Safer Splitting: A Guide for Noobs

[ThinkFast]

I've covered lane-splitting attitude, the unique dangers it presents, and an overall strategy. Now let's get down to specifics. What practices can you adopt that will make splitting safer? This section will be divided into four posts, starting with habits for controlling the motorcycle and observations to make.


Controlling the motorcycle

Two skills essential for all riding, and especially important when splitting lanes, are emergency braking and swerving. You don't need MotoGP braking skill, but you do need to be able to apply the brakes quickly, smoothly, and confidently. When your only evasion option is to slow down, braking skills are critical. In other situations, you may need to make a quick swerve to avoid a crash, and effective countersteering is what you'll need.

Beyond basic skills, here are some habits that will improve your ability to control the motorcycle while splitting:

• Cover the front brake at all times. The few tenths of a second it saves can make a difference.
  
  
• Ride in a gear that gives you good speed control with the throttle alone. In a gear that's too high, you'll lack the acceleration and deceleration you need. Too low, and throttle sensitivity will make speed adjustments jerky, and you'll need to upshift if traffic speeds up. In the right gear, you'll be able to adjust speed smoothly as the situation demands.
  
  
• Stay off the line and reflectors. You'll have to cross the lane line occasionally, but the line itself has poor grip, so avoid it.

Observations

Because you can't count on being seen, you have to spot developing situations early, when you have time and space to take action. To see what you need to see, ride with your head and eyes up, field of view centered 3-4 car-lengths ahead, with good peripheral awareness nearer and farther in the corridor and to the lanes on either side. And while your main focus is forward, don't forget to glance occasionally in your mirrors.

The following list consists mainly of items you are well aware of and notice every day, whether on a motorcycle or in a car. But they have a slightly different meaning while splitting. For example, the upcoming 680/580 interchange is familiar, but when you're splitting, it becomes a cue to watch for the guy who forgot he has a meeting in Livermore this morning and needs to get to the southbound-eastbound exit ramp right NOW, and right across your path.

• Gap in traffic in one lane that invites a lane change from the other.
  
  
• Large speed differential between lanes.
  
  
• Junction/convergence/divergence where freeways meet, split, or join.
  
  
• HOV entry/exit points. Mainly an LA thing, but worth remembering.
  
  
• Problem drivers weaving or making multiple lane changes.
  
  
• Drivers searching for a lane change opportunity.
  
  
• Slowing traffic. Scan far enough ahead that you will see a slowdown before it affects you.
  
  
• Narrow lanes. Common in construction zones, on city streets, and on old freeways with an extra lane squeezed in.
  
  
• Wide trailers.
  
  
• Extended mirrors on campers and vehicles towing trailers.
  
  
• Sudden lane change by multiple vehicles suggesting debris or a stalled vehicle ahead.
  
  
• Clear intersection or crosswalk. A vehicle, bicyclist, or pedestrian may cross the corridor as you emerge into the opening.
  
  
• Splitter behind. When you see another rider approaching from behind, get out of the way as soon as possible.
  
  
• Splitter ahead. Follow at least two seconds behind. If you want to split faster, find a way around. Don't endanger yourself and the other rider by tailgating.

Coming up tomorrow, part 2 of Best Practices, speed while splitting.

I’d add:

Splitter ahead splitting different lanes. On a multi-lane freeway I’ve sometimes encountered someone ahead of me splitting between lanes 2 and 3 while I’m splitting between lanes 1 and 2. So guess what the traffic in lane 2 is doing as the bike splitting 2 and 3 comes through. The vehicles move left - narrowing the gap for me. Split 1 and 2 only, boys and girls!

 

[DataDan]

Mr. Roadshow on a lane-splitting crash

In his September 30 column, Gary Richards of the Mercury News discusses a crash witnessed by a correspondent:

Q: I was driving north on Highway 101 near Holly Street last Thursday in stop-and-go traffic. A motorcycle cruised by going around 30 mph. A couple of hundred yards ahead, a Tesla changed lanes right in front of him, the motorcyclist crashed into the side of the car and flew over the hood. By the time I got up next to them, he was standing up, looked OK, as he was wearing heavy-duty body protection/helmet. I called 911 immediately anyway.

