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Anna Grechishkina: World Record Motorcyclist, Ukrainian Patriot

Anna Grechishkina Ukraine
Photos by Anna Grechishkina

Somewhere deep in the cold, black night, the unlit train passed from one world to another – from a place of beauty and light to one of darkness and pain, where postcard sunsets, breathtaking vistas, and meaningful connections would be replaced with shattered limbs, broken lives, destruction, and death.

Anna Greschishkina Ukraine

Anna Grechishkina felt nothing. Traveling back to a country at war eight years, eight months, and eight days after leaving on her motorcycle to ride around the world, it wasn’t possible to know if it was home anymore. And as the kaleidoscope of thoughts and emotions raged into the night, a singular sense of purpose evolved: to serve! To do whatever needed to be done. To join the people of Ukraine in their fight against the totalitarian aggressor hell bent on destroying everything they had built since their independence in 1991.

Anna Greschishkina Ukraine

Anna was prepared to die, knowing that she would give her life for a higher purpose than the world travels that had put her in the book of Guinness World Records for the longest solo motorcycle journey by a female.

Before the War

Back in 2005, working in human resources at a local bank in Kyiv, Anna began to commute on a Kawasaki Eliminator 125cc. She developed a passion for motorcycling that didn’t end when the bike was stolen from outside her apartment one night.

Related: 2024 Kawasaki Eliminator | First Look Review

Anna Greschishkina Ukraine

Replacing it with another Kawasaki, a Vulcan 900, Anna began traveling. She began taking vacations on her motorcycle, and over several years, she rode through Bulgaria, Romania, Turkey, Syria, Jordan, and elsewhere. Sometimes she rode with friends, but she also made trips alone. While many world travelers find inspiration from books or videos, Anna found it in the stories she heard on the road and the experience itself.

Anna Greschishkina Ukraine

Over the years, it became tougher to come home to a desk job with piles of paperwork, and the dream of a journey around the world began to take shape. It became apparent a Kawasaki cruiser was not the ideal machine for such an adventure, even though it had taken her over every type of terrain imaginable.

With the intention of using a big adventure motorcycle for the journey and the goal of becoming the first Ukrainian woman to ride around the world, Anna looked for sponsors. KTM Ukraine stepped up and provided a 1190 Adventure at a 50% discount. It was a great start, but it still cost her most of her savings.

Anna Greschishkina Ukraine

In July 2013, with little more than 1,000 euros in her pocket, support from some gear sponsors, and a big send off from local Ukrainian media, Anna set off to see how far she could go on her limited funds. After 15 months of planning, leaving home was scary. Fear of not wanting to fail accompanied her as she traveled east across Russia, with a plan to reach Vladivostok, on the Pacific coast. Since Anna didn’t want to rush her trip, it took three months to reach her destination. During that time, she named her journey, “I have a dream,” and the tattoo to match began to take shape.

Related: Anna Grechishkina: 2 Years, 5 Continents, 50 Countries

The road became Anna’s teacher, and as she began to hone her craft and learn how to survive on the road with limited funds, the concept of showing others what’s possible began to emerge. The more she traveled, the more photos she took, and the more she shared her experiences, it all started to come together. Her cash lasted until Vladivostok, where a local motorcycle club helped ship the KTM to Thailand. The journey continued though Malaysia and down to Singapore before another ship to Australia.

Anna Greschishkina Ukraine

By then, Anna was building her social media following and giving presentations for local motorcycle communities, and the money began to trickle in. In total, she spent four months riding in Australia, where she crossed the desolate, treeless Nullarbor Plain on her way to Sydney, and from there she traveled to America.

Arriving in Los Angeles, Anna rode east and realized her dream of riding Route 66. After reaching New York, she turned south and eventually crossed into Mexico. She continued south to Central America and then South America. Finally, the KTM got crated up once more, and Anna purchased a ticket to South Africa.

Anna Greschishkina Ukraine

The next three months were Anna’s biggest test of patience and trust in the journey so far, as a major dock strike left the KTM stranded in Brazil after Anna had already flown ahead to Johannesburg. The situation was further complicated by paperwork issues. Finally, in October of 2016, just in time for Anna’s birthday, she was reunited with her beloved motorcycle.

Anna Greschishkina Ukraine

Most of 2017 was spent riding through Africa, crossing Namibia, Zimbabwe, and Malawi before heading up through Uganda, Rwanda, and on into Egypt. While the whole African experience had been amazing, it was Namibia that stole Anna’s heart. After making a vow to return, she continued riding back to Europe. The first solo motorcycle journey around the world was complete.

Anna Greschishkina Ukraine

By then, 4 1/2 years had elapsed since her nervous departure from Ukraine, riding and traveling with no schedule to adhere to had become a way of life. After returning to Ukraine, Anna had a vivid dream about being back at her old desk job. Morning revealed it wasn’t so, and Anna took the resulting happiness as a sign that it was time to start a second circuit around the world. This time it would be counterclockwise.

