Topic: What to do about other crappy motorcycle riders.

[Duanob]

So I've had 24 hours to think this over and thought I would see what you all think about this incident and what you would've done.

Yesterday morning on my way to work I was riding on the experessway out of our part of town. Its generally 45 MPH, two lanes in one direction with an entrance lane that causes a bit of a back up. I was riding along in the right lane and noticed in the rear view a biker back about 4 or 5 cars in the left lane. Traffic was kinda slowing down a bit. Not more than a couple of seconds after noticing the biker, I heard car horns going off and the same jack-ass biker passing me in my lane! "Not F'ing cool" i thought. Then he proceeds to lane split doing 5 to 10 mph faster than traffic is going. Cars are honking at him and he in turn gives everyone the finger. I felt like honking at him and giving him a finger myself. But I couldn't catch him. Wasn't going to ride like that, no way. Lane splitting is a huge no-no in our state for good reason.  Riders die doing it around here especially where he was doing it. Really pissed me off that as a rider the dude was wrong and he just pissed off a bunch of cagers. I just thought this guy isn't long for this world riding like that. He was young, of course you could tell by the squid bike and the clothes (not protective riding gear what so ever) and shiney white tennis shoes and no socks.

Anyway just curious what would any of you all done? I felt like at the very least following him and letting him know he is not cool doing that. At the very most i felt like burying a tire iron up side his helmet. Still just a bit pissed thinking about this ahole.

[Greggo]

It's fully legal in California, and only recently did the California Highway Patrol issue 'guidelines' for splitting lanes, suggesting that riders stay within ten percent of the speed of traffic, and not doing it if traffic is above 50mph IIRC.

Personally, even if it was illegal I wouldn't have done anything.  If someone wants to be a jackass, it's their problem.  As far as possible, I only worry about my own safety when riding, so as long as he wasn't endangering me personally let him be a jackass and cause his own accident/death.  You can't be responsible for another human beings decisions.  That's my two cents..

[70CB750]

Done that in my previous life, would not do it again.

Fact:  You are not responsible for other rider/driver's behavior.   From what I understand, educating other drivers - such as slowing them down on purpose, teaching them a lesson, etc - is considering aggressive driving and it is punishable by law.

[madScientist]

I've been witness to a dumb rocket rider on the highway burn up next to me then stand his bike up. I distinctly remember thinking "this dude is going to bite it"...not more than a few seconds after that he veered off the highway on slick gravel, lost control, went a$$ over appetite and cartwheeled to a stop. Pretty sure he didn't make it although he was alive when he was put in the ambulance.

That's what's waiting for that guy someday. It's a sad thing but if you ride like a douche the karma police will get you eventually. You dont need to police idiot riders...the universe will do that for you.

[TwoTired]

I'm also in California where it is legal to lane split.  I've done it for quite some years.  It can be done safely, many roads can have multiple vehicles traveling in parallel on a single road surface, whether the lanes are marked or not.  However, most are idealized for the width of 4 wheel vehicles.

If it is illegal where you live, you can report the license number to the police, as their job is law enforcement.  If you wish to be proactive toward the perpetrator, then apply for police training, to assume the law enforcement role.

I wonder.  Are you similarly outraged when planes or helicopters fly over marked lanes of traffic?

Be sure your own frustrations of being within traffic congestion aren't clouding.  It is a human trait to transfer these feelings onto others, particularly those that deal with problems in a different why than most.
I was lane splitting one day, quite slowly, and a woman shouted as I went by; "Why can't you wait?"  And I thought; " Why can't you tolerate?".  Do you suppose she wouldn't use another lane, if available?  Or, would she stay in the lane stacked up, until it moved?

What galls me are the sport bike, tank top, shorts and sandals riders doing wheel stands on the freeway AND lane splitting around traffic moving the speed limit.
If they think their own life is worthless, how will they value yours?  Life on the edge may be a thrill.   But, what about what's over the edge?

[Dimitri13]

You may not be responsible for their actions, but they are sure as hell responsible for our reputation. Good on you for obeying the traffic rules as well as common courtesy.

[fendersrule]

Many riders claim lane splitting is safer.

Drivers are honking just because they can't physically do what he's doing. Nothing to get outraged about, but whatever.

[ofreen]

I see car drivers and motorcycle riders do stupid stuff every day.  So I generally direct an evaluation of their worth toward then, generally 'hey dip#$%*' or 'you dumbass', make sure I am and will remain clear of them, and then forget all about them.  I literally forget all about them, not giving them another thought.  I just stay ready for the next dip#$%* or dumbass, because another one will be along shortly.

[Stev-o]

Stupid riders piss me off, but there really isn't anything you can do. 

You made the right decision.

[Xnavylfr]

Lane splitting in some states is just another law in acted to see how many people will actually ROLL the DICE  kinda like helmet laws. of course it is YOUR choice to do as you please just as it is a cagers choice to slip over a lane in front of you.. LOSER CRAPS... Another reason I DON'T live in California any more!!.. You either drive 80 MPH on the freeways or 5mph or at a creep.It's bad enough to ride at 70mph in a steady flow, but when it's goes to a lockdown and you want to split lanes and everybody is slowing to go around a railroad tie some trucker dropped right in the middle of your new mad lane.

