Archive of BMW Motorrad Club Cape (2006 - 2019)

Adapted from the California Motorcycle Safety Program (comments in italics are added by Charles Oertel):

Lane splitting in a safe and prudent manner is legal.

The term lane splitting, sometimes known as lane sharing, filtering or white-lining, refers to the process of a motorcyclist riding between lanes of stopped or slower moving traffic or moving between lanes to the front of traffic stopped at a traffic light.

Motorcyclists who are competent enough to lane split, should follow these general guidelines if choosing to lane split:

1. Travel at a speed that is no more than 15 kph faster than other traffic:
   1. Danger increases at higher speed differentials.
   2. A speed differential of 15kph allows an alert, competent rider enough time to identify and react to most dangerous situations that can occur.
   3. The greater the speed differential, the less time a rider has to identify and react to a hazard.
   4. This speed differential allows vehicles a chance to see the motorbike, but also prevents the bike from spending too much time in a vehicle's blind spot.
2. It is not advisable to lane split when traffic flow is at 60kph or faster:
   1. Danger increases as overall speed increases.
   2. At just 30kph, in the 1 or 2 seconds it takes a rider to identify a hazard, that rider will travel approximately 10 to 20 meters before even starting to take evasive action. Actual reaction (braking or swerving) will take additional time and distance.
   3. Braking and stopping distance varies greatly based on a multitude of factors (rider, machine and environment).
   4. As speed increases, crash severity increases.
3. Typically, it is safer to split between the far-right and second from right lanes than between other lanes:
   1. Other road users are more accustomed to motorcycles splitting between the furthest right lanes.
   2. Avoid splitting in lanes near freeway on-ramps and exits.
   3. Avoid splitting lanes when another motorcycle rider is splitting between other nearby lanes as cars may make additional room for one rider and accidentally reduce space for another.
4. Consider the total environment in which you are splitting, including the width of the lanes, size of surrounding vehicles, as well as roadway, weather, and lighting conditions:
   1. Some lanes are narrower than others, leaving little room to pass safely. If you can't fit, don't split.
   2. Some vehicles are wider than others - it is not advisable to split near wide trucks. If you can't fit, don't split.
   3. Know the limitations of your motorcycle - wide bars, fairing and bags require more space between vehicles. If you can't fit, don't split.
   4. Avoid splitting on unfamiliar roads to avoid surprises such as poor road surfaces.
   5. Seams in the road surface or concrete between lanes can be hazardous if they are wide or uneven.
   6. Poor visibility, due to darkness or weather conditions, makes it difficult for riders to see road hazards and makes it more difficult for drivers to see you.
   7. Help drivers see you by wearing brightly colored protective gear and using high beams during daylight.
5. Be alert and anticipate possible movements by other road users:
   1. Be very aware of what the cars around you are doing. If a space, or gap, opens up next to your lane, be prepared react accordingly.
   2. Always be prepared to take evasive action if a vehicle changes lanes.
   3. Account for inattentive or distracted drivers.
   4. Riders should not weave back and forth between lanes or ride on top of the line.  Try to stay in the rightmost quarter of the lane, so that you are continually visible in the right-hand mirror of all the cars ahead of you.  Every time you move into the middle of you lane you become invisible to everyone except the car immediately in front of you.
   5. Riders should avoid lingering in blind spots.
   6. Avoid riding near trucks, buses or other large vehicles that have big blind spots, and that hide you from other road users.
   7. Never ride while impaired by drugs, alcohol or fatigue.
   8. Constantly scan for changing conditions.

The Four R's or “Be-Attitudes” of Lane Splitting:

Be Reasonable, be Responsible, be Respectful, be aware of all Roadway and traffic conditions.

• Be Reasonable means not more than 15kph faster than traffic flow and not over 65kph.
• Be Responsible for your own safety and decisions.
  • Don't put yourself in dangerous positions.
  • If you can't fit, don't split.
• Be Respectful
  • Sharing the road goes both ways.
  • Don't rely on loud pipes to keep you safe, loud pipes often startle people and poison the attitude of car drivers toward motorcyclists.
  • Other vehicles are not required to make space for motorcycles to lane split.
• Be aware Roadways and traffic can be hazardous.
  • uneven road surfaces
  • wide trucks
  • distracted drivers
  • weather conditions
  • curves, and blind rises etc.

Disclaimers:

These general guidelines are not guaranteed to keep you safe.

Lane splitting should not be performed by inexperienced riders. These guidelines assume a high level of riding competency and experience.

The recommendations contained here are only general guidelines and cannot cover all possible combinations of situations and variables.

Personal Safety:

Every rider has ultimate responsibility for his or her own decision making and safety. Riders must be conscious of reducing crash risk at all times. While it is required by law to wear a helmet, the BMW Motorcycle Club Cape recommends all riders wear full safety gear at all times (boots, protective jacket, pants and gloves).

Risk of getting a ticket:

Motorcyclists who lane split are not relieved of the responsibility to obey all existing traffic laws. With respect to possible law enforcement action, keep in mind that it will be up to the discretion of the Law Enforcement Officer to determine if riding behavior while lane splitting is or was safe and prudent.

When is it NOT OK to split?

You should NOT lane split:

• If you can't fit.
• At a toll booth.
• If traffic is moving too fast or unpredictably.
• If dangerous road conditions exist - examples include water or grit on the road, slippery road markings, road construction, uneven road surfaces, metal grates, etc.
• If you cannot clearly see a way out of the space you're going into (for example, if a van or SUV is blocking your view).
• Between trucks, buses, RVs, and other wide vehicles.
• Around or through curves.
• If you are not fully alert and aware of your surroundings.
• If you are unable to react to changing conditions instantaneously.
• If you don't feel comfortable with the situation.

Messages for Other Vehicle Drivers

1. Lane splitting by motorcycles is not illegal in South Africa when done in a safe and prudent manner.
2. Motorists should not take it upon themselves to discourage motorcyclists from lane splitting.
3. Intentionally blocking or impeding a motorcyclist in a way that could cause harm to the rider is illegal.
4. Opening a vehicle door to impede a motorcycle is illegal.
5. Never drive while distracted.
6. You can help keep motorcyclists and all road users safe by:
   1. Checking mirrors and blind spots, especially before changing lanes or turning
   2. Signaling your intentions before changing lanes or merging with traffic
   3. Allowing more following distance, three or four seconds, when behind a motorcycle so the motorcyclist has enough time to maneuver or stop in an emergency