Lane Sharing question for Cali

[FJRBluesman]

With reference to this post I have this question (below) for Cali and former Cali lane sharers.

I have had this happen too many times; a car comes up from behind me and lane shares with me! That’s so much fun!

Out of the blue, I’ll be riding usually to the right or left side of the lane (for miles) and then I’ll notice out of the corner of my eye, a front fender. I glance over to see said cager within inches of me. I take immediate evasive action to get some distance between us, and I may signal to them my displeasure. I’ve also had people do this to me in retribution to me lane sharing and passing them, then they catch up and do the same back. That’s swell! All rather dangerous for us motorcycle riders.

Question: Have you had similar situations?

I take the risk of getting hit lane sharing, I don’t need added risk of cagers I don’t expect to be in my lane, sneaking up on me like Bust does a sheep.

I must admit, it has got better than yesteryear. Many people see me and move, I’m grateful and show my appreciation. I’ve had people cut me off on purpose, spit on me, put their arm out (this one cracks me up, if I hit their arm, it’ll probably be broken), or slowly put the squeeze on me. I watch people carefully, they look in mirrors, turn heads, etc.

Another recent event was with a car full of teenagers is in front of me. They see I’m lane sharing thru traffic. The three kids in the back all look back at me with a grin, I know something’s coming up. Sure enough they start weaving, etc. More glances back, laughter, etc. I get thoughts.

I even had some :asshat: come into my lane on purpose on a twisty road just to see my expression. They all laughed as I slammed on the skids with my eyes as big as saucers not knowing what they were doing.

All for the love of riding.

Ride safe folks.

 

[SacramentoMike]

Oh, HELL no! I have had, at least once, some dick try to squeeze me into a big-assed semi as I tried to go through, with traffic crawling along pretty slowly. That was the worst. Others have blocked me from going through, but I'd say most every time that was due to just being an inattentive idiot. Sooner or later you can always get by in those cases.

But moving up in the lane next to you? Jeezus, I think I'd dive into their passenger window like Roy Rogers used to tackle the bad guy off his horse! I hope it never happens to me, to you again, or to anybody else, but no. Never. Yet.

 

[Fairlaner]

I Always carry a pocket full of change just for the idiots that ride to close......

R

 

[johnny80s]

That's why all good commuters always carry their ex-large adjustable wrench in their back pocket. In case people need an attitude adjustment.

 

[Silver Penguin]

It sure is a scary feeling when THEY come to share YOUR lane. Been there, done that, had the palpitations. I guess it comes down to having 360 degree awareness and being willing to concede that right of way goes to the biggest, most stable vehicle.

 

[Fairlaner]

Jill right of way goes to the fastest, didn't you know.

R

 

[painman]

One reason I like to lane share less as possible and when I do I'm "always" going faster than traffic so this can't happen.

While I don't commute, the only time I lane share is when traffic is 30 mph or slower. Then I don't go over 5-10 mph faster than that while sharing and that is "only" between lane 1 and 2. Otherwise, if not sharing I don't give anyone enough room to "share" my lane. :nono: Unless it's another bike.

Anytime you leave an open space in your lane or the lane next to you that's when someone will come up and occupy that space. And if you are not looking for it, you can get caught off guard. Annnnnnd that is when accidents happen when you are caught off guard. Just my .02 peso's worth. PM. <>< Be Safe.

 

[MojaveFJR]

One of things they taught us in MSF was to guard your lane. I do this when traffic slows by moving over to the side of my lane where there are cars. Tough when they are on both sides but, then I share and like the other inmate, never more than 5-10 mph. Don't do it enough to be comfortable. My only issues have been freakin trucks, f-150's and such with those extended freakin mirrors. Like the KTM for sharing as the handle bars go over most cars and under most SUV's mirrors. The FEEJ's mirrors are right there with the cager's.

Long story short, I use the bike to protect my lane. If this ever happens, then just accelerate. Throttle is more often then not your friend. Yeah, that can be argue'd too.

 

[Checkswrecks]

The worst was the chump who left tire marks on the leg of my 'Stitch as he tried to push me into the curb. It was strange to instantly KNOW what the feeling was at the time and I still kick myself for letting him slide into that position unnoticed.

