Filtering

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???

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

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

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.... 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.

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]

Originally Posted by sephy666

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

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]

Originally Posted by 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!

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