As long as you do it in a safe manner, there's no reason to fear much. My rules for lane splitting 1. Must be bumper to bumper traffic 2. Highway ONLY 3. Car speed must be at or below 15mph 4. Only go 5mph over car speed 5. BE AWARE
I have yet to do it..but while sitting on a 220+ degree oven in bumper to bumper traffic has tempted me a few times. Its not the ticket I fear or even stupid drivers its the assholes that will decide they need to block/stop me from doing it.
Moving Violation I am pretty sure. Haven't tried it but was really tempted a couple of times last week on the 405 south though Bellevue. Sitting in a 4 lane parking lot breathing exhaust fumes and slowly cooking is not what I signed up for.
I felt the same way as my bike has a low tolerance for sitting in heat moving at .25 mph. I have little patience for Washington drivers braking for nothing, creating these huge backups because 6 people want to slow down across 3 lanes to look at a butterfly. Anyway, I finally gave in and started doing it. I have only done it a few times, and have already had numerous people see me and try to move out of the center to let me by, which was very kind of them, as I was expecting someone to get angry and try to cut me off. Easy method, target a semi carrying a big load up the road a bit, say 100-200 meters, and lane split up to the front and get back in the lane in front of him, get readjusted, check for cops, and you're off again. Keep it slow.
Well, its a mixed bag down here communting from the Couve to Hillsboro everyday. Morning drive is fine but the afternoon slog over 26 and I-5 sucks. It becomes a massive parking lot and even the HOV lane backs up. A few times I have found myself slipping between a few cars and I really had a hard time getting back into line. On the other hand, several times I have seen some guys screaming by riding the shoulders on either side so it makes you wonder if anyone cares including the law. Only once did I see a rider pulled over. All I can say is we really need the green light to "Fliter" as our cousins say over in England. We can do it if they can in England and California.
This. But I have been known to split lanes from time to time. Once those fans turn on and start blowing the heat right into me its fair game.
Follow the rules above, don't ride like a jackass, and you might even get out of a ticket for it if the cop is the understanding type.
I would imagine that a ticket would be left up to the officer's discretion, but could be up to and including reckless driving, which is a misdemeanor. I'd anticipate either a $124 ticket if you're getting a break or a $550ish Neg 2.
I've split lanes a few times in Washington and all the time when I lived in California. I asked a wsp trooper about this not long ago. He said he would cite it as improper lane use. I think he said it was a $110 ticket. Personally, I think lane splitting is perfectly safe if done properly. You do have to watch out for resentful cagers though.
Yes I have .. Yes you will get a ticket that is a moving violation. The nice Cage drivers love to call 911 on you ... Get a good traffic attorney you will be needing him.
