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Identifying stalls/accidents while in the split

MotoGazer

MotoGazer

Moto Initiate
Joined
Mar 5, 2015
Location
East Coco County
Moto(s)
'14 Ninja 300
Name
Mike
I had my first near miss yesterday. Thankfully the driver saw me at the last second and pulled back into his lane. It happened on 80 East near the Pinole Valley Road exit. It turns out there was a stalled Westcat Bus in the #1 lane and drivers were trying to get around it. Here's the video:

[youtube]DoJBSfzCj1k[/youtube]


What clues should I have looked for or do you use to identify if there's a possible stalled vehicle up ahead in the #1 or #2 lane? This is the second time I've come across a stall while in the split, and I've noticed drivers can get a little unpredictable.

The incident shook me up a little. Afterwards I didn't signal my intention to change to lane #3 and at one point downshifted instead of upshifting.

I ride into work every now and then to gain some experience and have been riding for almost a year.
 
Forget the stalled vehicle. Stalled vehicle or not, gaps in the neighboring lane are what makes drivers change lanes, often without much of any notice or care. Look for those and be patient. Better to wait until there are two cars next to each other and then split.
It's hard to be patient but the willingness to wait a few extra seconds (or minutes) will make a difference for safety in the long run.
 
That same thing happens to me just about everytime I lane split. You have a very good, safe delta which allowed you to react in time so I'd say you're doing the right thing. Keep your eyes up and expect this kind of driver behavior.
 
As you gain experience in land splitting, you'll get the rhythm of traffic, the gaps and your delta. You'll start to see drivers who are thinking about jumping before they jump. You'll see the jumpers just as they start their jump and you'll either slow down or speed up It's a constantly changing process. This will become as much a non event as the one you just experienced. Your delta was good enough to allow you to avoid the car. Keep your delta low and gain skill and confidence. Lane splitting can be pretty daunting until you gain skill and experience.
 
I have a friend who has 3/4 of a million miles on bikes in thirty years. He's never had a crash and he's a fast safe rider.

He never lane splits.

I know a BARFER who has had three lanesplitting accidents and swears they were all "somebody else's fault". In a year.
 
I'll second what has already been said about gaps. If I see one forming I'll adjust my speed so that by the time I am passing the car in question, there's someone next to them. If that's not an option, I'll move into he gap instead of along side it, giving me more of a chance to avoid someone moving into it as well.

I also noticed you were waving at the guy who moved you over. That's all and good, I wave to folks moving for me all the time. I feel like it's a good PR move if anything, winning over hearts and minds and all that. That being said, do be carful as it's removing your hand from the controls which can reduce your reaction time.
 
Spartan925 said:
I also noticed you were waving at the guy who moved you over. That's all and good, I wave to folks moving for me all the time. I feel like it's a good PR move if anything, winning over hearts and minds and all that. That being said, do be carful as it's removing your hand from the controls which can reduce your reaction time.
Click to expand...

Funny you mention that because two days ago I was waving to someone that moved over for me and at the same time I am waving, the car in front of them no signal changes. I have wondered what would happen if I got cut off while waving and to my satisfaction I was able to transition the wave into a bird and took off:twofinger:ride
 
Spartan925 said:
I'll second what has already been said about gaps. If I see one forming I'll adjust my speed so that by the time I am passing the car in question, there's someone next to them. If that's not an option, I'll move into he gap instead of along side it, giving me more of a chance to avoid someone moving into it as well.
Click to expand...

I have to remember to move into the gaps when its safe to do so. I usually just hug either side of the dots.
 
Immediate situation:

Pretty standard case of a car in a slowing lane filling a gap in a faster lane. Even in CA where random shit just happens, people usually change lanes for a reason.

When you see a gap coming up, you can vary your speed so as to enter it when cars are overlapped.

Big picture:

Notice how the right lanes are winning? That is telegraphing an obstruction on the left.

Look way ahead. You may see the obstruction (or brake lights) and you can definitely notice an unusual number of lane changes. This gets easier as you develop skill at assessing the immediate situation.

What actually happened:

Good: Your delta was low enough that the lane changer had time to see you and react.
Bad: You stiffened up on the bars. Looked like you tried to steer but mostly braked.

If someone can actually change lanes into a gap then you can change lanes too. Visualize your planned evasion before entering the gap. Your right palm should be aching to feel the countersteer. Practice countersteering as a reaction (fx. to tar spots). If you are already turning a little (to enter the gap) then turning more is much faster than reacting from dead vertical.
 
smm said:
Immediate situation:

Pretty standard case of a car in a slowing lane filling a gap in a faster lane. Even in CA where random shit just happens, people usually change lanes for a reason.

