MotomanBill
New member
Lane Sharing In California my Experiences
Lane sharing is useful, overall it reduces traffic, it keeps aircooled motors cool and keeps the transmissions from those bikes from locking up due to shifting difficulties, it keeps your left hand from cramping up with frequent stop and go traffic. The downside of lane sharing is some people abuse it they go too fast, or only once I have seen this: a group of canyon racers "swarm" maybe 40 of them got on the freeway at the same time and were splitting all lanes at one time at a pretty good clip traffic was about 30 mph, leaving drivers no room for changes or emergency. On occaision I have had drivers cut me off and I always try to have an escape gap. Trucks, SUVs, Vans and semi's are the hardest to deal with. But as mentioned in other posts here, most of the drivers will move over for you. It is really important that you are moving forward to the next gap. Unfortunately there are alot of "mirror" drivers and not as many people looking back in lane changes. I have been riding the freeways here in southern California for 21 years and so far so good. I would estimate my total mileage at about 4500 miles between the lanes out of about 110,000 motorcycle miles. It is not my preferred method it makes me tense and my shoulders ache after a while, but when traffic slows to a crawl I used it. We are fortunate here because there are so many motorcycles year round and people look and expect them. Other states that have lower densities of bikers may not be looking for them. I think initially the learning curve might be steep but a good education through Public Service Announcements (radio,TV), Driver Licensing, Registration Flyers and Motorcycle Safety Programs could get people on the right track. Even some people here once they are educated to the reasons why lane splitting/sharing is legal- less traffic, overheating AirCooled motors, Rider fatigue etc, have a completly new appreciation for motorcyclists and the machines.
Lane sharing is useful, overall it reduces traffic, it keeps aircooled motors cool and keeps the transmissions from those bikes from locking up due to shifting difficulties, it keeps your left hand from cramping up with frequent stop and go traffic. The downside of lane sharing is some people abuse it they go too fast, or only once I have seen this: a group of canyon racers "swarm" maybe 40 of them got on the freeway at the same time and were splitting all lanes at one time at a pretty good clip traffic was about 30 mph, leaving drivers no room for changes or emergency. On occaision I have had drivers cut me off and I always try to have an escape gap. Trucks, SUVs, Vans and semi's are the hardest to deal with. But as mentioned in other posts here, most of the drivers will move over for you. It is really important that you are moving forward to the next gap. Unfortunately there are alot of "mirror" drivers and not as many people looking back in lane changes. I have been riding the freeways here in southern California for 21 years and so far so good. I would estimate my total mileage at about 4500 miles between the lanes out of about 110,000 motorcycle miles. It is not my preferred method it makes me tense and my shoulders ache after a while, but when traffic slows to a crawl I used it. We are fortunate here because there are so many motorcycles year round and people look and expect them. Other states that have lower densities of bikers may not be looking for them. I think initially the learning curve might be steep but a good education through Public Service Announcements (radio,TV), Driver Licensing, Registration Flyers and Motorcycle Safety Programs could get people on the right track. Even some people here once they are educated to the reasons why lane splitting/sharing is legal- less traffic, overheating AirCooled motors, Rider fatigue etc, have a completly new appreciation for motorcyclists and the machines.