Xnavylfr(CHUCK)



Xnavylfr(CHUCK)

[Duanob]

It's fully legal in California, and only recently did the California Highway Patrol issue 'guidelines' for splitting lanes, suggesting that riders stay within ten percent of the speed of traffic, and not doing it if traffic is above 50mph IIRC.

Personally, even if it was illegal I wouldn't have done anything.  If someone wants to be a jackass, it's their problem.  As far as possible, I only worry about my own safety when riding, so as long as he wasn't endangering me personally let him be a jackass and cause his own accident/death.  You can't be responsible for another human beings decisions.  That's my two cents..

That's a big problem here in Washington is Californian translplants. If people are going to move to another place they kind of need to learn the laws and rules before pissing off the locals.

Passing me in my own lane kind of does put me at risk especially as fast as he was going. I wasn't expecting it. I can't help but think if this guy did the same thing to a burly old school biker dude he would've been in for an ass whooping. But yes I am fine and he probably will meet the pavement or car hood someday soon. Not my problem.

[Duanob]

Many riders claim lane splitting is safer.

Drivers are honking just because they can't physically do what he's doing. Nothing to get outraged about, but whatever.

Its illegal here plain and simple.

[fendersrule]

How and Why Motorcycle Lane Splitting is Safe and Good - /RideApart

5-10 MPH faster is nothing.

[dhall57]

Stupid drivers be it a car or bike can piss you off. At times I just have to laugh and shake my head and hope they don't get killed or put someone else in danger. This has nothing to do with lane splitting, but right after I got my 750KO on the road I was running down 421 south in the right lane. Speed limit is 60 but I was running along at 70. The next thing I know about four biker boyz and there crotch rockets flew by me like I was going backwards. Must of been running 100 or better and I say that because the kid of the 70's kicked in and by the time I caught up with them that's what the KO was turning. One of the riders gave me a thumbs up and than I backed off and it wasn't long before they were out of sight.

[azuredesign]

If you are mad at that guy, think about the cage drivers. Someone will eventually open a car door or do something, whether voluntary or not, that will cause him harm. Be happy you will not be involved at that point.

I get pissed at young French riders who pass me going 160kph on two lane roads with some young girl on the back, wagging their foot hello at me as they pass me.
I would not wish that on the parents of either rider or passenger. Nothing to be done except hope that you dont see them again in a ditch further down the road.

[Magilla]

1:  I am not a fan of lane splitting.  I understand why it is legal in Cali with all that stand still traffic and if I was in stand still traffic I may be tempted to try it.

2:  I've done it only a few times in my life and it was due to stand still traffic and being on an air cooled bike.  I was not inclined to let me $20k bike seize up on me.

3:  I tend to ride slow when on the highway.  As I get older I tend to want to enjoy the experience of riding more than I want to blast along.  Also I enjoy listening to the noise my bike makes, no matter what bike I am riding.

4:  Due to #3 I often have bikes fly past me and more often than not the scare the $h!t out of me because I never see them coming.  for some reason when a guy on a crotch rocket sees another bike they seem to want to blast past them.    This is OK with me except for when they are in my lane!  Why do it in my lane?  Its stupid and unsafe.

5:  When younger I use to stalk these people and then, when they stopped some where, I would beat the $h!t out of them.  I'm not proud of this but it use to happen.  Then I got arrested and spent a little time in jail.  That makes you rethink your decisions.

6:  Re-read #5.  There are still plenty of people out there that act like I use to.  Be careful who you piss off when driving or riding.

7:  Slow down, take a breath and enjoy life while you still can.  Life is a gift not a right.

[SOHC Digger]

It seems like the thing that bothers you the most about this is how the impression this idiot made on the cagers and and consequently their possible stereotyping of all riders as being like this derelict... and I fully understand that.

Catching up to him and trying to "talk" to him would not be the approach.  The cagers would see you accelerate and give chase and just assume you are another crazy biker idiot who wants to race this guy and play his games.  Then if the guy does stop and have a talk with you, more than likely your words will only incite him more.

The best thing you can do is continue to be responsible so that the cagers look at you and see we're not all like Johnny Rocket.

[CycleRanger]

I just assume the problem of a rider with poor judgment will work itself out, given time...

[tortelvis]

Each to his own I guess. I used to lane split regularly in the UK where it's legal. The biggest difference I think is the car driver attitude. In the main UK drivers actually know the rules and move over for you, which gets them an acknowledgement of thanks from me. As for his speeding, haven't we all done/do that? It's dumb to do in heavy traffic of course. As for pissing off car drivers that doesn't even come into play for me; they all hate us anyway. The older I get the less I give a damn about what someone else thinks. I am surprised at the comments "I never see them coming." Really? My wife often gets caught out like that but then she has never driven a bike. I see them coming (maybe because I am looking for bikes?). The missus nearly always gets a shock when they blow past. Lie's too short to obsess about others and their opinions IMHO.

[754]

To  answer the question..check your mirrors..often..

[mono]

whenever another bike blows past me or is driving like an a-hole, i just shake my head in disapproval and continue minding my own business and driving responsibly.  that's all you can do!  but yes, it is frustrating that squids like that give everyone a bad impression of bikers in general.

side note -- i seem to get treated pretty well by cars and other bikes when i'm on my 550 - maybe because it's a vintage vehicle?  i know i always catch myself thumbs-upping and making room for the guys in the vintage cars.  perhaps it's the same kinda thing.