Newspaper Article on Lane Splitting

[James Burleigh]

So when I got home this evening my wife showed me an article in the Contra Costa Times about lane splitting. See it here.

It's kind of a lame article, but interesting as a cultural artifact exploring how insects view birds. There's one quote in particular I think is typical and points up the difference in perspective between motorcyclists and cagers:



"It scares me when they come zooming up between lanes," said Liz Martin of El Cerrito. "You look in your mirror and go to change lanes and suddenly there's a motorcycle right there. I try to be cautious, but it just doesn't seem safe."

This is almost verbatim what a woman I work with said to me just yesterday. She said words to the effect of, "I've almost hit a motorcycle several times." To which I responded, "From your perspective, you think you almost hit a motorcycle. From the motorcyclist's perspective, you didn't come anywhere near almost hitting him. I spend a large part of my commute about 12 inches away from automobiles."

I believe it's a question of a variance in sensory perception. From my perspective, I have widened and unfocused my vision to take in at a glance all the activity going on in my path. I am aware of the relative speeds of the cars, of their proximity to each other, their lane discipline, whether there is a space a car might want to move over into, relative speeds of the two lanes I'm splitting and whether cars will want o jump over, pavement condition, semi-trucks two lanes over and how that will affect flow, that sea of brake lights 300 yards ahead, etc. My speed and position change constantly to adjust and maneuver. And compared with my acceleration capability, you are like a insect trapped in amber. And on top of all that, I know when you're going to change lanes before you do.

The cage driver is spacing out and suddenly thinks, "Gee, I think I'll maybe change lanes." So she starts to come out of her fog and struggles to become aware of what's going on around her. At that moment a motorcycle goes by that she didn't see before it shot by. The motorcyclist was in no danger, but she has associated the thought of changing lanes with an imminent action, so that when the bike goes by and surprises her, she interprets that coincidence of sensory information as, "I almost hit that motorcyle." The attendant surprise at seeing the bike is translated into fear and ultimately anger at "Those goddamn motorcycles!"

I will say unequivocally and without exception, I feel safest in heavy traffic when I am moving in and around cars as if they were traffic cones in a parking lot.

JB

 

[Last Chance]

So when I got home this evening my wife showed me an article in the Contra Costa Times about lane splitting. See it here.
It's kind of a lame article, but interesting as a cultural artifact exploring how insects view birds. There's one quote in particular I think is typical and points up the difference in perspective between motorcyclists and cagers:



"It scares me when they come zooming up between lanes," said Liz Martin of El Cerrito. "You look in your mirror and go to change lanes and suddenly there's a motorcycle right there. I try to be cautious, but it just doesn't seem safe."

This is almost verbatim what a woman I work with said to me just yesterday. She said words to the effect of, "I've almost hit a motorcycle several times." To which I responded, "From your perspective, you think you almost hit a motorcycle. From the motorcyclist's perspective, you didn't come anywhere near almost hitting him. I spend a large part of my commute about 12 inches away from automobiles."

I believe it's a question of a variance in sensory perception. From my perspective, I have widened and unfocused my vision to take in at a glance all the activity going on in my path. I am aware of the relative speeds of the cars, of their proximity to each other, their lane discipline, whether there is a space a car might want to move over into, relative speeds of the two lanes I'm splitting and whether cars will want o jump over, pavement condition, semi-trucks two lanes over and how that will affect flow, that sea of brake lights 300 yards ahead, etc. My speed and position change constantly to adjust and maneuver. And compared with my acceleration capability, you are like a insect trapped in amber. And on top of all that, I know when you're going to change lanes before you do.

The cage driver is spacing out and suddenly thinks, "Gee, I think I'll maybe change lanes." So she starts to come out of her fog and struggles to become aware of what's going on around her. At that moment a motorcycle goes by that she didn't see before it shot by. The motorcyclist was in no danger, but she has associated the thought of changing lanes with an imminent action, so that when the bike goes by and surprises her, she interprets that coincidence of sensory information as, "I almost hit that motorcyle." The attendant surprise at seeing the bike is translated into fear and ultimately anger at "Those goddamn motorcycles!"I will say unequivocally and without exception, I feel safest in heavy traffic when I am moving in and around cars as if they were traffic cones in a parking lot. Here's how I stated it in an unpublished article I drafted about my commute (Full Article):



"By the time I get on 101 south by Candlestick I am loaded for bear, balls to the wall, a maniac. Traffic is moving at 70-75 mph. Too slow. I fly in and around and through the traffic. I am a three-dimensional creature in a two dimensional world in which the drivers are sealed in their hermetic globes, a part of yet detached from their surroundings. They are in their offices talking on the phone, in their kitchens eating breakfast, their bathrooms shaving, their living rooms reading the paper, or sitting in Starbucks having a latte—all at 70 miles an hour. They weave in their lanes, change lanes by accident, and hit their brakes for no reason. They don’t take driving seriously.


