Etiquette when filtering

[the_lone_wolf]

Originally Posted by nakedblue650

And on that subject do Chelsea tractors make bikes invisble?

On a serious note, yes, they do, they have huge pillars and generally very poor visibility compared to smaller cars. Couple that with the type of person who buys something like that and you have yourself a dangerous vehicle for other road users

Some very valid points, mosty related to low speed filtering though. I do a fair bit of higher speed filtering on my commute down the M6 and there are certain things I try to stick to when doing this.

As others have said, I try not to cause any other road user to deviate / slow down because of my actions. If I went past a car and caused them to brake I would be disappointed. I tend to sit about a yard inside the outside lane (when all lanes are busy obviously, if it's quiet I'll be on the inside lane) - this way I get a good clear view ahead and give the best chance for cars in the middle and outside lane to see me. Quite often cars in the outside lane will more over slightly to the right to let me know they've seen me and as soon as they do I go for it. On other occasions I just go for it, particularly if cars are alongside each other as they 'shouldn't' be moving in to the space I want to go through.

I rarely filter between the inside and middle lanes unless I am approaching the junction I want to get off or the outside lanes are converging or there is some other obstruction (silly big van in outside lane preventing my usual route throught for instance).

I am happy filtering between cars that are 'going fast' on the motorway (read that how you will). I know this is a grey legal area but I do it cautiously. On wide A roads I will also happily cruise down the middle past cars doing the speed limit once I am sure there are no upcoming junctions / obstructions etc.

I generally filter wherever I feel it is safe to do so. It's a huge advantage to having a bike. If I wanted to sit in traffic I'd go in the car!

Originally Posted by cartwrim

Some very valid points, mosty related to low speed filtering though. I do a fair bit of higher speed filtering on my commute down the M6 and there are certain things I try to stick to when doing this.

As others have said, I try not to cause any other road user to deviate / slow down because of my actions. If I went past a car and caused them to brake I would be disappointed. I tend to sit about a yard inside the outside lane (when all lanes are busy obviously, if it's quiet I'll be on the inside lane) - this way I get a good clear view ahead and give the best chance for cars in the middle and outside lane to see me. Quite often cars in the outside lane will more over slightly to the right to let me know they've seen me and as soon as they do I go for it. On other occasions I just go for it, particularly if cars are alongside each other as they 'shouldn't' be moving in to the space I want to go through.

I rarely filter between the inside and middle lanes unless I am approaching the junction I want to get off or the outside lanes are converging or there is some other obstruction (silly big van in outside lane preventing my usual route throught for instance).

I am happy filtering between cars that are 'going fast' on the motorway (read that how you will). I know this is a grey legal area but I do it cautiously. On wide A roads I will also happily cruise down the middle past cars doing the speed limit once I am sure there are no upcoming junctions / obstructions etc.

I generally filter wherever I feel it is safe to do so. It's a huge advantage to having a bike. If I wanted to sit in traffic I'd go in the car!

Lets you keep the speed constant eh, less accelerating and braking is that how you get 7000 miles out of a sports tyre

[mr.anderson]

I never undertake anyone. My belief is that the inside (curb side) of single lane traffic is reserved for cyclists and the outside for motorbikes. Most people follow this, but then I always see some crazy fool on my way to/from work flying down the inside of traffic forcing cyclists in front of cars, making cars swerve out a bit (towards me!) which is dangerous.

At traffic lights, if you arrive after a bike who have left space for you to get in front of the cars, then follow let them go first when the light changes - they have right of way, they got there first. If they are then filtering more slowly than you are comfortable to, then overtake once moving when it is safe to do so.

[Viney]

Originally Posted by SoulKiss

Only Etiquette I know of is check your mirrors and if you are holding someone else up who filters faster, move over and let them past.

Thats if you have your mirrors out! Mine are usualy folded in, get through smaller gaps you see

The only unwritten rules are:

If there is a chav on a scooter in front, then rev your engine a lot
If there is someone coming at you down the same bit of 'lane' then its much like a car coming towards you...whoever has the gap pull in.
Be aware of some loony behind (me probabaly) that is a filter tit and wants to get past
At the lights make a gap so others can get alongside (if possible)
and this one really gets me. If you think you are not going to get through, then get out the way. Not every bike has huge mirrors and will hit every van and car on the way though!!

That is all

[Stu]

Originally Posted by Viney

If there is someone coming at you down the same bit of 'lane' then its much like a car coming towards you...whoever has the gap pull in.

I don't agree with this. It is down to who is on their side of the road that has priority. Also you should never overtake without knowing where you can get back in, so you should never be without a gap

and this one really gets me. If you think you are not going to get through, then get out the way. Not every bike has huge mirrors and will hit every van and car on the way though!!

Oh +1billion Could you post that on the B** forums please

Originally Posted by Addicted

I don't agree with this. It is down to who is on their side of the road that has priority. Also you should never overtake without knowing where you can get back in, so you should never be without a gap

I'd like to be there the day when you meet someone who thinks the same way and you're both on your own sides of the road. Brake lever to brake lever interface

The first rule of Filter Club is .....


you don't talk about Filter Club

Perhaps we was on the phone, listening to the radio, or doing that new fangled video blogging malarky, and shaking his head as he constructed his monologue on the pro's and con's of sex before marriage in areas of an average income that is below the national average!

Always look on the bright side, eh

I tried filtering for the first time the other day going down on the M6 where the roadworks are, two lanes, stationary or 10mph, so i went slowly between in 1st gear mostly, I was pleasantly suprised that most people move aside (who I then thanked), however one BMW (WHY A BMW?! Could you not try to help get rid of the stereotype Mr. BMW? AGH) decided he didn't want a bike getting to it's destination before him. Got past him though in due course, and then chickened out (wisely I believed) from going between two artics where the width seemed only marginally more than my mirrors to me! Anyway, was a good place to try it, compared to London anyway!

Originally Posted by rigor

I'd like to be there the day when you meet someone who thinks the same way and you're both on your own sides of the road. Brake lever to brake lever interface

It'll be like that 125/250GP incident the other week

Stoppie time!