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Even though almost everyone used a bicycle for transportation as a kid, I think the non-motorcycling public has a mental image of the road that is basically different from what motorcyclists have. Those who ride rationally with respect for precision control probably keep their potential problem inventories a lot more current than your average texting millennial happily ignorant of what's in his blind spots.

There are plenty of times maintaining a positive delta vee in traffic is safer than constant speed. People see relative motion, and there are those pesky blind spots.

Below a certain low speed, and certainly when stopped, a motorcycle lacks what a sailor would call steerageway. Maneuverability skyrockets with enough speed to engage gyroscopic forces, which kick in pretty quick, and all those other things like camber thrust that control a bike.

Lane-splitting or not, ride safe.

I'm for the option to lane split. I didn't used to be, but I see if it's used rationally, it's OK.

Summer traffic at 20 MPH with the temps soaring well over 100 on the slab was a nightmare on my first Goldwing, a 2002.

The overload fans on Goldwings reverse the air flow, pooting hot air out the front vents. It's really hot air even if the engine is only a few degrees above normal. If it dumped that heat on the rider future archeologists would marvel at the occasional Pompeii victim on fossilized highways.

Older Goldwings don't have powerful enough fans to overcome slipstream, and none of them will activate their overtemp fans over 20 MPH because it's counterproductive.

On my old 2002, if the fans came on while riding 20 it didn't cool anything. At 20 the fans perfectly balanced incoming ram air pressure and engine temperature would rise. In fact, there was a recall on that year to remap the fuel injection, to clamp off fuel at near zero throttle and 15-20 MPH. The recall worked, but my 2015 Goldwing has a better solution - cooling fans that spool up like the reverse thrusters on Al Gore's what-carbon-footprint jet liner.

Slow me down on a hot day, beware. When the engine control system calls for cooling assist, I'll peel the paint off what's in front of me. No hard feelings, it's just what happens.

Charles L. Cotton wrote:I hope this bill passes. A few weeks back, I started watching every motorcycle "how to" video I could find. Lane-splitting, counter-steering and braking are popular videos. I see the advantage of lane-splitting for bikers and motorists.

BTW, my quest to return to riding after decades away is over.

Chas.

Bikes are fine things. My wife talked me into a Gold Wing because of the back seat. I had Traxxion Dynamics "Full Monty" suspension mods installed. She got the luxury bike she wanted, I got the sporty bike I wanted.

Ride safe, y'all.