Anna Greschishkina Ukraine

Things felt different when she arrived in Argentina; she had a plan and felt more mature. It also became clear that the existing Guinness World Record of 5 1/2 years and 180,000 kilometers ridden by solo female rider Benka Pulko could be beaten. Anna rode, explored, connected, and continued to share her experiences over the next year in South and Central America before arriving in Mexico. The goal was to go as far north as possible in Alaska, a journey she didn’t make on her first visit. Then the Covid-19 pandemic hit, and she found herself stuck in Mexico.      

Anna Greschishkina Ukraine

After so many years on the road, Anna had built a large network of friends and was able to secure a place to stay on the beach in Yucatan for the first six months of the pandemic. Living just 100 yards from the ocean was not a bad place to wait and see what would happen next. As border restrictions were constantly extended, her goal of getting to the U.S. seemed out of reach. Then an opportunity to fly to Germany opened up, and after a two-month wait for the KTM to catch up, Anna was locked down again, not knowing for how long.

Anna Greschishkina Ukraine

When the borders finally reopened, it was time for the KTM to devour some miles. With the GPS set on the North Cape above the Arctic Circle at the top of Norway, it was good to be back in the saddle. Traveling through the northernmost part of Europe, a land of snow, reindeer, and endless daylight around the summer solstice, Anna’s life felt normal again.

Returning Home

Back in Germany some months later, Anna booked passage for Namibia because she couldn’t get through Morocco to ride down, and on Feb. 23, 2022, she arrived in Windhoek. Little did she know that the next day the world would be turned upside down for her and 44 million fellow Ukrainians.

Anna Greschishkina Ukraine

Waking up on Feb. 24 to news of the Russian invasion of her country, Anna was suddenly faced with a difficult decision. How could she stay on the road enjoying her life and posting pictures while her country was at war? She had to go – to be with her people and her country, to do something.

A call to a friend at a local battalion in Kyiv set the process in motion. The preparations began and so did Anna’s fundraising as she gave interviews and talks. In the meantime, the world witnessed the horrifying first days of the war with its gruesome images of women and children being bombed. Anna secured safe storage for her faithful KTM in Windhoek, and the long return journey began.

Anna Greschishkina Ukraine

Back in Kyiv, it was straight to military training, where she learned about weapons, combat medicine, and how to not only deal with the physical wounds and amputations but also emotional loss and trauma. It’s imperative to know how to help, and she learned what to say – or not to say – to the victims.

Anna Greschishkina Ukraine

When she and I talked by telephone, she told me, “I knew I could be killed anytime, that it was unsafe, but it is more important than my life to help.”

During the training, one of the most important things Anna learned was not to hate. “When you hate, you have already lost, as hatred will defeat you and let them win.”

Anna Greschishkina Ukraine

It’s difficult not to hate when your country has been invaded, but Anna and all the volunteers in her Territorial defense group know that they must operate with a clear, cold mind.

Anna is immensely proud of the Ukrainians who have shown the world they are ready to fight to the death for their country. At the time of writing, Anna is making dangerous trips to the front lines, and since we met, the number of projects she has undertaken is mind boggling.

Anna Greschishkina Ukraine

Her trusty Vulcan 900 has been back in service. Anna has used it to visit some of the areas hit the hardest, bringing awareness to the atrocities, as well as aid and supplies when she can. During a recent phone call with Anna, I could hear explosions in the background as she delivered supplies to soldiers on the front lines.

Anna Greschishkina Ukraine

As I look for a way to wrap up this brief snapshot of the incredible life of Anna Grechishkina, I can only hope we are all inspired by her travels, her bravery, and her heart. And that she continues to receive the support she needs from our global motorcycle community that has rallied around to support her incredible efforts for the people of Ukraine.

Follow Anna Grechishkina on Instagram @anna_grechishkina.

The post Anna Grechishkina: World Record Motorcyclist, Ukrainian Patriot appeared first on Rider Magazine.

Source: RiderMagazine.com

Split Decision: Are Lane Splitting and Lane Filtering Safe?

Lane Splitting Lane Filterning
Photos by Kevin Wing | Illustrations by Hector Cademartori

As part of the Stayin’ Safe advanced rider training program – a method that leads a small group of experienced motorcyclists on road tours and delivers real-time, real-world coaching via in-helmet communications – I’m often asked by participants to address specific aspects of road riding unique to the region where a training tour is being conducted. As part of our Southern California training tours, I’ve been routinely asked if I would be teaching techniques for safe lane splitting.

Although it is intriguing to consider, I always decline. While I agree it would be a valuable teaching opportunity for that riding environment, I also realize it would be impractical with a group of riders since traffic dynamics change rapidly – as would recommended tactics depending on the bike and the circumstances. But perhaps the bigger challenge would be to get consensus among the riders to do it in the first place. Even if all participants are from California (and they rarely are), there are always distinct and deeply polarized views about lane splitting. Riders are adamantly for it or against it. 

Lane Splitting Lane Filterning
Lane splitting allows motorcyclists to move efficiently through grid-locked traffic while avoiding the risk of a rear-end collision.

