Splitting Hairs on Splitting Lanes

[DaveC]

Some do it, some don't, some think it is illegal, some don't, some do not think it is safe, some do.

[nevlec]

Yep, I do it. Yep, it is illegal. Yep, I have been ticketed for it, and yep I still do it.

[Houston Speed Triple]

I don't ever ride in traffic so it hasn't been an issue but I imagine I probably wouldn't do it. One of my core beliefs is that every one around me is too stupid to be trusted (just kidding - but I don't trust 'em anyway).

[wabbit]

Its illegal here and very obvious. SO I dont do it.

I wouldnt say I dont do anything illegal (I'll ride at a spirited pace), but Lane splitting just annoys people and is too obvious and with the egos in Texas I would rather not annoy people any more than I have to.

[DANNYROTH]

I personally know people that would open their cage door just about time you got to them. Until the law is changed you wont see me try it.

[tomf16]

I know it's illegal, but even if it wasn't I'm not going to lane split. There are too many cagers that think they own the road and will do anything to keep you from passing them. I've seen it. Not to mention when people are stuck in bumper to bumper, stop and go traffic, and they are already upset, what do you think they'll do to some 'squid' on a bike coming down the hash marks passing everyone? No thanks, I'll just stay out of that. Fortunately in Houston we can take the HOV lanes on all the major freeways. God save the poor guy who is the first one to try it, if it ever becomes legal.

[Jack Giesecke]

I'm never in that big a hurry.

Yes, it is illegal.

[DaveC]

What do they call it when you do it and get ticketed. I just can't sit on the free way when every thing is moving at less than a walking pace. If they are all parked it is like moving between boulders in the woods.

[wabbit]

I lived in California where no one can decide if its legal or not but everyone does it.

The first time you are in a cage and harley comes rumbling by it cares the crap out of you. After you realize whats going on its not such a big deal. The only thing that sucks is some idiot with open pipes that feels like he has to rev the engine every time he passes a car.

Yes, we understand that the bike has a lot of power. Yes it does make a lot of noise. Yes it is located in under your croth, but no it doesnt make up for what is lacking.

[thestudent]

If it becomes legal I would do it. I once asked a guy in a jeep, with nasty fumes coming from his tailpipe, if i could get in front of him and he let me.

[kingdan]

I wish it was legal, My buddy and I have almost been wiped out at stop lights and once it traffic from morons that are afraid to stop. :headbang: I lived in Germany they have spots at some lights for bikes to be and get away from cages. I've done it, when legal I'll do it again. I'll also have a window hammer :twisted: for the cagers that are too stupid to get over it!!! :moon: :moon: :moon:

[M2]

I've done it at over a ton (well...in Belgium) and I pretty much almost do it now with some of the tight lane changes I make. It is almost legal as it isn't uncommon for Texans to move over to the right to let someone pass, even with oncoming traffic. I many European countries motorcycles move to the head of the line at stoplights, as they are quick to go when the light turns green. Lanesplitting, especially in traffic jams, is common in Germany and Belgium (I have lived and ridden in both during the past decade). To heck with what people in cars think or their attitudes, they need to get over themselves and think about someone else for a change...there is no reason not to allow it in Texas...it is more economical for bikes to keep moving, and rarely if ever does it impede four-wheeled traffic. Also, given the hot temps, it is better for both bike and rider to keep moving.

Cheers! M2

[mnapuran]

Becomes Legal? :)


House Bill 1522, filed by state Rep. Bob E. Griggs, R-North Richland Hills, allows motorcyclists to ride between lanes of traffic that are moving slowly in the same direction.

If the traffic is moving 20 mph or slower in an area that is not a school zone, then the motorcyclist would be allowed to move in between lanes and go 5 mph faster than the traffic, when it is safe.

"I am a motorcycle rider, and I've seen a number of opportunities that it would be nice to be able to cut through and take my exit and move along past the traffic," said Chris Bell, legislative director for Griggs. "It just makes things easier for both riders and others in traffic."

Under the bill, the rider must be at least 21 years old, have completed a motorcycle riding safety course and be covered by a health insurance policy worth at least $10,000 in medical benefits for motorcycle injuries.


More info here - http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlo/79R/billtext/HB01522I.HTM

[Releaux]

Becomes Legal? :)

That's just the bill. Didn't it get hung up in committee and never make it down for a vote? That's my understanding, anyway.

It wasn't that it was being voted against, just that it got pushed to the back burner. Hopefully they'll get to it this year.

If, however, it actually did make it into law, I'll be pleased.

[Daryl]

Maybe the new Government sponsored safety study will be a help in getting splitting and filtering legit. :bigokay:

For those of us that commute by motorcycle (me occasionally) it would be fantastic - and an incentive to commute by motorcycle more! :bow:

I think it is LESS dangerous than waiting to be crushed in stop and go traffic. Yes I position for an out, but my :moon: seems to be a target :miffed:

It would make the commute cooler in the HOT months here in Texas as well!

[mlinkibikr]

I lane split in Europe and California and it works very well when the public is aware of it and understands it. You have to be cool about it though - the speed differential needs to be managed so you don't cut into your own reaction time should somebody do something unexpected.

If lane splitting was legal in Texas I wager you'd see a lot more bikes in the daily mix once people caught on to the obvious benefits.

Personal best use of all time - entering Kings Canyon behind a mass of RVs and trucks and cars. Traffic stopped so I threaded through to the road flagger who had stopped everybody. Took my place at the front of the line and once underway had the most magical stretch of twisty road all to myself.

[Tourmeister]

Personal best use of all time - entering Kings Canyon behind a mass of RVs and trucks and cars. Traffic stopped so I threaded through to the road flagger who had stopped everybody. Took my place at the front of the line and once underway had the most magical stretch of twisty road all to myself.

:tab In recent years, while riding in Colorado, we have filtered to the front when waiting on road construction and it was never a problem. This past July, we did it and the lady holding the stop sign had a fit! Griped at us for passing in a no passing zone even though the traffic was stopped, we were going about 5mph and only passed maybe three or four cars to get to the head of the line. She was threatening to send us to the back of the line, radioed the other guys to complain about it, blah blah blah... None of the cars seemed to be the least bit concerned :shrug: I kept her talking until it was time to go and then we just took off ahead of everyone else. No biggie. It drives me nuts that so much of our society seems organized in a manner directly contrary to common sense...

[finoa]

Here in CA, lane splitting is legal (or maybe more exactly, it's not illegal). Gotta tell you, the first few times I tried it, it's scary as heck. I always imagine that there isn't enough room to squeeze through but with practice, care, and patience, it becomes more familiar. The traffic here in the Bay Area is heavy with motorcycles so most of the cages are used to seeing us filter through when the traffic is heavy and/or slow. It can cut the time it takes me to get from my home in Walnut Creek into San Francisco from 60-90 minutes to 45-50 minutes.

Am looking to move to Austin soon and lane splitting is something I'll miss tremendously. Was curious to hear how often Texas riders filter considering that it's illegal in Texas.

[Cadaver]

It'll probably take at least a couple of lege sessions to get it legal here. Fortunately I don't have much occasion to need to split, but I have done it. In Mexico a group of riders I was with passed 5 miles of RVs waiting to get back across the border. Several people tried to swerve to cut us off, but the Federales waved us through every stop until we got to the border. I think it would be great for the gov to actually give us more freedom of choice, rather than constantly taking it away.

[Hemibee]

I'll also have a window hammer :twisted: for the cagers that are too stupid to get over it!!! :moon: :moon: :moon:

And Bubba will have a Ruger. Guess who loses? :moon: