Overtaking in the blackwall tunnel.

[Red Herring]

Just because something may be illegal doesn't mean it's inconsiderate to another road user. If I rode through the tunnel at 2 in the morning when there wasn't another vehicle in there and did 40mph and weaved from lane to lane would that be dangerous and inconsiderate?

Double whites? & there was me thinking it was just a really narrow middle lane...

[Speedy]

Originally Posted by Red Herring

Just because something may be illegal doesn't mean it's inconsiderate to another road user. If I rode through the tunnel at 2 in the morning when there wasn't another vehicle in there and did 40mph and weaved from lane to lane would that be dangerous and inconsiderate?

Possibly.

Dangerous if you hit a pool of diesel and come off and hit you head on the wall......BUT only dangerous to yourself, BIG difference.

And playing devils advocate, you could say inconsiderate to the ambulance crew, police, firemen that would be mopping you up off the road. And inconsiderate to all those commuters who'd be late for work!!

But i'm just playing devils advocate.

Originally Posted by Speedy

Reading between the lines, (get it? The double white ones? ), I don't think the OP wishes bikers that filter any harm at all, including ones that use the BW Tunnel.

Really? Strange his wording of "If you do it, you are a complete tool and deserve to come off. FACT." then don't you think?

All I think he is saying is, this biker in particular was riding like a muppet, putting his/her own life at risk and potentially others too.

I completely agree with this sentiment, however it's not what the OP said.

Most of the bikers I know are considerate to other road users, (to an extent it's common sense), we, as bikers are more vulnerable to injury or death on the roads than say a car or lorry driver.

Agreed

In this example/story the biker (arguably) caused a car driver to clip a curb....now crashes in tunnels, I would have thought ARE more problematic for the emergency services...access, heat/fire etc etc.

I wouldn't wish any biker any harm, in this instance he/she that was riding in this style, if said biker had come off as a result of their riding, could blame only themselves.......

Having not seen the biker causing the driver to swerve I can't comment. I have however often seen car drivers overreact to bikes filtering because they aren't concentrating in the past, so it could be six of one, half a dozen of the other. As I've said: I'm not condemning or condoning the actions of the rider. If he was riding like an idiot, chances are I'd probably condemn. The OP isn't criticising this one guys riding, he's tarring all riders who filter in the tunnel with the same brush.

If he/she got killed by following vehicles, the drivers of theose vehicles would have the horrible reality for the rest of their lives knowing that they, however not their fault, killed someone.

It's all about, time, place and common sense.

Time, place and common sense. Couldn't agree more. In my opinion it is perfectly possible to filter in a calm, safe, considerate manner in the Blackwall tunnel. I've done it many times without ever affecting other users of the tunnel, and will continue to do so for as long as I am riding in London

Originally Posted by Stuuk1

Im afraid it does. The blackwall tunnel has a strict speed limit of 30mph. So strict that people have been known to get speeding fines for 33mph.

The blackwall tunnel is notoriously narrow (northbound). For those of you that havent experienced the tunnel, the northbound tunnel is the oldest. It was built obviously to cross the thames. It was opened in 1897! So as you can imagine, this tunnel was built for horses to ferry people and goods across the river. Now you can imagine how tight it is... The reason the southbound isnt mentioned here is because that tunnel is the newest and was built with cars in mind.
Proof that the northbound was designed for horses is the way it has many sharp bends and the tunnel itself is windy. The reason for this is so that the horses couldnt see 'the light at the end of the tunnel' and bolt for it.

The blackwall tunnel also has TWO SOLID WHITE LINES painted all the way through.

So as you can see, your comment saying you do not ride 'inconsiderately' couldn't be more wrong.
Its a f*ck*ng dangerous tunnel and yourself as a qualified rider should respect this fact.

You are going back to an argument that if it's illegal it's also dangerous, and I couldn't disagree more. I respect the fact that it's a road with some small differences to other roads, and should be treated with the respect all roads should. You don't seem to understand the fact that filtering considerately and safely is different to acting like an idiot.

[Speedy]

Originally Posted by Bear

Time, place and common sense. Couldn't agree more. In my opinion it is perfectly possible to filter in a calm, safe, considerate manner in the Blackwall tunnel. I've done it many times without ever affecting other users of the tunnel, and will continue to do so for as long as I am riding in London

Damn! It didn't quote it all.....

Anyway, I did say "Reading between the lines..."

And...I aint gonna take a "holier than thou" attitude, but you did write that you often brake the speed limit in there.....( ithink) I doubt there's a biker on this forum that only rides at the speed limits ALL the time, but like I said, and I'm sure Mr R.Herring will agree.....there is a time and place where you or I may get away with a bit of speed, but other places we wouldn't.

Originally Posted by Speedy

Damn! It didn't quote it all.....

Anyway, I did say "Reading between the lines..."

Dude, I understand and appreciate what you're trying to do, but there's a difference between reading between the lines and saying someone said the opposite of what they actually did to calm down a heated debate!

And...I aint gonna take a "holier than thou" attitude, but you did write that you often brake the speed limit in there

Nope, I said I often break the speed limit. Not necessarily in the tunnel. Just so you know

By the way Speedy I hope you don't think this is an attack. Love you!

[Speedy]

XXXXXX



No, course not!! It's a discussion!!

Originally Posted by Bear

You are going back to an argument that if it's illegal it's also dangerous, and I couldn't disagree more. I respect the fact that it's a road with some small differences to other roads, and should be treated with the respect all roads should. You don't seem to understand the fact that filtering considerately and safely is different to acting like an idiot.

Its not a road with small differences, its a road with alot of difference to your usual roads. Its a road barely wide enough to fit two cars next to each other as another user have already stated. Yet you still believe it is safe to dodge in and out of the cars, and dont say that its not 'dodging in and out of cars' because it is.

I know its wrong, 90% of the people agree in this thread that it is wrong and most importantly, you know its wrong. So why do it?

[Speedy]

Handbags!!