Three cutoffs in one ride, what to do

[kurth83]

Yesterday on the ride home, splitting south on 280, I got cut off while splitting three times - this is unusual. Due to low speed delta I was able to easily brake or swerve for them, but had an ABS activation for one because I hit the center bumps of the lane divider.

All of these were at lower speeds too. I wasn't splitting at 50 mph.

The two cars moved over semi-rapidly at one-car length or less in front of me.

One lady waved (sorry?) after she merged, I waved back politely, no harm no foul I guess.

The third was the worst, at about 15 mph delta (I am so glad I stick to low deltas now), a bus, turns on their turns (I am 5 feet behind the tail light when I see it blink, too late to brake, and immediately moves over, so I swerve into the open space rather than brake, no problem, they did a nice slow lane change, but...

Even though with my current skillset and low speed deltas these were easily avoidable, they weren't NDE's (although 10 years ago they would have been), I am still bothered by this.

My thinking is I rode closer to dusk yesterday, so the sun would have been right behind me. So I should have been more careful than usual. The sun also made their turn signals harder to see so it's possible I missed one or more until I got close, but no way it was all three, the bus turns in particular were very dim.

I have a light triangle up front, but its also a bit on the dim side, so I am
at the Clearwater site now, about to order a gazillion watt upgrade, which I'll
have to dim down to an acceptable commute level, but it will certainly be much brighter that what I have now.

I am thinking 4 lights, two amber (2" down low), and 2 white 4" ones (up higher), (Erica + Darla in Clearwater-speak).

But almost $1200+ for a quadrangle (or is it a pentangle) of lights is also bothering me, but probably not enough to stop me.

I have seen one other moto with this configuration (two large whites up highish), and two smaller yellows down lower), and all very bright, and it gets my award for the most visible setup I have ever seen, so I am copying one of you, just don't know which one.

 

[Entoptic]

Welcome to riding. Your best defense is between your ears. Nothing you can do to be seen better when no one is paying attention. Just be ever vigilant.

 

[tzrider]

The third was the worst, at about 15 mph delta (I am so glad I stick to low deltas now), a bus, turns on their turns (I am 5 feet behind the tail light when I see it blink, too late to brake, and immediately moves over, so I swerve into the open space rather than brake, no problem, they did a nice slow lane change, but...

The other cases you mention might be good examples also, but from what you say above, there was a large enough gap in the lane adjacent to the bus that the bus could change lanes. FWIW, my routine is to merge slightly into those gaps as I split so there is a larger space cushion if the car I'm passing changes lanes. Given a choice, I'd rather swerve than brake. Sometimes there is no choice, of course.

You may be right about the sun being at your back. As the days get shorter, that will happen more often during typical commute time. Some of us say to not count on drivers seeing you, but the truth of the matter is usually a lot of people do see us and when external factors like daylight change, more of them will fail to and you'll experience a corresponding change in the number of close calls.

As you found, ABS triggers easily over reflectors. Hopefully it was a non-event, though it's disconcerting when your stopping distance increases due to that.

 

[seralat]

Some days are just like that.

I usually attribute it to one of two things: pure chance or that I'm not totally on that day and need to slow down and pay more attention.

I run the smaller Clearwater lights on my bikes, but there are still days where this happens.

 

[OldMadBrit]

I think I average 1-2 cut offs every time I lane share. I just expect it and ride accordingly.

I especially watch for out of State vehicles as they may not know that lane sharing is legal in CA and act aggressively (or just disagree with it and want to make an issue about it). I had that happen today, an out of state Chevy Suburban/Tahoe/small house, swerved toward me as I passed.

 

[Moto Beck]

i wear a high viz airbag vest - i ride with my high beams on in traffic - the people who do that are the people who don't look or look quickly - they won't see you even if you were a beam of light coming hot up on their ass.

