Between the Lines
“Never ride faster than your Guardian Angel can fly,” is a well-known saying among motorcycle riders. And, we all need to share the road. Essentially, this speaks to my pet peeve of motorcyclists who lane split at high speeds especially those who lane split in tight traffic. Lane splitting, also known as: white-lining, filtering, lane sharing, or stripe-riding, is where a motorcyclist shares the lane with other vehicles intermittently. By weaving back and forth and teasing blind spots, motorcyclists cause a major distraction including increased hazards to driving. I sporadically encounter lane splitting while commuting through Los Angeles and while visiting San Diego. Because these individuals lane split, they make my (commuting) …show more content…
But, it is the driver of the vehicle who is involved in the accident who has to live with the trauma and consequences of the motorcyclists’ sole choices. The driver of the vehicle does not have the luxury of easily maneuvering away from such incidents. Additionally, the distraction factor becomes relevant as the speed increases and ones reflexes decrease. To this effect, the California DMV Handbook for Motorcycles advises caution regarding lane splitting: “Vehicles and motorcycles each need a full lane to operate safely and riding between rows of stopped or moving vehicles in the same lane can leave you vulnerable. A vehicle could turn suddenly or change lanes, a door could open, or hand could come out the window.” Indeed, lane splitting is legal --when safe-- in California, and appears to be resourceful, yet the potential for harm (at high speeds) is too great a risk for all parties involved. Yes, motorcyclists need their own “designated” lane to be efficient while riding to prevent overheating, insomuch as motorcycles are air-cooled and have no radiator; however, in the meantime, while the “share the road” efforts increase, I continue to question: Is lane splitting -–at high speed-- too great a risk with regard to ALL drivers
“Never ride faster than your Guardian Angel can fly,” is a well-known saying among motorcycle riders. And, we all need to share the road. Essentially, this speaks to my pet peeve of motorcyclists who lane split at high speeds especially those who lane split in tight traffic. Lane splitting, also known as: white-lining, filtering, lane sharing, or stripe-riding, is where a motorcyclist shares the lane with other vehicles intermittently. By weaving back and forth and teasing blind spots, motorcyclists cause a major distraction including increased hazards to driving. I sporadically encounter lane splitting while commuting through Los Angeles and while visiting San Diego. Because these individuals lane split, they make my (commuting) …show more content…
But, it is the driver of the vehicle who is involved in the accident who has to live with the trauma and consequences of the motorcyclists’ sole choices. The driver of the vehicle does not have the luxury of easily maneuvering away from such incidents. Additionally, the distraction factor becomes relevant as the speed increases and ones reflexes decrease. To this effect, the California DMV Handbook for Motorcycles advises caution regarding lane splitting: “Vehicles and motorcycles each need a full lane to operate safely and riding between rows of stopped or moving vehicles in the same lane can leave you vulnerable. A vehicle could turn suddenly or change lanes, a door could open, or hand could come out the window.” Indeed, lane splitting is legal --when safe-- in California, and appears to be resourceful, yet the potential for harm (at high speeds) is too great a risk for all parties involved. Yes, motorcyclists need their own “designated” lane to be efficient while riding to prevent overheating, insomuch as motorcycles are air-cooled and have no radiator; however, in the meantime, while the “share the road” efforts increase, I continue to question: Is lane splitting -–at high speed-- too great a risk with regard to ALL drivers