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Lane Splitting Death - not an RIP Thread

DataDan said:
  • Gap in traffic in one lane that invites a lane-change. Riding between lanes of bumper-to-bumper traffic gives you some protection because vehicles can't change lanes.

  • Large speed differential between lanes. Someone in the slower lane is going to be looking for a spot in the faster one.

  • Convergence/divergence where freeways split or join. At a split, expect last-second merge to make the almost-missed exit. At a join, expect a quick merge to get to the fast lane or an upcoming exit.

  • HOV entry/exit points. This is more of an El Lay thing, but when HOV access is limited, expect lane changes where it opens up.

  • Problem drivers weaving or making multiple lane changes. You spot him a few hundred yards away. Oooh! #1 looks good. Nope, it's #3. Aw shit, it was #2 all along!

  • Driver searching for a lane change opportunity. There's a major offramp ahead, and he's boxed in. Head's on a swivel, and he's squeezing into the splitting corridor.

  • Slowing traffic ahead. As traffic slows, drivers anticipate bumper-to-bumper traffic and try to make needed lane changes while it's still possible. Ride with head and eyes UP so you can spot a slowdown before the chaos begins.

  • Narrow lanes. Can be in a construction zone, or on an older freeway with an additional lane squeezed into the available space. The combination of a wide vehicle and narrow lane can be deadly to a splitter.

  • Extended mirrors on campers and vehicles towing wide trailers.

  • Wide trailers themselves create a hazard.

  • Sudden lane change by multiple vehicles. This suggests debris or a stalled vehicle ahead.

  • A clear intersection or crosswalk. In city traffic, in addition to lane-changers, you have cross-traffic to worry about. A vehicle, bicyclist, or pedestrian could be crossing through stopped traffic, not expecting a lane-splitter to come along.

  • Splitter behind. When you see another rider approaching from behind, get out of the way as soon as possible. A tailgating splitter puts YOU at risk if you have to brake to avoid a hazard.

  • Splitter ahead. Follow at least two seconds behind. If you want to split faster, find a way around as soon as possible.
Click to expand...

Most excellent Dan. :thumbup
 
DataDan said:
  • Gap in traffic in one lane that invites a lane-change. Riding between lanes of bumper-to-bumper traffic gives you some protection because vehicles can't change lanes.

  • Large speed differential between lanes. Someone in the slower lane is going to be looking for a spot in the faster one.

  • Convergence/divergence where freeways split or join. At a split, expect last-second merge to make the almost-missed exit. At a join, expect a quick merge to get to the fast lane or an upcoming exit.

  • HOV entry/exit points. This is more of an El Lay thing, but when HOV access is limited, expect lane changes where it opens up.

  • Problem drivers weaving or making multiple lane changes. You spot him a few hundred yards away. Oooh! #1 looks good. Nope, it's #3. Aw shit, it was #2 all along!

  • Driver searching for a lane change opportunity. There's a major offramp ahead, and he's boxed in. Head's on a swivel, and he's squeezing into the splitting corridor.

  • Slowing traffic ahead. As traffic slows, drivers anticipate bumper-to-bumper traffic and try to make needed lane changes while it's still possible. Ride with head and eyes UP so you can spot a slowdown before the chaos begins.

  • Narrow lanes. Can be in a construction zone, or on an older freeway with an additional lane squeezed into the available space. The combination of a wide vehicle and narrow lane can be deadly to a splitter.

  • Extended mirrors on campers and vehicles towing wide trailers.

  • Wide trailers themselves create a hazard.

  • Sudden lane change by multiple vehicles. This suggests debris or a stalled vehicle ahead.

  • A clear intersection or crosswalk. In city traffic, in addition to lane-changers, you have cross-traffic to worry about. A vehicle, bicyclist, or pedestrian could be crossing through stopped traffic, not expecting a lane-splitter to come along.

  • Splitter behind. When you see another rider approaching from behind, get out of the way as soon as possible. A tailgating splitter puts YOU at risk if you have to brake to avoid a hazard.

  • Splitter ahead. Follow at least two seconds behind. If you want to split faster, find a way around as soon as possible.
Click to expand...

To this excellent list, I'd like to add road surface defects between lanes. I've encountered some that are canyons that play havoc with straight-line steering.

Where northbound 280 exits onto Junipero Serra Blvd. and 19th Ave. comes to mind. And most any asphalt freeway after heavy rains.
 
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.
Click to expand...

Not to argue with you (more of a question, actually), but in my experience, you can see if the traffic light ahead is red, or, in the case of the highway, if traffic up ahead is moving at all before proceeding to split past trucks. If the light turns green or if traffic ahead starts moving before I can start splitting past the truck, I'll wait behind, but otherwise I'll keep splitting.

