Filtering (paint pic attached)

[DrDonnyBrago]

Right, when filtering especially if the roads are a bit narrow I like to have a space to nip into to dodge oncoming traffic (like the blue bike). I sometimes find though that my spaces close before I get there and I am left either right next to a car (like the red bike) or I try and nudge myself as much out of the way as possible in a gap that I can't fit into (yellow bike).

The problems I see are the yellow bike is essentially cutting up the silver car, the red bike is stuck without a space to dodge the oncoming chav and the blue bike had to rely on the friendly/slow F40 driver.

https://i1015.photobucket.com/albums/af271/DonnyBrago/cars.jpg


So... do I only filter if the road is plenty wide enough that I can comfortably share the lane with cars or slow enough that I can get a space big enough for the whole bike or just stuff the nose of my bike in small gaps to secure a space for when I need it?

Could any of the above (including crossing the middle lines) be construed as a dangerous overtake assuming that the traffic in my direction is slow/stationary and I am not forcing oncoming traffic into the curbs?



And yes, I did go overboard with the paint pic .

Cheers all.

[Doovy]

fuck off you made that in paint

personally my riding is a combination of all three. it all depends on every different situation.

i think my preference would be a mixture between blue and yellow.




nice engine in the Ferrari though.
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[R6jonny]

Awesome diagram, i will filter wherever i can end up on my side of the road. Sometimes next to a car, sometimes squeeze in between cars and make my own space. I wont filter if it leaves me stuck on the wrong side of the road though.

At worst it is sometimes inconsiderate, hard pushed to call it dangerous unless you're travelling much faster than the other traffic....travelling fast towards oncoming traffic before ducking in etc
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"simply because she is a female and is thus her actions largely make no sense whatsoever by default"

[Paulington]

Look forward.
Is there enough room for you to fit between the two rows of cars?

Yes: Filter.
No: Stay where you are.

Plan ahead, see a gap ahead of you? Try to get to that gap in a safe manner, in the case of the cars getting a bit close, make sure you have planned a 'get out' gap, so you can let them by safely.

It's all situational, one or the other isn't right, only a combination.

.
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CBT: 27/08/08. Theory: 04/09/09. Module 1: 16/09/09. Module 2: 01/10/09.

[Howling TerrorOutOfOffice]

I try and aim for spaces like the blue bike. But occasionally end up in the the yellow bikes position. Good filtering for me is when i pass vehicles without them having to alter their course and without me getting my toes run over. If no oncoming i'll go over the broken lines for a good view of my next safe spot. Depends if junctions are about aswell.
If in any doubt i stay put like Mr Blue.
I'll always make better progress than a car so i'm not an impatient filtering type.

Pat
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[DrDonnyBrago]

[Doovy]

dont even ask me about the police and filtering.. on my bikesafe i was told it was sometimes ok to take up position near the centre of the oncoming lane if it was clear, to get a better view up ahead obviously this comes down to forward planning to know when to get back in lane..
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[Jayy]

I've done some dodgey filtering right infront of and even cut in front of plod and never been pulled. As long as it's about 10-15mph, they don't seem to bother round here.

[calyx]

[m0l0t0v]

If you have to stop you have failed at filtering.
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**\Tarmacsurfer/** said: It's that immaculately manly coiffure of yours isn't it. One glimpse of your virile locks and the punters can't wait to buy whatever it is you suggest, as it might let them be just a little bit like the Adonis that is our very own Molly Doovydoo said: Its not my fault I can't get it up properly, I just wasn't blessed

[ajbsmirnoff]

that diagram is superb.
all its missing are 'sound' lines coming from the bass thumping in the chav-mobile.

As a novice filterer, I've done all 3. I tend to avoid filtering against oncoming unless its a really wide road, and try hard to spot where I'm tucking back in.
I feel a pang of guilt when i have to force space by hovering next to a gap but it passes.

[locked]

Nice diagram!

