Forum

[Bertie the Bullet]

Just been reading a very interesting debate on filtering between the traffic, the biker saying that it's a riders right to filter and that the bike has the right of way, and the car driver saying that the biker is in their lane so the car has the right to change lane when they want and that the bike should give way.
Being a biker and a driver, when riding I treat all drivers as inconsiderate morons and don't take any chances and when driving I am considerate to riders but do not believe they have automatic right of way when they double up in my lane.
Please comment, would like to hear your opinion on this ?

Just enjoy the ride..

[Durham Tim]

Ah! A much-debated topic indeed!!
As far as I'm aware, although Mr Plod has "pulled" members of our fraternity for this activity in the past, as far as I'm aware it isn't actually illiegal as such.
But even the most bike-aware car drivers amongst us must admit, a filtering motorcyclist can still be a bit un-nerving when they squeeze between us in a slow-moving line of traffic, especially when space is tight.
I think the onus remains on the rider to maintain their own safety.

[Beezabryan]

About 20 years ago on M4 in usual stationary morning rush to work time traffic I witnessed a car driver deliberately open his door and brought down quite badly a motorcyclist. I have had cars move over to let me on my way then the guy in front deliberately moves right to shut the door on me. Yes i filter, it is encouraged by the authorities, I do it with care and at no great speed as I am waiting for some nonce to try pi$$ing me about.... Strange thing is that the drivers who really have a time constraint are lorry drivers and they inevitable will try to make a space for a bike........There is not a problem with filtering in America because with the exception of California filtering is illegal

[PeteF]

The phrase in the Highway Code used to be (maybe still is) "slow moving and congested traffic" ....... I've seen idiots filtering at 40mph!!!! ........I filter (if there's room) in "slow moving and conjested traffic" but watch out for the homicidal maniac car drivers who can't abide anyone to get ahead.

[Riggers]

I generally find that as long as I'm 'polite' and sit behind a car until the driver has seen me they usually pull over and let me through. By way of a thank you I always acknowledge with a left hand wave. I always have at the back of my mind though that this must be one of the more risky manouvers, and always keep right hand ready on the brake.

[m1ks]

From a strictly legal point of view, I was always of the understanding that you cannot filter along the LEFT hand side of MOVING traffic, regardless of speed, this being the biggest blind spot in a car, (in the UK obviously), otherwise it's within reason at low speed and with the appropriate dollop of care applied.
I know that the authorities typically 'forgive' an amount of sensible filtering of this type but will readily pull over and chastise someone who's tear-arsing between lanes at worrying speeds.
As you say yourself, and as my driving instructor told me many years ago, treat everyone else on the road as a moron, never assume they'll be paying attention, or be courteous or considerate.
I think that's the best overall advice.

[bikerbill]

"... treat everyone else on the road as a moron, never assume they'll be paying attention, or be courteous or considerate. I think that's the best overall advice....."
Agree 100%, and never lose sight of the unnerving truth that a motorcyclist/cyclist is, literally, invisible to many of em - even when they appear to be looking right at you. Assume nothing.

[Les H]

Now we know you are still around BtB, did you find out what was causing your clutch problem back in May?

[Bertie the Bullet]

Hi Les,, I replaced the cable only to find that the old one was ok, still it didnt matter as I now carry a spare, I have also changed the oil 20/50 in the clutch housing for ATF as I found that the plates where sticking together, but what I found as the cause of the problems was that the gearbox outer cover screws have been working loose causing the cable adjustment to be lost, I thought I had forgotten to tighten them up the first time I found this, but since it has happened again I guess it's another RE querk so I am checking them for tightness on a regular basis, when I get the chance I will treat them to some thread lock.

Regards

Just enjoy the ride..

[Les H]

Ah yes, that is unusual but explains what was happening. Thanks....Back to the filtering topic; I shall never forget the day I was travelling along the one way system of Holloway Road in London where there is a section that is around 5 lanes wide. As usual, the traffic was crawling along and then came to standstill. I was in a central lane, where I could see ahead a "Zebra" Road Crossing but any view to the sides of it were totally obscured by high sided lorries. Then I heard a bike screaming up on my inside, flying along between the stopped vehicles at about 40MPH and to my absolute horror flashed across the crossing completely oblivious to the catastrophic carnage and horror that the rider could have created. God was that guy lucky that a pedestrian was not crossing at that moment; I genuinely nearly fell from my bike as I nearly feinted in shock and the memory of it still makes my head spin all these years later. I relate this story just as a reminder to riders who do filter at speed, it is not just cars you have to watch out for...don't end up killing soemone else please.