Lanesplitting is it reckless riding?

[nabil15]

I just wanted know, if lanesplitting is considered reckless riding?

 

I see nearly every bike lanesplits here in Singapore, especially in heavy traffic in expressways?

 

What's your take guys? Do you consider it reckless or alright?

Do note lanesplitting, you occupy neither lanes, you are just in the middle of the white lane divider.

 

Cheers

Edited August 4, 2010 by nabil15

[wait4me]

i dun like bikes lane splitting when there is no car on either lane,.

drivers dunno if u wan to eat first lane or go second lane...

[nabil15]

i dun like bikes lane splitting when there is no car on either lane,.

drivers dunno if u wan to eat first lane or go second lane...

 

I agree with you on that, neither do I like that. It's a hazard for yourselves if you lanesplit when there isn't any car on either lane.

 

Thanks for your reply bro

[wait4me]

but i think if there are cars on either side.

and u are not zooming lane spliting

say : the cars are moving at 50km/h and u lane spilt at 70 , should be ok

not at 120km/h , i think that is deem reckless

[nabil15]

but i think if there are cars on either side.

and u are not zooming lane spliting

say : the cars are moving at 50km/h and u lane spilt at 70 , should be ok

not at 120km/h , i think that is deem reckless

 

Exactly, well said. I agree on that too.

 

Thanks.

 

Anyone else has their views and sides?

[Pandoras Kitten 3]

Some years back I've read a certain motorcycle police manual (not in SG) stating that "it's safest to ride slightly faster than traffic" or similar. Automatically, that involves lanesplitting.

 

Maintaining 70kph following cars in lane, no lanesplitting or overtaking during rush hours is not for everyone. Do this in a small kup on local roads and everyone else more or less won't give you any safety distance; they'll cut right in front of you without thinking.

 

This is also more dangerous in that, knowing everyone else will cut into your 1 to 3 car length safety distance, you have to ride like Ayrton Senna sometimes to keep yourself from being run over.

 

Hence, there is a school of thought that says, lanesplitting can be safer. The question of regulating speed and "making a bad impression on the bike community" is another story altogether - protect yourself first, that's more important. Different traffic conditions demand different tactics.

[Fried Rice]

i rarely lane split. i usually just stay in the most left land and ride according to traffic speed.

 

is lane splitting really safer sometimes?

[Pandoras Kitten 3]

My SOP is to follow the traffic on lane 2. Accelerate to lane 1 if I can anticipate a congestion zone ahead (such as 2 highways merging, large filtering crowd, etc), and drop back down to lane 2-3 to cruise.

 

I'm always prepared to lanesplit to overtake if I detect the following scenarios:

 

1. There's a convoy of cars ahead driving fast and not giving each other any safety distance. If one of them jams brake it's a possible pileup situation that the bike will always lose, no matter how many cars of safety distance you have.

 

Check six and lanesplit when you see chance of sudden deceleration. Even when not lanesplitting, it's prudent to not follow in the exact centre of the lane - I keep a lookout for bikes lanesplitting so I will move aside for them to pass. People see you alert and looking around, less chance of them wanting to cut into your space too.

 

2. You're following the pickup on Lane 3 and a car wants to change into your lane (from either side). He doesn't make a move to signal and cut in front with your consent, or wait to poke in behind you, but just dashes in from the side.

 

Gun the throttle, lanesplit to a space ahead and continue to cruise in-lane.

 

3. Traffic jam, filter lane, some giant sized taxi decides that bikes should lanesplit and forces you out of lane. You've got to be prepared to evade and move ahead between the lanes, in that case, before again finding another spot to 'camp' in.

[RageMyDream]

I juz want to move to the front of the car

so that they can see me.

[xXxRatedxXx]

Lanesplitting is dangerous for riders.... cos some vehicles like to suddenly cut out without signal/looking.... resulting in accident for the lane splitter.

[ChaoPuzzy1968]

The purpose is to enjoy the ride ....and all must be done in safety

 

For bike anything that we do is always about a balance between safety and pleasure , because whether we bang ppl or ppl bang us, very seldom we walk away uninjured , we cannot say we don't , neither can we say lane split is bad , it all depends what do you do it for and the chances you take whether is it necessary.