California needs to outlaw lane splitting. And drivers, when you look to change lanes, it’s not enough to check your blind spot and lane next to you. You need to look 50 yards back down the edge of the lane as well, at least when switching between far left lanes.

A: Good advice, but based on your description, the Tesla driver was to blame. Studies show that lane splitting at speeds under 45-50 mph reduces crashes. So go slow, use your blinkers and wear the proper gear.
​

Sound familiar? The lane-change cutoff is by far the most common lane-splitting crash. While the Tesla driver may be legally at fault here, that doesn't let the rider off the hook, IMHO. Innocent victim or not, the splitter could have prevented it by recognizing the threat and reacting accordingly (see post Best Practices--Avoiding Cutoffs).

My comments:

• The driver recognizes lanes #1-2 as the most likely place to see splitters. Good to know.
• It would be nice if drivers checked 7 or 8 car-lengths back in the lane-splitting corridor before changing lanes. However, we cannot expect that, since 999 times out of 1000, they can safely change lanes simply by making sure the space they want is vacant, and most will do no more than that.
• Gary's comment that "Studies show..." is wrong (see post The Dangers of Splitting), but the rest is good advice.

Thanks, Gary.

 

[DataDan]

Deadly Speed

From 2013 to 2017, 13 Bay Area riders were killed in lane-splitting crashes. In 6 of the 13, traffic speed was 50mph or higher. There is little benefit to splitting at that speed, and it is seldom enough to compensate for the added risk.

On Sunday, October 6, a motorcyclist was killed on I-80 in Richmond. According to CHP, the Harley rider was "splitting lane #1 and #2 of traffic at a high rate of speed (estimated at 70 mph). Traffic ahead was braking hard as the vehicles were rounding the slight curve in the roadway over Carlson Boulevard. The motorcycle rider locked up his brakes and lost control" and hit four other vehicles. Speed of traffic the rider was splitting is not yet reported, but the incident shows how absolute speed as well as speed differential affects lane-splitting safety.

We often talk about the importance of splitting at moderate speed relative to surrounding traffic (speed differential or "delta") because it reduces risk. When splitting slowly in a stream of traffic moving at constant speed, you will usually be able to avoid a cutoff or squeeze. Low relative speed makes it more likely you'll be seen by drivers ahead and have time and distance to prevent a collision if they don't.

Equally important is keeping absolute speed down--splitting only in slow-moving traffic--as shown, tragically, in this incident. The faster traffic is moving, the more it will slow if disrupted. And when traffic suddenly slows, you instantly lose the benefit of low relative speed within a steadily moving stream. If a comfortable 10mph differential becomes 60mph, you will not be able to avoid incursions. Poor braking skill makes the situation much worse.

• Split only when traffic is moving at 30mph or slower.
• Cover the front brake.
• Center your field of vision 3-4 car lengths ahead with good peripheral awareness nearer and farther in the corridor.
• When traffic suddenly slows, roll off or brake to maintain desired differential.

See post Best Practices--Speed for more about lane-splitting speed.

 

[dadude]

- use your peripheral and don't focus on anything for too long

- watch the vehicle tires, good indicator for what the driver wants to do

- look at mirrors, also a good indicator for whether a car is about to move

- don't push it. Just takes 1 mistake. Better to shave off 10mph and get there safe.

 

[ThinkFast]

- extra vigilance for lane changes after passing an on-ramp - higher number of vehicles are now looking to get into the HOV lane (NorCal).

 

[DataDan]

Unprotected split

Splitting is safer when you're between two lanes of bumper-to-bumper traffic moving in the same direction. Drivers stay in their lanes because traffic in the opposite lane restricts movement. Splitting between a thru lane and merge or turn lane, you lose that protection and expose yourself to a cutoff.

Failure to follow this guideline led to a crash in Escondido this week. Riding here...



...a motorcyclist attempted to pass between a car in the #1 eastbound lane and the two-way turn lane. As he did, the car entered the turn lane and sideswiped the motorcycle. The rider then rear-ended a pickup already stopped in the turn lane and was critically injured.

