Educate Me On This Lane Splitting Situation

"Blue 300" (Blue300)
10/22/2014 at 11:37 • Filed to: motorcycle, lane splitting

Where I live, lane splitting is perfectly legal and aye okay. I really don't mind it and I give motorcyclists the utmost respect because a good buddy of mine is an avid motorcyclist. However, yesterday I got into an unusual circumstance. In my side mirror I saw a motorcycle approaching from behind, splitting lanes on my driver's side. So I politely moved over a tad to give him some room. But as I was moving over, I noticed in my other side mirror that another motorcyclist was approaching on my passenger side, also splitting lanes. He sort of freaked out and slammed the brakes because my car had moved to his side a bit. So I quickly corrected back to my original position in the lane giving both of them equal space. They both made it past me, but in terms of space it was a little uncomfortable for both of them.

Isn't there some sort of unwritten rule about not splitting an adjacent lane that another motorcyclist is splitting? Were these motorcyclists noobs? Or do I just have to stop giving them space for fear of hitting another motorcyclist on the other side?

DISCUSSION (12)

luvMeSome142 & some Lincoln! > Blue 300
10/22/2014 at 11:43

I'm probably wrong, but I think the only legal situation to split lanes is when approaching an intersection, i.e. when the light is red and motorcycles can "go to the front of the line".

450X_FTW > Blue 300
10/22/2014 at 11:46

I don't split lanes when traffic is moving good for fear that some asshat is going to drift or swerve to miss on a pot hole and end up hitting me. Only time I even bother to actually split lanes is at a traffic stop. I pull up next to the rear of the car in front of me and stop, just so I can worry less about the person behind me not paying attention and causing a rear collision.

In your situation, no what you did was not in the wrong. They should have been splitting the same lane

TheDutchTexan > Blue 300
10/22/2014 at 11:48

I think it is an unwritten rule to only lane split between the left most lane and that one beside it. It is how I always split lanes in the Netherlands when I still rode. Here in Texas it's illegal, but I'd imagine I'd still split to the beginning of a light when there is ample room.

Blue 300 > luvMeSome142 & some Lincoln!
10/22/2014 at 11:48

I'm not entirely sure about that in California. Here, every rider splits lanes while traffic is moving, even the cops. Although it doesn't happen much when traffic is moving at full speed. The whole lane splitting thing might be a gray area. But in real life it happens all the time and I want to avoid injuring a rider.

nlzmo400r > Blue 300
10/22/2014 at 11:49

As a motorcyclist myself, I can say the thing I appreciate most is when traffic makes no moves or changes on my accord. It's much easier for a motorcyclist to make a decision and react quickly than a 2ton car. I'm sure they would appreciate your being nice, but it's better to just let them make their way around you.

Mr. Ontop, No Strokes, No Smokes...Goes Fast. > Blue 300
10/22/2014 at 11:52

I only move over to give more room if I am in the far left lane no the highway for that very reason. If I am in a middle lane, then I don't.

JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t > Blue 300
10/22/2014 at 11:52

Lane splitting (by motorcycles) is illegal (if not explicitly, then implicitly) in every US State except California, and lane splitting by bicycles is only legal in a few states... In many countries where lane splitting is legal, Asia especially, smaller motorcycles and scooters will often split on each side of a car, however in places where larger bikes are the norm it's certainly a risky business to go either side and although it may be a bad idea to do so, many people don't think about it... which isn't to say they shouldn't bother thinking about it. They most certainly should be paying attention to such things.

Blue 300 > nlzmo400r
10/22/2014 at 11:52

This sounds like good advice to adhere to. In the past, I've been given thumbs up by riders for giving them a little space. That validation kind of reinforced the notion that I was doing something right; haha Gold Stars for merit! I guess I'll just stay put next time.

JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t > luvMeSome142 & some Lincoln!
10/22/2014 at 11:55

depends on the local laws, (IE: illegal in every US state except California). Some jurisdictions that allow splitting to not allow filtering, and vice versa...

Chris Clarke > Blue 300
10/22/2014 at 12:07

Lane splitting is unique to California due to a grey area in the law. It is neither legal, nor illegal and is essentially tolerated as long as its done safely. It it illegal in every other state. You can get stopped if you're splitting is dangerous and it sounds like your encounter could possibly fall in that category. Be safe out there.

Rainbow > Blue 300
10/22/2014 at 12:09

They shouldn't be going more than ~10mph faster than the flow of traffic, and that's really only supposed to apply during traffic jams. This is specifically designed to give both the riders and the drivers ample time to react in such situations. So if they were coming up fast enough that the one rider had to panic-brake, it's on him for going too fast. (Or it's on you if he was just really close, but then again it was certainly not the best idea to split one lane over from another bike. I just don't think that's actually against any rules.)

jariten1781 > Blue 300
10/22/2014 at 12:10

There's no rules, per se, but the CA DMV lane splitting guidelines suggest only splitting between lanes 1 & 2 (leftmost lanes), and only if traffic is <30 mph. Generally I see riders following that (barring swerving jackasses and new riders who haven't really figured it out yet).