 
"But I am 100 percent engaged in what I am doing. My mind is on the road. I’m not talking on the phone to my friend because I’m bored, or eating a hamburger. And I don’t care if the drivers don’t see me, because what I do doesn’t presume they do. Nor does what I do require your cooperation let alone your permission. What motorcycles lack in visibility they make up for in agility. What they are not given—like the right of way—they take.
I used to try to explain my riding style to cagers, but I'm through doing that; no more excuses. It's dangerous out there, and as long as we have to deal with drivers who don't take driving seriously, I will do what I need to do to get through it all in one piece. I know that pisses drivers off, but I don't care. **** 'em! And I also know that it pisses off some motorcyclists who think they can influence cagers' perception about motorcyclists. I don't believe that, and I sure can't control what cagers think, so to hell with that too. What about my perception of cagers?

And don't forget that other reason we split lanes: Because it's a game. Why is it a game?--because it takes skill and judgment and timing, but most of all because it’s fun as hell! :yahoo:

James (I don't drive my motorcycle. I ride it) Burleigh

aka "Horse's Arse"

Yes, James I must admit I, too, enjoy the game. However, spending the next 10-12 hours after riding to work, experiencing, the "other side of the coin" provides me a good perspective of the "other side". I truly believe 50% of auto drivers are oblivious of what exists beyond their front bumper. That goes for all directions. They just don't "Aim high in steering" (Smith system rule #1. It means keeping track of what is going on 15 seconds in front of you.) They don't "Get the big picture" (Rule #2 This can best be described as being aware of ALL aspects around you that can/will effect your vehicle. Stale green lights, merging traffic ahead, Spastic MC riders driving erratically and unsafely fast, street racers, and a million other factors that can an will interfere with your "space" cushion. Experience and Rule #3 "Keep your eyes moving" insures your are constantly aware of threats to your continued progress and threats to your carefully maintained "space cushion". The object is to have adequate "space cushion" not always on all four side, but enough sides to maintain safety. This means you need Rule#4 "Leave yourself and out" In a semi perhaps the shoulder, or an open lane next to you to move to, or just backing off 2-3 mph to "open up" your front space cushion, or moving to a lane that is more open, etc. Lastly rule 5 come into play, "Make sure they see you" Lights, horn, tapping brake lights and signaling all play a part here. One wouldn't think people wouldn't have a problem "seeing a 75' long semi-truck pulling pups, but they do. Sometime you have to make them "focus" on the fact are about to do a stupid suicidal thing, such as merging onto the freeway at the point where all that is there is my dolly between my trailers and no more room at the inn. All of which could have been avoided if they had checked over their shoulder and looked in the mirror and perhaps trying to use the throttle to "match" the flow of traffic at the point where they arrive at the lane.

I am convinced that people play the "game" almost subconsciously, they don't signal, because they know it will give the guy behind a heads up as to what they want/are going to do. Since, when they see a signal, they try to speed up to prevent that guy (you) from getting in front of them, they know if they, themselves, signaled that "guy" would do the same thing to them. So no one signals anymore. The only exception is trucks (and fewer and fewer of them) and other properly trained people that understand the purpose of signaling is safety. Oh, and there are those that signal only when it is not necessary, that is when there is no danger it would alert the person/s around them sufficiently for them to cut the signaler off

Lane "sharing" works in Europe much better, because the drivers there are: A, better trained and B, more considerate. Here it like a "death match" in the cage. A fight to the finish.

