Filtering through big roundabouts?

[Red Herring]

No problem filtering all the way up to a roundabout, after all, that's what bikes are for.
Personally I don't move "into" a lane on the approach, if you think about it that is in effect pushing in, what you are doing is going all the way up the queue and then taking up a car space. Bikes get away with filtering because as a general rule they use road space that other drivers can't, think of it as bikes lanes have white lines down the middle, car lanes are between the lines..... When you get to the roundabout don't stop in a car lane. Firstly you're blocking a car (as if they could go before you!) but more importantly if they don't see you stop because they are looking past you at the traffic onto the roundabout they are going to hit you up the chuff, and I've lost count of the number of times I've picked a rider out from under the wheels of whatever they were giving way to on the roundabout due to that....
When you do go onto the roundabout avoid being alongside anything if it's moving. As has been said cars (and lorries) change lanes randomly on roundabout (a bit like bikes really) and if you are alongside you won't be in the drivers mirrors even if they did use them. Sit on a quarter panel so if they do change lane you will pass behind them, but don't sit directly behind them because if you do you will have to stop if they do and especially be aware on the approach to an exit of the car that decides to exit left across in front of you, or continue right round the roundabout. Just take it easy, despite what people say most car drivers are not out to get bikers, they just sometimes don't expect you to be where you are, after all, just like there are inexperienced riders there are inexperienced (and lost) drivers!

What Ed said. I wouldn't filter on a big roundabout around here like Culverhouse or Coryton just because some dozy mare in a Ford Ka will be in entirely the wrong lane for her intended exit and swerve across three lanes to get to it...

I take your point RH about not pushing in. I'll work with that.

Today was much better.. I eased off the filtering 2 - 3 cars before, found a little space in a lane (pushing in I guess, but politely. and only into space that was already there) and just went with the flow. I didn't need to straddle any white lines mid-roundabout and I felt a lot more comfortable.

Plenty of accommodating drivers today. Traffic was heavy so I did lots of filtering, but lots of cars moved over. I agree - they're not all out to kill us. All in all - a good trip home... but traffic does kill the joy, no?!

[fastdruid]

Originally Posted by ceeshaw

All in all - a good trip home... but traffic does kill the joy, no?!

Depends, there is a certain amount of satisfaction in making your way through traffic while avoiding danger.

Druid

Plan your exit - the times I have been unable to get off a roundabout, either thru filtering or wrong entry lane due to being lost and had to go all the way round are numerous.

You know what, plan it all! Slows you down but it's better than looking like a pillock or ending up the meat in a 2-car sandwich.