Lanesplitting is it reckless riding?

[ulysses_sc]

  nabil15 said:

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?

 

 

I lanesplit during such scenarios. However I take it easy and is constantly scanning all cars on both sides trying to pre-empt any sudden moves by tin tops. Also, I have 2 fingers covering the front brake to shorten reaction time.

 

However there are many riders who go at breakneck speeds and will not hesitate to weave in and out even during bumper to bumper traffic as if the "special lane" is reserved for bikes, with no due regard for safety. Bloody idiots.

[nabil15]

  xXxRatedxXx said:

What he said.

 

Yup, I lanesplit when its peak period to avoid being sandwiched if cars jam brake.

 

However, I stay in lane most of the time when traffic is normal and smooth flowing.

 

(:

 

Well, works for me, either way you have a risk, just need to know your bike well, and have the correct attitude and you must be confident with what you are doing, and do it safely!

 

Thanks for the inputs man

[nabil15]

  Labbits said:

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.

 

Agreed!

 

Hope the newbies listen to this one, it's very important, which the school also teaches, try your best never to stay in a car's blind areas as much as possible.

[nabil15]

  Zack83 said:

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.

 

Agreed bro!!

 

Thanks alot man, for your inputs.

 

Helping me and many others out there, especially newbies who have never lanesplit before and are going to try (once they see the culture of most bikes on the roads lanesplitting, either at peak periods, traffic lights too filter in front and so forth)

[nabil15]

  ulysses_sc said:

I lanesplit during such scenarios. However I take it easy and is constantly scanning all cars on both sides trying to pre-empt any sudden moves by tin tops. Also, I have 2 fingers covering the front brake to shorten reaction time.

 

However there are many riders who go at breakneck speeds and will not hesitate to weave in and out even during bumper to bumper traffic as if the "special lane" is reserved for bikes, with no due regard for safety. Bloody idiots.

 

Agreed on your point and observation of such, 'riders'.

 

We need to talk about this, as newbies may get and pick up wrong moves from these group of 'riders' who may cause more accidents around.

 

Just my humble view, what you think?

 

If I'm wrong please please correct, we all are here to try and learn and prevent our fellow riders from accidents and low-sliding and all.

[Pandoras Kitten 3]

  nabil15 said:

Agreed on your point and observation of such, 'riders'.

 

We need to talk about this, as newbies may get and pick up wrong moves from these group of 'riders' who may cause more accidents around.

 

Just my humble view, what you think?

  Quote

 

I'm typically regarded as highly reckless and all since my average travelling speed can remain on the high side however I didn't pick up my driving and riding skills from listening to other people.

 

I pretty much figure out my own way of doing things and this I can conclude:

 

Skill is good and all but self-management is paramount on a motorcycle due to the nature of riding.

 

One can avoid danger by reacting faster than things going on, or alternatively to avoid danger in the first place by anticipating hazards.

 

A person's riding career potentially may span decades; lightning quick reactions alone are not going to hack it to keep one's safe over that many years.

 

Thus it isn't bike power that dictates average travelling speed and riding style when in-traffic.

 

It's how good your situational awareness is. The longer ranged your decision making is, the faster you can safely go, to the limits of common sense (no 150kph lanesplitting on the CTE at 9am, as it's obviously illegal).

 

If you can't look far enough to avoid barging into other motorists and keep having to jam brakes, then it's an obvious sign to slow down and be cautious immediately.

 

For that reason it can be dangerous for newbies to follow experienced riders "good ideas"..

 

Because in terms of experienced riders leading convoys, some of them don't plan routes and match the shorter decision making range of a novice rider (thus slower safe travel speed), forcing the newbies into accident-prone situations like overspeed corner entry. It's the responsibility of the convoy leader to plan for and announce the "rules of engagement" on the road, and stick to that travelling speed and riding style.

 

Likewise, advice on a public forum should more or less be taken with a grain of salt... until the reader ascertains the point of view of the writer, experience level, and style of thinking.

 

But that's is a different subject so I'll just stick to this modus operandi:

 

Lanesplitting is an excellent way to slice through traffic jams and get somewhere on time.

 

However because it requires hair-trigger reactions and other riders don't know how to keep a safety distance behind a lanesplitting bike, I save it for emergency situations.

 

It's not in my practise to lanesplit to get to the head of a queue - car drivers and I can work together, give way to each other to ensure we don't cause a traffic jam at a filter lane, so I take a car spot and go with the flow.

 

On the open road, likewise I can let a steady driver or rider go in front of me while I follow behind to cooperate with lane changes, giving me a huge safety space for me to cruise and relax in.

