Whether you're for or against Filtering/Lane Splitting here is a very thought provoking article on Filtering from the UK where it is legal:
http://www.theridersdigest.co.uk/spaceship-awareness/
Nice article. Loved the advice to tap the front brake to get clearance under mirrors.
Of course, on the ST, the panniers are the widest part so that little trick won't help any.
I have split lanes legally and illegally and find it to be beneficial.
Legally, in Los Angeles on a group ride at CreSTOC in 2009 was my first experience. Following the group ahead made it easier and was a good introduction.
Illegally here in Alberta where a 2 mile parking lot on Hwy 2 was not something I wanted to sit in. I managed to get about halfway along the stoppage before two rednecks in their pickup trucks squeezed their noses together to cut me off. Whatever. Once traffic started moving it took no time at all for us to get past them.
This summer on a trip to CA there was roadwork on I-5 just after I got into CA. Temperature was 39C. I was baking. Then I remembered where I was. Where there wasn't room for me to get between the traffic the vehicles moved over a bit. It didn't take long to get past the lineup and then the construction zone and I had air moving and was doing well.
And in the UK this summer I lanesplit in London and on the motorways and on the A roads and anywhere else there was traffic. Of course, the mindset of the cagers is completely different compared to North America. They actually seem to know what mirrors are for and don't consciously try to impede the forward progress of bikes.
Having been rear-ended while sitting in traffic I am hugely in favor of lane splitting being legal everywhere. From a safety (no chance of getting rear-ended) and comfort (lack of A/C) point of view it is a practice that I believe increases my chances of getting home alive.
And, if riders aren't comfortable with the practice it isn't mandatory.
BUT, the biggest thing necessary would be retraining all the drivers out there.
Bruce
