Ultimate guide to safe lane splitting

Riding on empty roads and cornering on twisties gives you the ultimate feeling of freedom on two wheels. But on most occasions you have to, like it or not, share the road with other vehicles. Especially in densely populated areas, the traffic can come to a stop very quickly. And here comes the question. A motorcycle can fit between two cars on two lanes, but is it safe to split the lanes and continue?

First, let us see the definition of lane splitting. According to the CMSP* (California Motorcyclist Safety) the definition goes like this: »The term lane splitting, sometimes known as lane sharing, filtering or white-lining, refers to the process of a motorcyclist riding between lanes of stopped or slower moving traffic or moving between lanes to the front of traffic stopped at a traffic light.«

In Europe and Asia, this behaviour is a common practice among motorcyclist on a daily basis, but in the USA it is mostly prohibited, except in the state of California, where lane splitting is legal. There is a lot of controversy on this topic with many riders that advocate both sides of this problem.

Benefits of lane-splitting

On one side, many riders claim that lane splitting benefits to the safety of the rider, since it is less likely a distracted car driver would rear end you in stop-and-go traffic. On the AMA webpage** you will find the following citation: “The Hurt Report**, the most comprehensive motorcycle crash causation study to date, noted that “Moderate or heavy traffic was the situation at 59.2 percent of the accidents [studied].”Reducing a motorcyclist’s exposure to vehicles that are frequently accelerating and decelerating on congested roadways can be one way to reduce rear-end collisions for those most vulnerable in traffic.”

Another benefit is that if motorcycles continue their way in congested traffic. They make more room for other vehicles and the traffic congestions can decrease in this way. In a Belgium study by the TML***, a Belgian transport specialist, they concluded that if just 10 percent of drivers were to switch to motorcycles and filter through traffic, travel times would decrease for the remaining car drivers by some eight minutes per journey between two Belgium cities 10 miles apart during the rush-hours.

Other benefits of lane-splitting that are often discussed in the motorcycling community include the reduction of fuel consumption and tailpipe emissions from spending less time sitting in stopped or slow moving traffic.

Disadvantages of lane splitting

Safe Transportation Research & Education Center University of California Berkeley**** published research related to lane splitting as well. In the next citation read what are the main disadvantages and dangers of lane-splitting according to the motorcycle community.

“There appear to be some risks to lane-splitting. The most basic is that lane-splitting riders often put themselves closer to other vehicles than they otherwise would. This proximity reduces the time riders have to identify and react to changes in the behaviours of other motorists. Anecdotal, evidence suggests that the primary risk while lane-splitting is the lane-changing of other vehicles. Other drivers often initiate lane changes without first checking for lane-splitting motorcycles. It is in these situations where the motorcycle speed differential may play a strong role in collision causation.

Other potential hazards that may exist for lane-splitting motorcyclists include uneven pavement and markings (e.g., striping or Bott’s dots) between roadway lanes on which lane splitting riders must traverse, and, in the case of motorcycle filtering between a lane of traffic and parked vehicles, door openings.

So, is lane-splitting safer?

All the above-linked studies concluded that there is a safety benefit of lane splitting. But with that in mind, it is not safer to split-lanes without taking following guidelines into account. The document issued by the California Motorcyclist Safety Program* serves as guidance towards taking responsibility when splitting lanes. Also to do it in a way that minimises the risk to be involved in an accident by focusing on the critical parameters of riding in stop-and-go traffic, anticipating the possible hazards that might affect you when splitting lanes.

1) Travel at a speed that is no more than 10 MPH faster than other traffic — danger increases at higher speed differentials.
2) It is not advisable to lane split when traffic flow is at 30 mph or faster — — danger increases as overall speed increases.
3) Typically, it is safer to split between the #1 and #2 lanes than between other lanes.
4) Consider the total environment in which you are splitting, including the width of the lanes, size of surrounding vehicles, as well as roadway, weather, and lighting conditions.
5) Be alert and anticipate possible movements by other road users.
6) The Four R’s or “Be-Attitudes” of Lane Splitting: Be Reasonable, be Responsible, be Respectful, be aware of all Roadway and traffic conditions.

Disclaimers: These general guidelines don’t guarantee to keep you safe. Lane splitting should not be performed by inexperienced riders. These guidelines assume a high level of riding competency and experience. The recommendations contained here are only general guidelines and cannot cover all possible combinations of situations and variables. Personal Safety: Every rider has ultimate responsibility for his or her own decision making and safety. Riders must be conscious of reducing crash risk at all times. California law requires all motorcycle riders and passengers wear a helmet that complies with the DOT FMVSS 218 standard.

When is it NOT OK to split? You should NOT lane split:

- If you can’t fit.
- At a toll booth.
- If traffic is moving too fast or unpredictably.
- If dangerous road conditions exist — — examples include water or grit on the road, slippery road markings, road construction, uneven pavement, metal grates, etc.
- If you cannot clearly see a way out of the space you’re going into (for example, if a van or SUV is blocking your view).
- Between trucks, buses, RVs, and other wide vehicles.
- Around or through curves. — If you are not fully alert and aware of your surroundings.
- If you are unable to react to changing conditions instantaneously.
- If you don’t feel comfortable with the situation.

To read the full text on Lane splitting general guidelines, CLICK HERE!!!

Is it too soon to make conclusions?

In my opinion, authorities should make more studies with more precise conclusions. Also, the studies must be performed on a far larger scale and in different regions, in different situations and be compared with information between different cultures as well. That would require a far more proactive approach from the legislative bodies as well as from the riding community. Only after the legislative bodies make an effort and gather the conclusive information, they should jump to definitions. But as with many other things, action is required to create the opportunity to make changes on such a large scale.

You should never split lanes where it is forbidden by the law, regardless if you favourite this kind of behaviour for safety or any other reason. That being said, the researchers concluded there is a bigger number of rear-end collisions in slow-moving or stop-and-go traffic compared to average traffic flow conditions. For this particular reason, you should be considering any potential safety measures when you are stuck in traffic. Especially in countries, where lane filtering isn’t legal. Make sure the driver behinds you will notice you, and you can get some hints on how to achieve that in one of my previous blogs, TOP 5 advice to make your motorcycle more visible on the road.

In the end, what you can do for your own safety should be your top priority. You should never rely on other motorists to make the right decision, always anticipate the worst and ride accordingly. Defensive riding with the right amount of anticipation and upgrading your riding skills is where you should start. Also, there is a lot of safety equipment that can complement the idea of increasing your safety, such as the brake light modulators and a proper self-cancelling turn signal system can also add to the efficiency of proper indication of your intentions, by preventing false indication.

What are your experiences with lane splitting? Do you support the idea for the benefits it brings or are you against it? I don’t want to jump to conclusions, but I would like to hear your point of view.

Source links:

* California Motorcyclist Safety Program, Lane splitting general guidelines
** American Motorcyclist Association
*** The Telegraph — Why commuting by motorcycle is good for everyone
**** Safe Transportation Research & Education Center University of California Berkeley