Lane-Splitting

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DaveM

DaveM

Rock & Roll
Supporting Member
I know we will all have varied opinions on this but on my side we have always been able to lane split, so I have been doing this from around 1974. In all my time doing it I have never felt that I was putting myself or anyone else in danger at any point. I know we see these crazy videos on this but I suppose those guys are not the norm and anything they do on a bike is just crazy.

So today I find this on lane Splitting our side.

[TABLE="width: 100%"] [TR] [TD="width: 100%, colspan: 3, align: left"][h=4]South Africa: Call To Ban Lane-Splitting For Motorcycles[/h][/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD="width: 10%, align: left"]
[TD="class: DateHeaderDay"]10[/TD] [TD="class: DateHeaderDate"]October
2013[/TD]
[/TD] [TD="width: 55%, align: left"] File under Travel
Author: Mike Werner
Location: Normandy, France
[/TD] [TD="width: 35%"] [TABLE="width: 92, align: right"] [TR] [TD]
[/TD] [/TR] [/TABLE] [/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD="width: 100%, colspan: 3, align: left"]
Line-Dotted.gif

[TABLE="width: 140, align: right"] [TR] [TD]
[/TD] [/TR] [/TABLE] You win some, you lose some. Some countries have understood motorcycles and the benefits they bring to the community, while others just have their head in a dark and smelly place.

It looks like South Africa is heading for the latter. The AA , not the Alcohol Anonymous organization but the Automobile Association, are calling for a country-wide ban for lane-splitting by motorcycles.

Although currently lane-splitting is legal in South Africa, it has some restrictions; like you have to stay in the same lane, you can not weave through traffic by changing lanes and not ride over the lines. But apart from that you can split lanes, which is more than most countries.

[TABLE="width: 560, align: center"] [TR] [TD]
Lane-Splitting-Elephant.jpg

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But now the AA says that it's too dangerous, and they want the law to change. They also want a few additional changes, like

  • The motorcycle's wheels must at all times remain on the road (so no wheelies)
  • Motorcycle must ride single file
  • Motorcycles may only overtake cars one at a time (ie one motorcycle overtakes, and only when it has gone past the car, can the next motorcycle overtake)

In other words, the AA is envy of motorcycles. They want to restrict their movements as much as possible. I can't hear them saying that cars must pass motorcycle one by one... do you?

I am wondering if the South African AA also have motorcycles as part of their membership? Because if they do, I don't think they'll have many after this. [/TD] [/TR] [/TABLE]
 
The anti-motorcycle attitude is far and wide. In general, it is caused by a few inconsiderate riders who abuse the riding. Bikers in SA need to make their voices heard - loudly.
 
Years ago the AA in the UK supported leg protectors to be fitted on motorcycles. I came out of the AA and have never re joined since. Also many moons ago Shell had an advert depicting motorcyclist as filth dirty scum, when they were filling up with petrol. I have to date only filled up at a Shell garage about 5 times ( And only in an absolute emergency and then only about £5.00 worth, just to get me to another station ) and that advert went out well over 20 years ago. I won't under any circumstances give my money to any organization that is anti motorcyclist.

- - - Updated - - -

CarlS said:
The anti-motorcycle attitude is far and wide. In general, it is caused by a few inconsiderate riders who abuse the riding. Bikers in SA need to make their voices heard - loudly.
Click to expand...

Here here
 
Reading about this on the broadband forum last night. Quite a few motorcyclist haters on that site.

Being a member of the AA myself I will be writing them a letter.

...

Sent from my GT-N7100 using Tapatalk 4
 
As many here already know, lane splitting is only legal in one American State (California) and is "tolerated" in Texas.

In my State (Pennsylvania) the same rules apply to ALL motorized vehicles. That seems fair to me and I have no problem with it. As far as I'm concerned, I wouldn't split lanes even if it became legal. There are too many idiots texting and not paying attention as it is. I can imagine how many more cagers would be killing bikers if they were allowed to "sneak" around them!

-- Posted with TapaTalk now Free
 
Speaking only for myself, these days I think it's far too dangerous to lane split.
As seeker said, to many inattentive nitwits behind the wheel now who don't signal; abruptly change lanes; wander back and forth in their lane, and doing all manner of things except paying attention to their driving.
Back in the 50's we used to lane split, but that was a very different time.
 
The Seeker said:
As many here already know, lane splitting is only legal in one American State (California) and is "tolerated" in Texas.
Click to expand...

If "tolerated" means getting slapped with a fine then yes, otherwise it is still VERY much not allowed. In California, unless the law has been changed, it is "tolerated" but technically still illegal.

It is illegal in Texas to ride side by side but "tolerated" unless the LEO has an attitude.
 
In NZ it is both legal and accepted as normal by both partys.
When I say legal,I mean there are strict guidlines re speed and what side of a car you pass it on.
Even so, I have passed cops on the wrong side using the safety zone on the left side of the road(illegal in itself), but providing that the traffic is pretty much stationary,and I pass through within 10 or 15 kph of there speed,I have never been pulled over.
 
The Seeker said:
What's the law in Canada Rocky?

-- Posted with TapaTalk now Free
Click to expand...
I honestly don't know. It's not something we ever talk about, but I'm sure it's illegal.
Like the US; different laws in different states; different laws in different provinces.
But nobody does it here in this province and it's not a subject that comes up for discussion.
It's hard enough being safe by staying in your own lane :y2:
 
DaveM said:
I have been lane splitting now on bike for around 40 years and to me it is just so natural to do :y2:
Click to expand...
I'm positive it's illegal here so I've never done it except when we were kids back in the 50's.
I might take an advantage to get around traffic that is stopped, but I would never try it with moving traffic. It's far too dangerous the way people drive these days.
I'm retired so I rarely ride in rush hour traffic or in high traffic areas. If I do, I stay in my own lane where I feel safer and play it by ear.
My only city riding is to get out of the city and back in after a day on the road.
 
hemibee said:
In California, unless the law has been changed, it is "tolerated" but technically still illegal.
Click to expand...
Please supply the CVC saying lane splitting, lane sharing is illegal.

BTW, the CHP has recently released "parameters" for lane splitting.
They are~
Lane splitting IS allowed @ speeds under 30mph.
Lane slitting IS allowed if the passing speed is "less than 10 MPH."

Lastly, riding on BOTTS dots with a bike with ABS makes your brakes all but useless. Turn off your ABS if you plan on splitting. (When they're wet, it's even worse.)
 

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