General Discussion

The Mouth

(3,414 posts)

56. I ride and I've almost killed lane-splitters

Wed May 19, 2021, 02:39 PM

May 2021

Check, signal, check again and had a fellow whip past me like I was stopped yet I was going 60.

Totally shook me; I doubt they even noticed they were going so fast. This was last week!

Love riding, current bike is a Sportster and previous one a Suzuki GS1100, love bikes.

I totally feel the OP's shock and horror; even if the person I hit was 100 percent at fault it would really, really suck in all regards.

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I almost killed a motorcyclist just now. [View all] Coventina May 2021 OP

Were you changing lanes to the left or right? And when you say you looked... PoliticAverse May 2021 #1

From left to right. Used my mirrors and turned my head. n/t Coventina May 2021 #2

Its happened. I've had cyclists almost drift into my car, too. We just all have to pay ... marble falls May 2021 #3

Always use turn signal... Kid Berwyn May 2021 #4

Thanks! Those are really helpful tips. Coventina May 2021 #6

Yes, Virginia had a good campaign called "See Motorcycles" soothsayer May 2021 #17

We Have That In Illinois, Too ProfessorGAC May 2021 #39

Cool! soothsayer May 2021 #41

I loved this sci-fi story about people who crash on a snow covered planet where everything is... soothsayer May 2021 #43

Check to see if you have a blind spot you're not aware on that side? Lithos May 2021 #5

Another really good idea, thanks! Coventina May 2021 #7

And maybe have a mechanic check to make sure all safety systems spooky3 May 2021 #10

Don't check for cars; check for cars, motorcycles, bicycles, horses soothsayer May 2021 #18

Yes! Perform this test. I can almost guarantee you'll find the problem is a maladjusted side mirror. Mister Ed May 2021 #53

I do this too. My side views are away from the cars side. Works great. nt chowder66 May 2021 #57

Or get a little stick-on convex mirror birdographer May 2021 #58

I've got my mirrors adjusted like yours, for a continuous view from one to another. SeattleVet May 2021 #59

Great Suggestion unweird May 2021 #66

Agree 100%. I don't need to see the side of my car, I know what it looks like. CaptainTruth May 2021 #67

Thank you! mia May 2021 #80

It is a good idea LizBeth May 2021 #11

Sometimes you just don't see them and it's your fault, sometimes they're travelling dem4decades May 2021 #8

I do not remember what car it was, maybe my Millenia. But it had blind spots and was very LizBeth May 2021 #9

Motorcyclists moondust May 2021 #12

We are! Still, it's scary out there. soothsayer May 2021 #19

Thank you moondust May 2021 #26

Pretend you're invisible and you've got it. soothsayer May 2021 #28

Pretend you're invisible, and that anyone that CAN see you will still try to kill you somehow! SeattleVet May 2021 #62

Yes yes and yes yes yes soothsayer May 2021 #76

Convex add-on mirrors for your car . . . hatrack May 2021 #13

I watch a lot of YouTube car videos, and while a lot of times it's the car, some the motorcyclist. TheBlackAdder May 2021 #14

You beat me to it genxlib May 2021 #16

It's called breaking lanes and it's legal in many states and dc soothsayer May 2021 #21

Lane Splitting is the official name, per the American Motorcyclist Association & Motorcycle.com TheBlackAdder May 2021 #34

Hey a new-fangled name! Cool. A bit more intuitive. Like it. soothsayer May 2021 #36

I updated my past reply. Somene else at DU schooled me on it. I thought it was legal most places. TheBlackAdder May 2021 #37

It's a bit scary anyway, just because drivers can be a-holes about it soothsayer May 2021 #40

Fortunately no one was hurt genxlib May 2021 #15

Wheelie Thing I Saw ProfessorGAC May 2021 #45

I'm glad you're both okay! CrispyQ May 2021 #20

I love my Scion Xb because there are no blind spots. Ka-Dinh Oy May 2021 #22

A car without blind spots is a motorcycle. uncle ray May 2021 #33

I guess I do have one small one. Ka-Dinh Oy May 2021 #46

Or A Convertible! ProfessorGAC May 2021 #47

Been there! Blue Owl May 2021 #23

I have a rear-view camera, but still check it several times. I was AnotherMother4Peace May 2021 #35

You can get a decent after-market backup camera for pretty cheap. SeattleVet May 2021 #64

My best advice to cyclists or anyone who uses small vehicles in traffic. Boxerfan May 2021 #24

There's a blind spot even when you turn left. rickford66 May 2021 #25

Motorcycles are a constant irritant on the roads. BannonsLiver May 2021 #27

I took a defensive driving course after the court told me I had to..One thing that Maraya1969 May 2021 #29

This. ↑↑↑ dobleremolque May 2021 #61

Couldn't completely follow but that is exactly what happens! Maraya1969 May 2021 #75

It seems to me Diamond_Dog May 2021 #30

I've ridden motorcycles for over 50 years with countless yonder May 2021 #31

I ride and I've almost killed lane-splitters The Mouth May 2021 #56

Yep, lane splitting, legal or not, is a crazy thing to do IMO. yonder May 2021 #73

I consider it analogous to wearing a KKK hood in Compton or Harlem The Mouth May 2021 #77

Good analogy. Stay safe on that HD. yonder May 2021 #78

"Savvy motorcyclists can do a lot to minimize their risks by maximizing their visibility.." EX500rider May 2021 #60

... yonder May 2021 #74

Psychology studies have shown why car drivers don't see motorcyclists Doc Sportello May 2021 #32

You can minimize the blind spot on your left Mosby May 2021 #38

Not saying this is your situation but many people do not correctly set their side view mirrors. GulfCoast66 May 2021 #42

It a horrible feeling when you know you made a near tragic mistake Retired Engineer Bob May 2021 #44

You did nothing wrong. People who ride motorcycles accept a higher degree of Politicub May 2021 #48

Glad you missed malaise May 2021 #49

Wow. So much good information here, I am going to pass it on to my family members. FM123 May 2021 #50

I rode for years, and raced professionally for a short time. 11 Bravo May 2021 #51

its been shown that people see what they are looking for. Kaleva May 2021 #52

Sorry to you and the motorcyclist! Buckeye_Democrat May 2021 #54

We've all had a dumb moment bucolic_frolic May 2021 #55

Motorcyclists Have To Realize They Are Ghosts DanieRains May 2021 #63

There is also a chance . . . Richard D May 2021 #65

There is a set-up for your mirrors TlalocW May 2021 #68

Was the motorcyclist also changing lanes, or riding between them Rocknation May 2021 #69

Be careful Traildogbob May 2021 #70

I own a full-size pickup and a motorcycle wysimdnwyg May 2021 #71

Perhaps Lean Forward DontBelieveEastisEas May 2021 #72

it can happen Skittles May 2021 #79