The term “lane splitting” gets tossed around outside of California more often these days as several other states – including Utah, Montana, Arizona, and Hawaii – have legalized some form of the practice, while others are considering it. As lane splitting becomes more widespread, the volume of polarized opinions is expanding as well. 

But maybe I’m getting ahead of myself. Let’s start by defining what lane splitting is. For starters, it’s not a universal term. “Splitting” is one type of lane sharing motorcyclists have been doing for years on California freeways, but there are other forms (and terms) we should know.

Related: On Lane Splitting with Eric Trow | Ep. 60 Rider Magazine Insider Podcast

What is Lane Sharing? 

Lane Splitting Lane Filterning
Riding within 10 mph of traffic flow and actively scanning the scene ahead for potential threats, the rider safely advances between lanes.

In the broadest sense, lane sharing, lane splitting, lane filtering, white lining, and a handful of other terms are used to describe the act of advancing a motorcycle through slow or stopped traffic on a multilane road (all heading the same direction, of course) by riding between lanes at a slightly higher speed than the flow of other vehicles. That’s it, in a congested traffic nutshell. 

Are We Lane Splitting or Lane Filtering?

While “lane splitting” is a term used broadly to describe riding between lanes of traffic, there are distinctions between lane splitting and lane filtering. 

When riding on a multilane highway such as a limited-access freeway, a motorcyclist might “split” the lanes and ride between two lines of vehicles if the traffic has slowed or come to a stop due to congestion. That’s what’s specifically referred to as lane splitting. 

When riding in multiple lanes of traffic where there are intersections and traffic signals, a rider might move forward or “filter” between rows of vehicles stopped at a light, enabling the rider to move to the front of the line. This is lane filtering. 

Lane Splitting Lane Filterning
With traffic stopped for a red light, the rider slowly filters to the front of the line.

Why Do It? 

The primary argument for lane splitting and lane filtering is that they are deemed safer practices that reduce opportunities for motorcyclists to be rear-ended in high-volume, stop-and-go traffic. Frankly, that’s a pretty strong argument since busy roadways are a high-risk environment for motorcyclists – perhaps even more so as increasingly distracted drivers are putting riders at higher risk.  

Lane Splitting Lane Filterning

Lane splitting is also claimed to give riders a better view through traffic as well as improved mobility. It’s contended that it allows riders to see farther ahead, actively separate themselves from threats, and strategically place their bikes in pockets of less congestion. 

Lane splitting has been touted as helping to reduce fuel consumption and emissions by minimizing the time motorcycles sit in slow or stopped traffic. It also helps reduce traffic congestion because there are fewer vehicles sitting single-file in traffic lanes.

Does Lane Splitting Reduce Risk? 

Yes and no. Motorcycle Lane-splitting and Safety in California, a 2015 study conducted by the Safe Transportation Research & Education Center at the University of California Berkeley, took a good long look into the matter to “increase our understanding of collisions involving lane-splitting motorcyclists and of how lane splitting impacts collision injuries.”   

Lane Splitting Lane Filterning
When the light turns green, the rider must quickly scan left and right before proceeding.

The study found that lane splitting appears to reduce certain types of crashes, specifically rear-end collisions. That’s great news. Lane-splitting riders were less than half as likely to be rear-ended than their non-lane-splitting brethren (2.6% vs. 4.6%). Those figures would look even better if some of those riders involved in a collision hadn’t been rear-ended by fellow riders who were following too closely (thanks, bud). 

With fewer rear-end collisions, the analysis also showed that lane-splitting motorcyclists involved in a collision were injured less frequently than non-lane-splitters. They were half as likely to suffer a head injury (9% vs. 17%) and about a third less likely to sustain a torso injury (19% vs. 29%). Although fatalities are rare, even those were reduced by more than half (1.2% vs. 3.0%). Again, good news. 

But with the good comes the bad (doesn’t it always?).

Lane splitting doesn’t eliminate crashes. Lane-sharing riders just crash differently and not as badly (provided speed is kept to a minimum). 

While lane splitting and lane filtering can help a rider escape certain significant threats, it does introduce new ones. For example, there’s a smaller safety bubble. You’ll recall learning in your Motorcycle Safety Foundation or Total Control training course (you took one of those, right?) how important it is to maintain a safety cushion around your motorcycle. Riding between lanes puts motorcyclists significantly closer to other vehicles than they would be otherwise. That can make the rider more vulnerable from both sides (but less so front and rear) since there is less space to maneuver left or right – and therefore less time to react – if a driver makes a sudden move. 

Lane Splitting Lane Filterning
Wide handlebars, wide vehicles, and tightly spaced lanes can make filtering a challenge. Choose judgment over impatience when deciding whether to proceed.

The highest risk for any motorcyclist lane splitting in freeway traffic is other vehicles changing lanes. In suburban and city environments, lane filtering riders can find themselves among vehicles unexpectedly maneuvering into or out of traffic.

As a result, while lane splitting may reduce the likelihood of the rider being rear-ended, they are more than twice as likely to rear-end other vehicles (38% of lane-splitting riders vs. 16% of non-lane-splitting riders). That one’s on us.