News reports made much of the fact that the pickup fled, but of the three drivers involved, he is the one who did nothing to cause the collision.

 

[DonTom]

And remember that if coming to NV lane splitting is NOT legal.

But it is so rare that we need to, unlike there in CA.

-Don- Reno, NV

 

[DataDan]

Lane splitting was featured again today in Gary Richards' Mr. Roadshow column in the Mercury News:

Q: I run into this problem every day I ride my motorcycle. Traffic goes very slowly and I lane split between the commute lane and the lane to the right. This is on 85, so there’s plenty of room to do this safely. The vast majority of drivers in the commute lane graciously pull over to the left side of the lane, leaving lots of room for me and other lane splitters. Thanks to all of you!

Other than a few random jerks, there’s one glaring and consistent exception: Teslas almost never move over. They stay locked in the center of their lane. I’ve talked about this with my neighbor, a Tesla owner, and he agrees with me that many of these Tesla drivers may be using autonomous mode, which keeps them locked in the center, and ignores lane-splitting bikes. So the drivers are oblivious to lane splitters, which makes me very nervous around them.

A: Tesla drivers, please respond.​

I don't ride SR-85, so I don't know whether this is a valid gripe or not. If you do, please post up your take.

However, the lanes on 85 appear to be a full 12 feet wide, and Teslas are about 6 feet wide like other cars. So between a Tesla and another car, both centered in their lanes, the corridor is a comfortable 6 feet. I don't see a problem.

Drivers aren't obligated to make room for us, and arguing that they should is a step toward prohibition, since they outnumber us 100 to 1.

In particular about Teslas, I like the idea of a car that can see an approaching motorcycle before changing lanes, even if the driver doesn't.

 

[DonTom]

A: Tesla drivers, please respond.

If you get too close to the Tesla, it will automatically move over if you get too close, even if auto pilot is NOT on. It's the "accident prevention" that does such.

My 2018 Tesla Model Three has such. It's on as my default but there could be some who turn it off.

I have already seen mine work in action. A pickup truck passed me very close on my left side. Perhaps was about a foot away. My Tesla jumped over to the right as I was steering straight. It was scary, but my screen beeped loud and said "Auto Steer activated". If there was a car on my right, my Tesla would stay dead center between them both.

Teslas on auto-pilot like to stay centered on the lane where possible. I really don't like auto pilot as it isn't perfect. I find it scary at times. For an example, I am going up the freeway in the right lane. There is a freeway entrance to my right with NO cars. My Tesla sees the road as wider there and instantly re-steers to the middle of the lane, And then does the same to the left when the lane is less wide again perhaps in perhaps 30 yards or so.

Safe, yes, but it does stuff that isn't expected at times.

So if you lane split next to a Tesla with its collision avoidance on (which is the default setting) it should move to give you room automatically.

But I would not bet my life on it!

-Don- Auburn, CA

 

[Enchanter]

Additional data point:
My brother in-law owns a Model S and places it in autonomous mode daily between Monterey and Santa Cruz.

He tells me this:
His car will sense a motorcycle splitting lanes, but it is only when the motorcycle is within 15-20ft of the rear of his car. He says that by the time the car adjust lane position, the motorcycle has already passed him.

He also says that when a lane splitter moves into the lane directly in front of him, his car 'looses it'. His car continues to see the car in front and not the motorcycle. His car will adjust speed and brake to a stop based on the car and not the motorcycle in between the car and him.

I'm hoping to get a ride in his car to see this for myself.

 

[DataDan]

Additional data point:
My brother in-law owns a Model S and places it in autonomous mode daily between Monterey and Santa Cruz.

He tells me this:
His car will sense a motorcycle splitting lanes, but it is only when the motorcycle is within 15-20ft of the rear of his car. He says that by the time the car adjust lane position, the motorcycle has already passed him.

He also says that when a lane splitter moves into the lane directly in front of him, his car 'looses it'. His car continues to see the car in front and not the motorcycle. His car will adjust speed and brake to a stop based on the car and not the motorcycle in between the car and him.

I'm hoping to get a ride in his car to see this for myself.

