So, seen so many bikers do it, yet, I still haven't tryed it.
When can I filter through traffic?
How?
Who can?
What do I do/have to do?
Where can I do it?
:D:D:D 8-)
TY
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So, seen so many bikers do it, yet, I still haven't tryed it.
When can I filter through traffic?
How?
Who can?
What do I do/have to do?
Where can I do it?
:D:D:D 8-)
TY
Am not sure of the legal issue here... as far as I'm aware filtering is a grey area. I tend not to pass the first car in a que so as not to gain road position... but this may be no more than a superstition on my part.
How?? Slowly and carefully. Remember, people can do the most random things. Be visable. Don't be in a rush.
What do you do / have to do??? Take great care. Only go if you are certian not to get stuck.
Where?? Where is safe and you feel confident. Obviously blind bends and very narrow roads are no-no's. Use common sense is my advise.
insurance companies don't like it and cars change lanes in stalled / slow moving traffic very quickly without looking or indicating, so you and only you need to weigh up the risk / benefit of doing it each time.
legally it is a well fought over area as it isn't expressly prohibited but there are other laws (careless or dangerous driving, undertaking etc) that can be judiciously argued by the feds and insurance companies to suit their argument.
that's all in my experience / opinion of course. search most biking forums and there will be plenty of questions like this and even more threads about crashes whilst filtering :'(
I filter most days in Swindon traffic as I commute on my bike.
I think Jon sums things up nicely, remember keep within your comfort zone accidents hurt!
Its not illegal and actually states about filtering in the highway code. Always a good one to pull if an accident occurs as the insurance solicitors are out for an easy life and will easily roll over ref this.
Just be sensible, not too quick and be defensive and you'll be fine - if they try to pull out fist into window or swift kick wakes them up
I have read somewhere that it is illegal to filter past the first vehicle at a pedestrian crossing so bear this in mind and stop one short.
This is correct. In fact, all the 'no overtaking' laws apply. You cannot cross a soild white line, or enter bus/tram/cycle lane, enter hatch markings bordered by a solid white line, after passing a 'no overtaking' sign, etc. Stick to the 20/20 rule, which is:- the vehicles you are filtering past should be doing no more than 20mph, and you shouldn't pass them more than 20mph faster. look out for pedestrians crossing between the traffic, cars emerging between the traffic, large on-coming vehicles, etc. Also, remember you are on the white lines and cats eyes which can be slippy. Don't be impatient, take you're time. [smiley=thumbsup.gif]Quote:
Originally Posted by Cemorah
Thanks very much. :D
Yeah, I'll take it slow, I don't see the point in rushing with a filter, you're still aster than if you were in traffic.
Thanks guys. :D
ALWAYS have your headlight on (you should anyway) i always look at the drivers face in the mirror before i get alongside. You can tell alot by someones facial expression as to what they are about to do next.
#88 if you ever need to quote it:
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/TravelAn...code/DG_069854
Means jack sh1t to a claims handler though if you end up in an accident. If you get crunched (at any speed) they will run the argument you were filtering too fast to avoid the likely risk of cars changing lanes.
Took me ages to pluck up the courage to do it, now it's second nature.
The 20/20 rule is one I always stick to, and the most important rule (already been brought up), is just stick to what you feel comfortable doing!
Good to know about not passing the first car; I generally pull over in front of the first car in order to put myself in a visible and therefore safer position. I'll re-consider from now on! Is this true for all lights where pedestrians can cross, or just lights which are there solely to let pedestrians cross (toucans, pelicans etc.)?
filtering is one of the major benefits of being on 2 wheels! I do it as much as I can, though I'm probably bad by almost always getting in front of the front car
It's only at pedestrian crossings. At traffic lights, get up the front and be first away... [smiley=thumbsup.gif]Quote:
Originally Posted by b_m1957
Having been brought up on the outskirts of London, filtering is second nature. In fact, as kid, I used to practice the art of 'extreme filtering'. If there's a gap, go for it... ;D
There was a guy I'd trained when I was working in Poole, who was a bit of a nutter. Everything he did was way too fast. He was a good rider, but too fast. He claimed he was filtering at 20mph when the bonnet of a car appeared from between the traffic queue. He didn't hit the wing, he hit the front wheel, which had the affect of stopping his bike dead. The damage to the bike was a dented fuel tank, created by his plums. Plums was the right description as well, because they were quite large and purple afterwards. :o :'(
That's even better to know ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by Mark_Able
I don't think I'm experienced enough to take my bike into London yet!
Thanks for all the help guys, a lot more confident :D
[quote author=dan_geoghegan link=1268868174/0#8 date=1268937727]i always look at the drivers face in the mirror before i get alongside. You can tell alot by someones facial expression as to what they are about to do next.[/quote
Agreed sometimes u can
But u never thought he was thinking this tho did ya ;D ;D
Hmm, I dunno? ;D :D
You should have a go - you've already been riding much longer than I had on my first ride through London, still on L-plates! It turned out to be much less stressful than I expected, though I was glad I had the sat-nav giving directions so I didn't have to worry about getting lost. I did a lot of filtering that day :)Quote:
Originally Posted by b_m1957
We should doit as a WB ride. Perhaps pick a day when there's something on at the Ace Cafe.