I think 30-40 percent of the drivers "react" subsciously in one way or another as in the following manner: This is th "typical" reaction of the car coming up behind me when I "signal a lane change"in my truck. I've learned, in my truck, not to signal a lane change as a "request" hoping drivers would be courteous and back off and let me over. At least not if it is imperative to change lanes. No, I plan my move, spotting that tiny space large enough to get the front of my truck into the lane. (Not really, I usually wait till there is a space at least as large as my turck, 75 feet.) Then, I simultaneously apply my turn signal and MOVE my front axle into the lane. The driver behind me goes through this thought process: "OH, he going to move into my lane, I don't want him to ." (when signal blinks once) "I'll speed up." Then, "Oh, some large object is blocking my path." (could be, the tractor now in is the new lane by the 3rd blink) Then the realization that there is 55 more feet of large menacing object (the trailers) somehow moving over into his lane also. "Oh I had better brake or they/it will hit me." This scenario repeats itself all day long with few exceptions

I've come to perceive my job has become to prevent people driving autos and yes, motorcycles, from committing suicide by placing their car in such a position that my 80000 lb truck will run over their puny little 500 lb motorcycle or not much bigger 3,000 automobile. The tractor (truck) alone weighs 30,000 lbs. Equivalent to 10 cars!

Therefore James, when I"m on the other side riding my bike I'm acutely aware I only weigh 500 lbs and have very little protection. I, like you, cannot trust my life and safety to all those people out there that are "brain dead" and without a clue as to what they are doing. And many of those are on drugs/alcohol and have an attitude to boot.

For me on my scoot, it all about the space cushion. Space cushion, the bigger the better. When I'm in danger of getting "hemmed" in and losing my space cushion, I will aggressively maneuver in such a way as to create a new space cushion. I try to convince my wife I'm not driving insanely, I'm just trying to reach the safety of an adequate space cushion. :dribble: :blink: :assassin: Unfortunately, I don't think she or the general motoring public see it quite that way. :angry:

LC

 

[madmike2]

For me on my scoot, it all about the space cushion. Space cushion, the bigger the better. When I'm in danger of getting "hemmed" in and losing my space cushion, I will aggressively maneuver in such a way as to create a new space cushion. I try to convince my wife I'm not driving insanely, I'm just trying to reach the safety of an adequate space cushion. :dribble: :blink: :assassin: Unfortunately, I don't think she or the general motoring public see it quite that way. :angry:
LC

I've had this same discussion with people in my office. They don't understand the danger motorcyclists are in when we are "trapped" with no escape route. Once I have explained that we are looking for "clear air" on at least one of 4 sides they usually respond, "Oh, that makes sense."

The tractor (truck) alone weighs 30,000 lbs. Equivalent to 10 cars!

Do you guys run some fairly heavy equipment? 10.5K-12K seems more likely for a truck weight. Add 2, 7.5K trailers and a 2500 lb. convertor dolly....okay, I'll agree to 30K tare weight for the complete tractor/trailers/dolly combo.

Just where is the "stirring it up" smiley?

 

[chickey191]

So when I got home this evening my wife showed me an article in the Contra Costa Times about lane splitting. See it here.


I will say unequivocally and without exception, I feel safest in heavy traffic when I am moving in and around cars as if they were traffic cones in a parking lot. Here's how I stated it in an unpublished article I drafted about my commute (Full Article):



"By the time I get on 101 south by Candlestick I am loaded for bear, balls to the wall, a maniac. Traffic is moving at 70-75 mph. Too slow. I fly in and around and through the traffic. I am a three-dimensional creature in a two dimensional world


 
"But I am 100 percent engaged in what I am doing. My mind is on the road. I’m not talking on the phone to my friend because I’m bored, or eating a hamburger. And I don’t care if the drivers don’t see me, because what I do doesn’t presume they do. Nor does what I do require your cooperation let alone your permission. What motorcycles lack in visibility they make up for in agility. What they are not given—like the right of way—they take.
I used to try to explain my riding style to cagers, but I'm through doing that; no more excuses. It's dangerous out there, and as long as we have to deal with drivers who don't take driving seriously, I will do what I need to do to get through it all in one piece. I know that pisses drivers off, but I don't care. **** 'em! And I also know that it pisses off some motorcyclists who think they can influence cagers' perception about motorcyclists. I don't believe that, and I sure can't control what cagers think, so to hell with that too. What about my perception of cagers?

