Queueing(sp)? in traffic in town

[JonB]

Hello,

Since I am fairly new to biking I obey all traffic rules etc. However when I am stopped behind traffic, say at traffic lights for example, there is always a superbiker that cruises slowly past in the other lane to get right at the front...Is this legal?

Jon.
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Be careful whose advice you buy, but, be patient with those who supply it. Advice is a form of nostalgia, dispensing it is a way of fishing the past from the disposal, wiping it off, painting over the ugly parts and recycling it for more than it?s worth.

[McJamweasel]

Its called filtering, and yes.
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BCF: Be yourself, just don't be an arse.

[Flip]

Yes. If it is done slowly. About 15mph is acceptable I think it is.

[Major_Grooves]

It's called filtering.

It's not illegal, but then if you have an accident then you can be held partly resposible. If you do it just be careful.

Don't filter if you have to break the speed limit, and don't go more than 15mph. I think soemone told me that as a rule of thumb.
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[JonB]

Oh Cheers, I don't have to stick behind massive queue's of traffic anymore.

What happens if a car is coming the other way though, I can't possibly be rude and pull into a car!
____________________
Be careful whose advice you buy, but, be patient with those who supply it. Advice is a form of nostalgia, dispensing it is a way of fishing the past from the disposal, wiping it off, painting over the ugly parts and recycling it for more than it?s worth.

[tgabber]

A couple of other tips if you're new to filtering, especially in London.

Make sure you're not holding up other more confident bikers, pull back into the main traffic lane to let another faster bike through if necessary.

If filtering between multiple lanes of slow moving traffic always watch out for the car that tries to switch lanes. Keep an eye out for any cars with sharply turned front wheels, a sure clue they may be about to pull out.
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"It's all about dislocating expectation"
Kawasaki KMX125 -> Aprilia RS125 -> Kawasaki ZZR600

[Slavo]

This has always puzzled me why some bikers sit in the queues of traffic.

I mastered the art of filtering on my ped

You will learn that some cars don't like you (especially being on a ped) pushing to the front of the queue, some even overtake you only to have to stop and be filtered past in 40 yards where the queue continues just to prove a point, these people often get a finger or two, or if I'm in a good mood, a whole handshake.

Be careful of filtering around left bends in a road as you neither can see oncoming traffic approaching or they see you.

It's common sense really, you don't go 50mph down a 30 road just to get to the front of lights, that would cause an accident.

So, happy filtering

[Flip]

Well sometimes I wait in line. I'm not always in a hurry, besides sometimes it's safer to overtake than to filter.

[JonB]

Well I just had a think and it is a lot like I did on my mountain bike, except I went on the inside of them risking knocking car mirrors off.
____________________
Be careful whose advice you buy, but, be patient with those who supply it. Advice is a form of nostalgia, dispensing it is a way of fishing the past from the disposal, wiping it off, painting over the ugly parts and recycling it for more than it?s worth.

[ProXimaCore]

[M1ke]

Since i'm in a story telling mood I shall tell you the time I filtered past a digger...

Was filtering as usual on my TS50 to get to college and pulled in front of a big digger. Next thing i heard was the big digger thing at the front being lowered and scrapping along the ground towards me.

I turned round to look the driver in the eye and there were 3 young men in the front pissing them selves laughing.

So keep in mind, not everone likes you filtering

[Claud 14.7 to 1]

[headlamp]

The trick to filtering is to start slowly and build it up. The speed you travel will depend on your confidence and the speed of the traffic around you.

Whatever you do, you have to focus! Don't think about anything other then the filtering - look at the drivers in their wing mirrors - what are they doing? Cover the brake all the time. Look for breaks in the traffic and use them to move into. Be extra cautious when approaching junctions - cars WILL stop to let other cars out & you won't see them. Also cars will suddenly pull out to drive on the wrong side of the road to turn right! When filtering past buses, & vans in High Streets be careful of pedestrians walking in front of you. Unless you can go past the whole length of an artic or lorry then wait till you can.

Good luck!
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Using a mobile phone while driving a car should be made a capital offence!

[WILDECELT]

Mr Somerset please give up riding u r very sad and please torch that hairdryer

[ShortR6]

One main point not mentioned. If approaching a crossing or lights with zig zags either side of the lights you are not allowed by law to over take the lead vehicle.

ie. you can filter up to the front vehicle but not over take it you must sit behind it. This applies to cars and bikes.

Was told this during my DAS last year.

Regards

Andy
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Short but not sweet.

[map]

I was advised never to filter if it meant crossing solid white lines. Apparently the police just love to jump all over you for that.

Having said that I've seen plenty of bikers do it, usually to get to the front at traffic lights or level crossings. I guess they figure it's safer without anything coming the other way

[PsychoHippy]