Filtering

[sephy666]

Can you guys shed some light on this. I have been told there is no "Filtering" Unless its in a Filtering lane. And for example rush hour traffic on the Forth bridge is considered Overtaking or undertaking. help???

[sephy666]

Also is it illegal to pass traffic in this "Filtering" Mode

[martyn mcg]

A 'Filtering Lane'? Never heard of them mate. Could be wrong though :confused:

And unless I'm shockingly mistaken, filtering (passing inbetween traffic) isn't illegal. I do it every day, every time. Normal cars, buses, police cars; as I passed today without any trouble. General rule is as long as you don't endanger anyone, or ride recklessly you should be fine. It was always advised to me as a rule of thumb that you should stop filtering when the traffic reaches relative normal speeds (30mph for a 30 and 50mph for M/Way) and never filter more than 15-20mph faster than the traffic.

At least that's what I remember being told....:-k I think. Hope it sheds some light for you there.

[Bibio]

filtering is making progress threw stationary or very slow moving traffic between two lines of traffic. changing lanes 'slalom' in moving traffic is classed as undertaking (which you should never do) or overtaking.

i personally never filter if the traffic is moving above 20mph. the only exception to this is when on a motorway and the traffic is moving at about 30-40 and both lanes are full for a long distance, even then i take great care because of lane jumpers.

[martyn mcg]

Agree with you on the lane hopping Bibio. I generally move back into lane when obstructed or the traffic starts moving 'normally'.

Though I have been known to travel the white line on the M8 now and then if you've got folk doing 50 in both lanes with both refusing to let the other over/undertake. But there is no doubt that's just plain dangerous, so at your own peril.

Have you ever heard of filtering lanes in Scotland though Bibio?

[SoulKiss]

Filtering Lanes...

I assume he has mis-heard the term "Filter lane"

=wiktionary.com]
filter lane (plural filter lanes)
A lane of traffic reserved for those making a specific turn at the next junction


and has assumed it applied to the making progress "filtering" that we do.

[STRAMASHER]

Also is it illegal to pass traffic in this "Filtering" Mode

Would not get to het up about legalities. Whether you get a dig or not usually depends how the cop is feeling or if its a bike or car cop. Seen some riding from the boys in blue the last couple of days that I would expect a dig for....... if caught. (Undertaking and filtering on zig-zags at a ped crossing) Went past them a few hundred yards later too, so not on call.

If you think a manouvre is a bit dodgy it probably is, so don't. It is what i try and tell myself. Not really a very good listener though:D

[gerbrox]

I filter now almost daily in and around the M80 roadworks etc, also on the Edinburgh by-pass, followed couple of cop bikes who were filtering, just really to see if they would pull me, hey the didn't.

As others have said general opinion is if slow progress can be made safely where's the harm, but I got a feeling as stramasher just said opinions vary, just be careful of lane hoppers. Also check out one of the stickies in the bike issues section I think.

[dizzyblonde]

after learning the art of 'London filtering' from Rictus the other week, I seem to have become rather efficient at it. Always hated it, but now I have confidence to think my bike is slimmer than a double decker bus and it will fit in smaller gaps than expected :-)
I may be tempting fate admitting it, but I have new skillz innit!

[SoulKiss]

after learning the art of 'London filtering' from Rictus the other week, I seem to have become rather efficient at it. Always hated it, but now I have confidence to think my bike is slimmer than a double decker bus and it will fit in smaller gaps than expected :-)
I may be tempting fate admitting it, but I have new skillz innit!

Good on ya :)

As for filtering, I filtered past a cop van this AM - traffic WAS slower than the limit, I think I saw 31 on my obviously over-reading speedo.

Didn't give me a second look.

Also helped me get some ditance between me and the pack of scooters that had been buzzing all over the place, scooter-boys obviously fear the police :)

[Cam_73]

what Bibio said.

