LWTK: lanesplitting theory

[lee]

OK. I don't want this to be a 'what would you tell all your friends you really do, but don't' poll, this is honest truth.

You're lane splitting along, when all of a sudden you spot a cop car in the lane you're splitting past. You go 'ooh fuck', and pull in behind them. In this time, cars behind you are pissed for taking 1 meter of their precious journey to work, and a few other bikes continue lane splitting past this cop car. Our fine police officers in the car ahead don't try and do anything when they split past.

Now you've got some options here (considering splitting while traffic is moving, even at 30 km/h, is illegal);

A) do you risk that they don't care, like the other bikes, and pull out past them smoothly?

B) do you slow down, and then belt past hoping they don't read your plate (or cover it), and then hope that they don't call the chopper, because theres no way they can catch you through kilometers of traffic

C) do you continue your journey to work, stuck behind a cop car in amongst the fucking idiots doing 30 km/h

CHOOSE!

P.S. Remember, as always, this poll is anonymous. I know some of us don't always practice what we preach, I want to know what you would do, not what is the most legal, or what you'd instruct others to do.


EDIT: I can see theres some debate over what the legalities regarding lanesplitting are. If you don't believe it's illegal, your obvious answer would be 'A' then. Vote it, and don't clog this thread with shit. Kthnx.

[Mr John]

Can you add a "Lanesplit past the cop 'cos lane splitting is not illegal" option please?
Ta

[lee]

Can you add a "Lanesplit past the cop 'cos lane splitting is not illegal" option please?
Ta[/b]

Isn't filtering legal (I.E. when traffic is stopped), but splitting (whilst traffic is moving) illegal?

[tickets]

No

[Fat Pat]

Been doing it daily for ~~10 years/ish, would've past about 200 coppers, never been pulled up.

Don't think splitting is illegal, somehow.

EDIT: I voted A, Lee, cause it's not illegal. A copper (who rides explained the legal technicalaties once) told me to "go for it"

[lee]

No [/b]

Your answer would be (A) then. I don't believe you, so my answer is otherwise.

[tickets]

fair enough each to their own. I believe thats it isn't illegal based on my own small amount of experiance and from
lots of posts on this topic.
"can pass on the right of a vehicle as long as you do not cross dotted/solid white line."

but again i may be wrong so when i get pulled up ill be sure to let you know

Tickets

[lee]

fair enough each to their own. I believe thats it isn't illegal based on my own small amount of experiance and from
lots of posts on this topic.
"can pass on the right of a vehicle as long as you do not cross dotted/solid white line."

but again i may be wrong so when i get pulled up ill be sure to let you know

Tickets[/b]

One thing I also note, when on the freeway where there is 3 lanes, I split between the far right two. I try and stick to the middle lane, on the right of the cars, but I tend to find cars in the middle lane hug the right side more, which forces you into the far right lane (meaning you're passing on the left).

[Lord Farquaad]

im not really sure on this one- id probably just keep moving if theres much traffic holding them up- but probably wouldnt if there wasnt traffic. Its a tough one if you're trying not to get caught- slotting in behind them could be suicide, but going past could be too- but i voted a

[lee]

im not really sure on this one- id probably just keep moving if theres much traffic holding them up- but probably wouldnt if there wasnt traffic. Its a tough one if you're trying not to get caught- slotting in behind them could be suicide, but going past could be too- but i voted a[/b]

They can't get your numberplate when you're behind them.. I don't see how it's suicide in any way?

[tickets]

in which case it would be illegal.

i agree tho i also split between the 2 far right so as to avoid the ppl making the dash for the off ramp etc.
but hey most people have broken at least one law. i even did it the other day. i got cut off so i changed
lanes without indicating i assume that most cops would turn a blind eye to this and hence i will happily
ride on past them.

Tickets

[D'Artagnan]

Time to settle it....

Rule 151A attempted to clarify the intent of several existing road rules, which prohibit the practice of motorcycle lane-splitting or lane-filtering. The proposed rule would more explicitly require motorcycles to move into an adjacent lane or line of traffic when overtaking other vehicles and pass at a safe distance.

In excess of 800 submissions (excluding duplicated submissions) were received, which primarily oppose the recommendation. The NTC notes that there is a wide misperception among the motorcycling community that lane-splitting and/or lane-filtering is legal. Motorcycle riders still have a responsibility to comply with existing road rules (outlined below).

• drivers/riders on a multi-lane road must travel entirely within a single lane (ARR 146)

• drivers/riders must travel within a single line of traffic on a road without marked lanes (ARR 146)

• drivers/riders are required to pass at a safe distance (ARR 144)

• drivers/riders are prohibited from overtaking on the left on a multi-lane road, unless the vehicle can be safely overtaken by moving into a marked lane (ARR 141)

• drivers/riders on a multi-lane road must not move from one marked lane into another marked lane by crossing a continuous line separating the lanes (ARR 147)

• drivers/riders approaching or at traffic lights showing a red traffic light must stop, if there is a stop line at or near the lights - as near as practicable to, but before reaching the stop line (ARR 56)

• drivers/riders at an intersection or marked foot crossing with a red traffic light must not enter the intersection or marked foot crossing.[/b]

Clicky

Now before everyone gets all hot and bothered, the proposed change (151A) was withdrawn...

