how tight those screws would have to get? If they look down on bikers enough to pass the noise crap I doubt it's even worth trying to make lane sharing legal.

The only positive is that you would be appealing to a completely different body - the noise ordinance was the city of Denver, the lane sharing would go to the state legislature.

[Matty]

ya... i have a feeling i'm going to forget and get a ticket when i move out here. got to love california.. the only state in which it's legal to split lanes!!!


ya, i don't see them allowing lane splitting aka "lane sharing" after your politicians just past that stupid 82 decibel bullshit.

[Stuart Little]

Just out of curiosity as I haven't ridden in Cali, what does one do with those big ass reflectors for fog, I would assume those could change the rear direction of a tire/ be extremely slippery when wet.

ya... i have a feeling i'm going to forget and get a ticket when i move out here. got to love california.. the only state in which it's legal to split lanes!!!


ya, i don't see them allowing lane splitting aka "lane sharing" after your politicians just past that stupid 82 decibel bullshit.

[Matty]

Just out of curiosity as I haven't ridden in Cali, what does one do with those big ass reflectors for fog, I would assume those could change the rear direction of a tire/ be extremely slippery when wet.

????? I'm so confused with your question.

Ummmm.... it only rains once in awhile. And most of the roads are all grooved so not much slippage going on. As for the fog, not much in SoCal. When there is fog its usually around the Beach area and in the Valleys. And it's usually early in the AM or late PM.

[JimmySprinkle]

????? I'm so confused with your question.

Ummmm.... it only rains once in awhile. And most of the roads are all grooved so not much slippage going on. As for the fog, not much in SoCal. When there is fog its usually around the Beach area and in the Valleys. And it's usually early in the AM or late PM.

I think what he's asking is if the dashed lane markers on CA, namely the reflector strips to halp people see the lanes in the fog, affect your traction negativly. I'd say yes, only because your riding on heavy paint vs asphalt, but you probably wouldn't notice it much unless you're taking a sharp turn.

[Matty]

I'd say yes, only because your riding on heavy paint vs asphalt, but you probably wouldn't notice it much unless you're taking a sharp turn.

in all honesty i've slide more on the painted lines out here then i ever did back out there.

[beavisr1]

in state where lane splitting is legal than also carries a helmet law. and also carries that any one being in a lane splitting wreck its automatic the bikers fault. Lane splitting however a good idea I think the bad out weighs the good. I'll wait in traffic thank you....

[Kendo]

opie...

do you live in Boulder and work in Aurora?

what color bike is your bike......

[opie]

Kendo,
My bike's black (or used to be). Maybe a little greyish black now. I wear a bright yellow helmet and a grey riding jacket.

[Nick_Ninja]

Kendo,
My bike's black (or used to be). Maybe a little greyish black now. I wear a bright yellow helmet and a grey riding jacket.

Was that you at Costco this evening?

[opie]

Indeed, it was! Picked up fuel and some stuff for dinner. I parked next to a very nice looking sportbike with a tankbag and an HJC helmet balanced on the seat. Didn't register the make/model. Was that you?

[mushin_man39]

Opie, traffic tickets are typically not worth a trial. You should consider, however, at least attempting a plea bargain with the city attorney or district attorney, or even the officer, depending on the jurisdiction. Unfortunately, a lot more insurance companies are basing premiums on stops, not points.

[DevilDuc]

Unfortunately, a lot more insurance companies are basing premiums on stops, not points.

How is that possible? You can be stopped for ANYTHING! All the Po-Po needs is "reasonable suspicion" ... or to even just be in a bad mood and have a hard-on for harassing sportbikes.

How can insurance base your rates on stops without documentation? At least with a ticket (or even a written warning) there is record of you being stopped, and what it was for. The ticket in it's self is not a satement of guilt, but rather a summons to appear in court tp plead your case ... or pay the fine (and subsequently admit guilt).

Curious minds want to know what you base this comment on ...

[DevilDuc]

BTW ... Last Saturday there was a really bad accident on Hwy70. I was heading home form a ride with some friends and traffic was backed up for about 12-14 miles and dead stopped. Not to mention that I huge storm was rolling through that area at the same time and it was pouring rain.

I opted to ride the shoulder to the scene of the accident and find freedom from the cagers at slightly above a walking pace (10-15MPH = better than 0MPH). I heard from one of my fellow riders that he saw the Po-Po citing a couple of other riders for presumably the same offense ... which is stupid. If you are able to "safely" navigate traffice on the shoulder, then it should be a non-issue. Ploice officers do it all the time to get though traffic, both on bikes and in cars.

In any case ... Along the shoulder route I picked up a rear tire puncture that showed it's self just outside of Golden. Now ... I am not positive that I picked it up while riding the shoulder, but the likelyhood of it is pretty high considering all of the debris that gets washed into that area of the roadway.

Just something to consider ...

[wankel7]

BTW ... Last Saturday there was a really bad accident on Hwy70. I was heading home form a ride with some friends and traffic was backed up for about 12-14 miles and dead stopped. Not to mention that I huge storm was rolling through that area at the same time and it was pouring rain.

I opted to ride the shoulder to the scene of the accident and find freedom from the cagers at slightly above a walking pace (10-15MPH = better than 0MPH). I heard from one of my fellow riders that he saw the Po-Po citing a couple of other riders for presumably the same offense ... which is stupid. If you are able to "safely" navigate traffice on the shoulder, then it should be a non-issue. Ploice officers do it all the time to get though traffic, both on bikes and in cars.

In any case ... Along the shoulder route I picked up a rear tire puncture that showed it's self just outside of Golden. Now ... I am not positive that I picked it up while riding the shoulder, but the likelyhood of it is pretty high considering all of the debris that gets washed into that area of the roadway.

Just something to consider ...

I think the big problem with using the shoulder when there is an accident ahead is this. Emergency vehicles use the shoulder to get to the accident. Not to get to the quicki mart a lil bit fastter At least i hope not. If you are in the way you could be causing a problem.

I think that would be the issue the officer would have if you are riding the shoulder.

[pilot]

Cali tends to have wider lanes. Makes lane splitting a bit easier.