 

Lanesplitting is an option, it's not compulsory, so use that tool responsibly. When someone blocks your lanesplitting, for god's sake don't tailgate the other vehicle - a bike pileup is guaranteed!

[nabil15]

http://www.singaporebikes.com/forums/showthread.php?t=297072

 

Those who wish to come for my ride (:

[nabil15]

  Quote

One can avoid danger by reacting faster than things going on, or alternatively to avoid danger in the first place by anticipating hazards.

 

It's how good your situational awareness is. The longer ranged your decision making is, the faster you can safely go, to the limits of common sense (no 150kph lanesplitting on the CTE at 9am, as it's obviously illegal).

 

If you can't look far enough to avoid barging into other motorists and keep having to jam brakes, then it's an obvious sign to slow down and be cautious immediately.

 

For that reason it can be dangerous for newbies to follow experienced riders "good ideas"..

 

Because in terms of experienced riders leading convoys, some of them don't plan routes and match the shorter decision making range of a novice rider (thus slower safe travel speed), forcing the newbies into accident-prone situations like overspeed corner entry. It's the responsibility of the convoy leader to plan for and announce the "rules of engagement" on the road, and stick to that travelling speed and riding style.

 

 

Some excellent points for us to grab away from and understand before wanting to follow the rest who lanesplit. (especially for newbies reading)

 

"The longer ranged your decision making is, the faster you can safely go, to the limits of common sense" is very true indeed.

[Mitch.]

Just a random thought, what's the agenda of this thread? What are you trying to prove? Even if you manage to get sufficient qualitative votes regarding lane splitting, there's nothing much riders could do about drivers and vice versa. Somehow, this seems like an effortless cry bro...

[bernardk]

  Labbits said:

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.

 

To me, there is no such thing as drivers' or riders' blind spot area. To me the whole damn road is a blind to all user they have to check more clearly and we have to act more safely and alert. it doesnt matter if you are at the blind or not when they change from lane 1 to lane 4 very last min to exit the filter or do a turn or stop for customers.

 

How do you knw where is their blind spot? Your blind spot might not be his blind spot. His blind spot can be so big that it cover the whole freaking road. So i hope you knw wat i mean.

 

Frankly if you split when there are 2 cars side by side is safer. So to say. Cos that car on either side already knw that there are big car beside them so less lightly to change lane.

 

  ulysses_sc said:

I lanesplit during such scenarios. However I take it easy and is constantly scanning all cars on both sides trying to pre-empt any sudden moves by tin tops. Also, I have 2 fingers covering the front brake to shorten reaction time.

 

However there are many riders who go at breakneck speeds and will not hesitate to weave in and out even during bumper to bumper traffic as if the "special lane" is reserved for bikes, with no due regard for safety. Bloody idiots.

 

I second your thots.

[Pandoras Kitten 3]

  Quote

Frankly if you split when there are 2 cars side by side is safer. So to say. Cos that car on either side already knw that there are big car beside them so less lightly to change lane.

 

True! I was very leery to lanesplit in my early days for the fear of 'being squashed'. After following some of the slower Malaysian riders, that fear was gone. I used to rev my engine a bit higher than normal, just to make sure drivers heard the approaching bike(s). It kind of worked, and is helpful for my newbie days.

 

Strangely today I notice drivers actually widen their separation a bit if I'm the only bike lanesplitting. Hats off to alert goods vehicle and taxi drivers (yes, cab drivers can be nice. Look out for them!)

 

There are others in a hurry who sometimes steer INTO your path, so watch out! Not all drivers like the prospect of being overtaken when in a hurry (ourselves included, actually).

[bernardk]

  Kalyan said:

True! I was very leery to lanesplit in my early days for the fear of 'being squashed'. After following some of the slower Malaysian riders, that fear was gone. I used to rev my engine a bit higher than normal, just to make sure drivers heard the approaching bike(s). It kind of worked, and is helpful for my newbie days.

 

Strangely today I notice drivers actually widen their separation a bit if I'm the only bike lanesplitting. Hats off to alert goods vehicle and taxi drivers (yes, cab drivers can be nice. Look out for them!)

 

There are others in a hurry who sometimes steer INTO your path, so watch out! Not all drivers like the prospect of being overtaken when in a hurry (ourselves included, actually).

 

yup second your thots too.

 

On another note. Not all drivers and riders like the prospect of being block when in a hurry (ourselves included also, actually) Hahaha.

 

Thats why i say its the attitude on road. Not the size of the car or the machine you are handling.

