City Driving Tips

Just had first ride in bristol since moving here and getting back on and OMFG, the drivers are crap, everyone changes lane when ever they want, no one looks, has anyone got any tips for staying alive. And also when filtering i try to avoid the white line cause everytime i contact it my bike swerves slightly due to god knows what, grip or summin, anyone got any tips for when that happens, as i don't wanna hit someone's car, i'm too nice.

[dyzio]

Remember, everybody wants to kill you

What condition are your tyres? That could explain the behaviour on the white lines.
Hands on brake and clutch, if you think someone wants to change lanes - slow down.

Originally Posted by TheOnlyNemesis

Just had first ride in bristol since moving here and getting back on and OMFG, the drivers are crap, everyone changes lane when ever they want, no one looks, has anyone got any tips for staying alive. And also when filtering i try to avoid the white line cause everytime i contact it my bike swerves slightly due to god knows what, grip or summin, anyone got any tips for when that happens, as i don't wanna hit someone's car, i'm too nice.

Keep at it and you'll soon find that you develop proper 'biker sense' - you'll just know whne someone's going to pull across you. And the odd clipped wing mirror never did any harm - it just shows how 'urban guerilla' you are

My top tip: If you are filtering when someone switches lanes in front of you and you realise you are going to hit the driver's door, don't stick your elbow out to protect the bike! Cars are harder than humans...

Serously though, I've experienced Bristol a few times on the bike mate and it's no worse than any other city e.g. Manchester. Just stay very alert and like CG says you will develop a sixth sense for who is about to cut you up.

White lines can cause a noticeable 'shift' (can't think of a better word to describe it) while you're filtering at low speed. The more raised the white lines are and / or the more squared-off your tyres are it seems to have more effect. Best to avoid white lines really, especially in the wet.

Originally Posted by El Saxo

My top tip: If you are filtering when someone switches lanes in front of you and you realise you are going to hit the driver's door, don't stick your elbow out to protect the bike! Cars are harder than humans...

Serously though, I've experienced Bristol a few times on the bike mate and it's no worse than any other city e.g. Manchester. Just stay very alert and like CG says you will develop a sixth sense for who is about to cut you up.

White lines can cause a noticeable 'shift' (can't think of a better word to describe it) while you're filtering at low speed. The more raised the white lines are and / or the more squared-off your tyres are it seems to have more effect. Best to avoid white lines really, especially in the wet.

haha, yeah, i try to avoid the white lines by going either side of them depending on what has the most space from the car but sometimes i have to go on the white lines and as soon as i hit them and they feel raised it completely shifts(good word) and pulls, just don't wanna crash so close to getting back on,

[Wideboy]

everyone is an idiot, watch them all even pedestrians, southampton is murder no one has herd of indicators or mirrors and teh pedestrians have a death wish....... i've had someone on my bonnet cos they walked out infront of me, had the cheek to have ago at me until i got out