Lane splitting is when a motorcyclist rides between rows of cars in slow-moving or stop-and-go traffic. It has also been called lane sharing, stripe-riding, or whitelining. Filtering (also called filtering-forward) is a similar maneuver in which a motorcyclist rides between cars stopped at a traffic light in order to be the first vehicle in line when the light turns green.

Lane splitting is inherently dangerous. Some drivers (and governments) deem it an unnecessary risk that no motorcyclist should ever take. Many motorcyclists argue that lane splitting is safer than riding in-lane with stop-and-go traffic. Almost every country in the world allows lane splitting. 49 States in the U.S. prohibit lane splitting; only the state of California allows it.

Read on to explore the arguments for and against lane splitting so you can make the most informed decision possible. Lane splitting laws are evolving; make sure to look up your local guidelines.

Lane Splitting Is Dangerous

What is lane splitting and if you should do it.
Via: Newark Post

In a study conducted by the University of California at Berkeley, researchers examined 6,000 motorcycle crashes and found that 17% of them occurred while a rider was lane splitting. When a motorcyclist is riding a few feet from two rows of cars, they have no room for error--or surprises. A motorcycle splitting lanes may remain in a driver's blind spot for far too long: a common basic motorcycle mistake.

Motorists in slow-moving traffic often "lane surf" or rapidly change to a faster lane of traffic. Sometimes they use their turn signals; other times, they swap lanes too quickly to signal. Such a maneuver can easily kill a lane splitting motorcyclist. In addition, many drivers and passengers enjoying hanging an arm out their car window while waiting in traffic on a hot day. A lane splitting biker plus wayward limbs is a recipe for certain disaster. Finally, drivers in standstill traffic may open a car door suddenly: Perhaps they see some litter in the road they want to clean up, or maybe the heat and fumes get to them and they feel the need to throw up. If you are lane splitting on a motorcycle and a door flies open in front of you, you will be hard-pressed to avoid a crash.

Car drivers report that snaking through traffic is one of the most annoying things motorcyclists do. Some motorists are even territorial about lane splitting. In bouts of road rage, car drivers have been known to pull in front of a motorcycle splitting lanes, throw open their door, or honk to distract a riding passing between cars.

Lane splitting grows more dangerous each year. With the proliferation of mobile devices and complex car entertainment systems, drivers are increasingly distracted. Every new model year, most cars and trucks are heavier and accelerate more quickly, thus crashing into objects with more momentum. These may be reasons for pedestrian fatalities rising 41% in the past decade. Motorcyclists are also at increased risk these days, especially when splitting lanes. Excessive lane splitting is one of the most common mistakes new motorcyclists make.

RELATED: 25 Things Motorcycle Riders Do That Make Them Squids (That They Don't Even Realize)

Riding In Heavy Traffic Is Dangerous Too

What is lane splitting and if you should do it.
Via: Flickr

In hot enough weather, waiting in standstill traffic may not be an option: air-cooled motorcycles can overheat, and riders can experience heatstroke. And riding with stop-and-go traffic can be very deadly for motorcyclists: the motorist behind you may rear-end you, or be rear-ended and plow into you. What would be a fender-bender in a car can be a motorcycle fatality.

The Berkely University study did find that 17% of motorcycle crashes occurred while a rider was splitting lanes. But the researchers admitted they did not selectively study motorcyclists who choose not to split lanes; therefore they cannot say which option is safer. Lane splitting is legal in California, yet the rate of motorcycle fatalities there is average for the United States--according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

California is a haven for motorcyclists, yet the traffic in Los Angeles and San Francisco becomes slower every year; the golden state has had a culture of lane splitting for decades. Many motorcyclists report that drivers on California highways make room when they see bikers splitting lanes. Lane splitting is viewed as a way to reduce highway congestion and prevent motorcyclists from idling on the hot asphalt unnecessarily. In 2016, California's government defined lane splitting, paving the way for the California Highway Patrol to establish safe lane splitting guidelines. The California Highway Patrol recently published its "Lane Splitting Safety Tips." They insist that lane splitting is a calculated risk that should only be attempted by experienced riders. Also, they urge riders to consider the overall speed of traffic and the difference between their own speed and that of other vehicles: crashes become more dangerous as either overall speed or speed differential increases. They suggest avoiding lane splitting around large vehicles, between the center and right-hand lanes, or if lingering in blind spots between vehicles.

RELATED: Here are 20 of the weirdest motorcycle laws that riders need to follow, plus five laws that nobody in their right minds would obey

Conclusion

What is lane splitting and if you should do it.
Via: RideApart

After California passed its lane splitting safety tips, nine other states in the U.S. began the process of passing laws to define and legislate safe lane splitting. But even where lane splitting is legal, many motorcyclists choose not to participate. When visibility is poor, road conditions are unsafe (such as during rain), the highway winds around corners, or traffic is moving faster than 20 MPH, experienced bikers often choose to ride in-lane.

Motorcycling is an inherently risky venture. Some riders choose to take the risk of splitting lanes. But all smart bikers weigh the odds before making any choice.

Sources: California Highway Patrol, Quora, LaneSplittingIsLegal.com, Berkely University, and KQED News.

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