Lane splitting on the M1 in Melbourne...

I have recently moved to Melbourne from Brisbane which as I know is
against the trend yet here I am. Anyways my daily commute takes me
from South Yarra to Narre Warren. Luckily I am against the traffic but
the M1 still has a tendency to block up for 10km or so and I find it
very convenient to ride in the break down lane at about 60kph instead
of sitting with traffic. However I cannot help but notice that most
other bikers I see lane split instead. As I understand it lane
splitting is actually legal in Vic but I feel safer using the break
down lane then relying on the sanity and self control of your average
car driver at 7:30am in the morning. Now I know it can't be true that
obeying the law might not be actually be the safest option but is it
just a matter of time before I get fined for using the break down lane
on a fully functional vehicle or is there something I haven't thought
of and I am actually *safer* to lane split in slow moving traffic?

Cheers,
Damo -> who happily lane splits in stationary traffic but isn't so
sure on the moving kind....

 

In aus.motorcycles on Mon, 02 Apr 2007 23:27:34 +1000

I think you will find that it is a break down lane that is also used
by emergency vehicles.

Or the other way round, point being you'll see both.

Zebee

 

It's an "emergency stopping lane" which means that you can use it as a
parking lane in an 'emergency', and it is not intended as a lane for
moving traffic. You will get a ticket if you ride in it, and you'd
probably be increasing your chances of getting a puncture tenfold.

Nev..
'04 CBR1100XX

 

attach ya glider on the back of the bike and fly over the top...

seriously, using the emergency stopping lane is bad mojo IMHO. Lane
splitting is accepted here Vic, but riding in the emergency lane
isn't. Not to mention the crap on that lane.

When I started to spilt on the Monash I stuck to a rule
dont split when the traffic is over 60kmh
dont travel any more than 20kmh faster than the moving traffic.

it seem to work for me

once you get use to it, do it when and how ever

Marty

 

Hah, yeah the glider on the back might work. Probably need a 60" wing
to do it don't ya reckon?

So anyways I will stick to the lane splitting now - I wasn't very
impressed with the junk in the emergency lane anyway. Now that it is
school holidays there aren't any blockages anyhow.

Cheers,
Damo

 

Me too.

Car drivers could use it but they are too well mannered.
Do you REALLY want to be identified as "more-of-a-****-than-car-
drivers"?

Lanesplit all you like but leave the emergency lane for emergencies!