Filtering, why don't learners do it?!?!
Discussion
I was never taught to ride in the first place (other than my uncle showed me how to change gear etc), no training at all for my test, no instructor on another bike on my test.
The word "filtering", with regard to traffic, required a lane for you to filter in.
We did sometimes overtake other traffic, with traffic coming towards us, if there was plenty of room, but it was frowned upon by anyone in authority........big time.
Lane splitting hadn't been invented !
I did my advanced a few months after passing my normal test, so both completed in 1980, absolutely no overtaking in the face of oncoming traffic, or riding between two lines of traffic in the same direction.
There was also no riding to the front at traffic lights, and absolutely no crossing the temp stop line whilst the lights were on red.
I had a bike briefly about 10 years ago (for just a few months), and have returned to motorcycling "properly" this year.
I am therefore the dreaded "born again" type, with a licence to ride anything I wish, and insurance so cheap it'll make the younger chaps cry.
I stopped riding properly (as in all weathers etc) in about 1986/7.
I'm unsure at which point between then and now that bikers became gods gift to road use, were given priority to ride in lanes already occupied by established vehicles , were given priority over oncoming traffic, became excused temp stop lines, etc etc etc.
Personally, I think they're just taking the piss .
The word "filtering", with regard to traffic, required a lane for you to filter in.
We did sometimes overtake other traffic, with traffic coming towards us, if there was plenty of room, but it was frowned upon by anyone in authority........big time.
Lane splitting hadn't been invented !
I did my advanced a few months after passing my normal test, so both completed in 1980, absolutely no overtaking in the face of oncoming traffic, or riding between two lines of traffic in the same direction.
There was also no riding to the front at traffic lights, and absolutely no crossing the temp stop line whilst the lights were on red.
I had a bike briefly about 10 years ago (for just a few months), and have returned to motorcycling "properly" this year.
I am therefore the dreaded "born again" type, with a licence to ride anything I wish, and insurance so cheap it'll make the younger chaps cry.
I stopped riding properly (as in all weathers etc) in about 1986/7.
I'm unsure at which point between then and now that bikers became gods gift to road use, were given priority to ride in lanes already occupied by established vehicles , were given priority over oncoming traffic, became excused temp stop lines, etc etc etc.
Personally, I think they're just taking the piss .
Nigel Worc's said:
I stopped riding properly (as in all weathers etc) in about 1986/7.
I'm unsure at which point between then and now that bikers became gods gift to road use, were given priority to ride in lanes already occupied by established vehicles , were given priority over oncoming traffic, became excused temp stop lines, etc etc etc.
Personally, I think they're just taking the piss .
You need to stop spouting this comment - to me it sounds like something to hide your own inadeqecies behind.I'm unsure at which point between then and now that bikers became gods gift to road use, were given priority to ride in lanes already occupied by established vehicles , were given priority over oncoming traffic, became excused temp stop lines, etc etc etc.
Personally, I think they're just taking the piss .
Things have changed since 86/87. There are more cars on the road and people are in more of a rush. As a result peoples driving and riding standards and approach have also changed. I have been riding bikes since 1981 and came from a small town. Bikes filtered then. Bikes went to the front then. I've always filtered and always will. It's as natural as pressing the starter button or doing my helmet up. I've even filtered past motorcycle cops and they weren't bothered, so why are you?
You obviously like pootling around. That's cool. I will just filter past you in a bid to get where I want to go.
And I won't even give you a second thought.
Fleegle said:
Nigel Worc's said:
I stopped riding properly (as in all weathers etc) in about 1986/7.
I'm unsure at which point between then and now that bikers became gods gift to road use, were given priority to ride in lanes already occupied by established vehicles , were given priority over oncoming traffic, became excused temp stop lines, etc etc etc.
Personally, I think they're just taking the piss .
You need to stop spouting this comment - to me it sounds like something to hide your own inadeqecies behind.I'm unsure at which point between then and now that bikers became gods gift to road use, were given priority to ride in lanes already occupied by established vehicles , were given priority over oncoming traffic, became excused temp stop lines, etc etc etc.
Personally, I think they're just taking the piss .
Things have changed since 86/87. There are more cars on the road and people are in more of a rush. As a result peoples driving and riding standards and approach have also changed. I have been riding bikes since 1981 and came from a small town. Bikes filtered then. Bikes went to the front then. I've always filtered and always will. It's as natural as pressing the starter button or doing my helmet up. I've even filtered past motorcycle cops and they weren't bothered, so why are you?
