*The definitive laneSHARING thread*
- Thread starter motorman4life
- Start date
Razel
Well-known member
So, two years later, I'm having a discussion on lane sharing. Naturally, citing references is a good thing, so off I go to the DMV website:
21658
I could swear that "straddling" was listed, but it's not there on that web page.. Doing a search on the DMV site for "straddling", it shows a list of violations and lists 21658(a) violation as "Laned roadways (2 or more lanes in direction of travel), straddling or changing when unsafe."
So, it used to be there. (???)
Or, does the DMV not publish the entire CVC on its web pages?
I'm just trying to keep it to right answers or no answers...
I have read this thread in its entirety and several others and feel that I have a fairly good understanding of lane sharing. I am still wondering:
I understand that vehicles can share a lane if there is enough room to do so safely without crossing the limit lines.
However, suppose the scenario is that there are two lanes on each side of the road. On a given side, both lanes travel straight through an intersection.
Often times I will encounter an auto who has positioned themselves towards the edge of their lane (closer to the car next to them), making my available path a little bit narrower. This means that in order to share safely, I may have to cross over the limit line dividing lanes one and two while I'm traveling up to the stop light.
If there are several cars that are doing this leading up to a stop light, that would mean that if I was trying to share lanes I would have to weave over to the adjacent lane several times. This seems like it could be more dangerous as opposed to simply riding safely and cautiously along the limit line that divides both lanes if there is enough room.
However, this contradicts my interpretation of what i have read here which is that when lane sharing you cannot straddle lanes or ride on top of the limit lines (whether they are fog lines, double yellows, or lane dividers).
What is the legal and safe way to share lanes in this situation?
I understand that vehicles can share a lane if there is enough room to do so safely without crossing the limit lines.
However, suppose the scenario is that there are two lanes on each side of the road. On a given side, both lanes travel straight through an intersection.
Often times I will encounter an auto who has positioned themselves towards the edge of their lane (closer to the car next to them), making my available path a little bit narrower. This means that in order to share safely, I may have to cross over the limit line dividing lanes one and two while I'm traveling up to the stop light.
If there are several cars that are doing this leading up to a stop light, that would mean that if I was trying to share lanes I would have to weave over to the adjacent lane several times. This seems like it could be more dangerous as opposed to simply riding safely and cautiously along the limit line that divides both lanes if there is enough room.
However, this contradicts my interpretation of what i have read here which is that when lane sharing you cannot straddle lanes or ride on top of the limit lines (whether they are fog lines, double yellows, or lane dividers).
What is the legal and safe way to share lanes in this situation?
Phyxius
Rider
I'm curious about this too. It sounds like it relies upon the difference between lanesharing and lanesplitting (defined as changing lanes quickly and often). Most often, when moving between stopped traffic, I need to switch lanes every 2-3 cars at least. Even if this is considered "zigzagging", I'd rather do that, than be forced to stay in a lane without enough room. Maybe turn signalling each time you change lanes would help? I rarely do though - I'm too focused on the cars and my line. I'm sure it all just comes back to a nearby officer's interpretation of whether or not it's being done "safely". Ambiguity FTL.
TheRiddler
Riddle me this.
I treat it as a lane change. However, I don't have the time to use my signals, so I guess I could be cited for unsafe lane change.
NorCalBusa
Member #294
Bump!
MotoMatthew
Well-known member
Just wanted to thank everyone for all of the information set forth in this thread. Very informative.
Jaxx
I sleep with two wheels
Can anyone shed some light on the legality of this issue?
That's what I'm worried about ...
Even when using turn signals I'm not sure if it's safe / legal....anybody??
That's what I'm worried about ...
interesting...
Even when using turn signals I'm not sure if it's safe / legal....anybody??
tigerized1
New member
So I read through the entire thread - an impressive amount of information. I think I have a pretty good sense of the legality of lane-sharing. My question is, as a n00b, does anyone have practical advice or techniques for how to lane share safely? In the Bay Area, lane-sharing seems pretty necessary. Not dying is pretty important, too. Information about "what not to do" would also be helpful. Any advice?
Tips:
1-Mind the Gap!! NEVER EVER try to share lanes with a vehicle when the adjacent lane is empty. Why? Because this is a great opportunity for said vehicle to make a quick and thoughtless lane change in an effort to save time in the 'faster' lane and in the process of doing so they may take you out.
2-Take your time, don't rush! You're already moving faster than the rest of traffic anyways; don't feel that you have to keep up a certain pace. If you come across a pair or group of cars that makes it difficult to laneshare, don't feel as though you have to "make it work". Sometimes, it's easier to just scoot back into the normal driving lane for a few moments until things clear up again.
3-Assume you're invisible. Even if you're in 1st gear reving up your engine, people still won't hear you in time. Even if you're wearing bright yellow, people still won't check their mirrors frequently enough to notice you. Don't assume that people are watching out for you, and ride accordingly.
