Video--Lane Splitting in Japan

[Farre]

yup, i agree completely. Lane splitting is not bad per se. I'm only doing it in case of traffic jams and never more than 20km/h's faster than the surrounding speed.
I know how to read cage driver's signs , don't do it if you're just starting to ride a bike!

[TheBigB]

Living in Los Angeles and commuting to work lane splitting is a must. And this is coming from a guy who is still "recovering" from the ill effects of lane splitting.

And I two feel more comfortable not having some distracted cager behind me in traffic.

As a point of interest. Lane splitting is not legal in Cali. per say. I am not too familiar with the exact language but it has something to do with the fact that the laws do not forbid it expressly.

The Big B

[solman]

I know people who are hot to make this legal in Texas. I hope not. It's stupid and dangerous.

Too late, it became legal to split lanes as of 1 Sep 05 in Texas.

[banditoverde]

As a point of interest. Lane splitting is not legal in Cali. per say. I am not too familiar with the exact language but it has something to do with the fact that the laws do not forbid it expressly.

The Big B

Lane Splitting and Filtering are perfectly legal in California.  If something is not specifically written into a law that forbids it it is legal.  Anything that is not illegal is by definition LEGAL.

CHP and DMV try to discourage it because some cage driving suit in Sacramento doesn't understand or like bikes.

How do I know this you ask.  I am a California cop and I asked  CHP.

Split lanes with a clear conscience, a song in your heart and a knife in your teeth Pirate style.

SPLIT ON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Again with the dancing bannannannannannanna
               

[aussiebandit]

While your governments in the 'states are busy legalising Lane Splitting.  The governments here in the land of Oz are considering making it explicitly illegal.

In some states it's already illegal if you are deemed to be 'undertaking' rather than overtaking.  In other words if Mr Plod thinks you were passing on the left, then he might book you.

[Red01]

I know people who are hot to make this legal in Texas. I hope not. It's stupid and dangerous.

Too late, it became legal to split lanes as of 1 Sep 05 in Texas.

Do you have the section # of the law that made it legal? I couldn't find it on the State of Texas site and according to Laneshare.org (which is actually located at laneshare.com), Texas House Bill 1522 was attempted last year, but did not pass. According to their copy of HB1522, it was going to modify § 545.060. When I looked up § 545.060, it is still in it's original form (last ammended Set. 1, 1995).

[Denverbandit99]

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Section 545.060, Transportation Code, is amended by amending
Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (e) to read as follows: (a) An
operator on a roadway divided into two or more clearly marked lanes for traffic:
(1) shall drive as nearly as practical entirely within a single lane,
except as provided by Subsection (e); and
(2) may not move from the lane unless that movement can be made safely. (e) The operator of a motorcycle may operate the motorcycle for a safe distance between lanes of traffic moving in the same direction during periods of traffic
congestion if the operator:


is at least 21 years old;
has successfully completed a motorcycle operator training and safety course under Chapter 662;
is covered by a health insurance plan providing the operator with at least $10,000 in medical benefits for injuries incurred as a result of an accident while operating a motorcycle; and
operates the motorcycle:
(A) at a speed not more than five miles per hour over the speed of the
other traffic; (B) in traffic that is moving at a speed of 20 miles per
hour or less; and (C) in a location other than a school crossing zone or
other than a location where the posted speed limit is 20 miles per hour or less.

SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2005.

[Denverbandit99]

by the way, BigB, did you mean "per se"?

[oldandslow]

Let me echo all the pro-splitting (and anti-idiot) sentiments previously posted.  I began riding (in California, where "lane sharing" is legal) at the ripe old age of 34, and so conservatively that my plate should have read "milquetoast".

I first split lanes along a completely-stopped 4-line divided highway on the way to the superbike races at Sears Point (I refuse to call it Infineon) and was white-knuckled-terrified.

Slowly (check my handle), over time, I began splitting only at red lights, then in bumper-to-bumper traffic, and eventually to the point where I regularly rode the "Bots-dots" looking for the opportunity to "split"...

...and also moved out of the way for guys (typically) who were splitting WAY faster than I was.  You can do it safe and considerate, and you can do it stupid and aggraviting, just like anything else, but don't beat on the good majority for the minority a##holes!