Beyond the known hazards of riding too fast (surely you’ve heard, “speed kills”), the risk and severity of injury grows when there is an increase in the speed of the motorcycle compared to the pace of surrounding traffic – what’s known as “speed differential.” That speed difference between bike and traffic can play a significant role in causing a collision while lane splitting or filtering. 

Perhaps the Greatest Challenge of All…

For the rider who is weighing the pros and cons of lane sharing, a serious consideration should be the low public awareness of lane splitting and the attitudes of other drivers.  

Another U.C. Berkeley study from 2014 probed the minds of California drivers and motorcyclists. Even in California, where lane splitting and filtering have been common practices for decades, roughly half of all California drivers either believed that lane splitting was illegal (it wasn’t) or they were unsure about its legality. Such perceptions can contribute to negative attitudes about the practice. That study revealed 61% of non-motorcyclists in the Golden State disapproved of lane splitting.

Do drivers believe lane splitters are unwilling to play by the same rules others must adhere to, or that they are just acting as renegades?

Lane Splitting Lane Filterning
The driver on his cell phone is hugging the center line and unaware of the approaching motorcycle, so the rider adjusts his position as he filters through.

I became particularly curious about the behavior of drivers and the potential impact (figuratively and literally) on motorcyclists as they consider the practice of lane sharing, especially in states where the concept has recently been introduced.

When it comes to driver behavior, I believe there are few better go-to resources than Tom Vanderbilt’s fantastic, well-researched book, Traffic: Why We Drive the Way We Do (and What It Says About Us). The author addresses the physical, psychological, and sociological aspects of traffic and how drivers, as human beings, interact with each other. I reached out to Vanderbilt to get his take on the potential challenges associated with introducing a practice like lane sharing into the general traffic environment.  

“I am well aware of a dynamic that I am sure affects motorcyclists a lot, which I’ll call an ‘empathy imbalance,’” he said, defining the term as the phenomenon whereby people who drive cars may be unable to relate to motorcyclists since most car drivers don’t ride motorcycles and are unfamiliar with – and therefore unable to empathize with – the two-wheeled mode of transportation.

“So often drivers simply don’t understand the motives or behavior of the other mode,” Vanderbilt continued, “and they often translate their own confusion to some failing on the part of the other user. What might seem like rational or safe behavior on the part of a motorcyclist may seem reckless or like ‘cheating’ to a driver, who simply sees some ‘other’ they don’t fully understand.”

Vanderbilt’s advice? “Don’t think that your view of what is ‘commonsense behavior’ is shared by everyone around you.” In other words, until the practice is more common and drivers see enough people doing it – to a point where it no longer seems like strange and rebellious behavior – we should assume that lane splitting will be out of the norm for other motorists and may be viewed as unacceptable traffic behavior. 

Lane Splitting Lane Filterning
Stopped between lanes, the rider is in a tactical-ready stance, with the bike in gear and ready to go when the light changes.

The “empathy imbalance” is a compelling way to capture the mindset gap that exists out on the roadway and how that imbalance could be a chasm the size of the Grand Canyon in states where neither lane splitting nor lane filtering have ever been routine behavior. When it comes to lane sharing, especially where the practice is just being introduced, that empathy imbalance may be the greatest threat of all to motorcyclists. 


Sidebar: What do Lane Splitters Look Like?

Lane Splitting Lane Filterning

While some folks might expect lane splitters and filterers to be wild-haired outlaw rebels without causes, research paints a different picture. Contrary to the ruffian image, research reveals that lane splitters tend to be:

  • Regular commuters riding during weekday commuting hours
  • Wearing proper riding gear, including full-face helmets
  • Riding solo and riding sober
  • Splitting lanes only when traffic is at 30 mph or below

Can Lane Sharing Be Done Safely? 

According to the U.C. Berkeley study, lane splitting and lane filtering appear to be relatively safe strategies and practices provided they are done in traffic traveling at 50 mph or less and motorcyclists stay within 15 mph of that traffic. Lower traffic speeds and a smaller speed differential between the bike and surrounding vehicles make it even safer. 

The Motorcycle Industry Council (MIC), American Motorcyclist Association (AMA), National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), and Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) all align in support of lane sharing as a safe strategy. The American Automobile Association (AAA), on the other hand, opposes the practice. 

Lane Splitting Lane Filterning
Avoid filtering beside large trucks and buses. This rider paused in a safer spot to avoid blind spots and the potential of the bus swinging wide.

Beyond these authorities, I turned to another trusted source in California, my friend and fellow motorcycle proficiency expert Lee Parks. Among his many credentials, Parks owns and operates Total Control Training Inc. and authored the best-selling book Total Control: High Performance Street Riding Techniques. He also runs the rider training program for California and several other states. I asked Parks for his take on lane splitting. 

“Having moved here in 1992, I can’t imagine living in another state that didn’t have lane splitting,” he said. “It’s safer, saves time, reduces the chances of getting rear-ended by other road users, and reduces the travel time for everyone by taking riders out of the long lines of traffic.” Parks shared how, for him, a two-hour commute by car became a manageable 45-minute ride by motorcycle. 