And don't forget that other reason we split lanes: Because it's a game. Why is it a game?--because it takes skill and judgment and timing, but most of all because it’s fun as hell! :yahoo:

James (I don't drive my motorcycle. I ride it) Burleigh

aka "Horse's Arse"

Please - don't publish your article. You only make the rest of us look bad. It is these kind of statements that create animosity toward bikes.

balls to the wall - loaded for bear - maniac -- nice impression you are making there. Fly in and out of traffic - 3d rider in a 2d world. I hate to mention this, but your are in a 3D world and flying in, around and through traffic is typically considered reckless driving/riding - sounds like illegal lane changes, speeding, carelessness, etc.

Good for you that you aren't talking on the phone etc. - but making up for visibility with agility??? don't require your cooperation nor your permission - ACTUALLY - you do. Remember that you are not lane SPLITTING - you are Lane SHARING. Lane splitting is illegal. Lane sharing is not legal either... it just isn't ILLegal. and when I'm riding in my cage (heaven forbid) I DO own that whole lane - my license plate is 8' wide and you DO require my cooperation to get by. I can move anywhere in my lane without regard for you coming up from behind. I'm not required to look for you in my mirrors until I decide to change lanes. And I'll guarantee you that many bikers have been splatted on the road by a driver who never changed lanes.

You don't care if it pisses drivers off....????? You should. Remember that they outnumber all of us by a long shot and if you piss enough of them off they will legislate us out of existence. Same goes for loud ass pipes and exhibition riding. Can some riders safely do a wheelie down the freeway? Sure they can. Doesn't mean that it is a good idea and doesn't mean that you wont get a ticket.

skills, judgment and timing? You might have 2 out of three - but I can't give you the "judgment" award.

and sorry - I don't share lanes because it is a game... I do it because when safely done - it is safer than riding in traffic (statistically proven) and it save me time, frustration and aggravation - but I've also had bikes surprise me in traffic (and I look for them all the time) and had some near misses with bikes that misjudged the timing, skill and distances from either me or someone else in traffic.

Sharing lanes - done responsibly and realistically is a godsend in my heavy socal traffic. Watching some horses asses screaming through traffic - weaving through traffic and speeds significantly over the prevailing speed creates ill will toward bikes and bikers.

I've been riding for almost 40 years and have successfully shared lanes for many of them. I'm not a prudish rider and have done my share of stupid shit. One thing I wont do is try to convince the public that just because I CAN do it - or HAVE done it... that it is a good idea or recommend it to others.

Thanks for posting the picture.... I think it is appropriate.

SOAP BOX MODE [OFF]

 

[evil_henchman]

Well I guess those two won't be making out any time soon.... :lol:

Interesting article JB very well written. I'm off to Big Sur today, I'll try not to scare to many hapless car driving cattle on the way.

 

[James Burleigh]

I am convinced that people play the "game" almost subconsciously, they don't signal, because they know it will give the guy behind a heads up as to what they want/are going to do.

Thank you for your thoughtful reply, LC. You are obviously a professional driver who has insight and experience we all can learn from, as I did in reading your response. I learned the Smith Rules in high school back in the early 1970s and am a big believer in them. Thanks for the refresher.

Your comment right above--brilliant! I never put this together, but I think you are absolutely right! It explains everything!

Therefore James, when I"m on the other side riding my bike I'm acutely aware I only weigh 500 lbs and have very little protection. I, like you, cannot trust my life and safety to all those people out there that are "brain dead" and without a clue as to what they are doing. And many of those are on drugs/alcohol and have an attitude to boot.

When I'm a passenger in a car or walking down the sidewalk observing traffic from the outside looking in, I get scared to death seeing what people do while driving, and the bone-headed maneuvers they make. And the thought of getting on a motorcycle and plunging into the "knife fight" scares the shit out of me, and I think I must be crazy to ride a bike--that all those civilians saying how dangerous it is must be right. I want to give it up right there.

But for some reason once I get suited up and on the bike in traffic, it somehow seems possible to get through it all right. I feel like I'm in control. And that's when I remember that I'm a "trained motorcyclist." Granted, I don't have the skills of a CHP motor-cop, and I'm pretty sure I couldn't teach Nicky Hayden how to exit a corner faster....

But I take comfort in knowing I've taken several basic and advanced riding courses, learned high-speed handling techniques from a professional on a race track, studied the wisdom of those who have written books and shared their experience (like David Hough), possess the knowledge and experience of having driven more than 30 years, and I practice swerving and braking continually. I never drink and ride. I eat energy food before beginning the commute home, and so on. And of course I wear complete safety gear every time I ride. Every time. These things don't eliminate risk, but they do help to manage it.