I know splitting at higher speed (if traffic is going 50 and you're going 60) is "more dangerous" - maybe statistics show it is and with the whole reaction time thing etc. but i find low speed to be far more dangerous simply just because people are more motivated for whatever reason to change lanes sooner and without much warning (high speed lane changes for cages are slower and smoother, lower speed are more abrupt).

i don't think being more visible hurts you but i wouldn't say it really helps either.

 

[zelig]

When the sun is low, your shadow points in the direction of people who can't see you. If all three incidents happened under these conditions then that would certainly be a factor.

 

[mototireguy]

a bus, turns on their turns (I am 5 feet behind the tail light when I see it blink, too late to brake, and immediately moves over, so I swerve into the open space rather than brake, no problem, they did a nice slow lane change, but...

Lane splitting/sharing already inherently risky with cars.

I would suggest not splitting buses and trucks, super risky business as they can't see shit and might not even notice anything amiss if you go under their wheels.

Clearwater LED lights might help with others seeing you but still offer zero guarantees against boneheads and distracted drivers.

Splitting is legal yes but if anything goes sideways fault is often assigned to the bike. Small comfort, be careful, sometimes the right call is to chill and not split lanes.

 

[clutchslip]

...........
All of these were at lower speeds too. I wasn't splitting at 50 mph.

The two cars moved over semi-rapidly at one-car length or less in front of me.

One lady waved (sorry?) after she merged, I waved back politely, no harm no foul I guess.

The third was the worst, at about 15 mph delta (I am so glad I stick to low deltas now), a bus, turns on their turns (I am 5 feet behind the tail light when I see it blink, too late to brake, and immediately moves over, so I swerve into the open space rather than brake, no problem, they did a nice slow lane change, but.......

What is the recommended speed delta from the CHP? Why, it is ten (10) mph. Try that speed, instead.

Then we will have the usual prominent splitting proponents who think splitting at any speed is just fine. I strongly disagree and understand why the CHP maximum speed recommendations are lower than any-thing-you-like.

 

[boney]

Yesterday on the ride home, splitting south on 280, I got cut off while splitting three times - this is unusual. Due to low speed delta I was able to easily brake or swerve for them, but had an ABS activation for one because I hit the center bumps of the lane divider.

All of these were at lower speeds too. I wasn't splitting at 50 mph.

The two cars moved over semi-rapidly at one-car length or less in front of me.

One lady waved (sorry?) after she merged, I waved back politely, no harm no foul I guess.

The third was the worst, at about 15 mph delta (I am so glad I stick to low deltas now), a bus, turns on their turns (I am 5 feet behind the tail light when I see it blink, too late to brake, and immediately moves over, so I swerve into the open space rather than brake, no problem, they did a nice slow lane change, but...

Even though with my current skillset and low speed deltas these were easily avoidable, they weren't NDE's (although 10 years ago they would have been), I am still bothered by this.

My thinking is I rode closer to dusk yesterday, so the sun would have been right behind me. So I should have been more careful than usual. The sun also made their turn signals harder to see so it's possible I missed one or more until I got close, but no way it was all three, the bus turns in particular were very dim.

I have a light triangle up front, but its also a bit on the dim side, so I am
at the Clearwater site now, about to order a gazillion watt upgrade, which I'll
have to dim down to an acceptable commute level, but it will certainly be much brighter that what I have now.

I am thinking 4 lights, two amber (2" down low), and 2 white 4" ones (up higher), (Erica + Darla in Clearwater-speak).

But almost $1200+ for a quadrangle (or is it a pentangle) of lights is also bothering me, but probably not enough to stop me.

I have seen one other moto with this configuration (two large whites up highish), and two smaller yellows down lower), and all very bright, and it gets my award for the most visible setup I have ever seen, so I am copying one of you, just don't know which one.

I'm glad you made it home safely. After all that is ultimately our goal. Here's a perspective you might not have heard before.

I split a lot and rarely get cut off any more.... Check this out and remember that it is not an attack on you, but a mindset that I have chosen to make my rides safer.