I use a combination of all 3. If its safe to filter i'll go, if not then i would hang back abit and try again as soon as the opportunity presents itself again.
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CBT Passed - 13/09/09 Theroy Passed - 19/12/09 Mod 1 Passed 04/05/10 Mod 2 Passed 14/05/10 - Free to ride ANYTHING!
Motorcycles are perfectly safe as long as you remember they're dangerous.

[Walloper]

Filtering:
Always ensure that the jug and filter are clean.
Pour some of the boiled water onto your freshly ground coffee and allow it to Pre-soak.
Prepare your cup/s.
Pour the hot water (Just-off-the-boil) onto the coffee and give it a stir.
Place the Filter plunger over the infusion and let it sit for two/three minutes.
Carefully push the filter plunger down and pour your deliciously fresh coffee into your cup/s

Enjoy....
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W-ireless A-rtificial L-ifeform L-imited to O-bservation P-eacekeeping and E-fficient R-epair

[Renton]

I used to be the blue bike.

But now riding to work (South London to North London) I've had to change my tactics.
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Without me, my motorcycle is useless. Without my motorcycle, I am useless.

[Whosthedaddy]

[LeeR]

If it's very slow or stationary traffic then any of the positions you describe are acceptable in my opinion.

However, if the traffic is moving then it's slightly different; traffic just under the speed limit and I'll not bother filtering at all until we get to lights/island. Traffic stop-start and/or moving at a moderate pace then I'll filter when I feel it's safe to do so, but above all things I try never to make a move that relies on the accomodation of another road user to complete it sucessfully.
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[dextersaurus]

I used to not give a shit and go down either side, between cars on my side and cars coming the other way. it helps that most of the roads up here are quite wide though.

i've realised how stupid and dangerous that is as i nearly hit an old woman and her dog.

As all of the above have said.... safely try and do what the yellow and blue ones are doing.

Theres a video on youtube from advancedbiker covering Filtering... he's an advanced instructor so he explains it all well.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YfGXi8b-gO0

Dunc

[Spit-Fire]

use a mix of all 3,

and for the paint pic, especially the f40
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[ncrn]

I try my best to avoid doing what the red bike is doing on narrow roads, but there is a few on my commute that I can happily do that and continue filtering despite oncoming traffic.

I do what the yellow bike is doing a lot, if the traffic is stationary when you nip in its normally ok. It can be slightly dodgier if the traffic is moving but its not that mad a move in my eyes. Of course if there is a nice gap like the blue bike has found then I'd use it.

And good effort on the paint diagram.
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[ws4936]

Again, here for all 3.

I do vote for Donny's paint diagram be the best effort for getting the point across though.
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If everything seems under control, you're just not going fast enough.

[crowe]

I find it depends more on the traffic speed. If your lane is going slow but the oncoming is 30+ then you risk somebody clipping you with a mirror. In this case i only move forward if i'd got room.

I try to filter as much as possible where i know it's safe, if you don't know the road or can't see the potential dangers just wait until the next traffic light and move forward knowing it's 'safe'.


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[Grimnir]

[L4Isoside]

[Mac_Black]

Another big on that diagram, that's taking it up to a whole new level.
Personally I'm usually the red bike, not due to poor planning,
But rather because I'm actually comfortable fitting in between gaps barely wider than me, always have been.

The Carrington Bridge stretch in Worcestershire,
which crosses the Severn is probably about 3/4 a mile long and always full of traffic moving at about 15mph,
up to 40~mph on occasion. (Average)
I'll usually filter at 30 upwards there, basically I'll go as fast as I think I can react.
I like to stay on the correct side of the road,
I'll ride on the stripes if I need to and occasionally cross a little onto the oncoming lane if it's clear.
I don't often have drivers altering their course, some panic on occasion but it's really not necessary,
I always wave by drivers in my lane who pull in.

Police need not be a problem, they can't keep up anyhow and in traffic they're useless.

[Blue_SV650S]