-
Welcome, Guest! We hope you enjoy the excellent technical knowledge, event information and discussions that the BMW MOA forum provides. Some forum content will be hidden from you if you remain logged out. If you want to view all content, please click the 'Log in' button above and enter your BMW MOA username and password. If you are not an MOA member, why not take the time to join the club, so you can enjoy posting on the forum, the BMW Owners News magazine, and all of the discounts and benefits the BMW MOA offers?
Georgia Lane Splitting
- Thread starter daveyaffe
- Start date
WWeldin
Member
The HOT lanes on I-85 are free for motorcycles, AF vehicles, 2 or more people (no-toll mode,) however, the new HOT lanes on I-75, both on the north side and south side are not free. Only buses and law enforcement vehicles are not charged. The I-75 toll lanes were built without using existing lanes of travel; the ones on I-85 were. Hence, the free usage.
All HOT lanes require registration for use. My older Peach Pass on my R1200C is not associated with any financial account due to I-85 had the only HOT lanes when I got it. Fast forward a few years and I want one for the new RT. I was asked which HOT lanes will I be using, I said both (mainly 85,) but was told it was not free on 75. I ended up puting a charge on the CC for the pass as I will occasionally use the one on I-75 on the south side. I live in NE Atanta (off I-85) and frequent those HOT lanes more than the one on 75.
On the lane splitting note, I would love to be able to do so, but Atlanta area drivers are not ready for that; never will be. I do what I can to split, but it is mainly called moving in and out of slower traffic. Some folk may consider it "cutting them off," but I beg to differ. It is like I am the only one who wants to get to speed. Most times on the road I travel to work, slower traffic will not keep right. They actually accelerate slowly then end up matching their speeds with others in the adjacent lane and no room to pass. Or so they think. I have seen sport bikes split lanes on I-285 in bumbper to bumepr traffic. I always think "must be nice," but doubt i will ever do it on the RT. It just does not seem like enough room for me to do it.
In the mountain roads TN, VA, & NC area, I found that people are courteous and will move over to allow motorcycles to pass in the twisties, even if I am far enough back from them. Georgia? Not so much. I called GA home since '78, so I got tht going for me, which is nice.
weschmann
Kawa Afterthought
I would suggest lane splitting works in California due to a different culture of more open minded citizens who understand the dynamics of traffic management. Completely different culture in George or for goodness sake, Missouri where I live. The amount of jealousy of someone getting a better break than someone else is always at a high level when negotiating a path on the road and to interrupt that jealousy with lane passing is tantamount to asking Daryl from the walking dead to string up his bow and put you down as the snarling walking dead that you are. YEMD
visian
look out!!!
Lived in Atlanta for 36 years and you could not pay me to ride in that traffic.
Living in WNC now, where drivers are polite and will (on occasion) use turnouts.
PGlaves
#13338
I would suggest lane splitting works in California due to a different culture of more open minded citizens who understand the dynamics of traffic management. Completely different culture in George or for goodness sake, Missouri where I live. The amount of jealousy of someone getting a better break than someone else is always at a high level when negotiating a path on the road and to interrupt that jealousy with lane passing is tantamount to asking Daryl from the walking dead to string up his bow and put you down as the snarling walking dead that you are. YEMD
Drivers in California have become used to lane sharing. But not so other places. Just the other day I saw a video taken of a road rage incident where in order to merge left a lady was waving a baseball bat out her side window threatening the car she was merging ahead of. This resulted in a 3-way brawl on the pavement in stalled traffic. I'd call this hillbilly behavior except I wouldn't want to insult hillbillies. More like cave woman behavior and there was actually some resemblance.
akbeemer
SURVIVOR
There was a legislative effort to institute lane splitting in Montana a few years ago (Yes, I know, why in Montana?). The bill got far more traction than one would expect, but thankfully failed. Simply not needed here and the learning curve would be quite steep; a great deal of pain for not much gain.
And, please lighten up on the cavemen/women insults. Some of my best friends are cavemen.
And, please lighten up on the cavemen/women insults. Some of my best friends are cavemen.
PGlaves
#13338
You need to see the video. Then you will understand. It happened on I57 in Chicagoland.
See: https://abcnews.go.com/US/road-rage-caught-camera-shows-women-attacking-bat/story?id=65943012
beemerdood
New member
When lane splitting laws are passed they need to be accompanied by lots of PSA's, stories in the newspapers, TV and radio news, etc., that the law has been passed, and the requirements both for bikes and for cars. The state patrol, will also need lots of PSAs explaining that there are severe penalties for interfering with a bike that's splitting.
There will still be those who do stupid things, it's the human condition. But after a few of those folks are held to answer, convicted, and sentenced things will calm down to a large extent.
Speaking of Montana. I was stuck for several hours on a highway there, due to a big rig accident that blocked the road and the shoulders for cars. I could have ridden to the front of the line and then through the wreck if it was legal and I'd been on a bike. It's a mistake to think that just because there's a sparse and scattered population, that lane splitting would not be useful at times. If nothing else, it allows riders to go the front of traffic that's stopped for a light. Doing so avoids rear end collisions that do not end well for bikers.
There will still be those who do stupid things, it's the human condition. But after a few of those folks are held to answer, convicted, and sentenced things will calm down to a large extent.
