New riders and lane sharing

[silversvs]

A friend to the lane sharing movement needs some data.

While we realize the results of the poll aren't good scientific data we are still interested in honest reponses.

There is some concern about all the attention that lane sharing is getting right now may encourage/push newer inexperienced riders to try lane sharing when they otherwise may have waited until they were more experienced.

Is that a valid concern? We don't know. And we don't know how we can realistically answer that question.

So help us out by taking a minute to answer the poll, and please share your thoughts.

 

[Cincinnatus]

Link to poll, plz? :teeth

 

[louemc]

There's a poll?

 

[CABilly]

First!

I started slow, riding up to the front of lights. Then when I was comfortable doing that and I decided to go for it in traffic, I chose a for sure gridlocked route - 5PM northbound 680 from San Jose to Pleasanton to go to a CG bike night. It was great practice, I could pop in and out of the split at will, and I was very familiar with that route as far as everything about the roads and surface went.

Since then, I have felt comfortable splitting any time, conditions allowing. I haven't really even had any serious close calls.

 

[Cincinnatus]

Not addressed in the poll - I'm not a Cali native, and rode for years in other states (NY, VA, HI, GA, MA, NH, WA).

Once I moved here, I started splitting within the first 2K miles of getting used to Cali roads & cagers.

Hope that helps a little. :thumbup

 

[revnort]

I waited until I was comfortable with take offs. Once I was, I started going to the front at lights.

Next I began timidly lane sharing in traffic. Timid meaning fairly slowly and only when traffic was very tight and almost stopped.

Shortly after I started commuting semi regularly on the bike, and I started to do it more often.

Gradually I as I gained experience both as a rider in general and as a lane sharing rider I felt more comfortable.

It was a very long process, and continues on my daily commute.

 

[planegray]

I chose option 2, but I would also add: " I didn't start lane sharing until I was completely comfortable with riding the motorcycle and the roads I travel"

The add on, is because traffic patterns differ from place to place and now and then I still duck back into the line and just observe.

 

[dcdomain]

Gradual. Definitely not an on/off switch. I actually started splitting first on the highway, then did it on local streets to get to the front at a red light.

On the highway, in stop and go traffic, it took a few months, but I started by following slower riders. I'd never go first myself. Just waited until someone laid-back would go, then I'd follow their cue. And this was also on the same road that I used to commute on every day. It took a while for me to comfortably split lanes on new roads to me.

 

[justanotherg20]

Voted!

I'm a newbie rider and I'll occasionally filter at a stoplight; I don't lane split when traffic is moving nor do I anticipate I ever will because I don't trust drivers.

(Of course, this may change in a year or two.)

 

[revnort]

On the highway, in stop and go traffic, it took a few months, but I started by following slower riders. I'd never go first myself. Just waited until someone laid-back would go, then I'd follow their cue. And this was also on the same road that I used to commute on every day. It took a while for me to comfortably split lanes on new roads to me.

Ha, I did this a lot too. I remember many an occasion where I would follow even a slower rider and then they would get ahead as I was not comfortable (and I would stop sharing once they got way ahead) :laughing.

 

[RightCoastBias]

As soon as I got my bike on the road I started splitting. I'm of the mindset that you've just got to go out and do it. Trial by fire.

 

[tuxumino]

when I got my first kali bike, a Yamaha exciter 185, back in 89: I swore I'd never lane split; first time stuck in bumper to bumper traffic and I was FTS, I'm splittin'.

 

[Ol' Gravy Leg]

Sooo long ago. But, I believe I didn't start until I found out it wasn't illegal.

 

[Ozymandias]

Not addressed in the poll - I'm not a Cali native, and rode for years in other states (NY, VA, HI, GA, MA, NH, WA).

Once I moved here, I started splitting within the first 2K miles of getting used to Cali roads & cagers.

Hope that helps a little. :thumbup

Same here (except from IN :thumbup). Although I think it only took me about 1000 miles before I got fed up with slow racing all the time.

 

[ST Guy]

Can't take the poll 'cause I ain't a newbie, but when I first started riding, it was awhile before I felt comfortable enough to lane share. And then, at first, it was only coming up to stop lights/signs around down. Sharing on the freeway came later.

 

[Surj]

When I started riding on the street, I'd already been riding dirt bikes for years, so I was already comfortable on the bike and started splitting pretty soon.

 

[VicTim]

I started lane sharing as soon as I could. I didn't do it all the time though, only where I felt comfortable enough to do it.

 

[SuperMike]

The first time I got stuck in stopped traffic on the freeway and noticed how wide the space was between cars, I couldn't help it.

 

[RobertJ]

You need one more option on the poll. I've been riding on the street for going on 30 years, but I just recently moved to California. After I moved here, I start lane sharing as soon as I figured out it was legal!!

 

[SalCal]

I started riding in another state, no filtering allowed, hadn't even heard of it. Moved out here, got a new bike, started filtering as soon as I was stuck in 280 SB stopped traffic. Learning a new bike and traffic flow is primo important. Following another rider who has more experience can be helpful as well. Just do not feel the NEED to continue to follow if for any reason you don't think you will 1. fit 2. pissed off driver just twitched and looks sketchy 3. rider in front makes a lane change that you do not think you can follow safely. Reclaim your own space and proceed as you feel is safest.
Thanks for asking for our input!