Also, in the case of an intersection, even if the light turns green, you still have a couple seconds before the truck starts moving, depending on how far back from the intersection the truck is. Plus, those trucks accelerate from a stop very slowly, so I haven't been in a situation (yet, at least) where a big rig caught me off guard while splitting.

Why did the gap narrow on your friends as the truck started moving?
 
Two city traffic threats that seem like innocuous situations to the less experienced: 1) long line of backed up cars in one lane, empty space in the other, and you are riding up in the clear lane. I guess this isn't lane-splitting, but in a car you don't even think about driving up the empty lane except maybe to hope someone doesn't come out. On a motorcycle, you better be more cautious than just hoping, you need to slow down and give yourself better odds to be seen and to avoid lane-changers. Assume a car will come out. 2) splitting up two rows of stopped cars to a light, the light turns green just as you approach the front--the first impulse is to hit the gas and clear the cars in front--the smarter response is to usually to slot back between the two front cars, just to be sure there isn't a red light runner that will take you out. It's a fine balance, and depends on how much visibility you have of the cross traffic. If you have a truck or SUV blocking your vision, just wait. If the cars are hesitating to start across the intersection, it may be because they see an approaching red-light runner (not because they see you and assume you will go first...) The red-light running on Woodside Rd. in RWC is unbelievably prevelent (no cameras), and apparently contagious. People see other people doing it and getting away with it... but you wouldn't believe how many times I have failed in the moment to follow rule #2 despite all I know, because hitting the throttle in that situation (to get some space on the surrounding cars) is always my first impulse.
 
Cookie Monster said:
Not to argue with you (more of a question, actually), but in my experience, you can see if the traffic light ahead is red, or, in the case of the highway, if traffic up ahead is moving at all before proceeding to split past trucks. If the light turns green or if traffic ahead starts moving before I can start splitting past the truck, I'll wait behind, but otherwise I'll keep splitting.

Also, in the case of an intersection, even if the light turns green, you still have a couple seconds before the truck starts moving, depending on how far back from the intersection the truck is. Plus, those trucks accelerate from a stop very slowly, so I haven't been in a situation (yet, at least) where a big rig caught me off guard while splitting.

Why did the gap narrow on your friends as the truck started moving?
Click to expand...

Similar to you, if / when the light turns green before I get to the front, I will just merge into the group of traffic. This applies regardless of the types of vehicles surrounding me.

There were more than a few contributing factors. The cars began moving before / more quickly than the truck and the gap changed. The pavement was uneven, and caused one of them to inadvertently move towards the truck. In one case, the truck moved left and closed the gap because it was swinging wide to make a right turn.

When it comes to splitting past a semi (moving or stationary) the risk to reward ratio is too great for me. Car drivers will generally stop when they see and hear you if you accidentally make contact with them. Not semi's. If the motorcyclist falls the car driver will see / hear it. Not semi's. For the most part, cars cannot drive over a fallen motorcycle. Not semi's.

I get it, we all get it: riding a motorcycle is risky. We obviously need to manage the risks as much as we can. The first step to that is becoming aware of the risks we face. In the case of splitting past a semi, the risk of death is much greater than passing other vehicles. A minor mistake has a higher probability for death and serious injury. In my case, the risk is too great for the relatively minor reward. I'm happy to wait 15-20 seconds for a safer opportunity to pass.

I can't help but think that many motorcyclists think that we have to split lanes. That cars have to move for us. Silly. Dumb. Stupid.
 
Another reminder about trucks: The driver can't see a motorcycle immediately ahead of its front bumper.

Huh?

I know, sounds like a highly unlikely situation. But a few years ago in upstate New York (on Ride to Work Day), a rider pulled up to a red light on the right side of a dump truck at the limit line, snuck into the truck's lane, and stopped in front of its right front wheel. When the light turned green, she failed to launch quickly enough and was flattened. I have a similar story from Boca Raton, FL.

I once asked a trucker to let me park my motorcycle in front of his rig and sit in the cab to see what I could see. The bike disappeared.

If you have to move from the splitting corridor into a lane, don't do it in front of a truck.
 
^^^
This is NOT an unlikely situation. It happened to me in my car (4-door sedan), on Harrison Street (in SF), traffic was stopped. A HUGE (Arrowhead) water truck pulled out of a driveway/parking space and into me while I was stopped - and proceed to push the car sideways 1/2 lane over. He said he couldn't see me over his right fender, nor hear the crunching and screeching of my car being pushed.
 