You obviously like pootling around. That's cool. I will just filter past you in a bid to get where I want to go.
And I won't even give you a second thought.
IF a cyclist is entitled to a whole lane should he require it, why isn't a car ?
I've never even thought about whose journey is more important. Why would I? I don't even know the other road users. I get on my bike and just get on with it, concentrating on the task in hand
Like I say, I have been filtering since day 1, everyone did where I grew up and still do where I now live, some 31 years later. Are you really convinced that makes me impatient? If I can get through a gap I will, if I can't I don't get a strop on....I simply wait until I can get through
Do you ride behind a man waving a red flag?
Like I say, I have been filtering since day 1, everyone did where I grew up and still do where I now live, some 31 years later. Are you really convinced that makes me impatient? If I can get through a gap I will, if I can't I don't get a strop on....I simply wait until I can get through
Do you ride behind a man waving a red flag?
I see Nigel's out trolling again....anyhow to the lad who was having trouble at the lights,it's all about confidence mate...they can smell you're fear with any half movements.
Get along side the cars front wing,if they start to edge forward next to you this is when I clearly turn my head and look straight at them to see what's going on,they normally stop it then,trick is to get away swiftly,you've put yourself in that position,so get on with it and away without slowing anyone down,cars expect you to move away swiftly anyway.
If in doubt then let the lead car go and slot in just behind it (can be dodgy,I never do this personally)
Get along side the cars front wing,if they start to edge forward next to you this is when I clearly turn my head and look straight at them to see what's going on,they normally stop it then,trick is to get away swiftly,you've put yourself in that position,so get on with it and away without slowing anyone down,cars expect you to move away swiftly anyway.
If in doubt then let the lead car go and slot in just behind it (can be dodgy,I never do this personally)
Nigel Worc's said:
I'm unsure at which point between then and now that bikers became gods gift to road use, were given priority to ride in lanes already occupied by established vehicles , were given priority over oncoming traffic, became excused temp stop lines, etc etc etc.
Yes you have expressed this opinion before and we have established:- You don't like filtering
- Despite you not liking it, serving police officers teach it to civilian riders on Bikesafe days
- Advanced bodies like IAM and RoSPA teach it
- It is included in official DSA publications
- You can even do it on your Mod 2 road test if you want to, and pass.
I think that covers the legal situation and police, government and DSA policy on the matter.
Edited by creampuff on Sunday 7th October 09:16
Nigel you should come give it a go shadylee said:
I see Nigel's out trolling again....anyhow to the lad who was having trouble at the lights,it's all about confidence mate...they can smell you're fear with any half movements.
Get along side the cars front wing,if they start to edge forward next to you this is when I clearly turn my head and look straight at them to see what's going on,they normally stop it then,trick is to get away swiftly,you've put yourself in that position,so get on with it and away without slowing anyone down,cars expect you to move away swiftly anyway.
If in doubt then let the lead car go and slot in just behind it (can be dodgy,I never do this personally)
Trolling ? ..... naw.Get along side the cars front wing,if they start to edge forward next to you this is when I clearly turn my head and look straight at them to see what's going on,they normally stop it then,trick is to get away swiftly,you've put yourself in that position,so get on with it and away without slowing anyone down,cars expect you to move away swiftly anyway.
If in doubt then let the lead car go and slot in just behind it (can be dodgy,I never do this personally)
I have never been a commuter (well apart from six months in 1977).
It is not a battle, so what is all the "smelling fear" etc ?
YOU will lose in any contact with a car ....... I don't wish to lose.
Confidence ? ....... I feel ok out riding, I just try to ride and drive defensively (mistakes excepted).
The Police (Cambs) did not teach "us" filtering, I don't remember the term existing, and I know for a fact that you can pass your IAM not doing it .
It comes across as agressive to myself, and some, but not all , of those I associate with.
I got a minor in my test for not going down the left hand side of a car turning right - which to my mind is exactly the same as filtering.
Ergo it must be approved!
Anyway, as far as lights go - get to the front and I generally go over the white line by half a bike length or so - means all the drivers have seen me, then go asap when the lights turn yellow, safest place to be is well away from the cars.