I really do try to control my space. If that means moving in front of a car, so be it. If on the white line, I'm either coming or going, not sitting next to somebody.

As for those asshats who want to be aggressive, we just can't win and need to be away from them asap.

 

[Auburn]

I only get down to Cali once in a while. The last time I got the pleasure of lane sharing on a Friday afternoon commute in the bay area heading over to Monterey for a World Superbike weekend. I was with a group of 10 other motorcycles when traffic started to slow to a stop. I forget the freeway but I think it was I-680 near Benicia. Anyway, we all singled up and prepared to lane share.

As luck would have it, there was a motorcycle mounted CHP in the lead. He led the way, with the 10 of us following and probably another 10 behind us too. Of course the first asshat, decided he didn't like motorcycles being able to get ahead of him. Mr. Asshat started to squeeze the CHP into a vehicle on the left. Until he saw that it was a CHP, then he could not move over fast enough to give the CHP room. Since the cars were at a standstill, the CHP stopped and gave the asshat a quick lecture about lane sharing I assume.

Most times I have had the oppertunity to lane share, people have been very accomodating and readily give space to let you by, but as many have said there is always that one or two that are going to f*ck with you or are just asshats and are intent on hurting you.

It would be cool to see a few CHP ride unmarked bikes and ticket a few of these asshats.

 

[AVGeek]

One of the few things I miss about Cali is lane sharing...although I've been pretty lucky in Nevada and Arizona to find less congested routes. I have had all of the above experiences, and in the long run, it boils down to controlling the space around you. I have no issue with speeding up or slowing down to keep any vehicle I don't trust where I want them in relation to me.

 

[RavFJR]

I've experienced similar situations that you have expressed, with one requiring me to kick one cager's car door before almost being run off the road. I now carry wrist-rocket ball-bearings. I make every opportunity to remove myself from the harassment, but if the 'cager' continues to ensue, the ball bearings come out. I'd rather tell the police why I was throwing ball-bearings than either wake up from a coma or die.

 

[exskibum]

For the most part, I haven't had those kinds of problems. But then, I don't commute on the bike, and usually only lane share when traffic is under 15-20 mph, or at stop lights. Over all these years of riding in Calif, though, I have had the occasional asshat try to stuff me into another car or block me from getting through. IMO, some of that, if intentional, is assault with a deadly weapon. Much as it's been a long road maturing past my adolescent urge to do something more, I mostly just try to get as far from those people as possible ASAP.

Tempting as it may be, throwing hard objects at other vehicles is probably going to be an escalation that is unlikely to be considered justifiable self defense (because it isn't reasonably calculated to stop an ongoing attack), will predictably make the situation worse unless you can get away, and is nearly certain to get you a trip to jail if you get caught doing it. Probably not very good PR for motorcyclists or lane sharing, either. I completely GET the urge to do it, however. B)

 

[TomInPA]

I don't get the ball bearing thing during lane sharing. If I have an aggressive driver that I have passed, in heavy traffic, it would be extremely rare he could keep up. In moderate or light traffic that is moving reasonably fast, I'm not splitting anyway. Being pursued by a road raged driver is the worst nightmare I can imagine,and ball bearings are not going to stop someone like that.

 

[RavFJR]

I don't get the ball bearing thing during lane sharing. If I have an aggressive driver that I have passed, in heavy traffic, it would be extremely rare he could keep up. In moderate or light traffic that is moving reasonably fast, I'm not splitting anyway. Being pursued by a road raged driver is the worst nightmare I can imagine,and ball bearings are not going to stop someone like that.

The "ball-bearing thing" is not during lane sharing, but rather if I'm being harassed... I had one situation where the FJR's speed could not remove me from an aggressive cager. I was on a two-lane, curvy road with a lot of traffic. And yes, flinging a few over my shoulder backed off the cager until I could pass - removing me from the harassment.

 

[HYCLE]

I have had a car lane share with me. No hard feelings. I think I have the right to share a lane when I want to so why shouldn't he.

I have the advantage of a fast bike and can move away quickly and would not waste my time or energy fighting on the freeway. I would be breaking the law throwing objects or hitting another vehicle.

Just my way. Ride happy.

Mike

 

[RavFJR]

I have had a car lane share with me. No hard feelings. I think I have the right to share a lane when I want to so why shouldn't he.

