Actually, I feel that lane splitting isnt wise for cyclists. When motorcyclists do it, they are able to zoom off when the lights turn green leaving cars in their dust due to their quicker acceleration.
Cyclists simply cant do that.
How much time or effort are you going to save? Personally I feel that cyclists endanger themselves twice when doing this.
Firstly, when they lane split. If the light should turn green halfway, it is damn hard to find a driver nice enough to let you merge back to the left lane. Its hard to find cars that give way to other cars, let alone bicycles. Especially when they feel that you dont even belong on the roads in the first place.
Second is when the cyclist reaches the front and the light turns green again. Its like playing leap frog. You overtake everyone when they're stopped. Then drivers all try to overtake you again. Assuming there were 3 cars in front of you and you move to the front. That means there are 3 more cars that will be overtaking you when the light turns green. In addition, drivers think they're saving lots of time when they manage to gain a car length of distance. You see this all the time during traffic jams where drivers switch lanes cos they think the other lane would get them a few car lengths forward. To them, you're like cutting queue!
And its also quite juvenile lah. To them its not fair that you can bend/break the rules. In their childish minds, they may feel justified in doing the same. Sort of like, "they can do it, why cant I?"
So that is why I will queue up like the other vehicles when riding on the road.
No doubt about that. I love to keep left and carry on, unless in special circumstances.
More critically, however, if you'd look at the picture more closely, the cars are stopped and the cyclist looks like he's in the lane to turn right. Logically, the best way to turn right is to do it from the right lane, literally and figuratively.
When I talk about motorcycles, however, it is more towards the end of showing how a motorcyclist can do the same thing, but doesn't get so much biased furore.
Hmm.. I think its especially important to queue up if turning. Seems to me the cyclist in the picture is really right in the middle of both lanes. Hard for drivers to keep an eye on him as they turn right. Best for the cyclist to follow behind and be in the middle of the lane, keeping left again after making the turn. Also if the timing and turning radius are just right, cyclist might end up getting squeezed between pavement and car.
I prefer to use the outer-most turning lane. Assuming there are 2 right turn lanes, I will use the one on the left. This way, I will already be on the left side of the road after making the turn. Saves me the trouble of changing lanes all the way to the right before the turn and then all the way to the left after.
Get your point regarding motorcycles. But most cyclists on the road, especially in setups like the one in the pic are on the roads for leisure. Motorcyclists are almost always commuters. Also, these atas pple cannot always complain abt motorcycles lah, if not their pizzas and burgers have to be delivered on bicycles. They'll end up with even more regrets!
Actually, I feel that lane splitting isnt wise for cyclists.
ReplyDeleteWhen motorcyclists do it, they are able to zoom off when the lights turn green leaving cars in their dust due to their quicker acceleration.
Cyclists simply cant do that.
How much time or effort are you going to save? Personally I feel that cyclists endanger themselves twice when doing this.
Firstly, when they lane split. If the light should turn green halfway, it is damn hard to find a driver nice enough to let you merge back to the left lane. Its hard to find cars that give way to other cars, let alone bicycles. Especially when they feel that you dont even belong on the roads in the first place.
Second is when the cyclist reaches the front and the light turns green again. Its like playing leap frog. You overtake everyone when they're stopped. Then drivers all try to overtake you again.
Assuming there were 3 cars in front of you and you move to the front. That means there are 3 more cars that will be overtaking you when the light turns green.
In addition, drivers think they're saving lots of time when they manage to gain a car length of distance. You see this all the time during traffic jams where drivers switch lanes cos they think the other lane would get them a few car lengths forward. To them, you're like cutting queue!
And its also quite juvenile lah. To them its not fair that you can bend/break the rules. In their childish minds, they may feel justified in doing the same. Sort of like, "they can do it, why cant I?"
So that is why I will queue up like the other vehicles when riding on the road.
No doubt about that. I love to keep left and carry on, unless in special circumstances.
ReplyDeleteMore critically, however, if you'd look at the picture more closely, the cars are stopped and the cyclist looks like he's in the lane to turn right. Logically, the best way to turn right is to do it from the right lane, literally and figuratively.
When I talk about motorcycles, however, it is more towards the end of showing how a motorcyclist can do the same thing, but doesn't get so much biased furore.
Hmm.. I think its especially important to queue up if turning.
ReplyDeleteSeems to me the cyclist in the picture is really right in the middle of both lanes. Hard for drivers to keep an eye on him as they turn right. Best for the cyclist to follow behind and be in the middle of the lane, keeping left again after making the turn.
Also if the timing and turning radius are just right, cyclist might end up getting squeezed between pavement and car.
I prefer to use the outer-most turning lane. Assuming there are 2 right turn lanes, I will use the one on the left.
This way, I will already be on the left side of the road after making the turn. Saves me the trouble of changing lanes all the way to the right before the turn and then all the way to the left after.
Fewer lanes switches = Fewer balls shrinkage moments :D
Get your point regarding motorcycles. But most cyclists on the road, especially in setups like the one in the pic are on the roads for leisure. Motorcyclists are almost always commuters.
Also, these atas pple cannot always complain abt motorcycles lah, if not their pizzas and burgers have to be delivered on bicycles. They'll end up with even more regrets!