Was on post in Cali for a year, and another post in Europe for a stretch... And I don't remember there being any problems with riding the white line /between the car..
The emergency lane down the outside is for exactly as titled.. Not much way to argue that with an LEO.
Just as Ol" yeller said - Reguardless if you choose to use the "THIRD " lane (between the cars) or the emergency lane.. IMO would ride it like you have some brains..
I have responded to motorcyclists accidents/ were for whatever reasons - the "idiots decide they need to climb out of their cage / on the highway (to see if their super vision can see (WHY) And open their door- without even looking.. or just decide that one lane of cars is going to move before the other... You get the scenrio...

As far as riding between motorcyclist that - you AREn't riding with.. I would attempt you to re-think that choice...

Don't think you could ever justify, your own impatiens, and inconsideration to two other(motorcyclists, or bikers) that you have PILED UP in the middle of the Highway - while dodging automobiles....

Let you know that in that situation... - MY middle finger , Would be the least of your worries......

 

I ride a stretch of highway to work that is a proving ground for bikes. It is I95 from Philadelphia to about 30 miles north. I have often wondered what the proper way to ride on the highway is...and I have been riding for about 30 years.

This road is the worst. It has a good surface, however it is the people that are on this road that are the real danger. There are numerous spots on the road that when cruising at 65-70, everyone will see a cop and slam on their brakes, or at exits. This is a constant worry as you are always being followed, and following another driver.

Then there are the numerous objects that seem to constantly litter the road. Currently, I know there is one beurer, two pieces of highway sign steel (6 foot sections), one very large padding that looks like it was from a goal post, one non-foldable aluminum chair, 4 road cones normal size, one large smashed road cone, numerous car bumpers, and many different retreads that have exploded everywhere...and that is just on the ride home. As one point these were all in the road in the last two weeks. Other objects that you see a lot are ladders...for some reason they fall off trucks constantly.

Anyway...I tend to ride on the dotted lines of the lanes. If everyone decides to stop quickly, I can usually see it coming by looking far up the lane. Another good thing about this is that I can see what is on the road in front of me. If I am following in the center of the lane with a row of cars in front of me, it is impossible to see what is on the ground. One thing I do have to watch out for is people not seeing me if they are flying up a parallel lane behind me and try to duck into my lane because I am riding the opposite side of the lane (if that makes sense).

so how do you other guys approach tricky roads like these?

 

Hell the white line doesn't mark my lane, the white line is my lane....

Actually here in Ca it is legal to split lanes. Like anything else on a bike, you can make good time and still stay safe or you can ride like an asshat and wind up splattered on the road.

It's just a matter of reading the traffic........

 

It is the ONLY way to get through traffic down here. Gridlock/stopped traffic can go for miles and for us on bikes not only is it good for us to be rolling to keep cool but it also makes one less vehicle in the traffic jam. Of course, I ride the 405 to work and it is much worse traffic-wise than other freeways.

Splitting lanes can be done safely. I don't go more than 10-15 mph more than the traffic around me and if cars are stopped I'm second gear/4,000 rpms or less. There is no telling who will open their door or want to switch lanes. There are definitely roadragers who don't like bikes splitting lanes and will intentionally ride on the line or move over into the line when you're attempting to pass. When I take the car to work I listen to the news radio and during the morning/evening commutes there are always 2 or more accidents involving motorcycles reported.