weshigh

Thought I'd share this video I took from the Friday before memorial day. Usually traffic is backed up, but not this bad. I thought I passed a lot of people, so decided to count on the video. Turned out it was 631! Really happy I rode that day. I am sure most of you riding in any urbanish setting have similar experiences.

Evil D

That's crazy. I live in the country where riding to work means a 20 mile trip one way, with some really serious mile+ hills over the interstate (which is illegal to ride on anyway). Sometimes I envy city life, I would definitely ride to work now and then.

dramiscram

That's crazy, I would have a hard time cycling in that kind of traffic. On my daily 54.8 kms (34 miles) RT rural commute I see an average of 50-70 cars/days.

CptjohnC

I loved this! I've got a similarly urban commute, and I love the fact that I can get from my office out of the city way faster than a car. I've never counted to see how many I pass, but I doubt I'd come close to your total.

It was also a treat to see California's motorcycle lane splitting (yes, it's legal) in action!

dynodonn 

In watching your sped up video of you and the motorcyclist filtering through traffic, just happen to remind me of this guy

Mr. Hairy Legs

Nice! I love those days.

I ride on a small highway that runs parallel to a main "freeway" that is often moving at around 5 mph. I've thought of counting cars on it too, but it's hard due to trees and fences blocking the view in places.

RidingMatthew

i do not think I would want that kind of commute. that is a lot of traffic. I can not believe you and the motorcycles squeeze between the cars that seems dangerous

PatrickGSR94

The other day on a morning commute, from one point to another point that was about half the commute, about 7 miles, I had a total of THREE cars pass me going in the same direction as me.

Astrozombie

Did you pass by saying "Lol lol lol lololol"

CommuteCommando

I rode through Laguna Beach Tuesday and it was almost that bad. Unfortunately it cleared up in South Laguna and traffic sped up, and there are no shoulders or bike lanes there.

If the cars are crawling, it is actually safer than trying to navigate the sometimes non-existent shoulder.

RidingMatthew

that is true I can see how you would say that.. It is true when I am riding downtown here.

enigmaT120

Ugh. It's cool you're passing them. I still prefer my zero - 3 cars passing me in my 9 mile morning commute.

weshigh

Agree, not a competition. but if there is traffic, might as well be able to get around in it and not stuck in it.

10 Wheels

Hey, That was fun.

TomCat_Ford

So. Many. Cars. Yikes!

And I thought I passed a lot of cars during rush hour...

the sci guy 

jesus. i could never ride between lanes/cars like that. i'm assuming that's legal? is it legal for the motorcycle too? i also noticed at one point you went all the way left to the double yellow line at the center of the road. seems crazy, man.

TomCat_Ford

See post number four:

spare_wheel

Its actually "not illegal" in CA (and many other states).

I love swimming in the "evil river" of traffic.

spare_wheel

sure you could...and imo its often safer than riding slowly in a bike lane.

JamesR650

Good stuff.

I went past a major backup on Bev Glen due to a downed tree last night that would have been a nightmare if I was sitting in my truck. Wouldn't have been much better on the motorcycle. On the bike, it was pretty smooth sailing.

weshigh

You also have to remember that this is sped up 8x. The average speed for that section is only about 12mph. Most of that traffic was going less than 10mph for short bursts and then stopping. I think its more dangerous to stay to the right of both lanes, I saw multiple cars just turn right without signaling to go down side streets. They get fed up waiting and then just turn without looking.

CptjohnC

there have been few actual studies of lane splitting for motorcycles, but to my knowledge, those that exist support that, when done correctly, it is safer than sitting in the traffic (cars change lanes into bikes - motorized and not- causing accidents).

I believe that it is de facto, if not de jure illegal in most places for motorcycles. For bikes, it might be tougher to decide. The DC law is somewhat vague, but appears to prohibit it and permit it at the same time (which, for my purposes, means I could be cited, but I'd have a shot at fighting it...) It takes great situational awareness and good judgement to do it safely -- you need to look further ahead, and watch all visual cues from the cars as you approach.

the sci guy 

will take some getting used to for me. maybe i'll give it a go in the future.

so, if i'm splitting lanes, and there is a turn coming up i need to make, do you just signal and hope someone lets you over into a regular lane so you can make the turn? or do you try to smoke cars at a stoplight and then get in front of them?
i know that seems like a "duh" question, but it's the technical detail parts of riding like this i'm most interested in before trying it myself!

weshigh

Well in TN, I don't think its legal to lane split, but if I need to make a right turn, I'd plan a head and when I spotted a gab opening up I'd signal and move to the right lane or to the far right. Also, anytime traffic starts to speed up to the point where you are not faster, I'd find a gab, signal and move to the right, as its not safe to do when traffic is moving faster than you. Spaces open up when traffic slows or starts again and you can usually find a spot to jump back in.

the sci guy 

i'm moving to houston next month.
thanks for hte advice. makes sense - especially about when traffic speeds up.
so you use split lane method when there is a lot of backed up traffic and a lot of stop lights and you want to filter through, basically.