When you see a gap coming up, you can vary your speed so as to enter it when cars are overlapped.

Big picture:

Notice how the right lanes are winning? That is telegraphing an obstruction on the left.

Look way ahead. You may see the obstruction (or brake lights) and you can definitely notice an unusual number of lane changes. This gets easier as you develop skill at assessing the immediate situation.

What actually happened:

Good: Your delta was low enough that the lane changer had time to see you and react.
Bad: You stiffened up on the bars. Looked like you tried to steer but mostly braked.

If someone can actually change lanes into a gap then you can change lanes too. Visualize your planned evasion before entering the gap. Your right palm should be aching to feel the countersteer. Practice countersteering as a reaction (fx. to tar spots). If you are already turning a little (to enter the gap) then turning more is much faster than reacting from dead vertical.
Click to expand...

:thumbup

Good observations. Much appreciated to all.

Yeah, I should've picked up on lanes #3 and #4 moving faster than #1 and #2. That usually never happens on that stretch of road during rush hour.

I tried to swerve but mostly braked almost coming to a stop like a sitting duck.
 
I am glad you shared your video... I lanesplit most days from Vallejo to Oakland and back for work. I try to go only 10mph over the speed of traffic, which I think may annoy faster riders (I try to get out of their way when I can move over safely and I signal that I am doing so).

My question to some of the answerers in this thread: What is a delta????

Traci
 
Ahab said:
Forget the stalled vehicle. Stalled vehicle or not, gaps in the neighboring lane are what makes drivers change lanes, often without much of any notice or care. Look for those and be patient. Better to wait until there are two cars next to each other and then split.
It's hard to be patient but the willingness to wait a few extra seconds (or minutes) will make a difference for safety in the long run.
Click to expand...

This. It's not the cars, it's the gaps.

I've seen cars trying to merge, and I've cut over in to a gap to stall a lane to let them merge, then go around them after it's done.

Be conscious of the gaps and you'll have a better experience.
 
tracipants said:
I am glad you shared your video... I lanesplit most days from Vallejo to Oakland and back for work. I try to go only 10mph over the speed of traffic, which I think may annoy faster riders (I try to get out of their way when I can move over safely and I signal that I am doing so).

My question to some of the answerers in this thread: What is a delta????

Traci
Click to expand...

I'm glad the vid helps. The delta is the difference between your speed and the surrounding cars. There was a video in general showing a rider going past parked cars that gives you a good idea what a 15mph delta looks like.
 
tracipants said:
I also don't lane-split if I feel tired, or have a bad feeling about it... I think it's important not to push myself too much or get manipulated by other riders.
Click to expand...

That's the perfect attitude to have and not just regarding lane splitting :thumbup:ride
 
cagers will always jump lanes for noreason. for some reason some think they are in a race and need to be in first place at any cost.
cagers will jump for fun, plesure, and profit, some to be a55 hats, some cause they are asleep.

as for traffic look a 1/4 mile or more if possable in front of you. look to see what is going on way ahead of your place.
helps if you are in a big rig šŸ˜±šŸ˜Š or tall pušŸ¤–.
and most accidents will happen in "set" place most times, so be ready as you get close to those spots.

ride in the future. to live today.
 
Agree with watching for the gaps.

Question: where is your camera mounted? The camera's field of vision was not as far ahead as I generally scan when I'm riding. I kept wanting to see above the top of the camera. If it's on your helmet, it may be that you're not looking farther ahead.
 
MLCOakland said:
Agree with watching for the gaps.

Question: where is your camera mounted? The camera's field of vision was not as far ahead as I generally scan when I'm riding. I kept wanting to see above the top of the camera. If it's on your helmet, it may be that you're not looking farther ahead.
Click to expand...

The camera is mounted on the left side of my helmet. I think the angle was off. I need to tilt the camera up a little bit more so that it's in line with my eyes.

I definitely need to look further ahead to get the big picture when I'm splitting. I've gathered that from reading the responses; And watch your gaps.
 
One thing I always do in regards to gaps is time my approach so that I am passing cars as they are parallel to each other by either slowing down or speeding up. It almost becomes a game, like in order for me to pass I have to line the cars up. Come to think of it that could make for a fun mobile game...
 
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