You are at fault for being cut off. Not in that you were splitting, or riding too fast, or whatever.... You're at fault for not identifying the situation ahead of time and anticipating the move. Were you thinking about something other than riding? Were you hung up on that last cut-off? Why was your guard down to the point where you were surprised by the movements of the cars and bus?

Yes, on occasion a car comes out of nowhere. There is little mindset or defense that can protect you against that, but it can be minimized by identifying the spaces into which a vehicle can move and be ready for one that can make to move to do it. This is usually what I've heard to as "shooting the gap." That space where a car in the lane on your right has room to move into the lane on your left. That's a dangerous place if the cars and spaces are lined up or will line up while you're in it. Also, by watching the traffic around you and seeing what it is doing, you can make reasonably effective predictions on future behavior.

Thiss goes double for that car on the backroad that is doing something completely wrong for where you are. Super slow on a normally fast stretch etc. That driver is sending you a message. THAT is the car is about to do something completely unexpected. Like a left turn or a u-turn. Except just like Jan Brady, when you least expect it, is when you should expect it.

It's takes a long time to learn, but if you focus on the cars around you, you can almost predict their movements long before they make them. Like a bus looking for a way into or out of the carpool lane. Buses never drive in lane 2. It's lane 1 or mostly lane 4. Sometimes lane 3 depending on the traffic. If you see a bus in lane 2 it's looking to make a lane change. Shit like that. SEE IT.

 

[richbobby]

^^ I just copied that and sent to a friend who is an (over)confident new rider. Well said Boney!!

Sometimes the best move is to just wait in position until you know it's safe. I see so many impatient riders splitting! Just as bad as the clueless cagers, imo.

 

[awbho]

Some people just don't like seeing motorcycles splitting and getting ahead.

Today, I split to the front. I guess the car beside me didn't like it and went moved forward to block me, cutting off the cross walk. Floors it to the next light. Tries get as close as possible to the car stopped on the left so there's no absolutely no space to split. I went around on right, which was completely an open lane.

It's just something I accept and deal with.

 

[Junkie]

I've never understood people who think a triangle of lights is magic and will make everyone see you. When I tried it, that wasn't my experience. I don't think putting lights down low is any more effective vs normal height when it comes to being seen, but it decreases how well you can use them to see.

 

[Aware]

I find splitting at low speed presents the greatest danger from cars making sudden, poorly signaled lane changes. Thus i am much more wary of splitting at low speed.

At higher speeds, the crash may be mire dangerous if it happens, but I think it is much more likely to happen with minimal forewarning at low speed.

 

[davidji]

My thinking is I rode closer to dusk yesterday, so the sun would have been right behind me. So I should have been more careful than usual. The sun also made their turn signals harder to see so it's possible I missed one or more until I got close, but no way it was all three, the bus turns in particular were very dim.

I have a light triangle up front, but its also a bit on the dim side, so I am
at the Clearwater site now, about to order a gazillion watt upgrade, which I'll
have to dim down to an acceptable commute level, but it will certainly be much brighter that what I have now.

I am thinking 4 lights, two amber (2" down low), and 2 white 4" ones (up higher), (Erica + Darla in Clearwater-speak).

If your shadow is in front of you, the sun is behind. If the sun in your mirrors is blinding, same for the cars.

As far as lights, absolutely no need for Clearwaters or especially expensive lights.

If your current aux lighting is frame mounted, try fork mounted. The movement of the lights when you move the bars is eye catching.

Another thing that catches the eye is the subtle flicker of Photon Blasters.
http://www.photonblaster.com/index.htm

 

[Trumper]

Notes on splitting; YMMV, .02, etc.

--Three cutoffs = the Delta is too large.
--Bus/vehicle turns on signal *and you see that* five feet from rear = Delta too large and FAIL to see space large enough for bus to move in to.
--Triangle lights = good for *oncoming* traffic (to avoid the dreaded left turn in front of you and "I didn't see the speeding motorcycle Officer...."
--As mentioned above, be super cautious (or don't pass) trucks/bus/RVs large vehicles...even when stopped at intersections.

