Do you filter past cops?

Discussion in 'Anything Goes' started by GatorGreg, Apr 27, 2018.

  1. Bubba Utah

    Bubba Utah Member

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    "filtering" ,"Lane splitting" I really don't get the need other than pissing off cagers that have been waiting to get going and frustrated already. For them looking in the rear mirror seeing and thinking "this asshole biker is trying to come by and wants to get in front F.ck them". Why aggravate another motorist with so much road rage going on. In Utah, sorry to say some motorist would pull out in front of you and even collide with you if traffic was held up with construction or heavy traffic. Even in normal traffic with cell phones and texting people make stupid lane changes without looking. I am for one not to practice this art. I have enough trouble staying alive on the bike. I also think that I saw a report of motorcycle deaths nationally being for the most part being at intersections and stopped or splitting lanes and under 30mph. Have fun for those that do. Stay safe! To many ass hat 18-23yr olds dying with stupid decisions.

    P.S. In Utah it is illegal, and if you have a passenger you could be charged not only with reckless driving, failure to yield, improper lane change. You also could be charged with reckless endangerment of a passenger. Insurance companies rule in Utah. :) Utah cops hate motorcyclist because of this type of behavior and the accidents and stupid deaths they see. Especially motorcycle cops.
     
  2. fink

    fink Member

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    Here’s one for you to watch Bubba. Enjoy. :)

     
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  3. cat0020

    cat0020 Trumper

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    American car culture is: roads belong to cars, other vehicle just don't belong; especially when traffic flow comes to a crawl.
    Bicycles and motorcycles are toys, don't belong on the roads even when traffic flow slows to a standstill; it would be justified if someone gets hurt trying to get by when I'm stuck in bumper-to-bumper in my car .

    I've lived in many countries around the world, most of them don't have roads as nice as here in the US, most of them have 2-wheel vehicle outnumber cars;
    filtering & lane-splitting for 2-wheel vehicle among cars are common as pedestrians jaywalking. AFAIK, vehicle fatality in those countries are no higher proportionally than US statistics. In addition, most of those countries have no laws or regulations that pertain to filtering or lane-splitting.

    If you choose to operate a vehicle that cannot maneuver among tight traffic pattern, why hinder other vehicles that can get by safely without problem?

    Sure there are cyclists and motorcyclists that set bad examples and ride poorly among traffic, endanger others on the road; but are all cyclist or motorcyclist to be stereotyped as such?

    Legal or not, the facts are: filtering through traffic standstill when you have a narrow vehicle is just helping to reduce traffic volume, reduce pollution levels and overall reduce wait time for all stuck in traffic.
    Most American drivers fail to realize that and think allowing narrower vehicles to filter through is somehow unfair for those stuck in traffic with larger vehicles. Sad that people can't think for the common good beyond their own immediate surrounding; that's big problem in current American society.
     
    Last edited: Apr 29, 2018
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  4. 34468 Randy

    34468 Randy Secret Insider

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    I can't believe the absent mindedness of all those shits who leave their doors open. Each door left open is approximately three feet or travel space that an emergency vehicle cannot use. What is worse, people leave the door open, then walk away from the car. Close the fucking door?
     
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  5. fink

    fink Member

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    Along with playing tennis and football on the carriageway.
     
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  6. Bubba Utah

    Bubba Utah Member

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    “IMO” A motorcyclist shutting doors is bullshit. What if someone or a child was getting out? Come on, everyone was there for a while (30mins to an hour) and getting out of the car and having the engine and A/C off, that cuts down emissions. As far as doors being open and engines off what temp was it? Did they need to get out due to the heat with no A/c and being there for over 30+ mins and having a child or an animal with you in the car? Kids are everywhere because they need to get out, or have the parents freak out on them. Everyone is stressed out in this scenario! Tempers are flying. Kids are freaking out; Pets are overheating or pissing in the car. If the splitters were smart they should have just gone down the emergency lane on the left to avoid a lot of risk to property and themselves since both could be illegal. For emergency personnel or law enforcement they have the emergency lane to go down so that is not an issue.