Is lane splitting for everyone? Parks and I share the same opinion, but he articulates it better: “It’s good for any experienced rider who has excellent situational awareness. Lane splitting is not for the faint of heart, nor those new to riding. It requires an extreme amount of focus and attention to be safe, and all riding functions must already be in your muscle memory so they don’t take away from your awareness.

“I’d add that lane splitting is only safely manageable for someone who is not impaired in any way. This includes drinking, drugs, fatigue, or being mentally distracted.”

Safer Splitting and Friendlier Filtering

Lane Splitting Lane Filterning

Whether you’re new to the practice or have been lane splitting or filtering for years, here are things you can do to improve your odds while improving your position in traffic.  

First, stick to these two speed factors when lane sharing: 

1. Traffic speed is slow or stopped. The faster traffic is moving, the greater the risk of incident and injury. Choose to filter past other vehicles only when traffic is moving below 50 mph, and the slower the safer.

2. Your speed is within 10-15 mph of traffic. A small speed differential is safer. By keeping your own speed close to that of traffic, you buy critical time and space to respond to emerging threats. Work the physics in your favor!

Apply these techniques each time you move between lanes: 

  • Look farther ahead, widen your view, and anticipate vehicles changing lanes.
  • Be “tactical ready,” poised to smoothly slow down or maneuver as necessary.
  • Stay to the left-most lanes on highways when lane splitting (between lanes #1 and #2).
  • Don’t linger in blind spots.
  • Beware of gaps that might invite other vehicles to change lanes just as you arrive.
  • Avoid splitting lanes near entrance and exit ramps (it’s illegal in California).
  • If riding with others, keep a safe distance between bikes to avoid rear-ending your buddy (or being rear-ended).  
Lane Splitting Lane Filterning
Lane-splitting riders must stay vigilant, especially when approaching gaps in traffic where a vehicle can suddenly change lanes.
Lane Splitting Lane Filterning
Lane-splitting riders must stay vigilant, especially when approaching gaps in traffic where a vehicle can suddenly change lanes.

Of course, there is still the concern of other drivers and their response to lane-sharing motorcyclists, especially in states where the practice is not the norm. Until it is, riders should anticipate pushback from other motorists. Perhaps the best way to minimize that is to promote goodwill by being respectful, courteous, and empathetic to the other drivers who remain stuck in traffic (we’ve all been there). 

Should You Do It? 

It’s a personal choice – don’t ever let someone else force a lane-splitting decision for you. If you are still on the fence, here’s a little more filtering food for thought: 

Not all motorcycles are created equal. While lane sharing is practiced by riders of all types, it is easier on a narrower, lighter machine. Remember, the wider your bike, the less space cushion you have as you filter between rows of cars, SUVs, trucks, and buses. 

Not all riders are created equal. Experience riding in heavy traffic, ability to maneuver a motorcycle confidently at very slow speed, and maintaining a calm mind to avoid panic are important aspects of riding a motorcycle between lanes of congested traffic. Make an honest assessment of your own riding proficiency before attempting to split lanes. 

Motivation matters. Lane sharing can be a valuable safety strategy to avoid rear-end collisions, and it can make commuting more efficient for all. But if your motivation is driven by impatience, resentment of other drivers who are holding up your progress, or simply because it seems that splitting might be an adrenaline rush, it may not be the best choice for you (it doesn’t do much to help driver attitudes toward the rest of us either). 

Where is Lane Splitting and Lane Filtering Legal? 

Lane Splitting Lane Filterning

Even if you are willing, lane sharing is still only a legal practice in a handful of states – and to varying degrees. Lane splitting on multilane highways? That’s still only legal in California. Yep, that’s it. Lane filtering in stopped traffic can now be done to some extent in Arizona, Hawaii, Montana, and Utah, but each state has distinct restrictions (see sidebar below).

If you’re the gambling type, the states of Delaware and Arkansas don’t have legal language that expressly prohibits lane splitting and filtering, but they do have an abundance of law enforcement officers who are authorized to interpret what a “safe and legal” practice is on a case-by-case basis. 

Lee Parks said he believes the challenge in new states will be educating the car drivers more so than the riders.

“It will require a lot of public service announcements and driver education to make it as accepted and ubiquitous as it is in California,” he said. “The successes and failures of those states will help drive policy for new ones to adopt one of my favorite benefits of riding in California.”   


A summary of current state laws specific to lane splitting and lane filtering

California: The only state where lane splitting and lane filtering on multilane roadways are both legal practices.

Arizona: Motorcyclists may ride between lanes of stopped traffic at a red light on a multilane roadway where the speed limit is 45 mph or less and the rider is traveling no more than 15 mph. No passing on median or shoulder.

Hawaii: Riders are permitted to use the shoulder of the road to pass stopped traffic on roads with at least two lanes in each direction and a shoulder wide enough to accommodate the rider.

Montana: Riders may filter between lanes to overtake stopped or slow vehicles traveling no more than 10 mph provided that the motorcyclist stays within 10 mph of surrounding traffic and does not exceed 20 mph.

