Lane Splitting - Tickets?

[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

[beavisr1]

So in Colorado lane splitting IS illegal. In states that lane splitting is legal(I think california is the only place where its legal) But they have a helmet law. I am not sure if its a must in Colorado. Though I sometimes on c-470 I would wish it was in early morning traffic and 5pm traffic is warranted to have a helmet law in colorado. I mostly to choose to ride with a lid but there are sometimes I dont. So the argument is this.... Ride with the helmet %100 of the time to have the option of lane splitting or endure the traffic and not have to wear one. That is the question?

[Giianee]

You know last time I was in Cali lane splitting was legal if traffic was moving less than 30mph. Not sure if it's still like that.

[Speedwagon]

I lived in Okinawa, Japan for 2 years in the Army. The first thing I learned... Keep ALL arms, hands, legs, heads inside the vehicle at ALL times. In traffic, you are almost constantly being passed by bikes/scooters. They do it so much, everyone knows about it, and it is very natural.

Obviously, that would take a long time for Americans to get used to. But it can be done safely. The single biggest obsactle, would be American's tendency to cause harm to those that are getting ahead, because they forget that the bikes are lightening the traffic load for them. Of course, I also believe that we need much better driver's ed, and less government intervention in this stuff (seat belt and helmet laws and such). Let the insurance companies figure that stuff out, and not the government.

[modette99]

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[Clovis]

I generally don't lane split all though it is very tempting to move to the front of the line when at a stop light; I'll occasionally do that, especially on powers. It's argrivating being 10 or more cars back; once the light finally turns green it takes forever to get the speed limit which results in catching the next light.

If I move to the front I can usually make the next light and not get stuck.

I would gladly take a law that allowed lane splitting but required helmet use - but then again, I never ride without a lid!

[Matty]

You know last time I was in Cali lane splitting was legal if traffic was moving less than 30mph. Not sure if it's still like that.

lane "sharing" is still legal in Cali. there is NO speed limit at which you can't share. you just can't go over the posted speed limit.

[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.

[MetaLord 9]

I do it if the traffic is almost at a stand still, but if I am on I25 I just use the shoulder to get off at the next exit that I can see down the roadway, I do this in the car too...I'm not really passing anyone, I'm making the situation better for the other drivers on I25 by getting off. Why would I wait, to leave the roadway when I can leave it right away?

I have yet to split at a light here, but if I knew the lane ended say on my right and it was a nice twisty section up ahead yeah I might lane split...why be stuck behind some SUV going slower then I!!!

Everyone's welcome to their opinions, but that type of thing becomes a pet peeve of mine. I understand if you're one or two cars back from where the yellow line opens up for the exit lane, but if you're several cars or even miles back and start driving on the shoulder for a non-emergency it really irks me. I don't think you're a bad person or anything, but everyone's in the same boat of being stuck in traffic and wanting to be somewhere else. Just because you think you can get away with it I disagree that you should do it. I've actually put my car half way onto the shoulder in my stupid little passive-aggressive way of stopping folks from doing this. They come right up to me and start getting all pissed. If it was meant to be another lane, it would be another lane. Sorry, guess ya just touched a nerve! /rant

[devon]

I have a mixed view on that. I'd say if the exit ramp is within like a hundred yards, I don't mind people getting over to try and exit a clogged freeway. However, if they start doing it miles ahead of time, it just clogs up like the legitimate lanes and makes it freaking impossible for the emergency vehicles to get through when they try to access the accident up ahead. What if someone is dying and you're blocking the ambulance from getting there cause you were impatient?

That said, I think motorcycles should be able to lane share, it's ridiculous to force us to take up as much space as a car in crowded freeways and streets. Unfortunately most American drivers are far too inherently angry and full of rage for it to be as safe or commonplace as it is in other countries. If they would accept us without occasionally attempting to murder us, I'd much rather be NEXT to a car in between two lanes than sandwiched between two 6000 lb. SUVs when one stops short.
This issue should be pursued, because the safer (and more efficient) that driving becomes for motorcyclists, the more people will take up bikes and scooters, the less crowded the roads get, the less fuel we consume, the more consideration we get from other drivers on the road, etc., etc.

[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.

[shift shiftly]

Im gonna add my .02

I lived in California my hole life up to 3 years ago, I used to ride there in shorts and tank tops sandals etc. " I do have alittle road rash scar"
I would always lane split I MEAN ALWAYS !
Never had a problem.. I even di it here in Colorado From time to time
But i'll tell you what here in the Springs You guys dont even know what traffic is.....
I'f everyone would let everyone else live there life without judgement..
I.E. Pulling in front of a guy lane splitting or riding on the shoulder "dont be hating"
Jesus " judge not lest ye be judgeg thy self"

[modette99]

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[modette99]

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[Jadam]

I've done it on several occasions when traffic was miserable. I don't run the shoulder just because of debris. Had a few people bump out in front of me. They are usually to chicken s**t to actually get close enough to the car next to them to actually fully block you. Took one guys mirror off to teach him a lesson because he did it right as i was coming up behind him, where most do it preemptively.

Also passed a UC in the middle lane once. didn't realized it till i rode next to him. He just blurped his siren at me. I just thought, well s**t I'm not going to stop and wait up for the guy, and just kept going knowing he would be hard pressed to actually get room to pursue me. Made sure to duck out the exit after the next one though.

I'll run no faster than 15mph when I'm doing it. keeps the bike agile which is a must, slow enough for drivers unaware to still react to your being there should they start to move over, and in the case of an accident... mild injury as opposed to high speed wreck.

All of this is just my choice and opinion on the matter. to each his own. Also I always wear helmet and leather jacket. Not that that justifies it, but does i guess show that I'm not a complete fool.

[Jadam]

I have a mixed view on that. I'd say if the exit ramp is within like a hundred yards, I don't mind people getting over to try and exit a clogged freeway. However, if they start doing it miles ahead of time, it just clogs up like the legitimate lanes and makes it freaking impossible for the emergency vehicles to get through when they try to access the accident up ahead. What if someone is dying and you're blocking the ambulance from getting there cause you were impatient?

Only seen something like that once, and it was while i was in my car. It was Northbound on I-25 after the lincoln on ramp. people were using the right shoulder so much to the point where it was just as slow as the traffic. I happened to be in the right hand lane, so i just situated my car so that it blocked anyone else from using it as another lane, while still leaving me room to get back fully into my lane should I need to. A little half-zeees

[tripledigits]

I think blocking a lane to keep someone from passing is poor judgment. What is there's a pregnant or sick person in need of quick medical attention??

Reminds me of the time a big SUV blocked both lanes of traffic on C-470 one day, because there was a lane closure 1 mile down the road. She was making sure nobody was going to pass her to make the "late" merge. Gotta love people who enforce their version of reality on everyone else.

[LadyT]

I cant say that I have never done it either....but in CA it was crazy how normal it was.

[ghostrider_9]

It is very normal in Cali. I was stationed out there for many years. It takes a while, but you get comfortable with it. The only problem is that some get too comfortable with it . . .

[LadyT]

Ya I was not there long enough to get comfortable with it...maybe that is a good thing?

[tarded400]

On the way to work there was a guy on the boarderline of lane splitting. Looked like a lot of fun! Everyone was giving him room and he wasn't being a huge jerk about it. More power to him, but I think I will stay in my lane around the homicidal drivers today. I fear for the day I'm stuck in stopped traffic here in denver.