Lane splitting & those scooter wreck videos?

[Stig / Major Tom]

I have watched some of the scooter riding wreck videos, and the some involving motorcycles, and demonstrations by master lane splitters all over the globe.

Very sobering to watch as I come back to 2 wheels after some 40 yrs on 4.
I took the 2 day motorcycle safety class.
I continue to enjoy motor vehicles without any excess speed involved....which makes me a very odd duck.  (always have been a speed limit or less  driver) (My dream car is a forrest green 1967 Porsche 912 - which, if you know Porsches, is a 'handling' car  - not a speed car)

My thoughts after one of those videos:

"Most of the scooter riders were riding too fast ."
"Many of the riders demonstrate a total lack of imagination." (or call it a lack of: forethought, foresight, anticipation, prudence, etc.)
"If you're always late getting somehwere - leave earlier (move closer, etc.)"

Their riding style seems the same as driving 40 MPH through a crowded Walmart parking lot.
You might get away with it without an incident of any kind - but it is so dumb, why chance it?

My thinking about lane splitting is much the same - but since I will never (unless I move to Avignon) experience it around me I simply give the issue a mental shrug. I never argue with lane splitters, NRA members.
 or large women with a moustache bigger than mine!
(there's a scary image: A large, lane splitting moustachioed woman on an Agility 125  with a gun rack on the back!)

~~ Wait for it: Vivo or TroutBum will find a photo of this gal, and post it below!!
The anticipation is killing me - or maybe it is that Hot Head burrito giving me the winds............~~

So, what do you veteran scooter riders think?

[TroutBum]

Well Stig, here she is, but her scooter was confiscated by Walmart security. She was caught riding through the parking lot at 40 mph.

[Vivo]

Putting on lipstick at 40 mph is also dangerous...

[ts1]

Lane splitting is the primary reason to ride a bike.

[wakeupmaggie]

I've watched a few of those motorcycle crash videos too and have concluded that about 95% of the accidents are the fault of the rider.

Also fun to watch are the videos on "mulholland riders" on youtube.  You can also search for rnickeymouse.

These are videos of racers on the snake on Mulholland Drive.

[LoveMyKymco]

Lane splitting is for idiots. How can you absolutely predict if the 2 drivers parallel to each other will ALWAYS be at a safe distance apart. Ive seen first hand multiple times morons in California knock off mirrors, cause accidents, and wreck into the side of cars while lane splitting. I own 19 2 wheel vehicles and I refuse to ever lane split, like the man above said if youre having issues getting places on time then leave earlier.  Morons.

[ts1]

Lane splitting in Paris/France (riding the 35km Peripherique at 07:30am, produced for German TV):

But that video was from September 1989 with only 130hp. The young wild guys are much faster.
I've been in Paris a few times. Do not lane split below 50-80kph (below speed limit) - you'd be fined for obstruction of motorcycle traffic.

[TroutBum]

Here in California lane splitting is aloud, but not at freeway speeds. I lane split only to filter to the front of the pack at red lights. I have had arseheads pull over to block me. Once a motorcycle cop saw the dirty deed and the jerk was red lighted. I rode by slowly with my visor up to make eye contact. The guy in the car was peeved. I was happy that justice was served. You do take chances when lane splitting so do so at your own risk.

[Rbt Jean]

I gone to California and seen cops and others lane split on the freeway.

[Vivo]

Lane splitting... sometimes I do , sometimes I don't... depends on my mood...   

[houndguy]

 >:(I just think it's bad for the sport.  It reinforces the stereotype that all we motorcyclists do is risk our lives for speed or that we are reckless.  Add the fact that most idiots are not wearing proper gear or a helmet when they go lane spiltting just means we have "another dead motorcyclist". 

Sorry, I will (more or less) obey the laws of the road.

[JJJoseph]

Sorry, I will (more or less) obey the laws of the road.

Sorry, I don't get it.  Lane-splitting is legal (at moderate speeds, of course)

[ts1]

Sorry, I don't get it.  Lane-splitting is legal (at moderate speeds, of course)

Maybe in your country.
Not in mine. But usually tolerated.
And I know of a country where it is neither legal nor tolerated.

[houndguy]

Maybe in your country.
Not in mine. But usually tolerated.
And I know of a country where it is neither legal nor tolerated.

It is interesting how countries see scooters and motorcycles.  I have been to parts of Asia where it is the main means of transport and it's not uncommon to see a family of 4 or more on a single scooter.   To the US where motorcycling is a sport for a select few. 

The point is this...depending on the country you have to obey the "rules of the road."  With the exception of one state, lane splitting is not legal in the USA.  I don't see a purpose for it nor do I believe it should be legal.  A motorcycle is "invisible" for to many Americans as it is.  Having it show up unexpectedly (even if lane splitting is legal) is just asking for trouble IMHO.