TL;DR--Decrease Delta, Increase Awareness

 

[dravnx]

Notes on splitting; YMMV, .02, etc.

--Three cutoffs = the Delta is too large.
--Bus/vehicle turns on signal *and you see that* five feet from rear = Delta too large and FAIL to see space large enough for bus to move in to.
--Triangle lights = good for *oncoming* traffic (to avoid the dreaded left turn in front of you and "I didn't see the speeding motorcycle Officer...."
--As mentioned above, be super cautious (or don't pass) trucks/bus/RVs large vehicles...even when stopped at intersections.

TL;DR--Decrease Delta, Increase Awareness

This
I find that if it seems that I'm getting cut off too often it's time to slow my roll. I correct my delta down and I'm good again. You're probably under estimating your delta. It can be deceiving.

 

[ScottRNelson]

If the sun was directly behind you, you can't expect anybody to see you in their mirrors. Seriously, all they see is the bright sun back there regardless of what kind of super headlights you might have.

And as has already been mentioned, some days are just like that. Be happy that you were able to avoid hitting any of the lane changers. And next time the sun is directly behind you take extra caution, because nobody is going to see you behind them.

On a side not, I'm missing splitting. Just yesterday after a couple of hundred miles of riding in the hills I came back to "civilization" and had a half mile backup to the next light in 90 degree weather and the KTM pumping out engine heat on my legs. There was a nice big gap between the two lanes all the way to the front and I had to just sit there and flow with traffic - because I try to obey as many laws as I can. Took about five light cycles to get through there.

 

[DataDan]

I've never understood people who think a triangle of lights is magic and will make everyone see you. When I tried it, that wasn't my experience. I don't think putting lights down low is any more effective vs normal height when it comes to being seen, but it decreases how well you can use them to see.

The theory is that your visual image becomes two-dimensional. Normally a motorcycle is a dimensionless point in the observer's visual field. When it is traveling along the line of sight, its motion isn't perceivable because it is stationary and doesn't grow noticeably in size. That's "motion camouflage". The two-dimensional image, OTOH, should be more readily seen as an object moving toward the observer--more like a car.

While there may be situations where it makes a difference (I'm not an advocate), I don't think the split-second observation made by a driver looking in a mirror while preparing to change lanes is one of them.

The very first bullet point in the BARF Lane-Splitting Guidelines is:

• Don't expect to be seen. Lane-splitters are hard to see and some drivers are distracted.

 

[ZCrow]

...
I would suggest not splitting buses and trucks, super risky business as they can't see shit and might not even notice anything amiss if you go under their wheels...

This ^. I prefer to move over to another lane to share if possible. The times I do it, I make sure there is a vehicle in the lane so the bus/truck does not come over and I wait until I see I have space and attention of the other vehicle I am sharing with next to the truck or bus.

It is always better to wait for a gap and go around. An 18 wheeler would probably run you over and think it was just a bump in the road.

...It's takes a long time to learn, but if you focus on the cars around you, you can almost predict their movements long before they make them. Like a bus looking for a way into or out of the carpool lane. Buses never drive in lane 2. It's lane 1 or mostly lane 4. Sometimes lane 3 depending on the traffic. If you see a bus in lane 2 it's looking to make a lane change. Shit like that. SEE IT.

This ^. If you are being surprised or cut off, then in most cases you are not anticipating the situation properly. Sure, in a rare moment, someone is trying to mess with you, but I found those rare and like most other driving behavior can be anticipated and avoided.

For those that say your delta was too high, B.S., at least from you what you have stated. But your ability to scan, identify and predict is definitely off. You can teach good vision techniques, which in my view leads to good habits of prediction, but the rest is just experience and staying in the moment and focused.