Call it dangerous if you want, but I survived all my rush-hour-commuting-lane-splitting and got nailed by a Suburban in my 2-TON-PONTIAC in broad daylight on a free-moving highway!!!!  I'll take my chances betwen the cars anyday in comparison to that.

Yes, it takes time to get familiar with the concept, but when you do, in California or in Japan, it suddenly makes sense... so much sense that it makes no sense NOT to do it.

Rob, formerly from SF, currently exiled in KC.... :(

[Sven]

I began splitting only at red lights, then in bumper-to-bumper traffic

So you're one of those (jerks) who zips up between cars and then hops out in front of everyone at the red light?  In my experience, this behavior is limited to the same riders who weave from lane to lane (with no blinker, so nobody has any idea what you might be doing), what I label "terrorist driving/riding" (and yes, I have seen cars do it.  I *can* do that, but I *choose* not to do so because I believe it's selfish and causes bad feelings towards bikers.

I have not said I am against lane splitting, but motorcyclists have to show basic courtesy to car drivers if they want courtesy from car drivers, and cutting them off (which is the element of this video that I keep pointing to) or otherwise showing your ass is not the way to show or get that courtesy.

Our TN ABATE org is workign towards getting emergency lane use legalized in this state, because we simply do not have the traffic snarls that make lane splitting logical.  But who, no matter what they drive, hasn't used the emergency/breakdown lane to over to the next off-ramp when traffic is puttering along or just sitting?

Bikes can do things cars can't do, and smaller cars can do things bigger cards can't do.  But what you do is up to you (and the laws of your locale)...

[aussiebandit]

But who, no matter what they drive, hasn't used the emergency/breakdown lane to over to the next off-ramp when traffic is puttering along or just sitting?

I for one HAVE NEVER used the emergency/breakdown lane for anything other than a breakdown and even then I try to pull right of the road, in to the bush if I can.  The reason....2 friends killed by a d$ck for brains a##hole who decided he'd try and get to the next exit quicker......the only bonus is that while he 'survived' the accident he won't be driving ever again.....in fact there's not much a quadraplegic can do....

[Red01]

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Section 545.060, Transportation Code, is amended by amending
Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (e) to read as follows: (a) An
operator on a roadway divided into two or more clearly marked lanes for traffic:
(1) shall drive as nearly as practical entirely within a single lane,
except as provided by Subsection (e); and
(2) may not move from the lane unless that movement can be made safely. (e) The operator of a motorcycle may operate the motorcycle for a safe distance between lanes of traffic moving in the same direction during periods of traffic
congestion if the operator:


is at least 21 years old;
has successfully completed a motorcycle operator training and safety course under Chapter 662;
is covered by a health insurance plan providing the operator with at least $10,000 in medical benefits for injuries incurred as a result of an accident while operating a motorcycle; and
operates the motorcycle:
(A) at a speed not more than five miles per hour over the speed of the
other traffic; (B) in traffic that is moving at a speed of 20 miles per
hour or less; and (C) in a location other than a school crossing zone or
other than a location where the posted speed limit is 20 miles per hour or less.

SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2005.

That's the wording of Texas HB1522 that failed to pass.
Click here to read last years HB1522.

Here's what § 545.060 currently says on the State of Texas' website:
Click here for the list of Texas Statutes, then click on Section 545, then on 545.060

§ 545.060.  DRIVING ON ROADWAY LANED FOR
TRAFFIC.  (a)  An operator on a roadway divided into two or more
clearly marked lanes for traffic:
     (1)  shall drive as nearly as practical entirely within
a single lane;  and
      (2)  may not move from the lane unless that movement can
be made safely.    
   (b)  If a roadway is divided into three lanes and provides
for two-way movement of traffic, an operator on the roadway may not
drive in the center lane except:
      (1)  if passing another vehicle and the center lane is
clear of traffic within a safe distance;
     (2)  in preparing to make a left turn;  or                                    
     (3)  where the center lane is designated by an official
traffic-control device for movement in the direction in which the
operator is moving.
   (c)  Without regard to the center of the roadway, an official
traffic-control device may be erected directing slow-moving
traffic to use a designated lane or designating lanes to be used by
traffic moving in a particular direction.
  (d)  Official traffic-control devices prohibiting the
changing of lanes on sections of roadway may be installed.

Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 165, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995.