I have the advantage of a fast bike and can move away quickly and would not waste my time or energy fighting on the freeway. I would be breaking the law throwing objects or hitting another vehicle.

Just my way. Ride happy.

Mike

Let me clarify, I don't go around throwing ball-bearings at cars. It is a last resort tactic when I'm in fear for my life. Generally, like most, I just move on... Sorry for ruffling some feathers.

 

[exskibum]

I don't get the ball bearing thing during lane sharing. If I have an aggressive driver that I have passed, in heavy traffic, it would be extremely rare he could keep up. In moderate or light traffic that is moving reasonably fast, I'm not splitting anyway. Being pursued by a road raged driver is the worst nightmare I can imagine,and ball bearings are not going to stop someone like that.

The "ball-bearing thing" is not during lane sharing, but rather if I'm being harassed... I had one situation where the FJR's speed could not remove me from an aggressive cager. I was on a two-lane, curvy road with a lot of traffic. And yes, flinging a few over my shoulder backed off the cager until I could pass - removing me from the harassment.

Glad you're ok, but you were gambling on just what kind of neanderthal was behind you. Getting rear-ended, forced off the road or shot are not out of the question when you escalate a confrontation, especially from so vulnerable a position.

I've been in a couple aggressive driver situations in the riding circumstance you've described, and it's not quite like being on a track to have to push the bike that hard to get away from someone who is intent on scaring or crashing you. In fact, I've pretty much needed both hands and every skill I have, so I'd expect my evasive abilities and safety would be seriously compromised simply by taking the time and making the effort to pitch objects at the car, even if it was just over my shoulder. Get caught and the DA will have your ass for lunch, and you can be pretty sure that the aggressive driver will be acting like, and portrayed as some poor innocent who was just sport driving that road, exactly like you were. Wanna bet a LEO will tell you exactly the same thing?

I don't think "ruffled feathers" is an appropriate description of the responses your comment invited. But "correcting any misimpression that throwing things at another car is even close to being a likely successful tactic" may be. Again -- glad you got through it safely and without any charges.

 

[RavFJR]

I don't get the ball bearing thing during lane sharing. If I have an aggressive driver that I have passed, in heavy traffic, it would be extremely rare he could keep up. In moderate or light traffic that is moving reasonably fast, I'm not splitting anyway. Being pursued by a road raged driver is the worst nightmare I can imagine,and ball bearings are not going to stop someone like that.

The "ball-bearing thing" is not during lane sharing, but rather if I'm being harassed... I had one situation where the FJR's speed could not remove me from an aggressive cager. I was on a two-lane, curvy road with a lot of traffic. And yes, flinging a few over my shoulder backed off the cager until I could pass - removing me from the harassment.

Glad you're ok, but you were gambling on just what kind of neanderthal was behind you. Getting rear-ended, forced off the road or shot are not out of the question when you escalate a confrontation, especially from so vulnerable a position.

I've been in a couple aggressive driver situations in the riding circumstance you've described, and it's not quite like being on a track to have to push the bike that hard to get away from someone who is intent on scaring or crashing you. In fact, I've pretty much needed both hands and every skill I have, so I'd expect my evasive abilities and safety would be seriously compromised simply by taking the time and making the effort to pitch objects at the car, even if it was just over my shoulder. Get caught and the DA will have your ass for lunch, and you can be pretty sure that the aggressive driver will be acting like, and portrayed as some poor innocent who was just sport driving that road, exactly like you were. Wanna bet a LEO will tell you exactly the same thing?

I don't think "ruffled feathers" is an appropriate description of the responses your comment invited. But "correcting any misimpression that throwing things at another car is even close to being a likely successful tactic" may be. Again -- glad you got through it safely and without any charges.

You are right with all of your comments...and has made me re-think and retire this tactic. The situation I was in almost got me killed. As the (laughing) cager thought it sporting to attempt to bump me. I could have reached back and touched the car - this is how close it was. I tried to evade, but traffic was too heavy. The ball-bearings offered me the chance (after the cager backed off) to focus on what was in front of me, then plan and make an escape. But you are right, you can never guess the reaction of a aggressive driver. Prior to this, in the many years of riding, I have been purposely been run off the road twice - for no reason other than amusement. Thanks for the post.