I still think like a car driver

[BWW]

It's bloody annoying too. I find myself sitting in lines of traffic dutifully waiting my turn and it takes a while before I realise "I'm on a fookin bike, what am I doing?". I'm still a little nervous about weaving between lines of stationary cars but don't mind scooting up the outside, that is when I remember to.

[G]

BEtter than being a card driver thinking like a bike rider .

Just take it easy, start filtering when there's masses of room and really slow traffic and you should soon get used to it.

[CBRbabe]

Dont worry about it. Things like that come in time, better to be safe than sorry.

[hellkat]

Simply assume that EVERYONE is going to attempt to pull out on you without indicating/checking their mirrors, or open their doors without looking - and act accordingly. Even when you have the confidence to filter, you oughtn't to be racing through lines of stationary or slow moving traffic.

Proceeding with caution is easier than falling off and hurting yourself and wrecking your bike.
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Not nearly as interesting in real life.

[mrchips]

Wait until you're comfortable on the bike before you start filtering. I didn't filter on my 50 for about 6 months.
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Northern Irish? www.nibikers.com

[Star La]

[tokarev]

I used to sit in the traffic queues aswell when I first got the bike, until I started doing what G has said above (filtering slowly when there are large gaps or in slow moving traffic).

I am getting much better at it now, filter through big queues and stuff but I am still learning how to do it properly...don't want an accident or anything now do we!

It will come naturally I reckon...when you are used to the handling of your bike in those sort of situations. Also I used to follow other bikers as they filtered to learn how they were doing it (obviously kept my distance and went slower than them though).

[BWW]

I think you're all probably right. It's just a question of time and confidence. Of course I meant filtering when I said weaving.

[lumphammer]

[bish777]

[ISLAND GIRL]

I only passed my test in early January and most of the time I still sit in traffic, have and do filter past if there is plenty of room and I feel it is safe to do so. Just have to watch those cagers that dont check their wing mirrors and dont know how to use their indicators. Best to wait and be sorry if you are not sure, if in doubt dont.
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Live on the Isle of Wight and ride a CBR600F

[Jammy-R6]

I'm the opposite ! Drive a Peugeot expert for work, when im sitting in traffic I suddenly get an urge to filter down the middle! Not a good idea.

[akaDAVE]

Yup, better safe than sorry. The last thing you want to do is force it and feel obliged to move through traffic just because you're on a bike. I've found that you can get caught out in sticky situations as the traffic starts moving..
When I first bought my bike I had to jump straight onto the M25 to get back home and it was absolutely jammed for miles. I'd just passed my test so was sitting behind the traffic for a few minutes before thinking 'bollocks to this' and started filtering as the traffic wasn't moving anywhere.. It was great fun until I realised that I was on the wrong side of the M25 thanks to following my girlfriend who was in the car. I got home 1.5hours ahead of her!!
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GSXR600

[andyshing]

It's better to check for a emergency route in case someone rear end you while sitting in traffic.

[Davo]

Get yourself on the May Day Run this year. That's how I learnt how to filter.

Ended up having to filter 10-15 odd miles through heavy traffic.

I kind of picked up filtering just by slowly following other riders through the traffic.

Have to admit I'm still not too keen on filtering, but my bike generally starts overheating if I queue with the traffic.

[The Tot]

I was doing driving lessons with Jammy G's dad and he said "You're beginning to think like a car driver and not a biker", so i guess that's something positive with regards to road mannerisms.

However you're on a bike so make use of is size and power. Your nervousness will only gradually fade away with experience, but don't feel the need to express over-confident filtering like London Courier riders.

When i did my bike safe course, if you want to go onto the oppsite lane, make sure situate yourself in the MIDDLE of the opposing traffic's lane. That way, you'd improve your chances of being seen my other road users both from emerging junctions, between cars and oncoming cars. It is LEGAL as it is considered a form of OVERTAKING, so do it where and when it is safe.

The key word is SPACE. If you have the space then you'll feel confident and less claustrophobic. The more you ride in such an environment, the smaller the space becomes in whcih you are comfortable filtering in. Utilise this space to your advantage.

Once you're confident, i suggest you tackle the A40 from the Ace cafe into Central london. NOW THERE'S a challenge.

Or you can take up Davo's proposal and do the Mayday run, (which i can no longer do cos of lack of funds!). You'd get some good experience then cos i must admit that there were some riders where it was their first actual experience of fast filtering and they all did pretty well except for that major accident.
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The Tot 2019 Z1000SX - 2007 R1
Never argue with autism

[MRX Steve]

Glad to hear im not the only one, i normally only filter when iv got miles of space, im still not very confidant with it.

[BWW]