Utah: Motorcyclists may travel between lanes of stopped traffic (not slow-moving traffic) on a multilane road having a speed limit of 45 mph or less. Motorcyclists may not exceed 15 mph and may not use the shoulder or bike lanes.


My Take? 

Beyond being asked by Stayin’ Safe training tour participants if I would be teaching real-world tips and techniques for safer lane splitting and lane filtering, I’m most often asked for my professional opinion on the practice. “It’s great,” I say, followed by, “and it’s not.” Practiced responsibly, it can be an effective way to avoid collisions and severe injury. When practiced irresponsibly, it can be perilous for the rider and, at a minimum, harmful to driver/rider relations. 

Even after examining the data, hearing the opinions of experts, and weighing the significant pros and cons presented here, a consensus may remain elusive. When it comes to splitting lanes and filtering through traffic, it might always be a split decision among riders. Fortunately, we all have the personal option to do it or not do it. As for me, I split lanes where it is legal to do so, provided the environment, my equipment, and my state of mind are suited for it. 

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have an appointment and traffic is heavy, so I think I’d better split.

Want to continue the discussion? Check out Ep. 60 of the Rider Magazine Insider Podcast: On Lane Splitting with Eric Trow.

The post Split Decision: Are Lane Splitting and Lane Filtering Safe? appeared first on Rider Magazine.

Source: RiderMagazine.com

Justin Bradshaw, REVER | Ep. 63 Rider Magazine Insider Podcast

EP63 Rider Magazine Insider Podcast Justin Bradshaw

Our guest on Episode 63 of the Rider Magazine Insider Podcast is Justin Bradshaw, co-founder and head of business development for REVER, a leading powersports trip planning and routing app with over 2 million users. Bradshaw was also a co-founder of Butler Maps, and the road gradings that make those maps so popular are also found on REVER. In this episode we talk about how REVER got started, how to use the app, and its many features and benefits, including trip planning, turn-by-turn navigation, twisty roads, 3D maps, recommended routes, communities, challenges, and much more. You can find the Android and iOS versions of REVER in your smartphone’s app store, or you can visit REVER.co.

LINKS: https://www.rever.co/

You can listen to Episode 63 on iTunesSpotify, and Podbean, or via the Rider Magazine Insider Podcast webpage. Please subscribe, leave us a 5-star rating, and tell your friends! Scroll down for a list of previous episodes.

Visit the Rider Magazine Insider Podcast webpage to check out previous episodes:

The post Justin Bradshaw, REVER | Ep. 63 Rider Magazine Insider Podcast appeared first on Rider Magazine.

Source: RiderMagazine.com

Ed Conde | Ep. 62 Rider Magazine Insider Podcast

Ep62 Rider Magazine Insider Podcast Ed Conde

Our guest on Episode 62 of the Rider Magazine Insider Podcast is Ed Conde, and he was interviewed by contributing editor Scott “Bones” Williams. Both are members of New England Riders, a loosely knit but passionate group of motorcyclists who get together for rides, track days, and other activities. Over the past 20 years, Conde has done extensive research and developed an impressive catalog of excellent motorcycling routes throughout eastern North America, from Newfoundland to Alabama, which are available on NewEnglandRiders.org.

LINKS: NewEnglandRiders.org

You can listen to Episode 62 on iTunesSpotify, and Podbean, or via the Rider Magazine Insider Podcast webpage. Please subscribe, leave us a 5-star rating, and tell your friends! Scroll down for a list of previous episodes.

Visit the Rider Magazine Insider Podcast webpage to check out previous episodes:

The post Ed Conde | Ep. 62 Rider Magazine Insider Podcast appeared first on Rider Magazine.

Source: RiderMagazine.com

Steven Goode | Ep. 61 Rider Magazine Insider Podcast

Ep61 Rider Magazine Insider Podcast Steven Goode

Our guest on Episode 61 of the Rider Magazine Insider Podcast is Steven Goode. On May 9, 2023, Goode embarked on the Great American Scenic Byway Tour to benefit the Parkinson’s Foundation. He’ll ride his Honda Gold Wing Tour through all 48 lower contiguous states, covering more than 15,000 miles over 60 days and riding the best scenic byway in every state. As a Parkinson’s Champion, Goode will spread awareness of Parkinson’s disease and raise funds for the Parkinson’s Foundation. Click the links below to follow Goode’s progress and support his efforts.

LINKS: Follow the GASBT on FacebookMake a GASBT Donation

You can listen to Episode 61 on iTunesSpotify, and Podbean, or via the Rider Magazine Insider Podcast webpage. Please subscribe, leave us a 5-star rating, and tell your friends! Scroll down for a list of previous episodes.

Visit the Rider Magazine Insider Podcast webpage to check out previous episodes:

The post Steven Goode | Ep. 61 Rider Magazine Insider Podcast appeared first on Rider Magazine.