Thanks again for sharing your thoughts. See you in Napa.

Jb

 

[James Burleigh]

Well I guess those two won't be making out any time soon.... :lol:

Of course I know there are riders with that position. Lots of them. Apart from the philosophical debate about "riding style" and whether it's important to worry over what a driver might think as if we could control that... It just sounds like a boring way to ride a motorcycle. It's what I call "driving" a motorcycle. Yaaaaaaawwwwnnn.

Interesting article JB very well written. I'm off to Big Sur today, I'll try not to scare to many hapless car driving cattle on the way.

Thank you. I wrote it for possible publication in City Bike magazine, which is very edgy. So I pushed the attitude in my story to make it edgy and (it was my hope) publishable. But they didn't bite.

It's a beautiful day for a ride! Have fun!

Jb

 

[James Burleigh]

Thanks for posting the picture.... I think it is appropriate.
SOAP BOX MODE [OFF]

Hi, chickey191. Thank you for your articulate, reasoned, and reasonable rebuttal to my posting. I appreciate that you did not resort to telling me to "go **** off (it rhymes with knee puck)." :lol: But hey!--it's early in the thread. Not everyone has the vocabulary to make a reasoned argument .

Naturally I was expecting someone to tell me how the photo is appropriate; that's why I put it there. It was my way of saying (punctuating, because I already said it in the posting) that I know my attitude is unpopular among many motorcyclists. I'm not saying they are wrong, or I'm right. We have different approaches to riding.

As I noted in the response to Evil, I pushed that article to an edginess that isn't necessarily an accurate reflection of my routine riding behavior, because I was tailoring it to the magazine I was targeting. Also, it focused on commuting strategies, what I call the daily knife fight. Goddamn but you have to be engaged and aggressive in that morning cauldron of twisted flying bits of metal if you are going to get into and out of it and home for dinner every day of the week rain or shine. Commuting by motorcycle in a major metropolitan area is not for the faint at heart, or the timid. Period.

In fairness to me, let me say that I spend 90% of my ride "behaving," if that's the right word. I signal when lane-changing. Acknowledge courteous driving behavior, dim my brights when cruising behind cars, cruise in my lane, pass safely, etc. And on non-commute days, I totally rein in the aggressive riding behaviors, because the commute edge and general franticness of commuters is not in play.

Anyway, I'm not going to convince you, so I'll stop here. Thanks again for your comments.

Jb

 

[chickey191]

I certainly understand writing for the audience. I just don't think those terms were appropriate.

I wont quibble with the content - much of what you say is relevant. Keeping yourself vigilant on the road - anticipating the brain dead car drivers' next moves, etc. is all part of the combat. Hell - calling combat is ok with me as that is basically what it is. Where I really complain is the hooligan side you portray in the article. That kind of stuff gets quoted in other articles and then becomes an example (or target) for the opposition.

Riding within road and traffic conditions - at least around here - is never boring. Tedious, sometimes but rarely boring. We have a sufficient quantity of idiots driving I-5, I-15 and I-805 and I-8 not to mention beach traffic combined with a bunch of tourists who are seemingly lost all the time - that boring is not a word I would use. Luckily for me my daily commute does not require too much lane sharing except at a couple of intersections and they are bad enough. However - riding much anywhere else does cause me to get into combat mode and ride aggressively defensive.

Thanks - good luck to you

 

[Toecutter]

If you can't honestly say that you've never lane-shared at speeds above 30mph, or 10mph above traffic flow, whichever is slower, then you're more than likely part of the problem, and contributing to the reason the practice is in jeopardy of being outlawed.

If your typical sharing style isn't something you'd do right in front of a LEO, same as above.

I've done, and still do, some serious shenanigans on the bike but, for the most part, I'm pretty careful and courteous among the cagers. Most of my best hooliganism is not witnessed, as should be the case with us, to protect our freedoms.

Skyway and Bluestreek, I said most. Every rule has an exception.

 

[James Burleigh]

If you can't honestly say that you've never lane-shared at speeds above 30mph, or 10mph above traffic flow, whichever is slower, then you're more than likely part of the problem, and contributing to the reason the practice is in jeopardy of being outlawed.
If your typical sharing style isn't something you'd do right in front of a LEO, same as above.