NTC Withdraws Rule 151A

NTC have withdrawn proposed Rule 151A (anti-lane-splitting) from the Road Rules Amendment package to be presented to ATC in June.

See letter of advice, downloadable [here and here].

By removing the proposed rule 151A, the NTC ensures the rest of the "package" of changes will have a high likelihood of being accepted by ATC and subsequently incorporated into law.

The actions of informed riders responding to the Regulatory Impact Statement has made quite an impression.

This was coupled with formal submissions from MCC of NSW, MRA Vic, the Australian Motorcycle Council (AMC) and motoring organisations we briefed and invited to take an interest. So, it's a great round of thanks to the NRMA, RACV and VACC in supporting motorcycle riders.

.....

Commonsense prevails. ....
[/b]

Edit: reference here Clicky


D'Art

[Lord Farquaad]

They can't get your numberplate when you're behind them.. I don't see how it's suicide in any way?[/b]

i dont mean actual suicide- i mean the cops are pretty likely to pull you up for it- by pulling in behind em you're pretty much admitting guilt

[lee]

Time to settle it....

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE

Rule 151A attempted to clarify the intent of several existing road rules, which prohibit the practice of motorcycle lane-splitting or lane-filtering. The proposed rule would more explicitly require motorcycles to move into an adjacent lane or line of traffic when overtaking other vehicles and pass at a safe distance.

In excess of 800 submissions (excluding duplicated submissions) were received, which primarily oppose the recommendation. The NTC notes that there is a wide misperception among the motorcycling community that lane-splitting and/or lane-filtering is legal. Motorcycle riders still have a responsibility to comply with existing road rules (outlined below).

• drivers/riders on a multi-lane road must travel entirely within a single lane (ARR 146)

• drivers/riders must travel within a single line of traffic on a road without marked lanes (ARR 146)

• drivers/riders are required to pass at a safe distance (ARR 144)

• drivers/riders are prohibited from overtaking on the left on a multi-lane road, unless the vehicle can be safely overtaken by moving into a marked lane (ARR 141)

• drivers/riders on a multi-lane road must not move from one marked lane into another marked lane by crossing a continuous line separating the lanes (ARR 147)

• drivers/riders approaching or at traffic lights showing a red traffic light must stop, if there is a stop line at or near the lights - as near as practicable to, but before reaching the stop line (ARR 56)

• drivers/riders at an intersection or marked foot crossing with a red traffic light must not enter the intersection or marked foot crossing.[/b]

Clicky

Now before everyone gets all hot and bothered, the proposed change (151A) was withdrawn...

NTC Withdraws Rule 151A

NTC have withdrawn proposed Rule 151A (anti-lane-splitting) from the Road Rules Amendment package to be presented to ATC in June.

See letter of advice, downloadable [here and here].

By removing the proposed rule 151A, the NTC ensures the rest of the "package" of changes will have a high likelihood of being accepted by ATC and subsequently incorporated into law.

The actions of informed riders responding to the Regulatory Impact Statement has made quite an impression.

This was coupled with formal submissions from MCC of NSW, MRA Vic, the Australian Motorcycle Council (AMC) and motoring organisations we briefed and invited to take an interest. So, it&#39;s a great round of thanks to the NRMA, RACV and VACC in supporting motorcycle riders.

.....

Commonsense prevails. ....
[/b]

Edit: reference here Clicky


D&#39;Art
[/b][/quote]


So what you&#39;re saying is.. "Lee, you&#39;re right, splitting is illegal"

I&#39;ve also bolded the important parts for everyone to take note of..

[D'Artagnan]

Errr no....the proposal was withdrawn so the &#39;loop holes&#39; still exist...

[Lord Farquaad]

er no, theres 7 points there that make it illegal

[resist]

I got tought a new acronym this morning by a big muscly dude:

UTFSE

[chief wiggum]

meaning what resist?

[Ice]

meaning what resist?[/b]

Do a search for "UTFSE"
Your question shall be answered.

Now in the spirit of the question being asked...
Those who believe one way or the other will continue to do so... HOWEVER... I&#39;m assuming that noone is arguing the legality of overtaking moving traffic in its own lane? Because that is what Lee is referring to. Lanesplitting MOVING traffic. Just answer the question based on that.

[likefry]

technically as long as you indicate you can lanesplit as your changing lanes alot.

voted A like cops can really be assed trying to chase you through congested traffic.

i&#39;ve pulled up opposite cops at lights in the middle of 2 cars before and they don&#39;t even blink. And that is illegal