You'd think if HB1522 passed, Texas would have updated their website...
and Laneshare.org would be celebrating a victory instead of reporting a letdown.

[txbanditrydr]

The lane splitting bill in Texas did not reach committee (or some other technical term).  The issue is not dead however they basically kicked it back to concentrate on other pressing issues like education funding, etc.

It is possible that it could be re-introduced at a later date however it is currently ILLEGAL to lane split in Texas.  If anyone is interested I can provide links to another board (Two Wheel Texans) that goes more into detail including the efforts of a fellow biker who was sponsoring the bill.

[Vidrazor]

I sent my friend, who spent ten years in Japan (and who revisited recently) a copy of that link. Here was his perpective on it...

Ah, my mind goes back to those halcyon days of riding in Tokyo.  I know
this road - the Chou Expressway.  In the video it appears to be the
average weekday traffic with all those trucks, (most are not allowed on
local streets).  The traffic appears to be not so heavy since there are
spots where it is actually moving faster than snails, (that, in fact makes
it more dangerous since it would be better to tackle those lanes in a
gridlock - which does often happen).  This lane splitting is legal and the
norm in Japan.  I myself did allot of it - but not at that speed.  Also,
that Virago 250 of mine was way too wide to slip through some of those
fissures.  The big difference between doing this in Japan and in the
states is that drivers are quite aware of the "sub-traffic pattern" of
motorcycles that trickle through the cracks.  Truck and car drivers are
taught to leave space to bikes.  Even as a cyclist, I would be constantly
checking for highballing bikers trying to overtake me - sometimes passing
me while we're both between trucks!   I was just on this expressway last
December, taking a bus to a train station - strange - I was watching those
lane splitters thinking how crazy it for me was to even attempt this years
ago.  It's much safer to split lanes on the local roads - at least you can
stop to change your underwear if things get too close.  By the way, one
time, coming back from a camping trip, Gitti and I were on the Virago
loaded down with camping gear - there was a thirty-mile long gridlock on
the highway in front of usgoing into Tokyo.  We ended up following the
stream of motorcycles that were weaving their way through the traffic  -
one the wrong side of the highway!  I remember being in this strange
state-of-mind that this was perfectly normal - just trust in the hundreds
of motorcycles heading upstream - nothing could go wrong!

...pretty interesting, eh?

[banditoverde]

So you're one of those (jerks) who zips up between cars and then hops out in front of everyone at the red light?  In my experience, this behavior is limited to the same riders who weave from lane to lane (with no blinker, so nobody has any idea what you might be doing), what I label "terrorist driving/riding" (and yes, I have seen cars do it.  I *can* do that, but I *choose* not to do so because I believe it's selfish and causes bad feelings towards bikers.

I have not said I am against lane splitting, but motorcyclists have to show basic courtesy to car drivers if they want courtesy from car drivers, and cutting them off (which is the element of this video that I keep pointing to) or otherwise showing your ass is not the way to show or get that courtesy.

Our TN ABATE org is workign towards getting emergency lane use legalized in this state, because we simply do not have the traffic snarls that make lane splitting logical.  But who, no matter what they drive, hasn't used the emergency/breakdown lane to over to the next off-ramp when traffic is puttering along or just sitting?

Bikes can do things cars can't do, and smaller cars can do things bigger cards can't do.  But what you do is up to you (and the laws of your locale)...

It's not a matter of polite it's a matter of safer for me.  Mice do not try to pass through a room of cats politely.  They dodge and weave for all they are worth.  Cars may not be actively looking to make a snack of me, but if they were at least I wouldn't have to worry about being an unnoticed inadvertent lump of goo in someone's wheel well.  "Sorry mate, I didn't see you" does not make me feel better about getting sqooshed.  Cagers don't see us no matter what we do and when they do see us they generally don't like us no matter how polite we are.

Now if you like self serving justifications, try this one on for size.  When I filter to the front of the line I am actually being polite to my cage driving bretheren.  By filling in the empty spaces at the front and getting out of the way quickly I am removing one more vehicle from an already too long line thereby getting the cages through the intersection faster

Sven, Just try it, you know you want to, it feels so good, get the banana dancing, split them lanes (remember to have your pirate knife handy)

Oh! And stay out of those break down lanes. That stuff will get you squished