[JackOHJack]

yes it is. do not go faster than ur brakes.

 

[yt]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SlzoxQ9TzUE[/yt]

[ChaoPuzzy1968]

[yt]

[/yt]

[Cracked]

Nabil, if u scare to lanesplit den juz dun. Hav fun riding behind a car or a bus!

[Pandoras Kitten 3]

  Cracked said:

Nabil, if u scare to lanesplit den juz dun. Hav fun riding behind a car or a bus!

 

If it's one of them YOG buses going 120kph I don't mind

[Orleng]

Just keep an eye out for empty pockets where you *think* another vehicle would want to change lane to.

 

It's rather unlikely that some driver will be so reckless to split into the side of another car he knows it's there. More often than not, they'll see that the next lane has some free space, then quickly pop a fast one to get over cuz they assume that the other fella in the next lane will brake (fearing ass-kissing-insurance-claiming incidents).

 

Vehicles have a tendency to cluster in trains with pockets in between. Ride in the pockets till you get to the tail end of the train, then go split inbetween.

 

Cars will likely change lane hard only if they can see a clear pocket where they can change in to. Some times we may be crusing up along their blind spot when that happens. So, yeh, watch out for empty open spaces in traffic! If you've thought that you can head in there, someone else would have too.

[nabil15]

  Cracked said:

Nabil, if u scare to lanesplit den juz dun. Hav fun riding behind a car or a bus!

 

Yeah am scared man.

 

Thanks man, yup will ride behind the car and buses (:

 

Cheers

[s4dreamer]

  JackOHJack said:

yes it is. do not go faster than ur brakes.

 

[yt]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SlzoxQ9TzUE[/yt]

 

I agree with you on that and yes... don't forget about speed differential. Don't go beyond +30km/h. Just go within the range of +20-30km/h. This is what I mean in case some of you don't understand. For example, the car is going at 50km/h, you should not go more than 80km/h when splitting/overtaking side by side with him.

 

Well, my personal take on this... Lanesplitting is not necessarily dangerous. You avoid the vehicles that are larger than you. Surely, you don't want to get into these situations, right?

1. Rear-end situation - because they keep inching forward and forward and that knock into your bike

2. a 'sandwich' situation - the car behind you goes nearer and nearer to you and you have lesser and lesser space in between you and the front vehicle.

 

It's only dangerous if you are going beyond +30km/h. Why? If any cars cut into your lane, you won't be able to brake in time. Otherwise, it should be harmless really.

 

I know why some of you have this perception. Many riders lanesplit very quickly. And I dare not take this sort of risk. I will just move into the lane and give way to them. Then, I lanesplit behind them. Most of the time, I will be the tortoise of the lot.

Edited August 8, 2010 by s4^dreamer

[xXxRatedxXx]

  nabil15 said:

Yeah am scared man.

 

Thanks man, yup will ride behind the car and buses (:

 

Cheers

 

Why you so scared? You got a big bad super 4 leh.

[biker23]

Lanesplit safely and it won't be very bad afterall

[lucius]

No such thing as lanesplit safely. lanesplitting itself is a compromise, you can only hope the two vehicle to your left and right are as attentive as you and not eating old changkee on a hand and handphone on the other while trying to put in cashcard for gantry.

 

To be frank sometimes driver don't even realise they are the cause of an accident until someone pointed out how awkward their car was aligned after they stopped due to their wavvy driving.

[shunoski]

  lucius said:

No such thing as lanesplit safely. lanesplitting itself is a compromise, you can only hope the two vehicle to your left and right are as attentive as you and not eating old changkee on a hand and handphone on the other while trying to put in cashcard for gantry.

 

To be frank sometimes driver don't even realise they are the cause of an accident until someone pointed out how awkward their car was aligned after they stopped due to their wavvy driving.

 

Wow... you involved the 3rd hand... notti notti....

 

Anyway, my take on lane split is only do in Super duper jams, if the traffic is moving, just go with the flow, unless you see a siao nissan cabster type of small lorries driven by F.T. approaching you real fast,you see that on KJE toward PIE(tuas) very often. If you find the bike getting hot due to the 'slow' speed of the traffic, just remember, you chose to buy that bike.

[flarks]

totally pointless riding a bike if you don't lanesplit in heavy traffic and jams. lol.

 

i do lanesplit. but not the zoooom zoooom kind. slightly faster than the traffic that kinda lanesplit. if traffic flow is smooth i wont bother to lanesplit though

[ghost04]

ride bike don lanesplit= defeat the purpose of getting a bike...

to get from point a to b faster than a car.