In Japan the cars keep an eye out for bikers and move aside. They also leave a few feet ahead of them at lights for the bikes to move up to.

I guess my thing is that I operate a different type of vehicle. It's smaller, more maneuverable, and yes, more vulnerable. If I don't ride like a maniac and have more than enough room to go through without smacking someone's mirror, why should they care. Oh, I know there are those who are offended by anyone who can do something they can't. 18 wheelers are generally only allowed in the right two lanes. I rarely hear them griping about those lousy car drivers in the 3rd lane over. You know the type, "Why should those motorcycle's park there. I can't. Why should those motorcycle's ride in the carpool lane with only one rider. I can't!" Whiners. People who make unreasonable laws are generally whiners. You can't do that. You can't do this. No, you aren't a danger to me, but you are a danger to yourself IMHO. You can't do that.

Those are the SAME people who see me at church and think I can't pray for them or counsel them since I'm foolish enough to ride a motorcycle. Apparently my judgement is impaired.

Truth is, the reason lane splitting is not safe in most states is because those cagers are rude and inconsiderate and refuse to show common courtesy. When I come to the checkout line at the supermarket and have $200. worth of food in my cart, I let the person with a loaf of bread and gallon of milk go by. Why should they have to wait 10 minutes for me and any coupons I might have. I have the right to stand there and make them wait, but it's wrong. If everyone who didn't have a sheet of plywood to carry around, rode a bike rather than clogging up MY freeway with oversized, four door, gas guzzling, traffic jam causing smog mobiles, I could get around just fine without scraping mirrors. We should tax vehicles on the basis of width.

Okay. Deep breaths. :tw Much better.

I used to get frustrated by bikers before I realized it was only because I couldn't do it and that was stupid. I can do it if I want to ride a bike. Now I have a bike. I'm courteous, much more so than the cagers. I don't shoot anyone. I don't thump people's hoods with a sock full of buckshot and I don't flip people off for cutting me off. I assume people are trying to run me over but enjoy the ride too much to quit.

Keep on riding.