    Why do those that lane split or filter feel the need or think that they have the right to do this because they are just smaller? If there is room on the left or right, go in that direction -still illegal since it is not a “Traffic Lane”, and not affecting all of those cars and people. No wonder why the non-motorcyclist public has a disregard to Motorcyclists. Motorcycles are “Motor Vehicles” buy law, as well as cars in the U.S. and are accountable to the same laws. If Lane splitting Is legal go for it, and I hope that the citizens know the law and accommodate us! But in the video “IMO” The bikes should not impede on the space in a traffic lane that another motor vehicle occupies. No matter what is going on in that space.



    I am defiantly not a saint! I break the speeding laws and passing laws in Utah on the bike. I do not lane spilt or “filter” because I want to live and keep the bike undamaged, but once I did go to the right or the traffic lane with room to get on a Highway on-ramp past 2 cars blocking the access due to waiting to going straight up the road. I would not do what this video showed particularly if the time frame that it was as long for those that where in it. “IMO” it was foolish, with brazen disregard to other “Motorists”, people, children and animals in a very stressful situation that the video showed.



    I just raised my seat on the bike so maybe I could be charged with “sitting on a high horse” But I will not be getting off it any time soon with this topic for me. ;-)
     
  7. VFR4Lee

    VFR4Lee Member

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    You might learn to filter if you had to travel the 405 or any other freeway here when it is busy.
    Couple years ago I had to go to a class by LAX, it started at 9 AM.
    First couple days I took the VFR and got there in about 45 minutes and the same going home.
    7 or 8 miles of splitting on the way down, not quite as bad in the PM.
    Third day I got tired of the tension and high alert needed, and took the car.
    Trip too twice as long, each way. :Yell:

    People here expect it, and it is safer then sitting in the jam and maybe getting rear ended.
    I split up to red lights too. Light goes green, and braaap. :Peace:
     
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  8. GatorGreg

    GatorGreg Honda Fanboy/LitiGator

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    That's the main reason I filter up to red lights - the unimpeded acceleration that comes afterwards :D
     
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  9. Brian Boyer

    Brian Boyer New Member

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    I don't understand why people lane filter, its absolutely rude as fuck and absolutely needlessly dangerous, and yes I understand i will get flamed for saying so..

    Lane filtering does absolutely nothing to other motorists but give motorcycle riders a bad image,.. it's absolutely inconsiderate ~ IN MY OPINION~

    I see no benefits to lane filtering/ and "but if you lived where i live in heavy taffic",.. BULLSHIT,.. i call bullshit in advance LOL
     
  10. 34468 Randy

    34468 Randy Secret Insider

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    You can replace "Lane Filtering" with "gun ownership" on this thread.
     
  11. Samuel

    Samuel Member

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    Whether anyone outside CA likes it or not, it's permitted here. And, for the most part/all else being equal/IME, it's also accepted by most non-motorcyclists here... And, fwiw, it's "lane split" or "split lanes" - filter is something you do to air, water, oil, coffee, cigarettes, etc... ;)
     
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  12. fink

    fink Member

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    Bet you hate queue jumpers. :) But everyone is entitled to their opinions so no flaming from me.

    Why do you think it’s inconsiderate?

    It’s the difference between being stuck in traffic for hours going nowhere , or in the case of a daily commute ( not that I encounter anything like that,bar the odd herd of sheep now and again) an hours ride or 2.5 hr commute in a tin box.

    Think of it another way tin box is roughly the same size as 4 bikes , most of time only one occupant. Bikes take up 1/4 of the space. Can you imagine if everyone had a bike and commuted on it the traffic congestion problems would be alleviated. I’m not talking about wagons and vans delivering stuff just commuting vehicles here.

    Why get irate about someone who is able to utilise the gap and make progress. Now I’m talking about doing 5-10 mph in stationary traffic not the idiots who try n do 60. I don’t agree with those.

    A wee wave of thanks to those that move over n let you past makes a if difference.
     
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  13. fink

    fink Member

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    Different country different rules Bubba. Not allowed to use hard shoulder only in case of emergency. If you were watching you would have seen the traffic car coming down it the opposite way. It was quite a nice day, pleasant you say but no need for air con. It’s a motorway so generally speaking you shouldn’t exit the vehicle as traffic may start rolling again ( which it did about 10 mins later). Imagine ready to go then realising the kids and Fido have disappeared for a walk or you’ve just set out the picnic. Not wise.

