Positioning in a traffic light: passing between stopped cars

[liraz]

Hi all,

I've noticed riders (at least over here in Israel), in a traffic light, tend to pass stopped cars and position themselves at the beginning of the intersection such that when the light changes, they can "jackrabbit" (is that the term?) and accelerate quickly without having to wait about all of those cars.

I started doing this myself when I noticed being in a crowd of cars when the light changed was kind of uncomfortable. They're slow, pushy and ... kinda hostile.

But sometimes, on my way to the beginning of the line, the traffic light changes and suddenly cars very very close to me are accelerating. I'm just squeezed in between them, I'm not sure they even see me, and it makes me wonder if I'm not being stupid about it.

So what do you think?

Cheers,
Liraz

[cernunos]

I think I don't need to be a jack-rabbit...rabbits get squashed fairly easily if I recall. :lol: . Love the Baby G and this forum.

C.......

[Blueknyt]

its not legal here in florida to share a lane with another Vehicle OTHER then another motorcycle.  this includes riding to the front of the pack of stopped cars. seen folks written up for IMproper passing. Not to mention its rude as hell and could end up with a car door get opened up on you from a pissed off driver.   dont care how small, fuel efficient a bike is, your spose to follow the same road rules as everyone else UNLESS stated otherwise BY the laws. even i get pissed when i see a bike do this at a light. i dont get so upset on gridlocked highway as our engines are aircooled and need to move to keep from cooking and there is NO reason for traffic to be stopped other then rubber neckers  or bad wreck then im looking to get off the highway to save my engine. in a car? i sit like everyone else. if im on a bike thats water cooled and has a Radiator then i sit like everyone else.   another reason im thinking Large oilcooler and fan with spin on oil filter Mod

[callmelenny]

I've never thought the 2 seconds gained by doing this is worth the risk. Even if it is legal, it doesn't make you any friends in the cager world.

[jiggersplat]

agreed.  it's not worth it. not only is it dangerous, but it just breeds more contempt and animosity toward the motorcycle population in general.

[scratch]

It's like cutting in line. However, sometimes needed to either get away from that tailgater that's been following you, or a potential rear-ender. And to avoid those red-light runners, I'll time the light such that I'll be behind the first two cars through the intersection (Hint: time the left turn light for the oncoming traffic).

[CAN_Porn*Star]

the only time i lane split, is at a light.
if i arrive to the red light and there is a line up, i come to a complete stop behind the pack of cars and check the walk, dont walk sign that is posted for the pedestratians.
if the light is still telling the people to walk across the interection and the line up of cars is not too big, i will move through the "stoped" trafic.
after getting to the front of the trafic i position my bike infront of what ever car stoped short.
i signal thanks to the car behind me and move off briskly from the interection with no cars around me.
when the cars are stoped the only risk is from a opned door or some guy creeping up slowly.
us canadians are nice people so door opening is not that much of a risk.
3 out of 5 cops said that they would not give me a ticket, all bike cops.

[Jake D]

The danger I see is that when you Jackrabbit into the intersection, any car that may have run their red light from the other direction is going to turn you into vegitable soup.  

But it is a crowded world. . . stuff happens.

[scootr9718]

out here in Cali (US) lane splitting is legal. When I split to the front of a stopped line of traffic at a light and the light changes before I get to the front, I just stop, and slide in as the cars take off. If theres enough room I'll continue to split to the front, but usually the cars are too close together. I'm sure some may consider that lanesplitting is rude, and what not...and the argument about someone opening their door cause they're mad, well...that persons door is going to suffer also, and they will be at fault-who opens a door on the road anyway? You shuold worry more about fitting between the cars, and not catching an elbow on truck sideview mirrors.

[Zhenya13]

Shalom
For the most part lane sharing in US is illegal. It does not matter if you do that when tje cars are stoped at the intersection or when they are moving and u try to squize between them. i live in Chicago and some times when I am late to class I do that at the intersections, but i know that if cought it will cost me my lisence.
I go to Israel every summer for vacation for 2 weeks and let me tell you you people are crazy there, both car drivers and especialy motorcycle riders. The thngs that people do on their bikes and even scooters is unbelivable. Israely riders have such disregard for cars, and even trucks and busses. I don't know if your goverment ever thought of this, but according to statistics vehicle accidents are the #1 cause of death there!
Also you have a helmet law there, but at the same time one can ride completly naked. If one is to hit a pavement without any protective gear I can't immagine what would happen, so all I can say is be carefull

[Lars]

I almost always go between the cars at the traffic lights. If it turns green before I'm at the front, depending on what distance I have to go to get to the front I merge into a lane or just gas it and get in front of them anyway. When lanesplitting I always have the revs at a minimum of 5000 rpm. When the lights turn green and I'm almost at the front, I give it full throttle and shoot in front of the cars  

[Daniely]

LOL reading all this, you guys need to spend some time here in Cali. Lane splitting is completely legal, other drivers dont seem to care either. its daily practice for me and everyone i know in town that rides. Most of the time ill get up front and end up talking with the lead car. Guess it just depends on the place.

[GS_Girl]

LOL reading all this, you guys need to spend some time here in Cali. Lane splitting is completely legal, other drivers dont seem to care either.

This is absolutely true.  According to Harry Hurt of "Hurt Report" he recommends lane sharing.  Check out this article:
http://www.motorcyclecruiser.com/streetsurvival/lanesplit/

It's too bad not many states allow this but then on the other hand those same states say wearing a helmet is "optional" - go figure!  Cali is the place, nice weather, lane sharing is accepted, and helmets are mandatory.

G

[daneilah]

I've never driven in California, but doing this kind of thing in Southern Ontario would just  piss other drivers off.

I figure, if you wouldn't do it  in a car, you shouldn't do it on a bike either.

Of course, cagers here are starting to behave like red lights are optional, so the front of the line is a scary place when your light turns green.  You don't always want to be the first out into the intersection :-(

[Organdoner]

I'll do if I like the picture. Just use good jugement.

[red_phil]

Here in the UK lane splitting is legal 'where safe to do so'.
That is to say if you do it and get hit then it wasn't safe so
you could get a dangerous driving ticket. However if you
are safe then you won't get pulled over for it.

Personally I lane split only through stationary traffic and
quite often sit just off the back corner of the 1st car in the
queue. When they pull off I slip in behind them.
This saves a load of waiting as some light queues are about
15 minutes long in rushhour. It also means your not racing
the front car for position or risking being early out onto the
junction and being at the mercy of the amber gamblers.

[marc]

LOL!

You have never been in Spain.
Lane sharing is legal and very common... eveybody does it all the time.

Traffic light lines are like the grand prix line!