No, I don't. I use it when traffic gets thick on the freeways or on surface streets at times, I'll have it on lowbeam modulation. I find that the LED are bright enough, that people actually see me...most of the time.
Funny you should say that, I refuse to ride a bicycle on the roads! If I'm going to ride, it will be some place cages aren't allowed!
+1 It's really that simple.
Thanks. That's pretty much my plan. My 'Wing riding buddy has his high beams hooked to a wig-wag module. Flip a switch and the seas part.
+1 I used to ride to work years ago but it became way way too dicey.
That's what I do when I split but it's not often. I've seen too many cars suddenly dive for an open space because another lane is moving 1.3MPH faster. Yet others roll on at speed without an apparent care. When I hear the traffic reports about a motorcycle T/C I always wonder about the circumstances. Anyway hats off to those who split with aplomb. Long may you roll.
Most collisions when lane splitting are probably glancing blows...causing some damage to both vehicles and minor injuries to the rider...so long as the rider is traveling at a reasonable speed relative to traffic. I'm just supposing here. I have seen NO real data from California or the UK. But.....lane splitting incidents have to be a whole different story compared with drifting into oncoming traffic, turning left in front of traffic, or some other 'gee officer...I didn't see him' bs.
Huh? I would've thought the far right lane would be number 1. Can't have a number 2 if you don't have a 1 ... lanes, not potty time. Regardless, the lines indicate that whatever lane I occupy, it is all mine from one side to the other whether I'm in my cage or on my bike. And yes, as a matter of taxation, I do own the road ... or at least the lane I'm currently using.
this may vary regionally. CA doesn't specifically prohibit two cars from being next to each other in the same lane, but the physical dimensions of automobiles limits the practical application of that idea. There's usually enough room to make a right turn on red from the right lane while another car is stopped at the light in that same lane. Would that be legal or illegal in VA?
+1 for here also........besides being illegal. Here, that type of bike riding would more than likely go beyond 'road rage'. It is flat NOT tolerated here, don't matter what your riding.....period. Just some sound advice for those coming to Colo. to tour
.A brave thought...........let me know how that worked out when you go down while up on two wheels
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The only lane-sharing allowed in VA is by two 2-wheeled motorcycles. 3-wheelers and larger vehicles cannot share a lane and is considered reckless driving. The right turn on red scenario you described could result in a reckless driving charge. Same is true for our left turn on red which is allowed only from a one-way street onto another one-way street. Lane splitting is basically lane-sharing as your bike (being wider than the white line you're riding) occupies both lanes while you ride the dividing line beside other vehicles.
What's brave? Those lane lines define my right of way while I occupy the lane. If someone crosses the line into my area, any resulting damages become their liability. Granted, I am not going to attempt battle with any other vehicle regardless of what I'm driving/riding.A brave thought...........let me know how that worked out when you go down while up on two wheels
It would probably make more sense to count them that way, but law enforcement and roads departments count them from the inside--out. That's where the uniformity across the country comes from.
oliceST:
Actually in CA, in slow moving traffic, if a cop on a bike came up on you and you insisted that the area next to the line was yours, you would probably be pulled over and written up for obstructing traffic! Between the #1 (left most lane) & #2 lane in CA is not where the cages drive. And if I came upon you, as I'm passing you, you would get a blast from my
If you would like, I'll post a session of my lane splitting to show you how it is done. (If I can figure out how to edit these videos!)
Bob's right! Visibility is key to lane splitting here in California. How often do you check your rear view and side mirrors when your in your car or truck? If a motorcycle is traveling faster than what the mirrors are being checked then you end up surprising the driver as you're going by and that pisses people off some times; where did that SOB come from. Using modulators on the headlights or distinctive lighting, such as triangular pattern, with extra lights catch peoples eyes and triggers a response in peoples brains because it's not recognized as a car or truck so they will usually look closer. Those wishing to be polite will usually move their vehicle over to give you a little more room to pass, those with opposite intentions will move the other direction to try and block your path. Are you watching the drivers you're about to pass? If they don't see me coming I make extra sure I have plenty of room to get out of their way if their inattention causes them to drift my direction.
I pass a number of duallies each and every day. Some will pull over, some will not. It usually doesn't take me that much more time to get around those that are near the line! So yeah, you would be nothing more than a minor inconvenience!
