Is lane splitting on your motorcycle safe?

Should you position your motorcycle between two lanes of vehicle traffic on highways? This practice, known as lane splitting or lane filtering, is one that Canadian lawmakers and motorcycle drivers themselves cannot seem to agree upon.

To ensure that you always practice safe riding, it is important to understand what these terms mean and whether you should engage in these driving behaviours. When you consider that you do not have the same protection surrounding you that drivers of cars and trucks have, it is even more critical to make sure that you and others remain safe on the road.

What do experienced motorcycle and moped drivers recommend?

People who have been at this a long time frequently suggest that the best place to drive a two-wheeled vehicle while sharing the road with four-wheeled vehicles is a little to the left or right of the centre lane. The location is where the tracks from four-wheeled vehicles would be.

Experienced drivers consider driving a motorcycle or moped near the centre line to be the safest possible location because it is easiest to see other drivers and have them see you. Another benefit of choosing this position is that it discourages car and truck drivers from trying to drive in the same lane as you or even squeeze past you.

Tips for slower moving two-wheeled vehicles

The above recommendation is most appropriate when your motorcycle or moped can keep up with the speed of traffic. If you own a slower two-wheeled vehicle, the safest place for you to drive is as close as possible to the edge of the roadway or the right-hand curb. Be sure to allow faster vehicles to pass you as well.

When it is not possible to drive close to a curb or edge, you can assume a blocking position within the lane to prevent cars and trucks from passing you. The same is true when the lane you are travelling in is too narrow.

Sharing and changing lanes

You should avoid sharing your lane with other drivers, regardless of the type of vehicle they are driving, unless you cannot keep up with the posted kilometers per hour. You can maintain a blocking posture to avoid having cars and trucks drive next to you in a lane. Orbit Insurance Services suggests remaining especially vigilant in these situations:

• when another driver indicates they want to pass you
• when approaching an intersection to turn
• when driving in bumper-to-bumper traffic
• when leaving the freeway or an exit lane

However, it is important to avoid lane splitting since this is an extremely dangerous practice. Lane splitting means that you drive on the line dividing lanes of traffic. Since other drivers do not expect to have a motorcycle or moped that close to them, it only takes a slight movement in either direction by you or them to cause a serious accident. Additionally, avoid using the shoulder of a road to pass another vehicle unless you are making a left turn and encounter a paved shoulder.

Do you have the right insurance for your motorcycle or moped?

The drivers of two-wheeled vehicles have different insurance needs than the drivers of four-wheeled vehicles. At Orbit Insurance Services, we encourage all clients to contact us at least once a year to ensure that you have the coverage you need. Now that spring is here and you are driving your motorcycle or moped more often, we recommend checking in with us as soon as possible. Contact an Orbit insurance broker today! We revolve around you.