You should have a go - you've already been riding much longer than I had on my first ride through London, still on L-plates! It turned out to be much less stressful than I expected, though I was glad I had the sat-nav giving directions so I didn't have to worry about getting lost. I did a lot of filtering that day :)Quote:
Originally Posted by ro
We should doit as a WB ride. Perhaps pick a day when there's something on at the Ace Cafe.
[/quote]
Hmm. My biggest worry is that my confidence will outweigh my skill/experience... I'm preparing myself for a bump back down to earth on my first ride out this weekend!
if they try to pull out fist into window or swift kick wakes them up[/quote]
Now, why didn't I think of that?!??
We should doit as a WB ride. Perhaps pick a day when there's something on at the Ace Cafe.
[/quote]
4th of July then!
Ask yourself - is it safe? is it legal? is it worthwhile?
You must have a planned safe place to stop before you go e.g. a gap in between cars.
Don't make yourself the "meat in the sandwich" between two lines of moving vehicles. If they are stopped it's ok, but you have to be careful about when they start moving again.
I always go at the front at traffic lights even if I'm over the white line, so I put safety ahead of the letter of the law.
Give other vehicles a wave if they help you out e.g. move over for you.
It is a grey area and does take a while to get the hang of it.
Be aware that other vehicels are not expecting you to appear.
Oh, forgot to say.
Thanks all or your help. I am now filtering with great confidence and situational awareness. :) Thanks.
Good stuff mate... [smiley=thumbsup.gif]Quote:
Originally Posted by Bennett
[quote author=b_m1957 link=1268868174/0#14 date=1268944141
I don't think I'm experienced enough to take my bike into London yet![/quote]
TBH, London is no harder... the drivers expect to have motorcycles filtering.... just don't get in the way of the couriers.... they are mental!
Try it during normal traffic, not on a weekend though as I've found impatient shoppers to be worse than the older, Rover driving generation.
Try going out with someone who feels confident filtering through traffic and just follow his/her lead [smiley=thumbsup.gif]
Not sure I would like to be riding in London let alone filtering :o
The only way to get about Bob. Just gotta beware of U-turning taxis... >:(Quote:
Originally Posted by bobf279
The only way to get about Bob. Just gotta beware of U-turning taxis... >:([/quote]Quote:
Originally Posted by Mark_Able
And mad buses. >:(
the madest are the cyclists they weave all over the place on and off pavements rarely stop at traffic lights and tend to be going even quicker than bikes (motor).
best thing for filtering. LOUD exhausts blip the throttle on the way through to make more people notice the fact you are there and as earlier said, if they pull out give em a kick, an experienced pillon can help with this lol. the missus is getting really good
I filter all the time,always look for the safe pull in if something large is coming tother way,lights on full beam is another trick,watching for lemings,sorry,pedestrians.We can see over the cars so can plan ahead better.Watch for the front wheels of cars turning,means they are about to pull a u-turn/out.be confident in your own abilities,the bikes width and if in doubt,leave it out.Nicko :o
Exactly so!Quote:
Originally Posted by nicko@able
BB
It's only at pedestrian crossings. At traffic lights, get up the front and be first away... [smiley=thumbsup.gif]Quote:
Originally Posted by Mark_Able
Having been brought up on the outskirts of London, filtering is second nature. In fact, as kid, I used to practice the art of 'extreme filtering'. If there's a gap, go for it... ;D[/quote]
leave a bit of room for the next biker to get up in front of the car as well,sometimes people dont an you get left out with your arse hanging in the breeze.I always pull over to the left in front of the lead car,this leaves a space for someone else.
Ah! Somone else who does this. If only more riders did the same. Most seem to go for the "I'm all right Jack" approach.Quote:
Originally Posted by nicko@able
Is that big space that appears behind me when the lights go green not sufficient??? ;DQuote:
Originally Posted by nicko@able
In all fairness, if I see another bike I will make room. I won't p!ss of a car driver 'just in case' another biker turns up.
Time for a grump, its great that everyone is practicing their filtering, its a must in heavy traffic, but a bad habbit seems to be spreading. Frequently riders are not looking far enough ahead to find a space to safely pull back into thier side of the road. I am an hgv driver as well as a biker and I am often finding bikes stranded on the wrong side of the road in stationary traffic and not enough room for me to pass. Devizes is a real pain for this as traffic is slow moving at best and the roads are narrow. I have lost count as how many misjudged manouvers have forced me to stop and wait while bikes try to get push back in. One good thing is seeing their faces when they relise they have nowhere to go I usally give way and stop but next time ? well are you feeling lucky today?
Grump over back to business.
P.S Ride safe peeps
Filtering in traffic is not easy as most will know. My advice is to stay in 2nd or 3rd gear so that you can use the engine braking by rolling off the throttle slightly rather than stamping on the rear brake. Modern bikes have excellent front brakes which can grab especially if you have been on a long run or have been using the front brake alot. Most car drivers will pull out of your way and the occasional numpty will not. Remember to check in the cars mirrors to see if th driver has seen you.If you are filtering up to traffic lights or a junction and you think the lights are about to change do not filter past the first car, just stop behind him. This means that the car behind him can see you and will let you in.
Be curtious and the occasional wave of thanks will be appreciated. I ride a Goldwing and filtering is just as easy as riding an R6 or other sports bike. Just remember do not put yourself in a position where the car driver can't see you.