[zinc]

Talking abt this matter... There was an article which came out in the Life section of The Straits Times sometime last year which talked abt this topic: lanesplitting or rather riding in between vehicles. According to the article, its actually safer to ride in between if in the case of traffic jams.

 

When u go faster than the rest of the traffic. According to the article, u can be seen by the drivers who are stuck in the jam. But den again there is a danger of some vehicles suddenly coming out of their lane to lane change without notice so ya... Ttz just my opinion though...

[Dag Loke]

I've tried both during traffic jams and with pillion somemore. I actually find following behind cars more dangerous even during traffic jams. almost kissed bumpers 3 times. so i opted to lane split the next time. could actually anticipate better cos clearer view. just need to keep the speed lower in case need to quickly brake

[ThePole]

when i first got my license, i dun lanesplit. then i realise the cause of the jam is always due to slow vehicles occupying faster lanes. when i spot them from afar, i will lanesplit. no point continue in that lane as those big buffaloes will eventually cause the jam while lane changing or turning. oso, it is very painful to the wrist if you stay in the queue for too long...

[nabil15]

Lanesplitting is dangerous for riders.... cos some vehicles like to suddenly cut out without signal/looking.... resulting in accident for the lane splitter.

 

Absolutely.

 

But what happens when you are in an expressway at peak period, cars inch to 5km/h and brake, and move forward and brake?

 

Do we follow the cars behind?

 

Do we lanesplit?

 

What's your take on that bro?

[nabil15]

when i first got my license, i dun lanesplit. then i realise the cause of the jam is always due to slow vehicles occupying faster lanes. when i spot them from afar, i will lanesplit. no point continue in that lane as those big buffaloes will eventually cause the jam while lane changing or turning. oso, it is very painful to the wrist if you stay in the queue for too long...

 

Yes bro, understand what you mean, 'very painful to the wrist', I tried few times to really stay behind the car on a peak period in expressway where every single bike is laneplitting except me. And even the uncle in the car behind gimme weird expression like, 'wtf boy' go lanesplit and move forrward la.

 

So what's your take?

 

Lanesplitting always dangerous, or do we have to adjust according to road conditions

[nabil15]

I've tried both during traffic jams and with pillion somemore. I actually find following behind cars more dangerous even during traffic jams. almost kissed bumpers 3 times. so i opted to lane split the next time. could actually anticipate better cos clearer view. just need to keep the speed lower in case need to quickly brake

 

I agree with you, done that 100's of times with pillion also, so I find sometimes staying behind cars more hazardess then lanesplitting in itself.

[nabil15]

Talking abt this matter... There was an article which came out in the Life section of The Straits Times sometime last year which talked abt this topic: lanesplitting or rather riding in between vehicles. According to the article, its actually safer to ride in between if in the case of traffic jams.

 

When u go faster than the rest of the traffic. According to the article, u can be seen by the drivers who are stuck in the jam. But den again there is a danger of some vehicles suddenly coming out of their lane to lane change without notice so ya... Ttz just my opinion though...

 

That's true brother.

 

If you stay behind the cars, bikes their brakes arent as good as cars, if they suddenly jam, our brakes may not respond as well and we may land up kissing their bumpers.

 

Agree, on your second paragraph but yes there is danger in lanesplitting.

But then, that calls for lanesplitting safely and not at ridiculously high speed from the cars next to you, as that causes more danger if a car suddenly were to signal and change lane. As well as for bikers who may follow closely behind you lanesplitting.

[nabil15]

Thanks for the input guys, keep it coming!!!

[hydrop]

There are also too many heros out there tailgating you when lane splitting. They will do all sorts of dangerous stunts to overtake you. So be careful. Do at your own pace and not to be pressured by them. Give way when you find the chance to.

[xXxRatedxXx]

Absolutely.

 

But what happens when you are in an expressway at peak period, cars inch to 5km/h and brake, and move forward and brake?

 

Do we follow the cars behind?

 

Do we lanesplit?

 

What's your take on that bro?

 

Up to you. See what's your appetite for risk.... You follow behind can no problem why not....?