Speaking of Montana. I was stuck for several hours on a highway there, due to a big rig accident that blocked the road and the shoulders for cars. I could have ridden to the front of the line and then through the wreck if it was legal and I'd been on a bike. It's a mistake to think that just because there's a sparse and scattered population, that lane splitting would not be useful at times. If nothing else, it allows riders to go the front of traffic that's stopped for a light. Doing so avoids rear end collisions that do not end well for bikers.
akbeemer
SURVIVOR
Okay, so one cavewoman went off the deep end, Iāll give you that much.
PGlaves
#13338
Cavewoman #1, the one with the bat, has been arrested.
See: https://abcnews.go.com/US/woman-arrested-bat-wielding-road-rage-incident-caught/story?id=66020232
shortythorne
shortythorne
Paul & I were stuck on I 64 near Lexington, KY a few days ago...don't know why, only know that the KY Highway Patrol had it blocked. Many were riding down the shoulder to the next exit, but we didn't know for sure where we would end up or get in a worse situation, so we sat there in 98 degree heat like two goobers from Miss.. A local man pulled up beside me and said "If you will fall in behind me, I'll get you two out of this". He took the first exit, we followed and were back on our way in about 10 minutes. THERE ARE STILL NICE PEOPLE! What a sweetheart, and we would have bought his dinner if we had the chance. He turned off, waved us to go straight and we never saw him again. A much better outcome than using baseball bats 
.
.
52184
GTRider
Filtering is now legal in Utah as of May 14th this year. The guidelines spelled out in the statute are as follow:
1. Only allowed on roads posted at 45mph or less
2. Having two or more lanes of traffic in the same direction
3. Adjacent traffic must be stopped
4. And motorcycle traveling 15mph or less
5. And the action must be undertaken safely
More details are here.
Iāve done it several times to get through rush hour traffic parked at stoplights, with no issues. So far, filtering has been a non-issue here and the only injury accident Iāve seen reported thus far was a motorcyclist who filtered to the front of a line of stopped traffic at a light, only to have the light turn green and traffic begin moving. And, the motorcyclist was a motor officerādetails here.
DPS did a lot of public service announcements prior to the new law taking effect. So far, Iāve not seen any adverse reactions from motorists. I am careful, tho, to make sure that my filtering decisions are made early enough that I know traffic will still be stopped when I reach the light or get in line behind another filtering motorcyclist, and I donāt filter at funky non-right-angle intersections. That cuts out the new āSPUIā (Single Point Urban Interchange) ramps on I-15, but Iām ok with that.
So the sky isnāt falling, cats and dogs havenāt started living together, and motorcycle life goes on in Utah. That wonāt stop the naysayers, most of whom have probably never tried filtering or splitting, but it would be nice if folks would give things a try before condemning change.
Best,
DeVern
1. Only allowed on roads posted at 45mph or less
2. Having two or more lanes of traffic in the same direction
3. Adjacent traffic must be stopped
4. And motorcycle traveling 15mph or less
5. And the action must be undertaken safely
More details are here.
Iāve done it several times to get through rush hour traffic parked at stoplights, with no issues. So far, filtering has been a non-issue here and the only injury accident Iāve seen reported thus far was a motorcyclist who filtered to the front of a line of stopped traffic at a light, only to have the light turn green and traffic begin moving. And, the motorcyclist was a motor officerādetails here.
DPS did a lot of public service announcements prior to the new law taking effect. So far, Iāve not seen any adverse reactions from motorists. I am careful, tho, to make sure that my filtering decisions are made early enough that I know traffic will still be stopped when I reach the light or get in line behind another filtering motorcyclist, and I donāt filter at funky non-right-angle intersections. That cuts out the new āSPUIā (Single Point Urban Interchange) ramps on I-15, but Iām ok with that.
So the sky isnāt falling, cats and dogs havenāt started living together, and motorcycle life goes on in Utah. That wonāt stop the naysayers, most of whom have probably never tried filtering or splitting, but it would be nice if folks would give things a try before condemning change.
Best,
DeVern
52184
GTRider
I-15 through SLC is scary, indeed. Jumping off on I-215 W and taking the Legacy Parkway cuts out a lot of it, and the HOV lanes help with the rest, but itās still an overcrowded mess. My preferred bypass for traveling SE of SLC is I-84/I-80 around the āWasatch Backā to Wanship or Jordanelle reservoir, then Hwy 35 to Duchesne and 191 through Indian Canyon to Helper and Price. Try that on your next trip through, itās a much more enjoyable ride!
Best,
DeVern
akbeemer
SURVIVOR
Our plan when heading south was to go west of the Tetons, cut through Teton Pass to Jackson and then south to Flaming Gorge. Snow in the passes caused us to use I-15 and it also gave us more time to ride in Colorado and UT. We had a similar route planned for coming home, but had to scurry back as quickly as possible to beat a winter storm that rolled thru Montana. I'll consider your options in the future.
Last edited:
shortythorne
shortythorne
I am sure about two things...you don't want to try lane splitting or approaching another driver with a baseball bat ANYWHERE in Mississippi! You will surely die .
.And it passed this month! Cali, then Utah, then Montana, Colorado next please!
Yes, I filter. No not like a crazed squid, more like a Brit.
--
Alan in Denver - 2016 RT, 2016 Multistrada.
It was once believed that an infinite number of monkeys, typing on an infinite number of keyboards would, through sheer chance, replicate the works of Shakespeare.
Thanks to internet message boards, we now know this is not the case.
