riding on the shoulders during traffic hours

[xpider2]

Hey guys, I am a new rider (less than 2000 miles). I recently started commuting on my bike, and I constantly see other riders riding on the shoulders during peak traffic hours (610, 8,) but I am personally afraid of getting a ticket. I just wanted to know where most riders stand on this topic; shoulder, or law abiding citizen?

Thanks guys!

[01ls1ws6]

It's a personal decision so why would it matter what anyone thinks? I've personally done it a couple of times but I don't care for it. Too much trash and nails and to puncture your tires.

[xpider2]

I appreciate the response. I've heard that in some other states LEOs look the other way when they see bikers on the shoulders due to "safety concerns". I just wasn’t sure if Texas was one of them. Thanks though!

[bumblebee]

+1 Too much .

Flats on a bike are, at best, a pain in the . They can be much worse.

[xpider2]

Definitely something to keep in mind when tempted

[Rod]

Welcome to MH.
It's not worth it...
To go right push on the right bar, to go left push the on left bar. This called counter steering and you learned how to do it when you learned how to ride a bicycle. Use your front brake mainly and use the rear brake lightly. Look where want to go, not where you are going. Always look far ahead and when in traffic behind a car, ride to one side of then lane or the other so you look around the car and see whats going on up ahead. Take your advice from riders who have been riding a long time, the older/wiser the better.

You will crash eventually so get geared up. And remember this, there two kinds of motorcycle riders. Those who have crashed and those that are going to.

There are old riders and there are bold riders but there are no old and bold riders.

[dbuck]

too much on the shoulders. Shoulders are for emergency use only....after you gain some experience, try splitting the lanes. i.e. occupy pavement area designed for vehicular traffic....a car fits on the shoulder too, but they don't do it....lane split!

btw, it ain't legal, but I do it all the time and yet to have been popped (by the man or any other vehicle)....doesn't mean I won't one day.

[xpider2]

I appreciate the input from all of y’all!

[green600]

that mess I would ride between cars any day before the break down lane.

just the fact that the car can get over real quick keeps me out of the break down lane not to mention all the debris.

[Solracer]

Originally Posted by dbuck

try splitting the lanes.

[xpider2]

Originally Posted by Solracer

Thanks guys. For the first time I was splitting lanes yesterday after work, after receiving some 'encouragement' from all of you. I noticed that a few drivers are still not open to the concept of lane splitting as they purposely tried to block me! Hopefully the Bill will pas next year.

[bluewave18]

either option is going to people off. Watch yourself out there. Its dangerous

[dbuck]

Originally Posted by xpider2

Thanks guys. For the first time I was splitting lanes yesterday after work, after receiving some 'encouragement' from all of you. I noticed that a few drivers are still not open to the concept of lane splitting as they purposely tried to block me! Hopefully the Bill will pas next year.

Originally Posted by dbuck

too much on the shoulders. Shoulders are for emergency use only....after you gain some experience, try splitting the lanes. i.e. occupy pavement area designed for vehicular traffic....a car fits on the shoulder too, but they don't do it....lane split!

btw, it ain't legal, but I do it all the time and yet to have been popped (by the man or any other vehicle)....doesn't mean I won't one day.

I'd put a few more miles under your belt before executing. It certainly isn't a practice I'd encourage a noob to try, nor is it something I do every opportunity I have....usually only in very dense traffic.

[Preeminence]

Originally Posted by xpider2

Thanks guys. For the first time I was splitting lanes yesterday after work, after receiving some 'encouragement' from all of you. I noticed that a few drivers are still not open to the concept of lane splitting as they purposely tried to block me! Hopefully the Bill will pas next year.

I have to lane split on a smaller highway during my commute from work to class three times per week (else I'd never make it in time) and I can say with high confidence that many of the people trying to block you just aren't paying attention. I pass by many of the same cars time and again, and as far as I can tell nobody has tried to block me multiple times. If someone is blocking your way, just wait for an opening.

[TomballD]

Lane splitting really people off, now imagine people off who are off about being stuck in traffic, and are off about their job and thier wife, and everything else. One day there will be that one person that takes it to far, even if you are prepared, it may be unavoidable. I'm not saying dont split, just be prepared. Dont ride the shoulder either, that can really get you in a bad spot with trying to merge back in, lots of oil and nails and out there. I guess to me in this point of my life bikes are about having fun riding. Riding/commuting in Houston is not fun (to me), i did that for 8 years and had to many nutcase close calls and said it.

[Repth]

Originally Posted by Preeminence

I have to lane split on a smaller highway during my commute from work to class three times per week (else I'd never make it in time) and I can say with high confidence that many of the people trying to block you just aren't paying attention. I pass by many of the same cars time and again, and as far as I can tell nobody has tried to block me multiple times. If someone is blocking your way, just wait for an opening.

No, you don't "have to", and that's a excuse.

I don't actually think you need an excuse, but when you say something like that... it just makes us all sound dumb

[Repth]

Originally Posted by dbuck

I'd put a few more miles under your belt before executing. It certainly isn't a practice I'd encourage a noob to try, nor is it something I do every opportunity I have....usually only in very dense traffic.

Agreed. It's imperative that you have excellent control over the bike when operating it in narrow spaces around off morons. Splitting is not for noobs.

[xpider2]

I really appreciate all of y’all input on the subject. I myself being a new rider thought it was the norm for bikers to either splitlanes or ride on the shoulders (depending on the size bike of course). I see so many on my daily commute that made me feel like a wimp as the passed by me.

[Repth]

Originally Posted by xpider2

I really appreciate all of y’all input on the subject. I myself being a new rider thought it was the norm for bikers to either splitlanes or ride on the shoulders (depending on the size bike of course). I see so many on my daily commute that made me feel like a wimp as the passed by me.

The majority of people do not. Those that do are normally, but not exclusively, squids. I don't do it unless traffic is incredibly dense, and even then, I accept that the legality of it is dubious at best.

[HoustonHD]

Nah man, it's all good. Check out this vid of someone splittin'

https://www.instagram.com/p/6fV-45NwC_/