Hit freeway speeds today

[AwwsChwA]

I cheated against my permit, I rode the freeway for a few exits. It wasn't quite as scary as I was prepared for, but I was DEFINITELY more aware than when I've been driving my car. I've already had one person not see me in a lane (started to merge right into me), so I've seen what it's like. I also have a new appreciation for leather jackets. I can't imagine how cold it would be riding with a mesh jacket (or none at all) at freeway speeds. Just the air whipping past my neck in between the jacket and helmet was enough to chill me.

[Memphis]

ya I cheated about 6 days after getting my permit. Wanted to ride to school on my bike. Highway may seem scary but its not. remember stay to the outside of the lane from the car next to you unless you got one on both sides, then what I do is speed up to the nose of the cars so they need to see me. I use the power of my bike to put me where I want to be for the biggest chance that the drivers will see me. Another tip is that if I am stuck next to a car since there is a car in front. I will make sure I can see the guys face in his side mirror to know that when he looks in his he will see me cuz I already watching him.

All and all be safe. I usually stay in the far left or far right lane, so I don't need to worry about having a car on both sides of me.


By the way, 18 wheelier pick up alot of sand when near them, it hurts alot when riding with no shirt on a humid day.
WOULDN'T RECOMMEND IT

[md2lgyk]

I ride maybe 300 miles a week, almost all on freeways to and from work. Knock on wood, I haven't had an accident (bike or car) in nearly 30 years. I think freeways are actually safer than 2-lane roads since everybody's going the same direction. My tips for this type of riding:

1. Just like always, I assume nobody ever sees me.

2. Except for passing, I only ride in the far right lane.

3. I never exceed the speed limit by more than 5 MPH. I don't care what other traffic is doing - they'll pass if they think I'm too slow. There are many drivers around here that routinely run 30+ over the speed limit.

3. I create an "island of space" around myself whenever possible. I take the normal distance I would follow somebody if I was in a car and double it. If somebody wants to tailgate me, I'll change lanes or slow down until they pass.

3. I NEVER let somebody remain directly beside me for longer than it takes them to pass or me to pass them.

4. I don't specifically focus on the vehicle just in front of me. I try to look 2 or 3 vehicles beyond. If one of them brakes, I'll be slowing down before the vehicle in front of me does.

5. I am especially wary of on-ramps. Along my route, there are several with limited visibility and little or no merge area. I always assume I will encounter a merging vehicle and plan ahead for what I'll do. Usually it's slow down and let them merge in front of me.

[prekarious1]

My personal feeling on this one would be to speed. Now before people start flaming me on this one, if your moving just slightly faster than normal traffic (about 5 above normal flow) then you increase your chances of being seen. You won't have people trying to stay right next to you. No one should be close enough to you for them to get comfortable with you being there and then forget about you, and it just feels safer to me.

PS. Aways ride with your brights on in the day time!

[bat4255]

I agree with the other posts for the most part, how ever I usually stay closer to traffic speed, around here usually at or +5 above of the posted limit. However if traffic is doing 15+ over I don't. I usually ride the left lane where there is a paved shoulder, so I have an escape route if I need it.

As for slowing down in traffic, freeway or not, I usually tap my brake, because of engine braking the vehicle behind me my not realize I'm slowing down.

I'm 52 riding since I was 15, no accidents (on the road), some motocross experence.

[AwwsChwA]

Thanks for all the advice. Sadly, most of what you're all saying is NOT in the DMV motorcycle handbook. Another fine example of how the government does not operate with common sense in mind for the most part.

[tlwisner]

Originally Posted by prekarious1

My personal feeling on this one would be to speed. Now before people start flaming me on this one, if your moving just slightly faster than normal traffic (about 5 above normal flow) then you increase your chances of being seen.

I don't get your logic. If you're going 5 mph faster than traffic, you are going to be passing everybody - and allowing everybody a chance to run you over or off the road. If you go with the flow, you will pass a few cars and be passed by a few cars, but the number of different cars you enounter will be far less, lowering the odds of having a brain dead numbskull decide that his car needs to be where your bike is.

If you want to be seen (hint: Yes you do!) then ride in the lane position that makes you most obvious.

[tlwisner]

Originally Posted by bat4255

I usually ride the left lane where there is a paved shoulder, so I have an escape route if I need it.

In most states, and countries, the left lane is the passing lane and the traffic laws direct you to stay in the right lane except when passing.

[bat4255]

Haven't had a problem here with the left lane in traffic, if your going faster than traffic in the right lane, then your passing. If there is light traffic, the center is fine, the left lane in urban settings is for through traffic, and the right lane is for entrance, exit, and slow traffic and usually is more conjested. I feel constantly changing lanes is more of a hazzard.

Rural settings is different, it really depends where your running the expressway, City or Country.

The bottom line is, I like space around me and if the left is clear I'm going there.

[AwwsChwA]

I think all the ideas here apply to different situations. I have heard that it is good to be going just a little bit faster than surrounding traffic because, if you are maneuvering through it, then you are anticipating, rather than reacting.

However, there are times when you want to just match the flow, like when there's heavy traffic and everyone is just a few carlengths apart. In that case, I could see staying at traffic flow speed because making quick maneuvers could cause drivers to misjudge your speed and overreact or make a bad move.

The habit I'm working on breaking is the one that keeps me cruising right next to a car. When I'm in my car, it's no big deal. Obviously, on a bike, it's really dangerous cuz something as big as a full-size (or lifted) truck or SUV might not even see me next to em.

[Uncle Bob]

Ridind a bike or driving a car in someones blindspot is never a good idea.

[98G]

Originally Posted by tlwisner

I don't get your logic. If you're going 5 mph faster than traffic, you are going to be passing everybody - and allowing everybody a chance to run you over or off the road. If you go with the flow, you will pass a few cars and be passed by a few cars, but the number of different cars you enounter will be far less, lowering the odds of having a brain dead numbskull decide that his car needs to be where your bike is.

If you want to be seen (hint: Yes you do!) then ride in the lane position that makes you most obvious.

//I can see where you decrease the number of cars you interact with if you go with the flow. The thing is, some are passing you, and they are in control. If you are going faster than traffic, you increase the number of cages you interact with, but it is on your terms and you are in control.

//Personally I feel more comfortable being the one in control.

98G

[ZX-10R Urza]

Um....I'm kinda rusty on the laws involved, but you can go on the freeway with your permit? I mean is it illiegal to ride on the freeway with a permit?

i dont think you can have a permit on the highway. my sister told me that.