It is my understanding that almost every country in the world (with the exception of Canada and most of the United States) allows separation of tracks out of necessity. There are simply too many people on the streets to NOT allow lane sharing. The UK, all of Asia, etc. have so much traffic that if everyone took the place of a car in a lane, traffic jams would be unimaginable. The busiest U.S. state (California) was the first to legalize lane separation for good reason. After Toronto City Council recently approved a motion to consider a pilot project, it announced it would investigate the practice. Lane filtering – a practice in which motorcycles are placed at signals between lanes – should not be confused with lane separation, which allows motorcyclists to ride between lanes in fluid traffic. Currently, the City of Toronto prohibits both practices. In Quebec, you get a $600 ticket, so it`s probably the same for Ontario. I agree that it would take a long time for drivers to get used to filtering. But why not allow and start raising awareness? It`s a shame we didn`t start this 10, 20 or 30 years ago. I agree.
I would never do it if it became legal. Ontario drivers are far too distracted and selfish and would have no problem squeezing you out of lane filtering. Too dangerous. This is not legal and would have led to charges under HTA172, the stunting law. “Reckless driving” is another option for an LEO who decides to apply it because it is a fee that covers a wide margin of discretion on the subject. And seeing bikers hit by cars in their lane is exactly why we`re having this discussion. Maybe we don`t belong there. Therefore, an opinion on this issue that does not agree with the safety of channel filtering is absolutely questionable when it comes to creating legislation to support action. I agree with Willie. I`ve been a driver for over 50 years and I`m still riding. I have never shared the trail and I never will. This is totally crazy and should not be allowed.
On a multi-lane road, check both the distant lanes and those next to you. Another driver can drive in the same room as you. Perruzza introduced a motion to city council last month proposing a pilot project to filter motorcycle tracks along Richmond and Adelaide streets in downtown Toronto. I`ve cycled in every province (except Newfoundland and Labrador so far), wish I could share the lane if it`s safe, I just don`t think Canadian cyclists with four or more wheels are willing to allow it, most are ignorant and/or clueless – Ontario is the worst driver, with whom I`ve had the unfortunate encounters. I think it will take years of driver training institutes, etc. to educate cage drivers to the “look twice, save a life” mentality. TORONTO – The City of Toronto is exploring the possibility of allowing motorcyclists to travel between lanes at a red light, a practice that developers say would increase the safety of cyclists. In my life, we have developed a culture where smoking has become a taboo. Cycling lobby groups have been very effective in enforcing bike lanes and other laws that benefit cyclists, often to the detriment of other road users.
Things can change, but the problem is that in North America, driving is a hobby, not a shuttle strategy, for the most part. There are simply not enough of us and we are not a lobby strong enough to change the public`s mind. Until then, even if it became legal, a major change in driver setting would be required before it became safe. As long as the screening is done judiciously, most police officers will not care, but will still proceed with caution. If something happens, you`ll probably be to blame, so be prepared to accept it. No comment on splitting with speed as I have never done it before. A new study from the University of California, Berkeley shows that motorcyclists who share lanes in heavy traffic are much less likely to be hit from behind by other motorists and less likely to suffer head or torso injuries, reports the American Motorcyclist Association. Personally, I did it in Europe and California without close phone calls. We used our bike in California to ride 60 miles and it took 1 hour. A 60 mile ride in our car took 3 hours. Legalize filtering as in California with fines for misuse and fines for cars that try to hinder motorcycle filtration, and all riders will adapt to the benefits and allow safe screening. What a bunch of nervous nancies on this site.
FFS, you don`t have to do it if you think it`s dangerous. I can`t say I don`t care, because I rarely ride a bike and can now use the HOV lane when I do. But if I had to go to Toronto or Mississauga every day, I would bet I would split the lanes on the QEW/403 if it were allowed. Ontario drivers can`t be worse than Los Angeles drivers. At least our streets are not full of illegal immigrants without permits like there. People would soon get used to cycling between rows of cars. Perruzza, himself a motorcyclist, said he thought lane filtering would make motorcyclists safer. The middle of the lane is not a good driving position as it is covered with oil from other vehicles and becomes slippery when wet. I spent the first two years of my motorcycle life at the age of 16 and 17 in the UK, where screening is both legal and mandatory. I took two separate safety courses and passed two separate driving certifications, and each time, the instructors emphasized the need to keep your eyes peeled when driving between vehicles in traffic.
That was it. No speed limits or tips, no “filtering or splitting”, just pay attention to your surroundings. I agree, it won`t work here. We don`t enforce traffic rules and it`s a zoo there. Until people were forced to accept the fact that the police will do something, it was simply a matter of dividing the deadly ways. I grew up with it and it saves time for a bike. Sometimes I get scared for myself when I use my own track. People simply no longer respect other road users. A law/rule is only good if it is enforced. “Lane filtering, we`re basically looking at a pilot project around Richmond Street and Adelaide Street, which is the highest motorcycle collision zone in the city, which would allow motorcyclists at a red light to filter between a row of stopped cars to the stop line and cross the intersection once the light turns green,” he said. Another time, I was driving on a four-lane highway between two trucks driving next to each other at probably 100 km/h.
I was probably driving at 120 km/h. As I approached the front, they moved closer, leaving virtually no space between my handlebars and their huge wheels. It may be the stupidest thing I`ve ever done, and I`ve never done anything like it again. I was lucky to learn that lane separation is safer at low speeds. I am always amazed that we in Canada are discussing lane filtering. Most of the rest of the world practices it so that we can see its pros and cons, and yet we can`t agree on whether it`s safe or even a good idea. It`s not even a question of motorcyclists versus non-motorcyclists – Canadian motorcyclists in general simply can`t get along. If you need to change lanes, check your mirrors to make sure you don`t get overtaken. If it`s safe, signal, check your rearview mirror again, then turn your head and check over your shoulder before changing lanes.
Looking over your shoulder is the only sure way to see a vehicle behind you in the next lane. This is especially important because it`s unlikely that a driver in the next lane will be able to react quickly enough to avoid you once you`ve started changing lanes. Filtering doesn`t really apply to where I live, because you need lanes for that, but for a long time in the spring there are long piles of winter sand between all the tracks, which I have to consciously avoid. His request also included a proposal to allow motorcycles to operate on designated bus and taxi lanes and to create more exclusive parking for motorcycles. For me, filtering is safer than driving in bumper traffic.
