Safely? No. Enough to pass, yes. The BMW stopped, or you would have seen it driving away. Traffic was moving 20-25mph tops. No way that semi would have been able to stop that fast (and not run over the bike guy on the ground) at highway speed. An old man once told me believe 10% of what you read and half of what you see.

 

 

This sucks, I hate hearing about a nice clean Corvette being damaged by careless drivers. But unfortunately for those of us who actually drive our cars on public roads, it's just a matter of time before the paint is scratched, scuffed, gouged or otherwise damaged in some way. It really is normal wear and tear. You can park in the back lot, you can use a cover, you can do anything in attempt to prevent it but eventually it's going to happen.

I ride off-road motorcycles only because of the incredible risk of riding street bikes. Believe me, I would love to commute on a motorcycle and hit the lovely Sierra foothills roads on weekends. But on a motorcycle, there is a massive risk for injury or death just for one reason: distracted drivers. Gosh darn I really hate that our society has such lack of discipline and consideration for the welfare of others. We are incredibly selfish! GAH! So I try very hard to drive safely and be aware of motorcyclists. But if a lane splitter is approaching me well above the speed limit, I could easily cut him off accidentally. How many times am I supposed to check my mirrors and crane my neck toward the rear window before I change lanes? At some point the street bikers need to take responsibility for their legal but very dangerous behavior. Yes the traffic can be very frustrating, but nobody is forcing them to split lanes. It is a choice.

 

Yup it's been my experience that bikers all ride like that. I'd lock them all up, they all think theyre invincible and the most important person in the world. People that split lanes should have their license revoked permanently.

 

Driver not rider.
You know, the person who intentionally wrecked the rider.

 

Every time that happens, an Angel gets its wings..

 

I never did and I completely agree with you.

 

You know, frankly.. This attitude extends to bicycles in some areas as well.

If you want to buy something that lets you skirt traffic laws (And even general road etiquette) with impunity? Buy a plane.

But as long as you are down here with the rest of us, follow the rules.

No sympathy for butt-hats who think they're too special for them to bother.

 

Good part is that the laws of physics always trump whatever laws humans come up with. So what if you can sue me? Money is only good for spending. Can't spend it if you are dead, if you are lucky. If you are not so lucky to die instantly and you are crippled for life, well, I don't know about you but money is not going to change that.

 

 

I see too many cyclists behave that way to even feel sorry for them when they get hurt. Probably wouldn't even waste my phone battery to call for help if I see it is caused by their disregard for the laws of physics. Same with pedestrians. If I want to play, I best be willing to pay for my sins.

 

 

I stay in the center of the lane. I'm not sure I want to put myself closer to road debris or another car to mitigate YOUR risk and increase MY own unless you are meaningful to me.

 

So you want to blame the guy making a perfectly legal move, maybe trying to dodge some debris in the road, maybe changing lanes, and not the guy riding like a dickwad trying to make an illegal pass with excessive speed? Come on, get real. That rider caused that accident 100%, and shouldn't be allowed on the road.

 

This happened in California where lane splitting is legal. The bmw driver did that intentionally, which is not legal at all. Watch the video again. The driver isn't even clear of the truck before he cuts over.

 

I'm reading these comments about the risk involved in riding motorcycles and I can't help but ask whether these people enjoy flying light planes, helicoptors, parachuting, bungee jumping etc. Everything we do in life has some risk involved, it's just the level we're prepared to go to. I would never try any of these activities but I've been riding bikes without any problems for nearly fifty years. I ride defensively and assume that all the other motorists can't see me. Where I am in OZ lane splitting is legal up to 40kph (approx 25 mph) and I rarely lane split even at these speeds, but it's not unusual to see riders (usually on sports bikes) lane splitting on the freeways at 60 mph or more. To me this is suicidal and just goes to prove the old saying....there's old riders and bold riders, but no old bold riders.

 

Regardless of legality it is a high risk move. He might have won in the past This time he did not If you don't want to pay when the risk goes against you don't play. It is that simple.

 

Sure There is risk which gives you the adrenaline rush. Risk implies that there is a chance of failure. Some days are good, others, no so.