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Lane Splitting Death - not an RIP Thread

Marcoose said:
Hang on, I thought Lex's thread was to discuss the dangers of lanesplitting in general, not the specific crash this morning, even though he quoted that crash's passing to illustrate said dangers. I'm deleting my post above. I didn't mean any disrespect to the people that knew the rider that perished.
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This was indeed my intent, especially as concerns involvement of large trucks, in that there was no identifying information regarding the rider provided.

I'm such a coward about lanesplitting that I wanted to use this news article to keep safety at the forefront of lanesplitter's minds when lanesplitting. "Familiarity breeds contempt" is said, and for me, lanesplitting is the perfect example of this. I do it, but rarely and slowly. I'm a coward.

Lex
 
akacastle said:
RIP fellow rider and sincerest condolences to friends and family. ^^^^also thank u enchanter for mentioning the stopped big rig scenario. Hope if those close to fallen rider read this post they don't take it as a callous comment. If anyone is saved by this being a learning experience the fallen riders death will not have been in vain.
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So true aka I too will not split a semi anymore, not since that experienced rider died on I think 880 south on his way to somewhere across the Hayward/san mateo bridge and got sucked under a big rig. I have an early commute now for this job in Fremont so ride 680 south every morning between 5-5:30 a.m. and these big rigs don't think twice anymore about taking the number two lane, trying to outspeed the other semis...ugh:thumbdown, it's dark, everyone is in a hurry.....
 
Enchanter said:
I've had 2 acquaintances luckily escape injury, but have their bikes totaled when they were splitting past a stopped big-rig. In each case, the rigs started moving before they were able to complete the pass. The gap narrowed, and they were caught.

I never split past big-rigs or similar vehicles with exposed wheels.
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^^^^^
This
This
This
 
I pace those worker trucks, semi's, commute busses until they give me a wide clearance. Lessons off 237!
 
Enchanter said:
I've had 2 acquaintances luckily escape injury, but have their bikes totaled when they were splitting past a stopped big-rig. In each case, the rigs started moving before they were able to complete the pass. The gap narrowed, and they were caught.

I never split past big-rigs or similar vehicles with exposed wheels.
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YES! The big open wheels scare the shit out of me. It makes me feel like I am riding next to a meat grinder. It perplexes me the amount of riders that split past the big trucks and busses on the BB going 45-55. They are welcome to do it, but I wont. I am glad a few riders have common sense around here, because during commute time, I feel like I am the only sane rider holding back.

Glad the people you know made it through the grinder!
 
Smash Allen said:
:rip rider

I don't split past exposed wheels until I have a clear shot all the way through, then I pull the trigger as quickly as possible. If I can't get past in a second or two I will take the adjacent lane until I can. Even when I have the whole lane next to exposed wheels I won't sit next to those tires. It's hard to comprehend the energy those tires have

This is a dummy pictured below, but the point is valid
7scYiZ.gif
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What point is that? That seating a bead on a large tire is dangerous? I am so lost...
 
Lex Talionis said:
I've said it before, I'll continue to say it: Many riders who lanesplit lack imagination.
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I'm not really sure what this means but am going to ask that we keep this discussion respectful and productive. Most of it has been, but please be aware that some people here know the rider who was killed and are grieving.
 
I just found out that the rider was a close friend of mine. I had just spoken to him on Tuesday.
 
I just found out my Son in Law saw it moments before and after the incident.
He did not paint a pretty picture both in terms of the pre and post incident.

Really sorry anyone has to see something like that.
 
Budman, did your son-in-law say how it unfolded? Robert was a close friend and I am still freshly traumatized finding out it was him, but I would like to know how it happened.

Tears aside, I would like to mention something here because I think it is of importance.

Robert considered himself a 'casual weekend warrior/lane splitter.' He did not have any rider friends besides me, that I know of. The times that I had discussed with him regarding taking classes or refining riding skills, he emphasized seat time, and was often dismissive of my remarks regarding taking the necessary steps to improve overall riding skills.

I am not saying that this is certainly the reason why this incident happened; but it is a possibility that with refined street skills and awareness, it could have been avoided.

I believe even amongst tragedy, if a point can be made to save lives in the future, it should be made.
 
Really sorry Caroline. I saw your other thread first and then came here. I hope you're OK - hearing this about a friend is, as I sadly know, shocking.

Side note:

For anyone who has to commute the Peninsula, I STRONGLY suggest taking 280 rather than 101 if that is at all possible. I ride both, and the combination of heavier traffic, worse road surface (especially between lanes), much more debris which can cause vehicles to swerve and way more trucks makes 101 MUCH worse.

Sorry if this isn't the place to post this - I just noticed that you said that he and you both commute 101. I'm certainly not trying to put any blame whatsoever on him for taking 101 if that's what he had to do...
 
Lex Talionis said:
This was indeed my intent, especially as concerns involvement of large trucks, in that there was no identifying information regarding the rider provided.

I'm such a coward about lanesplitting that I wanted to use this news article to keep safety at the forefront of lanesplitter's minds when lanesplitting. "Familiarity breeds contempt" is said, and for me, lanesplitting is the perfect example of this. I do it, but rarely and slowly. I'm a coward.

Lex
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It's not cowardice to choose not to lanesplit. It's a personal choice based on your own assessment of its risks and value. Ride your own ride and keep the shiny side up.
 
Caroline, so sorry about your friend and thanx for making this loss a little bit more personal. I've met you and have always respected your willingness to admit your mistakes and ask for guidance.

I am going to reevaluate my lane sharing technique because I casually split next to trucks in the, perhaps mistakenly, belief that it is actually safer. Trucks don't jink around the way cars do and hold a steady line.
 
Pluot said:
Budman, did your son-in-law say how it unfolded? Robert was a close friend and I am still freshly traumatized finding out it was him, but I would like to know how it happened.

Tears aside, I would like to mention something here because I think it is of importance.

Robert considered himself a 'casual weekend warrior/lane splitter.' He did not have any rider friends besides me, that I know of. The times that I had discussed with him regarding taking classes or refining riding skills, he emphasized seat time, and was often dismissive of my remarks regarding taking the necessary steps to improve overall riding skills.

I am not saying that this is certainly the reason why this incident happened; but it is a possibility that with refined street skills and awareness, it could have been avoided.

I believe even amongst tragedy, if a point can be made to save lives in the future, it should be made.
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Yes he did basically see what happened. I will PM you.
 
Pluot said:
I just found out that the rider was a close friend of mine. I had just spoken to him on Tuesday.
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I am so sorry to hear this. I have known a few people as well. I know how it feels. Keep your head high and know there is always something to learn. don't let his passing go in vain.:rose
 
El Feo said:
Oh my God. Remember that one?!

Can't erase the horror of seeing that video.

I'm with Cookie. Stopped rigs only.
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What video? It happened in the USA?
 
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