If you get a chance for a test drive, it would be interesting to have a motorcyclist along as an accomplice. Maybe the motorcycle's lateral lane position after re-entering the lane affects the Tesla's perception, and moving to the center of the lane, rather than just nudging over the line, will help it see the bike.

 

[budman]

Yesterday in my cage I did what drivers are supposed to do. IMO.

I was in the commuter lane approaching a two commuter lane merge (101 N in Palo Alto near Oregon Exp.). I know it clogs as they come together and merging right is faster.

I turned on my blinker.. checked my mirror and caught a BMW 1-1/2 to 2 cars back splitting forward. Turned off my blinker to let him know I saw him and faded left opening the door for him to pass. I had time to get over in front of him, but that would have made for some adjustment on his part and my decision was to give way... of course. :teeth

There are so many places where commuters know that the "fast" lane will slow and will want to merge right. Learning where those are on your commute and anticipating those will help make your ride safer.
When you find one, put it in the knowledge bank for future reference.

 

[DataDan]

Lane splitting was featured again today in Gary Richards' Mr. Roadshow column in the Mercury News...

Mr. Roadshow has some replies today about the Tesla issue.

 

[Smash Allen]

I agree with Matt Peterson’s comment

You split lanes at your own risk, Mr. Flynn, and avoiding the traffic around you is your responsibility, not mine.

Vehicles should not be required to alter course to accommodate lanesplitters.

Tesla should fix their system to be aware of what is in front of the car.

Tesla owner still bears the brunt of liability as they are the operator.

 

[Enchanter]

Avoiding traffic (a collision) is everyone’s responsibility, and it is not the same thing as making room for lane-splitting motorcycles.

 

[DataDan]

Mr. Roadshow today has more reader responses on Teslas and lane splitting.

 

[rcb78]

I'll chime in on this, it's very rare that a Tesla that is on 'autopilot' moves over when I split, small bike, big bike, it doesn't matter. I'm pretty convinced they do not see bikes 99% of the time and if you or a friend has one that does, it's an anomaly. I'd say that less than 1 out of 20 moves at all when I pass by, not counting that ones that are under the drivers control. Those are easy to spot because they aren't dead center in the lane.
I don't care so much about them making space, there's still enough to pass, I'm more concerned with getting rear ended by one on autopilot because it can't see me, and it's pretty obvious how many of them are using that feature.

 

[NorCal Factory]

I am convinced pulsing or moving lights or even just more than one headlight make a huge difference in dusk/ dark and even in daylight.

While commenting on 101 and 85 I noticed cars reacting and moving over 2-3 cars ahead with a steady light. When I wiggled the handlebars they would react 5-8 cars ahead moving over so that I knew they had seen me.

When there was no movement, I was able to pay more attention to the 1-2 out of 10-15 cars ahead Vs not knowing whether they saw me. This is much safer than just knowing that 1-2 or three sets of cars saw me.

This created a longer reaction time for me and them.
Of course all the risk mitigation above applies.

Try it. Then invest in additional lights or pulsing lights.

This method takes advantage a basic physiological condition in that humans see movement out of the corner of the eye very well. The light flashing past the side and rear view mirrors, catches this movement. Another related physiological understanding of how the eye works in darkness results in training aircraft Pilots to look with the side of the eye in darkness.

 

[ctwo]

Mr. Roadshow today has more reader responses on Teslas and lane splitting.

I hate the mercury screws, and they are hosting imgsync-from-imag8pubmaticcom.

Anyway, I don't have a problem with Tesla's lane centering, but it's good to know their autopilot may not notice me if I move in front of them.

 

[Matty D]

I am convinced pulsing or moving lights or even just more than one headlight make a huge difference in dusk/ dark and even in daylight.

I tend to agree, but I am also convinced that pulsing lights are incredibly annoying and create more ill-will toward splitting motorcycles than good. It is also my understanding that riding with pulsing lights/hazards is also illegal unless you're indicating a traffic hazard.

The vast majority of cagers are not in the way of a splitting moto. For those that are, a quick flash of your high beams should be all it takes. As others have noted, cars are not obligated to get out of your way.