Barf Slow Your Roll" Lane Splitting Campaign

[asdfman]

I have a Ninja 250. 15 mph differential is all I can do.

 

[NTron3000]

In. Because I like hangin out with the choir.

15 Delta image cool but I think the "slow your roll" needs to be spelled out explicitly otherwise it's just decoration and does nothing for exposure/awareness.

Never understood the beef with 50mph. Once traffic is going 50 there are almost always gaps so splitting becomes mostly unnecessary if you're willing to wait 2 seconds for a gap to open. Might actually explain why there's so very little data on splitting above 50mph...

 

[mosquito]

... any effort to codify a numerical differential is doomed to failure in the absence of a mythical differential speedometer.

... there's no rigorous means of complying ...

I hear you and understand that there's not an easy and infallible way to compute the speed differential. I agree with you on this point.

For there being no rigorous means of complying, I think that this would mean that if someone is going to be unsure if they're going to have a 15 mph speed differential from "the average flow of traffic" then the thing to do to continue to be legal is to *not lane share*. The proposed law would not compel anyone to do it and so, *not lane sharing* is the easy way to comply.

For concerns like, "This shouldn't be in the law because it doesn't work well", I agree that it doesn't work well for the rider, but it *does* work well for the LEO and the court. AFAIK the courts are fine with LEO's estimating the speeds of vehicles and it does give them an actual threshold to make their decisions about pulling someone over or not. In the sense that it allows the law to be enforced, it *would* work well.

So, I have to disagree with you, not for any points you make, but in the logic you present for "differential speedometer is mythical" ==> "potential law will be doomed".

If you're really saying, "I don't like it", OK. We hear you. *But* this thread is about a different idea.

Just throwing this out there. I'm sure there are more artistic BARFERs

EDIT: Corrected "STR" to "SYR"

I like the design. I can see it on T-shirts and vests. From it I would also take the simpler "delta 15" and make easy to identify bumper stickers and whatnot.

Got color ideas for it? My first thought is to make the "delta 15" be green like this guy --> . It both helps spin this as a positive thing -- green for go instead of caution or stop -- *and* it associates it with BARF.

The best I was thinking of was animated GIF's of dinner rolls on moto frames. ;o)

 

[Surj]

You miss the point... a band of merry splitters want the vehicle code modified to create a 15 MPH differential limit on splitting. Yet all they can offer up is a seat of the pants gut-feel for how that should be measured. How about we move toward that - a gut-feeling to guide our splitting in the current "not illegal" arena - rather than some stupid specific number. What will stand up in court when you go to fight your speeding ticket? A gut feeling? Or a measured differential rate?

Again, the basic speed rule turns out to be the right one to follow.

Your enthusiasm for the basic speed law is confusingly misplaced. It offers as little actual guidance as being a good enough rider to estimate one's speed differential.

There's no need for a decimal point-measured differential because as Mosquito articulates below, we have an established system of LEOs using estimates.

And as one of the "merry band of splitters" involved with this bill, I can state that the numbers in the bill exist to make the bill enforceable, as Mosquito also said below. They're based on the Berkeley / SafeTREC study, as RightCoastBias already said.

For concerns like, "This shouldn't be in the law because it doesn't work well", I agree that it doesn't work well for the rider, but it *does* work well for the LEO. AFAIK the courts are fine with LEO's estimating the speeds of vehicles and it does give them an actual threshold to make their decisions about pulling someone over or not. In the sense that it allows the law to be enforced, it *would* work well.

Yup.

 

[louemc]

Your enthusiasm for the basic speed law is confusingly misplaced. It offers as little actual guidance as being a good enough rider to estimate one's speed differential.

There's no need for a decimal point-measured differential because as Mosquito articulates below, we have an established system of LEOs using estimates.

And as one of the "merry band of splitters" involved with this bill, I can state that the numbers in the bill exist to make the bill enforceable, as Mosquito also said below. They're based on the Berkeley / SafeTREC study, as RightCoastBias already said.



Yup.

...For me, there are issues way more important, than speed delta (differential), but, ... The law needs something.
(and I got no problem, with that.)

 

[S1KGSXR600]

I'd take the delta icon with the 15 over it, and put the words Slow Your Roll on each sides of the triangle... in big easy to read letters.

Slow, starting left to right left side. Your, starting top to bottom right side, ROLL in big letters across the bottom. Move it up, and have a website clearly defined under it. Perhaps the word RIDERS! too, so that car people don't think we're angry at them like usual, and can see that some of our community are trying to make a difference.