Enchanter said:
Similar to you, if / when the light turns green before I get to the front, I will just merge into the group of traffic. This applies regardless of the types of vehicles surrounding me.

There were more than a few contributing factors. The cars began moving before / more quickly than the truck and the gap changed. The pavement was uneven, and caused one of them to inadvertently move towards the truck. In one case, the truck moved left and closed the gap because it was swinging wide to make a right turn.

When it comes to splitting past a semi (moving or stationary) the risk to reward ratio is too great for me. Car drivers will generally stop when they see and hear you if you accidentally make contact with them. Not semi's. If the motorcyclist falls the car driver will see / hear it. Not semi's. For the most part, cars cannot drive over a fallen motorcycle. Not semi's.

I get it, we all get it: riding a motorcycle is risky. We obviously need to manage the risks as much as we can. The first step to that is becoming aware of the risks we face. In the case of splitting past a semi, the risk of death is much greater than passing other vehicles. A minor mistake has a higher probability for death and serious injury. In my case, the risk is too great for the relatively minor reward. I'm happy to wait 15-20 seconds for a safer opportunity to pass.

I can't help but think that many motorcyclists think that we have to split lanes. That cars have to move for us. Silly. Dumb. Stupid.
Click to expand...

These are good points and something I will definitely reconsider when I start riding again. Thanks.
 
In my recent experience, the "gap problem" doesn't exist, in the sense that I've been seeing a lot of cars consider basically anything to be a "gap" and just aggressively and abruptly change lanes in the expectation that the other car will just make some room. This is in 237, afternoon commute. 2 feet is enough "gap" for them.

In other words, "everything is a gap where cars will change lanes into," and I deal with that one by keeping my eyes very open and the speed differential low. It sucks lane sharing in 1st, but it is better than the alternatives.

Not being from this country, I'm still astounded that these things happen and I don't hear any honking...
 
Enchanter said:
In the case of splitting past a semi, the risk of death is much greater than passing other vehicles. A minor mistake has a higher probability for death and serious injury. In my case, the risk is too great for the relatively minor reward. I'm happy to wait 15-20 seconds for a safer opportunity to pass.
Click to expand...

I've been reflecting on this and thinking about it in terms of how I really ride in traffic. It turns out that I am willing to split past semis and do it regularly.

Your point is solid that the risk of death is greater. Even knowing that, I think my own assessment is it's not OK to make contact with any vehicle in any circumstance. I don't split past anything unless I think it's a sure thing.

Sometimes I'll hang back when the situation doesn't look right, but I tend to find a way through pretty quickly and am then assertive about getting it done.

To me, a big part of my safety feels like it comes from riding so that threats are more likely to present themselves in front of me, rather than coming up from behind. Continuing to advance through traffic facilitates. It doesn't justify making sketchy passes, but it's my bias to keep moving forward.

In any case, making passes confidently is preferable to making them with a sense of indecision. Confidence leads to precise, well timed actions, where indecision leads to errors.
 
DataDan said:
  • Gap in traffic in one lane that invites a lane-change. Riding between lanes of bumper-to-bumper traffic gives you some protection because vehicles can't change lanes.

  • Large speed differential between lanes. Someone in the slower lane is going to be looking for a spot in the faster one.

  • Convergence/divergence where freeways split or join. At a split, expect last-second merge to make the almost-missed exit. At a join, expect a quick merge to get to the fast lane or an upcoming exit.

  • HOV entry/exit points. This is more of an El Lay thing, but when HOV access is limited, expect lane changes where it opens up.

  • Problem drivers weaving or making multiple lane changes. You spot him a few hundred yards away. Oooh! #1 looks good. Nope, it's #3. Aw shit, it was #2 all along!

  • Driver searching for a lane change opportunity. There's a major offramp ahead, and he's boxed in. Head's on a swivel, and he's squeezing into the splitting corridor.

  • Slowing traffic ahead. As traffic slows, drivers anticipate bumper-to-bumper traffic and try to make needed lane changes while it's still possible. Ride with head and eyes UP so you can spot a slowdown before the chaos begins.

  • Narrow lanes. Can be in a construction zone, or on an older freeway with an additional lane squeezed into the available space. The combination of a wide vehicle and narrow lane can be deadly to a splitter.

  • Extended mirrors on campers and vehicles towing wide trailers.

  • Wide trailers themselves create a hazard.

  • Sudden lane change by multiple vehicles. This suggests debris or a stalled vehicle ahead.

  • A clear intersection or crosswalk. In city traffic, in addition to lane-changers, you have cross-traffic to worry about. A vehicle, bicyclist, or pedestrian could be crossing through stopped traffic, not expecting a lane-splitter to come along.