:)

[rictus01]

whilst I see most take filtering as a necessary evil, I've always enjoyed it myself, through time and practice you do develop the "third eye" (no it's not a physical deformity, it's a metaphor), I've been know to go out on the bike just to play with a rush hour packed A2 on the odd occasion :smt102

Oh and Nice one Lou :thumleft:

Cheers Mark.

[Owenski]

if i didnt filter, then there would be no benfit in using the bike. simples.

Car: Home to Leeds - 45min+
Bike: Home to Leeds - 25min tops.

[RichT]

I filter all the time and on all roads when the conditions allow it, i.e. two or more lanes of nose to bumper traffic as far as I can see.

As already stated I only do this at 10 - 15mph faster than the traffic is moving. I however never pass a police car - not sure why - I guess to reduce the chance of a pull. Is it fair to assume that if I'm within the speed limit passing a police car is fine?

I was told that filtering is not illegal, however if you have an accident the law typically refers to overtaking rules.

[spiderman1967]

Filtering is legal provided that no offence is committed as long as the motorcyclist complies with all road traffic signs, road markings, road traffic regulations and filters with appropriate due care and attention with courtesy to other road users.

Also, every accident involving filtering is judged separately to previous cases as each will have notable differences such as speed, traffic and road conditions, manouvres etc etc. I've passed manay a police car by way of filtering and they will only pull you up if your baically driving like an a*rse.

[kellyjo]

Am just learning the benefits of filtering and lovin' it! What an enormous sense of satisfaction to see the row of cars that were in front of you, now behind you....and you just know they're green with envy, hehehe :-)

[dyzio]

Yup, same here, I filter on dual carriageways every day, passed a police car loads of times at sensible speeds and never had a problem* with the police.

*)
In most cases people will make room for you, but occasionally you'll bump into a **** which won't let you join before a roundabout or will intentionally block you.
Best thing to do is to ignore them, eventually you'll get past and they'll be still stuck in traffic :D

[Owenski]

Yup, same here, I filter on dual carriageways every day, passed a police car loads of times at sensible speeds and never had a problem* with the police.

*)
In most cases people will make room for you, but occasionally you'll bump into a **** which won't let you join before a roundabout or will intentionally block you.
Best thing to do is to ignore them, eventually you'll get past and they'll be still stuck in traffic :D

+1

If i meet said **** I know I've already made great time, no need to get worked up. Eventually you get by and your on your way... they are not :)

Police generally move out of the way on my way its not good for them to be seen blocking you so its very legal. However you've just got to be prepeared for motorists who dont know its legal to kick up a stink after knocking you off. I mean not every motorcyclist knows its legal or understands if they were wrong/right so its obsurd to think that pure car drivers have a clue.

[martyn mcg]

+1

However you've just got to be prepeared for motorists who dont know its legal to kick up a stink after knocking you off. I mean not every motorcyclist knows its legal or understands if they were wrong/right so its obsurd to think that pure car drivers have a clue.


Agree with you there mate. Surprising how many people don't know/understand filtering. However, regardless of whether someone doesn't know if you're committing an illegal manouvere by filering, they don't have any legal right to stop you or intervene in any way. They are not the police. They don't get to dish out punishments for crimes. Sometimes I think people forget that when using the road. Hence why you will always get some nugget blocking your path when trying to filter because he thinks "Well I can't do that and skip the traffic so it must be wrong. I see a crime being committed therefore I will just stop this fiend before his spree gets out of hand" :smt071

And breathe.... ;)

[fgilz]

This link sort of explains the filtering rule I think

http://www.motorbikestoday.com/news/Articles/filtering_law.htm

Basically you should only filter between vehicles at about 10 to 20mph anything faster than that is classed as shaving and is illegal if you collide with a box you will need to prove what you were doing was safe. Also it is illegal to filter kerb side, it is complicated so be careful and very alert for the cages moving out without warning.

[fgilz]

;) Hi Martyn hows that bro of your doing tell him Frank said :smt006