Nearly got squished filtering - advice please

[shooter]

I'm filtering between stationary lanes stopped at traffic lights on the north circular and I go into a pretty tight gap between a large van and a lorry. The lights change and both of them immediately floor it and also pull slightly towards each other. I get squeezed pretty badly and come together with both vehicles. I only stayed on because there wasn't physically any room to fall.

No damage to bike but I think my clutch lever probably scratched the van on my left. Couldn't really stop where we were so I carried on, riding next to the guy, with the intention of speaking to him at the next set of lights. But then about a minute up the road he cut behind me and turned off.

Questions -

Whose fault? I'll probably think better of going down such a tight gap in future, but the guy on my left in particular should have know I was there. I was pretty much stood next to him when he set off.

What's the procedure when you aren't near any safe place to stop? What could/should I have done differently in this regard?

Is it worth contacting the police today (this happened yesterday morning)? If I've scratched the guy's van and it's my fault (not sure it is), I'd like to pay for it. What I don't need though is loads of unnecessary grief off the police and I can't see that they'd actually be able to help in any constructive way.

[-Matt-]

I'd say its their fault for not observing before setting off and both having changed road position, but then that could of been a minimal change and it just was bad luck they both slightly changed position at the same time.

If you can see the lights ahead when filtering i always try bare in mind if theyve been red a while and are likely to change soon, start slowing down and looking ahead for places you may need/can stop/slow into.

If you can't see obviously you don't really have a choice but to continue, but with any large vehicles - lorrys, buses, even big vans - and also tall vehicles that are blocking your forward view [and the car in front of thems view of you coming perhaps] i always slow right down whether theyre stopped or not.

Sometimes for example if theres two lorrys/buses side by side its better to just stop and wait. At least if two cars swoop together in a low speed filter you have a chance to bash on them/scream and maybe get noticed, a big long trailer or bus is going to be very hard to alert if they aren't checking mirrors etc and clip you or worse still drag you off and under

[Moo.]

I've always been told not to go up the inside of lorry's or between two lorry/coaches because things like this can happen
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A2 Passed 18/6/10

[The Shaggy D.A.]

Your fault. When filtering, don't go between two vehicles that you can't get all the way through - hang back until there's room. You can never assume that they have seen you.
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Chances are quite high you are not in my Monkeysphere, and I don't care about you. Don't take it personally.
Currently : Royal Enfield 350 Meteor
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[BTTD]

Agreed your fault. If the gaps too tight for you to pin it out of, then don't risk it if the lights might change. If truck wheels catch you, you're going under - there's an unpleasant youtube of exactly that happening.
Sometimes you just gotta wait.

[G]

You certainly put yourself in a place of danger and didn't get out - why didn't you accelerate hard away from the lights?

In those situation I always at least stick my nose out at the front, often slightly blocking the vehicle at the front - that way they have to let me go first (or run me over, of course).
That way, as I still generally go on green, it means I don't have to jump the red (and amber) to get a good start.

Remember, if you can't see a lorry driver (mirrors or through the windows), they can't see you. I'll generally the give the bike a few revs when I'm in a position the lorry driver can see me, so they know there's another vehicle there.

Can't think of many bikes that won't beat a van and a lorry away from the lights. Hell, I've beaten vans just fine on my electric push bike (and yes, that sprinter WAS trying to get the holeshot ).
Have had a case between two large lorries where I've had to really go for it as the lights changed when I was still half way between them.

I'd just leave it. Van driver is unlikely to report it. You'll get yourself a seven day wonder if you do.

[shooter]

[JP7]

It's just not worth trying to squeeze between a van and a lorry in a tight gap. Both vehicles are rather large and can often have restricted rear view, and as others have said it's quite likely that neither of them would have seen you. That doesn't mean to say they shouldn't check their mirrors, and it sounds like neither did, but you put yourself into a really dangerous position.

Bear in mind also that if there was a left turn there, either vehicle would want to swing out to make the turn leaving you very vulnerable indeed.

As far as the law goes you are obliged to stop and exchange details, or report the collision to the police within 24 hours. But it sounds like neither the lorry nor the van knew they'd collided with you, and if you didn't get the registration number of either there's nothing much to gain from reporting it. Perhaps give the cops a call and log an incident just to prove you reported it, should the van driver realise there's been a collision and tries to have it investigated. It depends how much you want to cover your backside really.

If it happens again then try and get alongside the vehicle and motion for them to pull over somewhere so you can let them know what's happened (if they comply!).

[Nemo]

Your fault for lacking common sense
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Previously owned: Kawasaki KH125, Suzuki GP125, Suzuki GX 125, Honda CB125 TDC '83, Honda ntv 600, Kawasaki ER5, Kawasaki ZZR600, Aprilia RSV 1000 Mille
Now own: Ducati 848 evo

[Mario_Kempes]

You've been a bit daft, mate. You know these guys have reduced visibility. You need to have a bit of awareness when the light is going to change before plunging between any vehicle never mind vans and the like.

No harm done though.

[arry]

[Clanger]

[Lyam]

Certainly a situation you shouldn't of put yourself in, however a loud exhaust and a few throttle blips should alert them of your presence, only filter when it's safe l, don't get carried away.

[Lyam]

Certainly a situation you shouldn't of put yourself in, however a loud exhaust and a few throttle blips should alert them of your presence, only filter when it's safe l, don't get carried away.

[Killer Rat]

[SQL]

your fault for fucking with lorries.

[J4mes]

It matters not one shit whose fault it was (yes, yours by the way) when you are under the wheels of a lorry. You've really gotta think this shit through of you wanna survive on a bike.

But I guess you won't be doing it again

[Ste]

Every set of traffic lights is meant to be a race. You lost and it was your fault.

[Pete.]

[Islander]

You lived to tell the tale and will hopefully learn from it and never ever do it again.

Your fault BTW.

[magpiemale]

I agree with most your fault as when filtering the onus is on us as we are out of position while filtering. While filtering you need to one either see what the lights are doing or the traffic as soon as either changes you need to be in a position of strength like in a gap between cars. If I am filtering most lorries if they can move over even though they do not have to and with one eye on the road ahead and the other watching for a safe position gap for when traffic moves. I have not been on the wrong side of things as yet 7yrs riding also keep speed sensible 20 - 30 map . observation is your friend.
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NSR125 1992 (sold) kawasaki Z750S,fazer FZ1 07 now gone present bike 2012 fz1s Fazer,beowulf rad protector,heated grips,sw motech gps holder,power socket.

[magpiemale]

I agree with most your fault as when filtering the onus is on us as we are out of position while filtering. While filtering you need to one either see what the lights are doing or the traffic as soon as either changes you need to be in a position of strength like in a gap between cars. If I am filtering most lorries if they can move over even though they do not have to and with one eye on the road ahead and the other watching for a safe position gap for when traffic moves. I have not been on the wrong side of things as yet 7yrs riding also keep speed sensible 20 - 30 map . observation is your friend.
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NSR125 1992 (sold) kawasaki Z750S,fazer FZ1 07 now gone present bike 2012 fz1s Fazer,beowulf rad protector,heated grips,sw motech gps holder,power socket.

[Bigmal]

I have found van, truck and taxi drivers in London very anti bike. I bet they knew you were there and were just being cunts. Something to do with white working class London attitude that really stinks. I'm an ex white van man (Scottish) by the way.
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Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% what you do about it.

[Pete.]

[Bigmal]