[bernardk]

Wow seems like already alot of comments given to you.

Well for lane split, there is no rite or wrong to say whether its safe or reckless all depends on the rider and the attitude. To me attitude of riding is far more important than anything.

 

Some lane split slow doesnt mean its safe. Some lane split fast doesnt mean its safe too. Some lane split at ok speed but is it safe too? Riding has never been safe but doing it the safest way we can.

 

I would rather have the option and chance of a bit more space than to be crash infront and from behind by a blurr driver. of cos if no car in the lane i will stay in the lane.

 

Imagine front car jam brake and you in the lane. Do you think you can jam and skid all the way and control the handle to not hit the car infront and can you guarantee the car behind can react fast enough to brake in time to not hit us? If your answer is no, then mabbe you would consider lane split. Cos you can still escape in the nick of time with a little space at least its not a wall of obstacle infront.

 

Imagine lane splitting and car suave out into your path. Are you scare? if your answer is yes then stay in lane. Hahahaha....

 

For me mix of 2. Im so paranoid abt the blurr driver from behind until even i wait for red light to turn green i will keep looking at mirror and the right turning vehicle that is infront.

[xXxRatedxXx]

Absolutely.

 

But what happens when you are in an expressway at peak period, cars inch to 5km/h and brake, and move forward and brake?

 

Do we follow the cars behind?

 

Do we lanesplit?

 

What's your take on that bro?

 

Wow seems like already alot of comments given to you.

Well for lane split, there is no rite or wrong to say whether its safe or reckless all depends on the rider and the attitude. To me attitude of riding is far more important than anything.

 

Some lane split slow doesnt mean its safe. Some lane split fast doesnt mean its safe too. Some lane split at ok speed but is it safe too? Riding has never been safe but doing it the safest way we can.

 

I would rather have the option and chance of a bit more space than to be crash infront and from behind by a blurr driver. of cos if no car in the lane i will stay in the lane.

 

Imagine front car jam brake and you in the lane. Do you think you can jam and skid all the way and control the handle to not hit the car infront and can you guarantee the car behind can react fast enough to brake in time to not hit us? If your answer is no, then mabbe you would consider lane split. Cos you can still escape in the nick of time with a little space at least its not a wall of obstacle infront.

 

Imagine lane splitting and car suave out into your path. Are you scare? if your answer is yes then stay in lane. Hahahaha....

 

For me mix of 2. Im so paranoid abt the blurr driver from behind until even i wait for red light to turn green i will keep looking at mirror and the right turning vehicle that is infront.

 

What he said.

[Labbits]

Wow seems like already alot of comments given to you.

Well for lane split, there is no rite or wrong to say whether its safe or reckless all depends on the rider and the attitude. To me attitude of riding is far more important than anything.

 

Some lane split slow doesnt mean its safe. Some lane split fast doesnt mean its safe too. Some lane split at ok speed but is it safe too? Riding has never been safe but doing it the safest way we can.

 

I would rather have the option and chance of a bit more space than to be crash infront and from behind by a blurr driver. of cos if no car in the lane i will stay in the lane.

 

Imagine front car jam brake and you in the lane. Do you think you can jam and skid all the way and control the handle to not hit the car infront and can you guarantee the car behind can react fast enough to brake in time to not hit us? If your answer is no, then mabbe you would consider lane split. Cos you can still escape in the nick of time with a little space at least its not a wall of obstacle infront.

 

Imagine lane splitting and car suave out into your path. Are you scare? if your answer is yes then stay in lane. Hahahaha....

 

For me mix of 2. Im so paranoid abt the blurr driver from behind until even i wait for red light to turn green i will keep looking at mirror and the right turning vehicle that is infront.

 

What I believe is, if one decide to lane split, don't stay in the blind spot for too long, check, safe, throttle and clear that vehicles.

[Zack83]

Lane spilt only when u are confident enough to do fast reactions when need to.

And yes, I learnt that less cars will cut when one is lane spilting in between Lane 1 and 2. Maybe coz, lane 3 has lanes merging in or out of highway = MORE vehicle cutting across.

 

My humble view.