    I was riding the lead bike on that video. No one was getting out of cars and there was no danger shutting them . Outside portion next to central reservation is not a good place to ride as it’s fullof rubbish and debris so increases the chances of puncture . People were also picnicing on it.

    It’s legal do do it here and most drivers are happy to let bikes filter. Didn’t see many unhappy folk apart from the driver .

    Oh there was a game of football going on on the opposite carriageway and they nearly caused another accident when the traffic was released.
     
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  14. Nelix

    Nelix New Member

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    Filtering here is perfectly legal. It is also common sense. Why do you think the police and paramedics use bikes? It allows them to quickly and safely cut through traffic to get to where they are needed.
    Imho if filtering is legal and you sit in a traffic queue on a bike you are a moron.
     
  15. scottbott

    scottbott Member

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    I remember coming back from Brands Hatch after watching WSB (in the 90's) and we hit solid stationery traffic so we filtered for nearly 12.5 miles, bloody great when we got to the front, it was just the amount of traffic being held up by the toll booths on the M25
     
  16. reg71

    reg71 Poser Staff Member

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    From 2015 CycleWorld: "A new study by the University of California Berkeley shows that motorcyclists who split lanes in heavy traffic are significantly less likely to be struck from behind by other motorists and are less likely to suffer head or torso injuries, the American Motorcyclist Association reports."

    https://www.cycleworld.com/2015/06/02/ama-study-finds-lane-splitting-increases-rider-saftey

    Then let's add in the decrease in traffic. Each bike if it sits in traffic, increases the length of that line of traffic by another 10 ft give or take.

    Then let's add in pollution, each bike if it sits and idles for an extra hour probably pollutes a bit more.

    Then let's consider air cooled bikes...if a bike is air cooled and overheats, then you just increased traffic a lot by blocking it while the tow truck comes after you.

    There really is no point in a motorcycle having to sit in a line of cars if there is room for them to get through. anyone who is mad because they are splitting is welcome to go buy a bike and join us. They can deal with the trade off of being invisible and getting wet in the rain or bugs in your face.

    And yes, I filter by cops in cages. I have filtered behind them on the 405 when they were on bikes, and I have passed them on the freeway when they are going slower than I want to go. As long as you aren't riding like an ass the HP in CA seems to let you get on with life.
     
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  17. Brian Boyer

    Brian Boyer New Member

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    Any study out of U.C.Berkeley you can wipe your ass with~

    Its rude as fuck, PERIOD
     
  18. Bubba Utah

    Bubba Utah Member

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    if the rules are accepted great and by that I mean the other motorists. I know this was in Europe somewhere, but I was looking at in a U.S/Utah perspective and that right there would have ended in an accident to the rider due to road rage. It does look kinda fun for the thrill factor. But not for me. P.S. did not know that was you.:)
     
  19. 34468 Randy

    34468 Randy Secret Insider

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    Brian. I really don't why you think it is rude to filter past a cop, in California anyways. maybe where it is not permitted, I could understand your point about rudeness but not in California. Cops there do not care if you split prudently. Hell, most places most cops don't care if you filter up front at a red light, with the understood caveat that in other places, this may not be so safe due mainly the crazy ignorance of the cage driver. I understand what is likely being considered by the cop.

    I don't split at home but I sure will if need any time I am in Cali. Even if they do make it legal here, I won't. These air head cagers here would take about four generations of drivers to accept and realize bikes are splitting and not run them over.
     
    Last edited: May 1, 2018
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  20. GatorGreg

    GatorGreg Honda Fanboy/LitiGator

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    Thanks for that link - it was an interesting read. In addition to rider safety as outlined in the study and the other benefits you mentioned I'm thinking that legalization of filtering/lane splitting in Florida would also incentivize more people to commute on motorcycles and scooters. I could definitely see a cager sitting in traffic watching a biker cruise by saying to themselves, "Hey that looks like fun AND I could get to work in half the time - hell, I need to look into getting me one of them there motorcycle/scooters too!" :D Having more people choose to leave their cages at home and commute on motorcycles and scooters instead would decrease congestion and pollution.
     
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