Source: RiderMagazine.com

Eric Trow | Ep. 60 Rider Magazine Insider Podcast

Ep60 Rider Magazine Insider Podcast Eric Trow

Episode 60 of the Rider Magazine Insider Podcast focuses on the controversial topic of lane splitting, also known as lane sharing. Motorcyclists tend to be strongly in favor of it or adamantly against it. Last year, Arizona became the fourth state to legalize lane sharing, joining California, Utah, and Montana. Contributing editor Eric Trow’s feature about lane sharing in the upcoming June 2023 issue of Rider provides a fair and balanced approach to the topic. Our host Greg Drevenstedt is much more biased in favor of lane sharing, and they have a lively discussion about the pros and cons.

LINKS: Stayin’ Safe

You can listen to Episode 59 on iTunesSpotify, and Podbean, or via the Rider Magazine Insider Podcast webpage. Please subscribe, leave us a 5-star rating, and tell your friends! Scroll down for a list of previous episodes.

Visit the Rider Magazine Insider Podcast webpage to check out previous episodes:

The post Eric Trow | Ep. 60 Rider Magazine Insider Podcast first appeared on Rider Magazine.
Source: RiderMagazine.com

NHTSA Report Shows 2021 Motorcycle Fatalities the Highest Since 1975

Motorcycle Fatalities
May is Motorcycle Awareness Month. (Photo by Kevin Wing)

May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, and with the peak motorcycle riding season kicking off in many parts of the country, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has released what the Motorcycle Safety Foundation called a “grim report” showing an increase in motorcycle fatalities in 2021.

According to the NHTSA Motorcycle Safety webpage, 5,932 motorcyclists were killed in 2021. These deaths represent a 7.7% increase over the previous year and 14% of the total traffic fatalities for 2021. It is also the highest number of motorcyclists killed since at least 1975.

Motorcycle and scooter riders, with their smaller profiles, are at great risk of not being seen by drivers, so the MSF is urging all roadway users to “Expect Us, See Us,” and actively search for riders and stay focused on the road. 

“The NHTSA data may be from 2021, but distraction, speeding, and driving or riding while under the influence continue to be problems today,” said Rob Gladden, vice president of training operations for MSF. “However, these are all things we can change.”

When it comes to riding impaired, nearly a third (29%) of riders who were killed in 2021 were intoxicated, representing a 19% increase over the previous year. Another surprising number is that over a third (36%) of motorcyclist fatalities were riders without a valid motorcycle license.

In the bigger picture of all traffic- and vehicle-related incidents, crashes caused by distracted driving rose 12% from 2020 to 2021, according to NHTSA, while speeding-related fatalities increased by 7.9%, and alcohol-impaired-driving fatalities rose 14%. 

“One of the biggest risks to motorcyclists is drivers who don’t see the rider and turn across their paths, even if they are not driving distracted,” Gladden said.

Motorcycle Fatalities
Being visible, which includes wearing bright apparel and a light-colored helmet, is an important part of motorcycle safety. (Photo by Kevin Wing)

As part of Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, the MSF has offered five tips for motorcycle and scooter riders:

  • Be visible: Wear bright clothing and a light-colored helmet. Always have your headlight on, day and night, and avoid riding in the blind spots of cars and trucks. If possible, flash your brake light when slowing and before stopping.
  • But pretend you are invisible: If you assume others can’t see you, you will tend to ride in a hyperaware mindset and learn to notice every detail in your surroundings. Constantly search for changing conditions using the Search-Evaluate-Execute (SEE) strategy to assess and respond to hazards before you have to react to an emergency.
  • Gear up every ride: Wear proper riding gear from head to toe. Full-face helmets provide the best protection. Jackets, pants, gloves, and boots that are made for riding will generally be made of abrasion-resistant material and provide additional comfort and protection.
  • Follow the rules of the road: Riding respectfully — and legally — creates a safer environment for everyone. Unexpected maneuvers could startle or confuse others and cause a crash.
  • Before you ride, look over your bike: Do a pre-ride check, which includes looking over your tires and wheels, checking fluids, cables, your bike’s chassis, lights and electronics, and the stands. Use the T-CLOCS inspection checklist to help you.

Related: Before Help Arrives: Being Prepared in the Event of a Motorcycle Accident

Because riders are also often drivers of other types of vehicles, the MSF has offered tips for operating other vehicles as well.

“If you are distracted — using your cell phone, eating, or engaged with other passengers — the risks rise exponentially for riders,” Gladden said. “If driving, please be vigilant. Actively search for motorcyclists and look twice, especially before changing lanes or turning.” 

Whether you’re a driver of a four-wheeled vehicle or a passenger in one, keep these tips in mind:

  • Actively look for motorcyclists: While many cars have blind-spot detection and collision-avoidance systems, they are not a fail-safe. Also use your eyes and mirrors to check all around you, and look twice before maneuvering into or around traffic.
  • Focus on driving: Put down the phone; don’t let pets and passengers distract you. 
  • Use your turnsignals: Signal your intentions. It can help others know what to expect or even alert them to get out of your way if they are in your blind spot.
  • Give two-wheelers some space: Don’t tailgate or get too close next to riders. Give them space to maneuver and adjust to roadway conditions.
  • Keep it in the vehicle: Don’t throw trash or cigarettes out the window. Make sure cargo is secured so it doesn’t fall onto the road and become a hazard.

