Filtering to the Front

[JonWal]

Hi All,

Been riding for a little over a year now, and started to get into the habit of filtering wherever possible.

I do have a question though as its happened to me a number of times.

Filtering between two lines of traffic, you come to the front of the que, lights are still red. Do you stay A) behind the front car B) stay between the two cars or C) cross the solid white line and sort of cut across the front car preparing to make a quick getaway?

I know legally C is a no-no, as crossing the white line kills many kittens, but realistically, this is the safest option in the majority of scenarios I've been in.

Cheers, Jon
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- Yamaha YBR 125 - Swansea, UK
- Triumph Street Triple
A Licence Passed 25.09.2015

[UnknownStuntm...]

Stay behind the front car, as you just know it'll be plod when you don't want it.

[ADSrox0r]

Filter to the front and make sure my wheel is across his front right quarter and make it perfectly clear, I'm going first.
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[Matt B]

Option C for me. Either that or put the bike in a position where it's at least sticking out a bit in front of the cars. Shouldn't matter really because you will be bone before they even realise the light changed
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[sinedtomuch]

Sit in the middle of the 2 cars, wheel further forward than theirs and smoke em!
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Current: CBR1000RR 06.

[Holdawayt]

Same as the above, I poke out a bit to make them both aware that I'm there. Might even turn my head to look at them to be sure.

Just make sure you're quick to get away. Obviously if you're turning left at the junction don't sit there in the middle, tuck behind the first car.

[Beehive Bedlam]

Option C for me also. Quick scan round for any red light jumpers and I take off like shit off a shovel.

[M.C]

Where's option d, none of the above cos you're too pussy* Yes in that situation I stop beyond the white line as long as I can still see the lights.

*that applies to me most times

[notbike]

If no space, A.

Otherwise always C.

[thx1138]

I sort of continually evaluate and re-evaluate the situation as I approach.

How long those lights been red? Will they change? Are there filter lights. Anyone looking particularly numpty? Power ranges coming up behind me? What are my options, how many escape points, spaces do I have?
So for me it can be A, B or C, depending on how things appear at the time.

These days I only filter if I think it is really worth it. I used to do it all the time, and have no issues with people that ride that way at all. But for me, if I think I'm going to be stuck for several changes of lights, or snarled up in traffic I will and I sort of just nose to nearish the front and am happy to sit there for a whole change of lights.

[Azoth]

On one big road that leads out of town, excessive traffic lights have been installed along its route, along with a needlessly low speed limit. On that road, every motorbike filters up to the lights and remains between the cars or in front of them. I think this is a safer position than sitting in a lane at the lights a lot of the time, because the risk of being shunted from behind is reduced. However, it's not a relaxing position because you have to be ready to shoot off as soon as the lights turn. While waiting, look at the cars to either side. Boy racer cock in Audi/BMW? Use common sense and anticipate his stupid move - pin it on orange.
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[The Shaggy D.A.]

D) Time it so that I have a rolling start when the amber light comes on.
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[stinkwheel]

C. Unless there are zig-zags in which case A.
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[sinedtomuch]

Sometimes I'm too lazy to filter and will just sit in the traffic however not if its raining then I'll filter the shit out of it.
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Gone: RS125, CBR125, SV650, R6.
Current: CBR1000RR 06.

[Rogerborg]

Zeroethly, verify that filtering achieves anything. If it just gets you to the next red with more time to wait, why bother?

[sinedtomuch]

[Derivative]

It depends on location really.

In London I definitely don't do any of the following and I have often seen other motorcyclists who perform such manouvers exploding on the spot:

Filtering beyond the first car
Overtaking on double whites (Lower Thames Street post-cycle lane).
Going around the <- drive on this side signs
Riding through cones
Riding in the cycle lane
Pushing the bike along the pavement to bypass a lorry

Now, in Hull or somewhere with fewer motorcycles and less expectation of banditry I'd expect a person performing such manouvers to last about 5 minutes before Ronnie Pickering.

Then again I've never understood the Moto Vlog road rage bollocks. I couldn't give a fuck if someone undertakes me or blocks passage or whatever. All a bit of good tetris.

[nitrosurf]

Depend on my riding mood; if I'm on a bit of a cruise (not often) I may hang back. If I want to get away from the cars (always the safer option) it's usually option C, especially if I'm getting a bit toastie and want some air to cool the traffic sweats...
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[sinedtomuch]

[chris-red]

I've do all 3 regularly it totally depends on the situation.
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[tom_e]

Normally I'll roll along until my level with the driver so my front may be slightly over the white line, but then unless you're on a 50cc ped or have the slowest reactions on earth you should be a good 25m away before the car drivers have even woken up.

[bamt]

Very dependent upon each individual situation, but normally right up to the line. It always amuses me when a driver keeps edging forwards waiting for the light, making you think they are going to go for it, then crawl off the line.

[Fin]

If there is a bit of a gap I will do option C when I'm not far behind the line, sometimes I get lucky and the car at the front is leaving another cars gap before the line so I can fit in front legally and safely. If the cars look like they are fast or boy racers then I will stay behind the car, otherwise I will stay in between on the white line waiting for the lights to change. 90% of the time both cars will wait and let me take off before they go although they don't need to because 3 seconds later I will look in the mirror and they won't even be half way across the junction.

I do take off like I'm racing though

[kramdra]

Depends on the situation but I prefer to time it correctly for a rolling start, therefore B.

If I go straight on and there is a right hand lane that will go immediately before hand, I will sit a few cars back and wait for the change, then abuse this empty RH lane to jump the front.

[BrownTrousers]

B or C for me. Usually B because C can make it harder to see the lights and risk upsetting plod for crossing white line. If another bike comes up behind me then I would do C to make space.

I always figured A would annoy the whole queue you just skipped past only to join nearer the front and effectively make them one person further back than they were. At least with B or C you disappear off into the distance and don't really impede anyone else at all.

NB most embarrassing moment of my biking life; filtering to the front of a huge queue of traffic at some temporary traffic lights then stalling when they turned green
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