  • Splitter behind. When you see another rider approaching from behind, get out of the way as soon as possible. A tailgating splitter puts YOU at risk if you have to brake to avoid a hazard.

  • Splitter ahead. Follow at least two seconds behind. If you want to split faster, find a way around as soon as possible.
Click to expand...

This + Buds input = Sticky?

I could not agree more. Enchantor has some GREAT insight as well.
 
tzrider said:
I've been reflecting on this and thinking about it in terms of how I really ride in traffic. It turns out that I am willing to split past semis and do it regularly.

Your point is solid that the risk of death is greater. Even knowing that, I think my own assessment is it's not OK to make contact with any vehicle in any circumstance. I don't split past anything unless I think it's a sure thing.

Sometimes I'll hang back when the situation doesn't look right, but I tend to find a way through pretty quickly and am then assertive about getting it done.

To me, a big part of my safety feels like it comes from riding so that threats are more likely to present themselves in front of me, rather than coming up from behind. Continuing to advance through traffic facilitates. It doesn't justify making sketchy passes, but it's my bias to keep moving forward.

In any case, making passes confidently is preferable to making them with a sense of indecision. Confidence leads to precise, well timed actions, where indecision leads to errors.
Click to expand...

It is important to keep in mind that over confidence leads to threads such as this. As in everything motorcycle, there is a very fine line between.
 
Damn. I never really stopped to think about not splitting box trucks and big rigs. I guess I'll have to adopt that practice now :(
 
Just got hit from behind yesterday when I chose not to share. I think things are alright, it was just a slow speed thing but it made me want to add another point:

  • Unless otherwise not safe to do so (trucks, buses discussed above), always try to filter at an intersection with a strong downhill slope

The woman claimed her foot slipped off the brake. She jumped forward down the hill and smacked my rear tire, almost knocking my wife and I off. Luckily it was slow speed and we stayed upright. This could have been avoided if I filtered down the hill through traffic.
 
turboLT said:
Just got hit from behind yesterday when I chose not to share. I think things are alright, it was just a slow speed thing but it made me want to add another point:

  • Unless otherwise not safe to do so (trucks, buses discussed above), always try to filter at an intersection with a strong downhill slope

The woman claimed her foot slipped off the brake. She jumped forward down the hill and smacked my rear tire, almost knocking my wife and I off. Luckily it was slow speed and we stayed upright. This could have been avoided if I filtered down the hill through traffic.
Click to expand...

I had the SAME thing happen to me on my Sprint. Good thing these bikes are heavy as shit ;)
 
I moved a while back, and am commuting a new route that has me thinking about speed deltas quite a bit. This is to echo and amplify the OP's point about the need for imagination - imagine what would happen if that car right there changed lanes NOW! Would you be able to stop? Would you be able to go around? How, when you're traveling between two lines of traffic? I've stoppied to avoid late changers. I've come upon other riders who've gotten mangled when they hit a lane changer at a high delta. You don't want to be that guy.

If you think you're observing the 15 mph delta, think again. I get passed by lots of riders, and my delta tends to run to 15 mph and higher. Give yourself a chance survive, and reduce that delta.
 
flying_hun said:
If you think you're observing the 15 mph delta, think again. I get passed by lots of riders, and my delta tends to run to 15 mph and higher. Give yourself a chance survive, and reduce that delta.
Click to expand...
If you're not sure what a 15mph delta looks like, watch Kazman's video:

 
flying_hun said:
I moved a while back, and am commuting a new route that has me thinking about speed deltas quite a bit. This is to echo and amplify the OP's point about the need for imagination - imagine what would happen if that car right there changed lanes NOW! Would you be able to stop? Would you be able to go around? How, when you're traveling between two lines of traffic? I've stoppied to avoid late changers. I've come upon other riders who've gotten mangled when they hit a lane changer at a high delta. You don't want to be that guy.

If you think you're observing the 15 mph delta, think again. I get passed by lots of riders, and my delta tends to run to 15 mph and higher. Give yourself a chance survive, and reduce that delta.
Click to expand...

I have a habit of imagining the worst case scenario in lots of areas of my life. When I am splitting I am listening to that worry-wort very carefully. More than once I have thought "Ya right, okay whatever worry-wort; I will hang back but NO WAY that is going to..oh yup there they go..."
 
Smash Allen said:
I have a habit of imagining the worst case scenario in lots of areas of my life. When I am splitting I am listening to that worry-wort very carefully. More than once I have thought "Ya right, okay whatever worry-wort; I will hang back but NO WAY that is going to..oh yup there they go..."
Click to expand...

That's a good habit. :thumbup
 
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