And then I'd create a website detailing the issue, and post that at the bottom, because to a lot of riders, BARF has a bad rep.

Add the link to this discussion and any other BARF related posts on the issue, on the website. But it will be less effective to direct them straight here.

I have zero photoshop or image editing skills or i'd craft one up. Sorry

Just my opinion.

 

[Biker&wheeler]

I agree in principle. I don't tend to like the hard and fast rules, but I understand how they help some people. Right when I take splitting for granted I take a trip to Oregon and get so angry I want to start shooting tires out. Then I come home and appreciate it more and Im extra friendly tward the cagers.

 

[KazMan]

For me, I think we should have something that says Thanks for Sharing so the cagers get a clear positive message. And then in the motorcycle community we have an SYR campaign. If we provide just the delta tonthe cagers, most will just focus on that and those that are notnsupporting SYR.

 

[JakesKTM]

Slow the roll - great phrase! Our target audience should appear as other moto splitters but this campaign really is aimed at car drivers.

Bud an hit me up and I have some real connections w PR agencies in Sacramento who did all the work for Caltrans' "Slow for the Cone Zone" and "Don't Trash California" PR campaigns - they can at least give us some idea of how motorists might see a PR message directed at them.

 

[ZCrow]

Slow Your Roll is how a lane split these days. So I am in.

Now we just need some creative types to make a retro 70s design T-shirt! Need hipster swag.

 

[rodr]

15 Delta image cool but I think the "slow your roll" needs to be spelled out explicitly otherwise it's just decoration and does nothing for exposure/awareness.

The logo/name needs to be short so it can be read on a sticker or jacket by a cager. Also too many names/slogans will dilute the message. For these reasons I think just the "Delta 15" logo plus a corresponding URL is good; no "slow your roll", no BARF.

The URL is necessary so the curious will be able to find out what's up.

 

[bpw]

For me, I think we should have something that says Thanks for Sharing so the cagers get a clear positive message. And then in the motorcycle community we have an SYR campaign. If we provide just the delta tonthe cagers, most will just focus on that and those that are notnsupporting SYR.

I agree with this, I would love a sticker that said thanks to cars for letting us share. It's friendly, polite and easily understood. "Slow your roll" could be great for awareness in the Moto community, but most drivers will have no idea what it means.

I also try to remember that the more good interactions people have with riders the better, lots of people don't know anyone who rides and form opinions based on media, and the bad behavior they notice on the road. So smile and wave, give people space to merge at on ramps and stop to help that little old lady with a flat tire, she will tell all her little old lady friends about the polite young biker who was the only person to stop and help.

 

[rodr]

^^^ Good comments.

Surj would be a good person to take the lead on this stuff, as he already has experience with PR related to lane sharing.

 

[Cookie Monster]

I think this is a great idea. I try and stick to the 15 mph differential and don't split above 40 mph anyways.

 

[ontherearwheel]

Lanesplitting is legal...why thank the cagers because you are doing something that is legal?

In my commute to work, I see cagers all the time doing dumb shit. They can not even understand the concept of the following:

Do not block the intersection

Solid white lines are not to be crossed.

Right turn on red after stop.

Look and signal before lane change.

Slower traffic use turn outs.

And a few more.

Oh and the big one......hands free cell phone use. Which is hard to enforce. I see it all the time. I think they realized that enforcing a law restricting lane splitting would be like enforcing the hands free cell phone law....very hard to do. I've seldom seen a cop in my two years of doing my daily commute, and when I do, they are stuck in traffic unless they are on a bike.

Now, how in the world will a cop in a car catch a lane splitter? Ok lights come on, but traffic is locked, no where for anyone to move but there is a cop car sitting there with lights on meaning now the cagers with no where to go now need to find somewhere to go to let the cop move.

Do you think they cagers one bit about my opinion of them? Nope.

Why are some cagers startled by lane splitters and others are not? Seems the ones that are startled have a problem and is not the responsibility of the lane splitter. The splitter could be well within a safe speed and still startle someone.

I've been startled by a splitter when driving, why cause I was not paying attention and was daydreaming. By fault.....not the splitter. The speed of the splitter had nothing to do with it, my mental state did.

The lack of logical reasoning is great around here. Everything seems to be based solely on emotions.

 

[budman]

Lots of good comments!

For sure this is a campaign that will be aimed at car drivers knowing that responsible moto citizens are on the road with them and want them to know we understand they can be startled or get mad or....etc.

Try to get them to understand we are not just treating lane splitting as a sport.

Jake we will be in touch.

