BEIST
02-03-2016, 07:02 PM
When I am out riding with my buddies there is often a lot of discussion about congested traffic and Lane Splitting, which is legal out in California, and I thought I might share my own "East Coast" experience.
I ride my 1979 GL1000 down to the Delmarva (Ocean City MD) Bike Week every year. A long standing tradition that I gloat over all my Harley Trailer Queens (If anybody is offended please call 1-800-SCARED2RIDE). While riding down from Philadelphia I always take Route 9 through the swamps and the Bombay Hook Nature Reserve. This entails running the risk of flooded roads at high tide. But that is certainly no more risky than riding on Route 1! When I merge after the Dover Air Force Base the traffic always seems to be at a stand still for about a ten mile stretch at this specific location. Especially during any holiday weekend. Since lane splitting is illegal on the east coast - I will wait my turn in line. UNTIL my bike starts over heating. Then I start gingerly driving down between the stopped cars. There is usually about eight to ten feet of clearance. I only travel about ten miles an hour = scared to death = rehearsing the story in my mind that I plan on telling a police officer about my precious antique bike overheating. "Please officer! My baby was about to die!" But what always snaps me right back into reality is some hot head pulling into the center lane to cut me off. Nine times out of ten they are unable to fully cut me off because there is just not enough room, between the stopped cars, to move far enough forward. Since I wear a full face helmet with a dark shield I never really get any eye contact with them as I have to squeeze by on tiptoes. But,usually it is some little old man, all by himself, glaring straight forward, squeezing the steering wheel with white knuckles. Honestly, I don't get angry because I am breaking the law. Shame actually comes over me but it is always followed by even more increased anxiety because I envision them calling 911 to report me. And don't think I haven't thought about some idiot opening his door up to clip me! That's why I damn near ride at a walking pace. Anyways, the first time I do get a ticket = the trailer will be on order = to present before the Judge in hopes of leniency. And I will then probably have to call 1-800 ... :icon_frown:
I ride my 1979 GL1000 down to the Delmarva (Ocean City MD) Bike Week every year. A long standing tradition that I gloat over all my Harley Trailer Queens (If anybody is offended please call 1-800-SCARED2RIDE). While riding down from Philadelphia I always take Route 9 through the swamps and the Bombay Hook Nature Reserve. This entails running the risk of flooded roads at high tide. But that is certainly no more risky than riding on Route 1! When I merge after the Dover Air Force Base the traffic always seems to be at a stand still for about a ten mile stretch at this specific location. Especially during any holiday weekend. Since lane splitting is illegal on the east coast - I will wait my turn in line. UNTIL my bike starts over heating. Then I start gingerly driving down between the stopped cars. There is usually about eight to ten feet of clearance. I only travel about ten miles an hour = scared to death = rehearsing the story in my mind that I plan on telling a police officer about my precious antique bike overheating. "Please officer! My baby was about to die!" But what always snaps me right back into reality is some hot head pulling into the center lane to cut me off. Nine times out of ten they are unable to fully cut me off because there is just not enough room, between the stopped cars, to move far enough forward. Since I wear a full face helmet with a dark shield I never really get any eye contact with them as I have to squeeze by on tiptoes. But,usually it is some little old man, all by himself, glaring straight forward, squeezing the steering wheel with white knuckles. Honestly, I don't get angry because I am breaking the law. Shame actually comes over me but it is always followed by even more increased anxiety because I envision them calling 911 to report me. And don't think I haven't thought about some idiot opening his door up to clip me! That's why I damn near ride at a walking pace. Anyways, the first time I do get a ticket = the trailer will be on order = to present before the Judge in hopes of leniency. And I will then probably have to call 1-800 ... :icon_frown: