The flashing high beam I was talking about was when overtaking slower traffic from the rear, not flashing on-coming traffic. In Europe it is quite acceptable and most will allow you to pass at the first opportunity. It's a safety thing with the higher speed limits. In the States, it will get you "I'm in the fast lane doing the speed limit...F off!". Attitudes and driving courtesy are completely different. Even where it's legal to lane split, there's an a-hole who will throw open their door or cut over just so a bike can't get ahead. If I'm in my car stuck in traffic, everyone has to be stuck in traffic. I've never understood that mentality. I was amazed watching the traffic in Paris. The cars stop 30 feet back at a Red light. The motorcycles all file to the front and line up in that space. Car drivers don't get mad. They actually encourage it. They know the bikes are not going to hold them up when the light turns green. On a busy street, it's like watching a group drag race at every light.