Surj and I will be planning later this week and his lovely lady will be working on some graphics. I will be off looking for a little financial support from some sponsors after that.

More comments / ideas are welcome of course!

 

[bpw]

Lanesplitting is legal...why thank the cagers because you are doing something that is legal?

the concept of the following:

Do not block the intersection

Solid white lines are not to be crossed.

Right turn on red after stop.

Look and signal before lane change.

Slower traffic use turn outs.

And a few more.

Oh and the big one......hands free cell phone use. Which is hard to enforce. I see it all the time. I think they realized that enforcing a law restricting lane splitting would be like enforcing the hands free cell phone law....very hard to do. I've seldom seen a cop in my two years of doing my daily commute, and when I do, they are stuck in traffic unless they are on a bike.

Now, how in the world will a cop in a car catch a lane splitter? Ok lights come on, but traffic is locked, no where for anyone to move but there is a cop car sitting there with lights on meaning now the cagers with no where to go now need to find somewhere to go to let the cop move.

Do you think they cagers one bit about my opinion of them? Nope.

Why are some cagers startled by lane splitters and others are not? Seems the ones that are startled have a problem and is not the responsibility of the lane splitter. The splitter could be well within a safe speed and still startle someone.

I've been startled by a splitter when driving, why cause I was not paying attention and was daydreaming. By fault.....not the splitter. The speed of the splitter had nothing to do with it, my mental state did.

The lack of logical reasoning is great around here. Everything seems to be based solely on emotions.

I say thank you because it's polite, and I try to be a better person than the next guy, not act like a dick just because he did.

 

[JakesKTM]

Lanesplitting is legal...why thank the cagers because you are doing something that is legal?

In my commute to work, I see cagers all the time doing dumb shit. They can not even understand the concept of the following:

Do not block the intersection

Solid white lines are not to be crossed.

Right turn on red after stop.

Look and signal before lane change.

Slower traffic use turn outs.

And a few more.

Oh and the big one......hands free cell phone use. Which is hard to enforce. I see it all the time. I think they realized that enforcing a law restricting lane splitting would be like enforcing the hands free cell phone law....very hard to do. I've seldom seen a cop in my two years of doing my daily commute, and when I do, they are stuck in traffic unless they are on a bike.

Now, how in the world will a cop in a car catch a lane splitter? Ok lights come on, but traffic is locked, no where for anyone to move but there is a cop car sitting there with lights on meaning now the cagers with no where to go now need to find somewhere to go to let the cop move.

Do you think they cagers one bit about my opinion of them? Nope.

Why are some cagers startled by lane splitters and others are not? Seems the ones that are startled have a problem and is not the responsibility of the lane splitter. The splitter could be well within a safe speed and still startle someone.

I've been startled by a splitter when driving, why cause I was not paying attention and was daydreaming. By fault.....not the splitter. The speed of the splitter had nothing to do with it, my mental state did.

The lack of logical reasoning is great around here. Everything seems to be based solely on emotions.

I think you may have missed the AB51 thread? The problem as some of us see it is getting a lane splitting bill through the state senate that will not be veto'd.

Part of "our" problem is image and the attitude many moto riders have toward cagers.

The other problem we have is a growing population of cagers who are incensed with the bad splitters out there and the opposition to lane splitting that may result in an anti-lanesplitting legislation if we don't A) improve the condition B) get a bill that is win/win.

Believe me, we are soon bound to see an anti-lane splitting bill at the rate we are pissing off the general public. Not all of us, but enough to get negative attention.

 

[clutchslip]

Just throwing this out there. I'm sure there are more artistic BARFERs

EDIT: Corrected "STR" to "SYR"

Good thought. I would like something to use while riding, though. I ain't a t-shirt and shorts kind of biker. The SYR thing is too esoteric.
(I need an armband waving thanks to drivers who move for me. It gets tiring trying to thank all the nice people with your left hand.)

Why are some cagers startled by lane splitters and others are not? Seems the ones that are startled have a problem and is not the responsibility of the lane splitter. The splitter could be well within a safe speed and still startle someone.

The lack of logical reasoning is great around here. Everything seems to be based solely on emotions.

You had me, honey, until these two parts. You are projecting on perfectly normal drivers that they are flawed and should be responsible for us. Personally, I have been startled by bikes, and I wasn't even listening to my ipod.

Actually, I think most are TRYING to logically maintain our ability to lane share. Pretending that splitting will always be allowed may not be logical, but just wishful thinking.

 

[1sicv8]

I like this.. PM sent about help on design side