For additional information, including safety booklets, tips, and other reference guides, as well as details on MSF riding classes, visit the Motorcycle Safety Foundation website.

The post NHTSA Report Shows 2021 Motorcycle Fatalities the Highest Since 1975 first appeared on Rider Magazine.
Source: RiderMagazine.com

Nick Ienatsch | Ep. 59 Rider Magazine Insider Podcast

Ep59 Rider Magazine Insider Podcast Nick Ienatsch Yamaha Champions Riding School

Our guest on Episode 59 of the Rider Magazine Insider Podcast is Nick Ienatsch, CEO and Chief Instructor at the Yamaha Champions Riding School. Ienatsch was a founding editor of Sport Rider magazine, and he’s written extensively for Motorcyclist and Cycle World magazines. Ienatsch competed in various AMA, WERA, and other roadracing series in the late ’80s and ’90s, and he’s the author of the 2003 book Sport Riding Techniques. After serving as lead instructor at the Freddie Spencer Riding School for more than a decade, Ienatsch started the Yamaha Champions Riding School, which provides on-track and street-based training around the U.S. Rider’s associate editor Paul Dail recently completed a two-day YCRS ChampSchool course at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. His review of the school can be found on RiderMagazine.com and in the June 2023 issue of Rider. In this episode, Paul and Nick take a deep dive into ChampSchool. To learn more about Yamaha Champions Riding School, including the Champ U online program, visit RideLikeAChampion.com.

You can listen to Episode 59 on iTunesSpotify, and Podbean, or via the Rider Magazine Insider Podcast webpage. Please subscribe, leave us a 5-star rating, and tell your friends! Scroll down for a list of previous episodes.

Visit the Rider Magazine Insider Podcast webpage to check out previous episodes:

The post Nick Ienatsch | Ep. 59 Rider Magazine Insider Podcast first appeared on Rider Magazine.
Source: RiderMagazine.com

Backcountry Discovery Routes | Ep. 58 Rider Magazine Insider Podcast

Ep58 Rider Magazine Insider Podcast Backcountry Discovery Routes

Our guests on Episode 58 of the Rider Magazine Insider Podcast are Inna Thorn, executive director of Backcountry Discovery Routes, and Tim James, BDR’s board president. Backcountry Discovery Routes is a nonprofit organization that creates off-highway routes for dual-sport and adventure motorcycle travel. BDR has introduced a new route with free GPS tracks nearly every year since 2010. When we last spoke to Inna and Tim last year on Episode 33, the Wyoming BDR had just been released. In 2023, the Oregon BDR was released, making it the 12th full route, and each one can be completed in about a week. Backcountry Discovery Routes has also released shorter BDR-X routes that are loops that can be done in two to three days. Through the tireless work of its staff and many volunteers, Backcountry Discovery Routes maintains existing routes and continues developing new ones. Future BDRs will include Southern California, Montana, and the Southeast. Visit the BDR website to learn more and support their efforts.

LINKS: RideBDR.comBDR on InstagramBDR on Facebook

You can listen to Episode 58 on iTunesSpotify, and Podbean, or via the Rider Magazine Insider Podcast webpage. Please subscribe, leave us a 5-star rating, and tell your friends! Scroll down for a list of previous episodes.

Visit the Rider Magazine Insider Podcast webpage to check out previous episodes:

The post Backcountry Discovery Routes | Ep. 58 Rider Magazine Insider Podcast first appeared on Rider Magazine.
Source: RiderMagazine.com

Tim Card | Ep. 57 Rider Magazine Insider Podcast

Ep57 Rider Magazine Insider Podcast Tim Card

Our guest on Episode 57 of the Rider Magazine Insider Podcast is Tim Card, the Visionary of the Year for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. In 2017, at the age of 40 and in the prime of his life, Card was diagnosed with a rare, aggressive form of non-Hodgkins lymphoma. Card is a family man with five children, and he was the owner of a CrossFit gym in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. When his cancer proved to be unresponsive to chemotherapy, Card underwent an experimental treatment, and a year after his diagnosis, he was in remission and remains cancer-free. Card worked hard to rebuild his strength and return to normal life, and about a year ago he learned to ride a motorcycle. On March 23, Card embarked on his first-ever cross-country motorcycle ride on a customized BMW R 18 to raise money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Click the links below for updates on Card’s ride and to make a donation.

LINKS: Tim Card’s Leukemia and Lymphoma Society FundraiserFacebookInstagramYouTube

You can listen to Episode 57 on iTunesSpotify, and Podbean, or via the Rider Magazine Insider Podcast webpage. Please subscribe, leave us a 5-star rating, and tell your friends! Scroll down for a list of previous episodes.

Visit the Rider Magazine Insider Podcast webpage to check out previous episodes:

The post Tim Card | Ep. 57 Rider Magazine Insider Podcast first appeared on Rider Magazine.
Source: RiderMagazine.com