Which is safer?

[madmax-im]

Only in Calif.

Splitting lanes is illeagal in all states 'cept for Cally Forn YA

[BobE]

I would say that both are neither more dangerous nor safer than the other. The reason is because they are two totally different driving conditions and require totally different mindsets, driving skillsets, and defense conditions.

I must admit that on the interstate one may be more likely to tune out while riding along, and here in the Northeast if that happens chances are everyone will slam on the brakes suddenly (Murphy's Law, of course) and if one is tailgating and not alert said one WILL be in a pickle....on the sidestreet one is USUALLY already in alert mode, ready for the sudden stop or swerve around the pothole.

[tarzan]

I'd like to see those police do those maneuvers on XS's.Im sure there would be some beat up bikes.That was impressive riding.I wonder what kind of training the police in my town get?

[mro]

Allowed in
Austria
Belgium
Brasil
Croatia
Estonia — legal while keeping off medians and indicating before the maneuver
France
Greece
Italy
Japan
Netherlands
Norway
Portugal
Spain
South Africa
Sweden
United Kingdom
**United States — only in California
**In 2005 a bill was introduced in Texas to allow lane splitting but don't think it passed

mro
BTW,
seems like many more fatalities on the freeways this year in/around the bay area. Every week I hear on the news about one or two bikers getting killed (or killing themselves )
Most likely due to high gas prices and guys dusting off an unused bike or newbies which in either case they have not developed or relearned the skills needed to ride.

I have had some XSperiences that came close to disaster when splitting lanes. All of em were from cages that saw me but did not want to share or play nice

Cell phone use while driving has decreased some since the "hands free" law was passed. Does seem to have helped as there have been fewer times when a cage has tried to occupy my space on the freeway while I'm still there.

I may be a little offensive to some
BUT when riding I'm all defense.


mro

[barberad]

It may be legal in japan, But if Uncle Sams Misguided Children (USMC) police seen americans doing it, they would jack you up pretty hard. Americans that have anything to do with the bases over there, either have a big "Y", for Yankee or an "A" for american on there liscence plates. Japanese nationals have a "Konji" symbol on theirs. Nothing like blending in with your sorroundings.

[chrisso]

Nowheres safe with the moronic standard of car drivers in this country

[wa407mpp]

If you want safe stay in bed.

[mro]

If you want safe stay in bed.

So wa407mpp???
You be both single and bored?


mro

[Tusler]

Originally posted by wa407mpp
If you want safe stay in bed.

Then you get cholesterol build-up and die from a heart attack lol !

[wa407mpp]

Nope! been married 38 years and wherever I am it is never boring. Or safe.

[xs11jack]

I read

back in the early 90's that some govmint agency did a study with my tax dollars and said that the accident rate on freeways was the same whether on a bike or in a cage. They also said the bike accident rate on the streets and rual roads was three times highter than cars. So WHAT?

[mro]

Scary stuff 2006

44% motorcycle accidents were single vehicle accidents
11% died on interstate or freeways, rest died on major or "minor" roads
47 percent in 2006 were 40 or older

POLICE-REPORTED MOTOR VEHICLE TRAFFIC CRASHES
Fatal. . ....................... ..... . 38,588
Injury . . ....................... 1,746,000
Property Damage only. . 4,189,000
Total . . . . . . . . . . . . ..... 5,973,000
Motorcycle Riders. . . ........ 4,810 killed
........................................88,000 injured

Total deaths 42,642
Total injured 2,575,000
(includes drivers, occupants and pedestrians)

(2000) economic cost
(estimate for reported and unreported crashes) $230.6 billion


mro

[scalded dog]

Rule of thumb, cages don't see us, no matter where you are riding, they don't even see you when they are behind you. Watching my rear view, has saved my butt more than I care to count. LOL. Later 'Dog

[mason79]

slittin'lanes comes with it is dangers, the worse is when traffic is completely stopped, and you have forward pegs and saddlebags, some wider yet harelys and crusiers do it just fine, so there always room.

when it is moving and as jerry says, there are some people that swerve to get you, but this is few and far between,

i get more that see the bike and move over for you and that is what so thrilling about it,


splittin lanes is a must in grid locks otherwise you just sit behind a cage and if it's hot and your in leathers that alone can fatigue you to danger levels, creating another accident waiting to happen.

to me if i can't split lanes, motorbiking would not be the same and i might give it up entirely.

lane splittin is a self induced emergency situation, requiring skilled reflexes, but motorbiking is all about that the skill sets are the same just broadened, and as we all ride we all broaden or understanding of differing riding situations