Worst thing is when you're filtering to the front and suddenly the lights change to green! Do you gun it and try to get in front, or look for a gap and get in there? I dont like being in the middle of a load of traffic when it all starts moving...
Ergo it must be approved!
Anyway, as far as lights go - get to the front and I generally go over the white line by half a bike length or so - means all the drivers have seen me, then go asap when the lights turn yellow, safest place to be is well away from the cars.
Worst thing is when you're filtering to the front and suddenly the lights change to green! Do you gun it and try to get in front, or look for a gap and get in there? I dont like being in the middle of a load of traffic when it all starts moving...
Nigel Worc's said:
Fleegle said:
Nigel Worc's said:
I stopped riding properly (as in all weathers etc) in about 1986/7.
I'm unsure at which point between then and now that bikers became gods gift to road use, were given priority to ride in lanes already occupied by established vehicles , were given priority over oncoming traffic, became excused temp stop lines, etc etc etc.
Personally, I think they're just taking the piss .
You need to stop spouting this comment - to me it sounds like something to hide your own inadeqecies behind.I'm unsure at which point between then and now that bikers became gods gift to road use, were given priority to ride in lanes already occupied by established vehicles , were given priority over oncoming traffic, became excused temp stop lines, etc etc etc.
Personally, I think they're just taking the piss .
Things have changed since 86/87. There are more cars on the road and people are in more of a rush. As a result peoples driving and riding standards and approach have also changed. I have been riding bikes since 1981 and came from a small town. Bikes filtered then. Bikes went to the front then. I've always filtered and always will. It's as natural as pressing the starter button or doing my helmet up. I've even filtered past motorcycle cops and they weren't bothered, so why are you?
You obviously like pootling around. That's cool. I will just filter past you in a bid to get where I want to go.
And I won't even give you a second thought.
IF a cyclist is entitled to a whole lane should he require it, why isn't a car ?
The whole point in commuting via bike for many people is to save time (I know it was for me). I'd much rather spend 30min extra in bed each morning and be home 30min earlier every evening. Why on earth should I allow more time to queue behind cars?!
It could also be a safety issue with regards to filtering, you wouldn't wanna sit on an air-cooled motor in stationary traffic for long. The heat that comes of my mere 650 is unreal when you sit for any extended period.
Personally I think if you filter in stationary ( to sub 30mph) traffic it's not an issue if you make progress without impeding others. Simple road manners and your fine. Yes you get drivers who think it's illegal, and some even try to block you, if they do, go round or wait, choice is yours.
I think it's only when you see (as I did the other day) 10+ bikes filtering down a inner city lane to traffic lights that things become a touch iffy, as they all attempted to "get to the front".
As usual common sense prevails when it comes to filtering.
Personally I think if you filter in stationary ( to sub 30mph) traffic it's not an issue if you make progress without impeding others. Simple road manners and your fine. Yes you get drivers who think it's illegal, and some even try to block you, if they do, go round or wait, choice is yours.
I think it's only when you see (as I did the other day) 10+ bikes filtering down a inner city lane to traffic lights that things become a touch iffy, as they all attempted to "get to the front".
As usual common sense prevails when it comes to filtering.
I get about 1 moron every 6 months that exhibits hostile behaviour when I'm filtering: but I suspect they are just looking for something to get angry about before they even get in their car and I just happened to be there.
OTOH there are several other drivers every single journey who actively help me along when I'm filtering... creating a little gap for me or moving over just a little. I give them a little wave and everyone arrives at their destination just that bit happier
OTOH there are several other drivers every single journey who actively help me along when I'm filtering... creating a little gap for me or moving over just a little. I give them a little wave and everyone arrives at their destination just that bit happier
Nigel Worc's said:
You need to stop being impatient and regarding your journey as more importsnt than other peoples ...... or ...... you could always set out earlier and allow more time for your journey.
IF a cyclist is entitled to a whole lane should he require it, why isn't a car ?
Seriously? You sound like you have issues.IF a cyclist is entitled to a whole lane should he require it, why isn't a car ?
I was taught filtering by my instructor, you seem to think you know better than instructors? I bought a bike as I got sick of sitting in traffic and wanted to join the sensible people on bikes who just rode on past me when I was sat in a car. Filtering is legal and probably the biggest reason people commute on bikes. Time to get over it.
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