Hope this helps :ride
Phyxius
Rider
+1
Along with that, keep an eye on the relative speed between the two lanes and you'll learn to predict when cagers want to move over. If one lane starts flowing, fall back in line. Personally, I dont filter through traffic that's moving faster than ~35, and that's on the freeway.
Also, watch your 6 for other lanesharers. If they're faster or narrower, let them pass.
mean dad
Well-known member
more tips
>be extra vigilant when approaching on- and off-ramps, as this is when cagers start swapping lanes, either because they suddenly realize they're at their exit, or because they don't want to have to allow cars to merge onto the freeway (highway, road, whatever).
>look as far ahead as possible. spot gaps, and be ready for idiots to act idiotically.
>keep an eye on your 6, and move over for faster bikes. you enjoy riding at your pace, instead of surrounding traffic, right? PAY IT FORWARD. i freakin hate lane sharing behind a doof that won't man up enough to actually share the freakin lane, and instead crawls along blatting his overly loud pipes trying to get cars to move over even more.
>wave at cars. if they move for you, wave thanks. if they don't move for you, wave bye bye as you get around them anyway. NOTE- only do this if you are adept at controlling your motorcycle.
>BE POLITE TO CARS. YOU MAY BE THE BIKER THAT SHOWS SOMEONE HOW BIKERS ACT. if someone cuts you off, acknowledge that it could have been a mistake, instead of reacting like they did it on purpose. if, however, they DID do it on purpose, it's on like donkey kong.
>be patient. if someone is being an ass, and won't let you pass, BE PATIENT. there will be an oppotunity to get around them, then you can wave at them as they sit in traffic, jealous of your lane sharing ride.
>knock cigarettes out of smokers' hands as you pass. they'll thank you later, when they're still alive.
>be extra vigilant when approaching on- and off-ramps, as this is when cagers start swapping lanes, either because they suddenly realize they're at their exit, or because they don't want to have to allow cars to merge onto the freeway (highway, road, whatever).
>look as far ahead as possible. spot gaps, and be ready for idiots to act idiotically.
>keep an eye on your 6, and move over for faster bikes. you enjoy riding at your pace, instead of surrounding traffic, right? PAY IT FORWARD. i freakin hate lane sharing behind a doof that won't man up enough to actually share the freakin lane, and instead crawls along blatting his overly loud pipes trying to get cars to move over even more.
>wave at cars. if they move for you, wave thanks. if they don't move for you, wave bye bye as you get around them anyway. NOTE- only do this if you are adept at controlling your motorcycle.
>BE POLITE TO CARS. YOU MAY BE THE BIKER THAT SHOWS SOMEONE HOW BIKERS ACT. if someone cuts you off, acknowledge that it could have been a mistake, instead of reacting like they did it on purpose. if, however, they DID do it on purpose, it's on like donkey kong.
>be patient. if someone is being an ass, and won't let you pass, BE PATIENT. there will be an oppotunity to get around them, then you can wave at them as they sit in traffic, jealous of your lane sharing ride.
>knock cigarettes out of smokers' hands as you pass. they'll thank you later, when they're still alive.
Racer Al
ex-racer, that is.
As a new-to-CA import from the East Coast (land of waaaaay more cops per capita, and no lane sharing), I'll say that my lane sharing experience was dramatically improved by not focusting on the cars, but rather focusing on the space between the cars. For some reason probably better explained by a behavioral psychologist, the available room looks much bigger.
JPM
Well-known member
Please supply what section of codified law these statements of law are under?
Oh, don't get me wrong. I'm in complete agreement that there is nothing in the CVC. I posted the above because it seems to be the only acknowledgment that any governmental entity has made. It is a reference point and nothing more. It isn't enough, but at least it is something to point to when having a discussion with someone, anyone.
Cincinnatus
Not-quite retired Army
Okey-dokey... Was down in LA on 405, and experienced the HOV lanes there.
Signage did NOT specifically authorize motorcycles were ok to be in those lanes, but saw many bikes there. Used the lanes, no problems, except...
When a slow car is blocking the HOV lane, and you've got a white line, a double-yellow, and another double-yellow between the HOV and the 'normal' lanes, is it ok to lane-share on the white line (without crossing the double-double-yellow) to pass the Slowskis?
Signage did NOT specifically authorize motorcycles were ok to be in those lanes, but saw many bikes there. Used the lanes, no problems, except...
When a slow car is blocking the HOV lane, and you've got a white line, a double-yellow, and another double-yellow between the HOV and the 'normal' lanes, is it ok to lane-share on the white line (without crossing the double-double-yellow) to pass the Slowskis?
I agree.
I actually focus on the space ahead, and use the peripheral vision ( or quick scan) to see what the cagers directly in front are up to. I think the idea of looking forward (and not on the obstruction) is similar to the concept of looking ahead of the curve where you want to go, as opposed to the act of looking where you are. Helps your body steer you in the proper direction.
Stay Safe..