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Barf Slow Your Roll" Lane Splitting Campaign

I think this is a good idea to engender politeness. I am a big advice of waving to those making room. If someone doesn't, no big deal make your way around. +15 is a decent delta, but the average joe won't distinguish 15 from 20. Smart is to just be polite
 
I asked this in another tread and didn't get an answer. What is so wrong with the proposed codification.
As another old guy(55) with lots of years under my belt(40) I acknowledge the PRIVLEDGE it is to split lanes. And I start with the purpose of splitting. I call it the no feet on the freeway plan. I split so that I'm not a sitting duck for some Bozo who cant seem to stop in time for a car. That's it. It's not about getting home faster , not about bombing through congestion. Only about ME being defensive about getting rear-ended.
When I split ,I start when traffic slows to a halt. I keep my delta at 5-10MPH and I get back in lane at about 40. Not a big deal. I save a few minutes and I keep my 6 clear.

So why is getting back in lane at 50 not sufficient?
 
day004 said:
I asked this in another tread and didn't get an answer. What is so wrong with the proposed codification.
As another old guy(55) with lots of years under my belt(40) I acknowledge the PRIVLEDGE it is to split lanes. And I start with the purpose of splitting. I call it the no feet on the freeway plan. I split so that I'm not a sitting duck for some Bozo who cant seem to stop in time for a car. That's it. It's not about getting home faster , not about bombing through congestion. Only about ME being defensive about getting rear-ended.
When I split ,I start when traffic slows to a halt. I keep my delta at 5-10MPH and I get back in lane at about 40. Not a big deal. I save a few minutes and I keep my 6 clear.

So why is getting back in lane at 50 not sufficient?
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It's not for you, but one size doesn't fit all does it?

I split to make time and protect myself from bozos from the rear.
 
I support the slow your roll concept! I'm not riding much on the street these days but when I do I'm trying to adhere to the guidelines when I split.
 
clutchslip said:
But, riding on sidewalks is still okay, or what? That has impact, too. It's not the other guy's fault, anymore. Actually, the only time that was true was when the 1% clubs were the only hooligans that anyone noticed.
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Don't know why that's directed at me, I haven't condoned that kind of activity.
 
Been in for quite some time, will continue to do so!! :thumbup :ride :teeth
 
I'm SO on board with this. I've always stuck to a delta of around 5-10mph and I tend to merge back into traffic pretty early - at around 30mph.

Whenever I hear someone whinge about some idiot lane splitting too quickly for traffic conditions, I always make a point of saying that - as a motorcyclist - I think they're being an idiot. But I also add that for most of us sensible riders, lane splitting properly is safer for the rider and better for the drivers out there because we're not causing congestion. I hope to do my bit to change the perception of members of the public.
 
15mph = 22ft/sec
Honda Civic ~15ft long
CBR600 ~6ft long

15mph delta should take about a second to pass the little cars; long for bigger ones.

For whatever that's worth.

Personnally I don't want some law setting arbitrary limits on lanesplitting. I commute exclusively by moto year round in all weather and have done so since 1999. Some politician that never so much as sat on a moto telling me what is safe or not can go F themself, and I mean that in the nicest possible way. They can go get 150k+ commute miles under their belt and then we'll compare notes.

My personal observations "in the field" tell me that drivers are more aware of and considerate towards motos now than ever before.

Another observation in the field is that all the super slow splitters revving their straight pipes and laying on the horn because they can't thread their bike thru a gap big enough to drive a tank through pisses people off just as much as the high delta splitting.
 
So, business as usual for me? Got it. Great stuff, Budman. I will be happy to spread the word via stickers, etc. when they are ready. :thumbup
 
Here in Portola Valley we have a email group and a few times a week people bitch about, for example, the white BMW that almost killed them, etc. etc.

No one is listening, people. The dipshits who are driving selfishly don't care about your email scolding.

Likewise, I think appealing to the membership of BARF to lower splitting speed deltas is largely useless, because there are so many irresponsible bikers who aren't debating issues on the forums--they're on the road pissing people off.

That said, discussions on the BARF have had an effect on my splitting speeds. I'm rarely splitting at a 25 mph delta now, and much closer to 15 mph most of the time.
 
I'm in. Always have been.

I think a big PR campaign could get some traction and free publicity. Start with a name, web address and companion logo distributed as patches and stickers, sort of like a MC. Just as a corny example, say the sticker says:

I'm a NiceRider
www.NiceRider.org

The web site says how you pledge to behave as a Nice Rider "member". It offers the stickers and patches for a nominal fee, to cover costs. Do lots of PR. Conquer the world. :teeth

Just a suggestion. And we all know how my suggestions turn out. :laughing
 
I love it! I do it anyways but will redouble my efforts to display myself as a considerate motorist. It couldn't hurt. Thanks Budman.
 
I'd rock a patch or a sticker. Just make sure one of the stickers comes in orange... hehehe...

I never have a need to split above 50 mph.. Feels too unsafe. Likewise, I've noticed a big difference in drivers seeing me, keeping it at a 15 mph delta or lower, and taking my time. A lot more people move out of the way, too.

edit: Well, I wouldn't say 'never' sometimes it's nice to escape unsafe drivers with a burst of speed -- but the majority of the time, 50 works fine.

Easier for everyone. Safer for all. Full support.
 
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Count me in. The most egregious behavior is when two or more riders are tailgating each other while splitting, and going insanely fast. A stupid display of who's the alpha. This juvenile behavior has got to tick off the public and further convince everyone that splitting needs to be outlawed. One part of me hopes natural selection weeds them out, while the other part prays for their safety.
 
clutchslip said:
... And San Francisco has signed-up as a ZERO traffic death city by the year 2024. If people don't behave there, they will ban everything including motorcycles to reach that goal. ...
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*This* is a problem I hadn't considered. California doesn't have to make lane sharing illegal, cities or counties can do it and create a domino effect.
 
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Man...the stopsplitting points can be picked apart in many ways. They are presented idiotically, draw conclusions from unrelated data, a lack of real data and fearful emotion.

I agree splitting should be done courteously and within reason.
 
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