When I first moved to CA from Texas, where they don't allow lanesplitting, I thought those guys were insane. Then, I found myself on my bike, stuck in traffic watching them go by. I tried it, found it's probably MUCH less dangerous than just driving in ordinay traffic, and became an enthusiastic lanesplitter. The main accidents on a busy freeway are accordian-type pileups - you're in more danger IN a lane there! The most common MC accident is someone not seeing you, and turning in front of or into you at an intersection - it doesn't happen on the freeway.
I had a very fast, narrow and nimble bike, a Honda VFR. I found I could see and avoid trouble faster than it could take me out. If a jerk sees you coming and creeps sideways to close you off, shoot around to the opening on the other side. Before he has time to honk, you're already past him.
One contract programming job, my commute was 66 miles one way on S. Cal. freeways. In a car, that meant 1 1/2 hrs or more. On my bike, it was just under an hour. |
