Motorcycle etiquette

[Pyloff]

I have a quick story with an embedded question to relate.

Recently I was driving down Telegraph road which is a 6 lane road, 3 lanes in each direction with a grassy median in the center. I was in the far left lane following my brother on his Honda Magna. I am not comfortable riding 2 cycles in a lane next to each other even though it seems like the norm. Not to mention the fact that I just got the bike plated about 2 weeks ago; it is the first bike I've owned and I'm still getting used to it. So my brother and I agreed to ride one infront of the other. We are thinking about getting talk boxes soon but that's a different tangent.

On to the story... We were surrounded by cars, but we were being safe staying out of blind spots and making eye contact etc... I notice another cyclist in the center lane, after my brother and I pass him I notice him quickly darting behind us in my rear view. I think nothing of it and suddenly he is passing me in my lane he throws out a quick wave and goes on to pass my brother as well.

We stop at the next light and I really didn't mind that much. He was pretty scraggly looking and we chatted about my bike for a minute. His quote was "Someone must have really loved that bike to chrome it out like that". Also commenting that he used to own a bike like mine.

After we ditched him I talked to my bro at the next light and he was really ****ed at how the guy just rode up on us. I was wondering if it was normal for a random biker to jump in ones lane and pass. Is it normal and friendly to do this or was it just this guy trying in his own way to be friendly?

Just a random question happy riding.



Ok well it wasn't so short but I tried to put as much detail as possible. It makes for a better read :-D

[skreemer]

I'll get in behind someone and ride "with" them for a little while. Always in "staggared" formation making sure he has alot fo room. If we come up to a stop light and I'm still with him I'll slowly roll up and say hello or make small talk.

I NEVER pass someone while I'm in thier lane unless they signal me forward. I also NEVER ride directly beside someone. Way too little room for error if something goes wrong.

[Billyboy]

I had a Sh1t for brains HD rider behind me the other day.

The light was going to turn red. (The yellows were flashing), so I slow to stop. SH HD rider ROARS past me in my lane. I was p1ssed right off. If I'm in the left lane I like to pull into the right side of the lane while stopped to give myself a little extra room. Had I done that the HD woulda creamed me!

One lane per bike unless staggered.

[KGB]

Yea 1 per lane, staggered and never pass in the same lane.

Thta's my rules and when we ride together around here.
No side by side unless at a stop light.

[Jethro]

That is unacceptable. I would have said something. My lane is my lane, when I'm under power, leave it the "F" alone. And when at a stop sign, you better be part of my group or someone I know, otherwise I don't want some idiot who just bought a bike getting all squirelly in my lane on take off...

[quiktrp]

It's disrespectful, rude, and unsafe. It's also illegal in 49 states. (California being the exception). Go figure.

[Jethro]

It's disrespectful, rude, and unsafe. It's also illegal in 49 states. (California being the exception). Go figure.

Actually, that is not true: http://www.amadirectlink.com/legisltn/laws.asp

I searched all of New England and VT is the only state that does not allow riding abreast of one other bike (no more than one other bike in the same lane). Illinois has no State statute that states weather or not it is or isn't allowed, so actually you can ride 10 abreast in a single lane without technically breaking any laws- California is the same way.

[quiktrp]

Actually, that is not true: http://www.amadirectlink.com/legisltn/laws.asp

I searched all of New England and VT is the only state that does not allow riding abreast of one other bike (no more than one other bike in the same lane). Illinois has no State statute that states weather or not it is or isn't allowed, so actually you can ride 10 abreast in a single lane without technically breaking any laws- California is the same way.

Man, that sucks. I wonder where it was that I read that. I wonder if it would still qualify as wreckless endagerment or something along those lines.

[quiktrp]

I think I got lane splitting and lane sharing confused. Lane splitting is illegal everywhere but cali?

[ScottMc1100L]

Legal or not, for the guy to buzz up beside you in the SAME lane was just stupid, ignorant, rude.....need I go on?

[dlancer]

At least when you both stopped at the light he was a nice enough guy. I really don't think he knew that would bother anyone. If I were you and he would have been a real a*****e I think then I would have been really upset that he was trying to show me up.

[courier11sec]

You can ride two abreast in WA, but I'm not in favor of it unless at a stoplight.

[earlfor]

My lane is my lane, all of it. If traffic is heavy and a rider comes up behind and obviously would like to "play through". I will move over in my lane (If I feel its reasonable to do so with the traffic movement at that moment) and wave him by. I refuse to ride side by side, ever.

Earl

[Arkaloid]

these guys did it all the time!!!

[jimcor]

Pet peave of mine. I hate it when guys try to use my lane . Flat out drives me up the wall. Like Earl says my lane is my lane, ALL of it.

Go to the Dragon and refuse to lane share and read about YOUR lack of courtesy on the threads on the Deal's Gap forums the next morning. Damn jerks. To hell with them!

I'll pull over for bikes or cages if there's a spot to do it on ANY 2 lane road, but if there's traffic or nowhere to pull over they just have to wait, sorry. They ain't Mat Mladin and this ain't the track.