I've done, and still do, some serious shenanigans on the bike but, for the most part, I'm pretty careful and courteous among the cagers. Most of my best hooliganism is not witnessed, as should be the case with us, to protect our freedoms.

Skyway and Bluestreek, I said most. Every rule has an exception.

Hi, TC. I have to admit that when I talk about having fun lane splitting, I'm not talking about toodling up between stopped or slow-moving traffic. That's a drag, and I go very slowly up between them because of the obvious hazards--easily within the limits you state above. In the rain I pretty much get in line, hunch my shoulders, and drag my butt slowly to my destination.

When I talk about fun as hell, I'm alluding to going across the Bay Bridge in loose, quick-moving traffic. I do that in front of the cops all the time. And even there, it's only slightly above the average speed of cars.

Jb

 

[madmike2]

But for some reason once I get suited up and on the bike in traffic, it somehow seems possible to get through it all right. I feel like I'm in control.

B-b-b-but Hans, that is the scariest feeling of all, because we're not in, and could never be, in control of all the variables in traffic situations. We make judgements and decisions based on our own limited experience and insight. The problem arises when our prediction of another vehicle's intended path is altered by the driver's change of mind, lapse of concentration (dialing a cell phone, eating french fries, changing a CD or radio staion, reaching to adjust a child, etc.) or even being startled by our sudden presence beside them.

I wish I could say that I am always as cautious as I post. I will say that my becoming more aware of the mass of input required for each momentary decision is causing my to adjust to the "safer" side. Uhm...not completely but it is a work in process.

 

[odot]

Damn there is some long winded bullshit in here. lol

 

[madmike2]

Damn there is some long winded bullshit in here. lol

But you read it, didn't you.... :blink:

 

[rogdeb]

J.B. - Interesting article.

Chickey - interesting rebuttal.

I thought an experiment in order here, so I copied and pasted both to my sons ( aged 40 & 33 and both drivers & riders) and asked for their opinions. No thoughts from me - just opinions from them. Their replies were almost identical (they are brothers though) in as much as they could both see what they perceived as excellent writing. What I didn't expect was for them to say that they think I'd better stick to riding with the "older guy", and not that "teenager with something to prove"

Flame away ------- just an experiment

 

[James Burleigh]

Damn there is some long winded bullshit in here. lol

Relax. Have another beer. Sometimes it's fun to put more than two sentences (thoughts) together. Give it a try sometimes....

 

[James Burleigh]

But for some reason once I get suited up and on the bike in traffic, it somehow seems possible to get through it all right. I feel like I'm in control.

B-b-b-but Hans, that is the scariest feeling of all, because we're not in, and could never be, in control of all the variables in traffic situations. We make judgements and decisions based on our own limited experience and insight. The problem arises when our prediction of another vehicle's intended path is altered by the driver's change of mind, lapse of concentration (dialing a cell phone, eating french fries, changing a CD or radio staion, reaching to adjust a child, etc.) or even being startled by our sudden presence beside them.

I wish I could say that I am always as cautious as I post. I will say that my becoming more aware of the mass of input required for each momentary decision is causing my to adjust to the "safer" side. Uhm...not completely but it is a work in process.

I know it, Mike. And you're right of course. All I meant to say was that when I'm off the bike and looking at traffic, riding safely seems impossible and stupid even to try. But once I get mounted up and moving, I feel in control of my motorcycle and my strategies, not the environment. Nope, not the environment. That is not what I meant at all. Not what I meant at all (thank you James Joyce).

But I'm being long-winded. I just don't always know how to say things in one-syllable words or pictures for those with short attention spans :lol:

Looking forward to seeing you in Napa.

JB

 

[madmike2]

Damn there is some long winded bullshit in here. lol

Relax. Have another beer. Sometimes it's fun to put more than two sentences (thoughts) together. Give it a try sometimes....

Requiring cognitive process, a modicum of logic, a small amount of discipline and an ability to use punctuation while forming and publishing one's thoughts. Then there is the critical response leading to an examination of ones original concept.

But yeah, fun. Not as enjoyable as actually riding my FJR, but fun.

 

[FlyingLow]

This can all be simply relayed using the "if I have to explain it..." analogy.

Myself: longtime rider and commuter [25 years] living in So-Cal and over the last year doing daily 100 mile round trip commutes on the 405. So I get it; all of the above. It's just so second nature now that I don't even think about it while doing it.

Safe riding, everyone.