Who does it and where?  I know some states outlaw it. (MA is one of them)

MA does not officially sanction lane-splitting.  California is the ONLY state to sanction lane splitting.(currently updating my research to confirm)

I don't do it no matter where I am or the conditions.  They're all already out there trying to kill me, like I need to encourage them...

I actually can not find a single document online, from a reliable source or not, that states that lanesplitting is even tolerated in Massachussetts.  I've actually found several documents that state that lane splitting isn't legal in California, either...merely tolerated.

I have enough probs with the cagers driving normally.... lane splitting would only exacerbate the problem....sorry for the misspelling I am drunk.

CA is currently the only state that does not specifically prohibit it, but it also doesnt say its legal. bit of a gray area actually and left to the descretion of the arresting officer. If you're riding sensibly while you split, not too much faster than traffic and not weaving all over the lanes you're unlikely to get pulled over. I've split for miles behind a California Highway Patrol many times...talk about fast! Those guys are nuts.

having said that-I split EVERY time I encounter traffic. Here in CA people know its done and expect it, even pulling aside a little to let you through. Its stressful for me to do it though-have to be hyper focused.

I thought WA was considering a change to their laws to not prohibit it also...

Quote from: pantablo on January 16, 2006, 10:03:40 PM
I thought WA was considering a change to their laws to not prohibit it also...

Same as Texas, and lots of other states...a bill as proposed and denied.

....not legal here in AZ.....although that doesn't stop people from doing it....personally....hell no.....I have enough problems with the snow birds and cell phones trying to invade my lane....

....alternatively....I've also gotten a shoulder ridden police escort on many occasions....when it's hot as balls here in the summer and traffic is at a dead stop.....cops pull up, and ask if I'd like to go directly to the front of the line....um....yeah....

I wouldn't do it if it was legal.

http://www.motorcycle.com/mo/mclaw/split.html

Quote from: pantablo on January 16, 2006, 10:03:40 PMI thought WA was considering a change to their laws to not prohibit it also...

It was dually considered and ignored.   

We don't really have the lane width for it... But, it would be nice to do it without worrying about a ticket.

Quote from: makenzie71 on January 16, 2006, 09:47:05 PM
I actually can not find a single document online, from a reliable source or not, that states that lanesplitting is even tolerated in Massachussetts.

It is not legal...in fact, it is specifically prohibited.  What he was saying is "some states outlaw it, and MA is one of them."

Around here, splitting on a freeway is a good way to stir up some road rage.  In any event, there seems to be a different tolerance to splitting traffic up to a traffic light (I've heard this referred to as "filtering"). 

oh damn...I misread that, I'm sorry!  I'm too used to people trying to say that lane-splitting is legal in their state...

I've seen pleanty of guys do it, but it was sort of unnessicary... If you've got acouple of grandmas going 30 km/h under the speed limit blocking off both lanes I'd consider it... But not on a GS, I'd need something with a lot of power to feel safe about moving up between acouple cars...

For anyone who lives or rides in LA, what's your experience with lane splitting on some of our more crowded freeways? My first thought is that it's probably not the best of ideas for a new rider, but I have to admit that the thought of skipping some traffic on 110 or 10 is one of the big benefits to getting a bike. Is there anything a newbie rider can do to prepare for it.

Learn to read mirrors, people, front tires. Look for the people looking in their mirrors, even though they hardly use them, it can be a tipoff to a lane change. Keeping yourself in their mirrors so they can 'potentially' see you is also a good idea. Time yoursefl to go between cars when the cars are right next to each other; overtaking 'pairs' of cars, at a time.

Honestly I have never lane split.  I have riden around cars on the shoulder at slow speeds, wouldn't want to have a mishap on gravel or sand.  People try to kill me when I am in my Jeep, i just don't want to risk it on the bike.

Quote from: brett on January 17, 2006, 03:47:19 PM
For anyone who lives or rides in LA, what's your experience with lane splitting on some of our more crowded freeways? My first thought is that it's probably not the best of ideas for a new rider, but I have to admit that the thought of skipping some traffic on 110 or 10 is one of the big benefits to getting a bike. Is there anything a newbie rider can do to prepare for it.

lane splitting is certainly not for newbies....it very overwhelming at times specially when your "lane" become smaller....like sctratch said time the split between 2 cars so you can see the "hole" your going to...i first learned it in the surface street going into a red light with a lot of cars backed up...it also prevent cars hitting you from behind...one thing i learn to know is too look quickly behind me before i swerve to split to avoid hitting other lane splitters(bikes)...

I had only been riding 1 month when I ended up splitting. it was my first time on the freeway too. I hit traffic and told myself there's no way I'm sitting here.

Scratch gave good advice. get really good at predicting behavior. the best one is if there is a hole in one lane EXPECT the car in the other lane to jump over into the space. otherwise, generally just take it easy, dont go too much faster than traffic do it a little at a time as it can be pretty stressful. cover your brakes too.

Live in Cali....split when there's slow traffic....and scratch definitely gives good lane-sharing advice to live by!

Add one to the "agree with scratch" list.  I've never done it myself, but everything he said makes total sense.

The closest I've been to lans splitting was at a stop light.  There were three lanes, and two cars ahead of me (side-by-side).  Of course BOTH cars were straddling the white lines, do they basically made a 3-lane into a 2-lane.

Green light - both cars are going the same speed for the next 300ft, of course neither of them pick a lane.  That's when I decide to go for it.  I wait for the most space between them, then I just screamed by.