Forum

[Forrest]

I filter. It's the only way to make progress in very slow or stationary traffic. What's the point of having a motorcycle if you're going to sit there like a lemon. You've got to be sensible of course and I always give drivers a wave if they move aside for me. Some years ago while driving up the Autoroute in France I had a French rider slap me across the back of my helmet as he came past, because I wasn't filtering fast enough. The traffic was stationary in all three lanes, it was in torrential rain and I was being pushed by this idiot at almost 60mph. I eventually managed to find a space to let him and his mates past. Even overtaking some people is fraught with danger. I overtook a slow moving lorry one afternoon, only to have the driver empty all his rubbish out of the window over me as I went past. I forced him to stop further up the road and gave him a piece of my mind. Even though I'm also a car driver, I always treat other motorists (including motorcyclists) with suspicion and never assume anything when I'm out on my bike. I have had my moments in over 40 years of biking, but (touch wood), I'm still in one piece.

[Bertie the Bullet]

Les, for reference I have just been checking over the tightness of the various bits on Bertie and found that the gearbox cover screws have already started to work loose..

[MadMike]

If like me you havr recently had to take a Speed Awarenass" course then you will have received a nice shiny new Highway Code. Rule 160 on page 53 says "Once moving you should..........be aware of other road users, especially cycles and motorcycles who may be filtering through the traffic." It states in Rule 88 on page 28 (which refers to rules for motorcyclists) ".....when filtering in slow-moving traffic, take care and keep your speed low." Finally Rule 151, page 50, states "In slow moving traffic. You should.....be aware of cyclists and motorcyclists who may be passing on either side." I hope this helps in our understanding of filtering, however proceed with caution, as too much speed, or erratic swerving around the slower vehicles may lay you open to accusations of Careless Driving. HTH.

[Alan R]

Ah yes, this old chestnut !! So just WHAT IS filtering then ?? On a multi-lane carriageway if I'm filtering on the R/H side of one line of traffic and cross the carriageway marking line I'm then technically undertaking those on my R/H side. I wouldn't go so far as to say anybody has "Rights" on the road---at least not in the "personal rights" sense. There is such a thing as the "right of way" but that's not what's being discussed here,is it ?? Up until quite recently and as part of my job, I held all 3 types of licence ie a motorcycle (with the ACU training), a car and an HGV Class 1, covering a span of 40 years or so including Europe---- for the MoD. And YES, I also make use of "filtering" as and when feasible.....but I always feel uncomfortable doing it and am glad to be on the "open" road ASAP. From my previous military employ I still have one of those yellow jackets with the nite-brite silver strips on and always wear a white helmet, and the headlamp is always on. I find that when filtering the vehicles in front tend to move over to their left---can't think why ?? And to cap it all the bike is blue in colour as well !! Check-out the recommended riding clothing in the Highway Code to see what I'm getting at. And the clue to that publication is in the title---ie}- it's a "CODE of CONDUCT" which admittedly covers many points of Traffic Law, and is often referred to during a court case.......but it's not THE LAW itself.It relies heavily on road users of all types (and that includes Pedestrians)to use their training---long forgotten in most cases----with common & civil sense (we should be so lucky !!). All the posts above mine here have many valid and recognisable anecdotes-----I think we can all relate to the speed-involved ones at some time or the other ?? So to finish, how does 44 feet per second sound ?? Reckless?-----illegal? ----- an offence ? NOPE, it's 30 MPH. or about 3 car lengths on average. "Treat each journey as if it were that first one after passing your test" seems to work for me. I bet our average age on here right now is probably 60 ?? A new TV series in the making ?? GRUMPY OLD MOTORCYCLISTS ??? Ride Safe.

[James BLT]

I agree with the sentiments of everyone saying to trust no one on the roads. Heck I'm a biker, but once in a blue moon I will do something in my car and then realise "god I really should have double checked for a bike there".

I have heard the saying "any accident on a motorbike is the riders fault" and I understand where this logic is coming from.

I filter but only at speeds of 15mph or less. Any faster and a suddenly opened car door will cause you a proper crash.

I have witnessed 2 rather nasty accidents here in London. Both sports bikers 'filtering' at 40mph+.

[stephen]

My problem is that having carefully filtered to the head of a queue of traffic, when the red changes to green, I invariably hear that little spit back and suffer the subsequent RE "stall."

Very embarrasing!

stephen

[PeteF]

Hey! I didn't get a copy of the highway code on my recent Speed Awareness Course - cheapskate Humberside Police!!! I have read the new version however as my Missus just got her bike license a couple of years ago (at 58 - well done pet) It's about ten times the size of the pamphlet we had back in the sixties.