Learning to filter

[SteveSmith]

Hi, I'm a new rider - passed my test about a month ago. I'm now using my bike regularly around town (Bristol), and after a cautious start I'm now starting to think about filtering.

Yesterday evening at rush hour I was here, heading west. The traffic was stationary nose to tail, on a fairly narrow road with a wide bike lane on the left. I decided that the road was too narrow with too much oncoming traffic to pass the queue on the right, so I sat in it for a while, but two or three bikers came past me in the bike lane to my left. After a while I followed them past the traffic, into the bus lane further down and away.

It all worked and felt safe, but the question is is it a) legal, and b) a good idea to use cycle lanes to filter on the left like that?

Thanks very much,

Steve.

[covent.gardens]

I don't think that is a legally enforceable 'cycles only' lane. It's got a dashed rather than solid line and I can't see any signs that would prevent a motorised vehicle from going in it.

It's not the best idea to use it for the fact that you're undertaking. All it takes is someone to open their door to get out, and you're in trouble! That necessarily limits your speed so if you're going to use it, you'd better do it slowly.

There's no such thing as safe filtering IMO - just "less risky" filtering.

[bridgedino]

Over taking on the inside effectively, just have a good look around before you pass the plod in the queue

[c_dug]

Trust your gut instinct.

In central London if there is no other option I will use the cycle lane (assuming it is a broken white line, not solid) because I feel that they are used enough by both cyclists and motorcycles that cars do check them before pulling left. Obviously used with lots of caution.

I live 15 miles or so out from central London and I would not use them near home, not used enough by bicycles and almost never by motorcycles, cars just pull straight across them without looking.

A good tip for filtering too, beware of gaps in the traffic. Why is there a gap and who is trying to fill it? Seen sooo many close calls from people (usually on scooters) tearing through "keep clear" boxes at junctions without thinking about cars actually pulling through the area into the side road.
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I am a bellend, I am a man of constant sorrow, I am a gummy bear, I am a rock.

[illuminateTHE...]

Master slow speed control and and think ahead and evaluate whether or not its safe/ worth it to filter or not eg..

if there was two massive lorries in the left and right lane, should you filter down the middle? etc..

[keggyhander]

Pro filtering tip: Use your brain instead of your balls.

[Killer Rat]

keep a good eye on car tyres in front for their movement.
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No! No more talk! We go in! We kill! Kill! We kill 'em! They kill us, we kill them! Kill 'em! Kill 'em! Kill! Kill!
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cbf125 09', cbt passed 4/6/2010 - 28k miles - 1 major breakdown (stator)

[TheSmiler]

Expect the Unexpected especially cars changing lanes, swerving in your way and blatantly trying to crush you "as they think its illegal". When you do filter watch the wheels of the vehicles they move first.

You will know when to filter and when not to filter it is like a gut feeling. Listen to that feeling.
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CB125>CG125>GN125>ER5>K100RS>R1100RS>K100RS
A2 completed 23/07/15 Ready for the Golden Crisp Packet

[cimbian]

Firstly decide how much you will gain in any situation by filtering. Often it is very little.
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22PlusY
Current: Moto Guzzi 1100 Breva. Previous: Honda XL650V TransAlp
Bearded, Balding, Born again Buddhist Biker

[J.M.]

[Drake]

filter on one wheel shouting juuuuullllllaaaaaayyyyy
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was: derbi senda, aprilia sx125, nsr250 mc16, cagiva mito, cb600 hornet now: mk1 bandit, KR1S, landrover series 3 light weight 2.5 petrol, 5speed box

[Killer Rat]

I remember my first filter.

Stuck at lights with 3 cars ahead of me, biker filters beside me down to the front. Next set of lights i decided to copy his manoeuvre and pulled up next to him.
He was a mountain of a Swede riding a fucking huge trail bike.
He says to me 'i was wondering how long you would sit in traffic'.
I replied 'first time i've filtered and it feels good'
He then says to me whilst pointing at all the cagers behind us 'You have to show cagers that you're the king of the road and that 2 wheels is better than one'.
I've been hooked on filtering ever since.
____________________
No! No more talk! We go in! We kill! Kill! We kill 'em! They kill us, we kill them! Kill 'em! Kill 'em! Kill! Kill!
_______________________________________________________
cbf125 09', cbt passed 4/6/2010 - 28k miles - 1 major breakdown (stator)

[pinkyfloyd]

[Conzar]

Try briefly to look to see what is happening about 2+ cars ahead,
to see if lights are changing or is a car is looking to pull from a minor to a major ect...

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Current ride: ZX6R 636 ------- Previous:KTM EXC 450 Supermoto --- ZX6R B1H --Hornet 600--CBR 600--SV650
11:05:35 Rob Fzs: i just wanna own an rd350 valve before they send us to war with durkadurkastan

[Walloper]

[Walloper]

[P.]

If in doubt, flat out.

[MarJay]

Never try to filter between a queue and oncoming traffic.
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British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F
Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.

[P.]

[shorty]

[Alpha-9]

[shorty]

[cornish]

Don't underestimate how thick or deliberately aggressive p1ssed-off cagers in traffic can be. It's everyone's fault but theirs that they're trapped in a big, expensive metal box and are late home because of all the other big, expensive metal boxes There will be occasions when your p1ss is boiling, don't let it cloud your judgement with your ongoing riding.

Always say thanks to nice, observant people.

Although it is good to push yourself a little to develop your riding, don't feel compelled to. Some days you'll feel like the goddess (or god) of 'assertive' filtering other days you'll be more inclined to pootle through it all and challenge yourself less. There's no gun in your back, make sensible decisions you're happy with and don't take daft risks.
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smile and be happy. . . .it gets right on everyone's tits!

[DrSnoosnoo]

As I'm sure everybody above has said:

Do what you're comfortable doing. You need to go slow (ish) and watch out for anybody intending to turn right, pull out of side roads etc. Oh and also if any cager moves over for ya, it can't hurt to give em a wave, if they don't get a wave you'll have "mugged him off initz" and he won't move over again I feel.

Just go slow and steady and if you see another bike doing it, doesn't mean it's also safe for you to do it
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I'm Sam; Northern, Ginger, Lover
Did have: '95 ZZR600 '83 CG125 '97 ZZR1100 '15 Hypermotard 821 SP Do Have: '10 ZX10R

[Atomic Punk]