Why block filtering motorcycles...?

[Pothole]

RobM77 said:

Pothole said:

CaptainCosworth said:

RobM77 said:

CaptainCosworth said:

Really? I don't think I've ever seen a car adjust their lane position to allow a motorcyclist to filter on a motorway.

I do this once or twice a day and always have done, provided it won't mislead car drivers (i.e. normally I do it up to the edge of the road, not towards a line when someone might think I'm changing lanes). I see others doing it too. If anything, it just shows a biker that you've seen them, which must be re-assuring to them.

On a motorway??? So you're in lane 1 and happy to have someone come up the white lines between you and another car in lane 2?

Of course. I know from my own experience the biker will be paying more attention than most of the other people on that motorway.

Why ever not? If I'm not indicating to move out, then I've no problem at all with it - why would I?! (genuine question - why would it worry me?). As I said, I see this practically every day on my 36 mile commute, most of which is dual carriageway and motorway, and have never seen a single scary moment caused by it. I pay attention when I drive and usually see such a biker coming from a fair way back, so I'm ready for it - he passes with no issues, and all throughout I'm doing a steady speed in lane 1 happy as Larry. Why would that be a problem for either of us? Sure, it's not 100% safe, but given that about 99.9999999% of people don't signal before they move, around a third of people don't signal at all, and a fair number of people tailgate, filtering bikers is the least of my worries. As CC says, at least they're paying attention!

I said that, not the muppet.

[amancalledrob]

RobM77 said:

CaptainCosworth said:

Really? I don't think I've ever seen a car adjust their lane position to allow a motorcyclist to filter on a motorway.

I do this once or twice a day and always have done, provided it won't mislead car drivers (i.e. normally I do it up to the edge of the road, not towards a line when someone might think I'm changing lanes). I see others doing it too. If anything, it just shows a biker that you've seen them, which must be re-assuring to them.

Yep me too. I'm also a biker and although I use the motorway rarely, I can guarantee that a few car drivers will make room. I don't filter above around 50mph because I've noticed it just pisses people off, but even at 50ish people will move over and let me by

[RobM77]

Pothole said:

RobM77 said:

Pothole said:

CaptainCosworth said:

RobM77 said:

CaptainCosworth said:

Really? I don't think I've ever seen a car adjust their lane position to allow a motorcyclist to filter on a motorway.

I do this once or twice a day and always have done, provided it won't mislead car drivers (i.e. normally I do it up to the edge of the road, not towards a line when someone might think I'm changing lanes). I see others doing it too. If anything, it just shows a biker that you've seen them, which must be re-assuring to them.

On a motorway??? So you're in lane 1 and happy to have someone come up the white lines between you and another car in lane 2?

Of course. I know from my own experience the biker will be paying more attention than most of the other people on that motorway.

Why ever not? If I'm not indicating to move out, then I've no problem at all with it - why would I?! (genuine question - why would it worry me?). As I said, I see this practically every day on my 36 mile commute, most of which is dual carriageway and motorway, and have never seen a single scary moment caused by it. I pay attention when I drive and usually see such a biker coming from a fair way back, so I'm ready for it - he passes with no issues, and all throughout I'm doing a steady speed in lane 1 happy as Larry. Why would that be a problem for either of us? Sure, it's not 100% safe, but given that about 99.9999999% of people don't signal before they move, around a third of people don't signal at all, and a fair number of people tailgate, filtering bikers is the least of my worries. As CC says, at least they're paying attention!

I said that, not the muppet.

The nod was intended for you - the rest for the other guy.

[walm]

RobM77 said:

The nod was intended for you - the rest for the other guy.

CC didn't say they pay more attention.
Pothole did.

[supercommuter]

FazerBoy said:

Dog Star said:

I've been riding since 1984 and I've probably come across this less than once a year on average. Whatever it is - it's a very rare thing to happen.

I totally agree with this.

To give some idea of my credentials for that statement I should say that I passed my bike test in 1982 and between then and now have probably owned over forty motorcycles of all shapes and sizes - mostly large capacity sports bikes.I currently have a Triumph Speed Triple R and a BMW F800R and have put an order in for the new Fireblade.

I have always lived in London and have commuted daily to work by motorcycle through some of the heaviest urban traffic in the country. I have also done many tens of thousands of miles of motorway riding, A-road blasts etc etc.

I don't sit in traffic when filtering is possible and yet I can honestly say that in all my experience I can barely recall one or two episodes where somebody might have intentionally prevented me from passing them. On the contrary, I find that many drivers almost go out of their way to give me more space - even though I generally don't need more space and would be happy for them to maintain their course. On some journeys my wrist starts aching due to all the little waves of acknowledgement I've given to drivers pulling over in their lane to allow me past!

My filtering is smooth, unobtrusive and at a safe speed for the circumstances (certainly no more than a 20mph speed differential). My aim is to flow through the traffic without causing any other road user to have to alter his or her course. In most cases I'm past before they even realise it. When I need to ensure I am visible to another road user to ensure my safety (and theirs) then I do so in a manner which says 'I'm here' not 'Get out of my way!'. I am not overtaking or filtering in an aggressive manner nor tailgating etc.

My guess is that riders who are frequently being blocked are riding in a manner precisely the opposite of that detailed in the previous paragraph.

Thanks, but no, you guess incorrectly and even if it was the opposite and i did ride like a lunatic - how would the person I am approaching ahead know that and then decide they are going to block me? I ride a standard piped commuter bike and do approx 40-50k miles per year on it. M4 then straight into central London between 6am-8:30am. My credentials are very similar to yours, although I would hazard a guess I spend a tad more time on the road than you, which may be why I am exposed to more idiots.

There could be any number of variables as to why I notice more idiots without your "I am the epitome of biking" response.

Edited by supercommuter on Thursday 19th January 10:23

[RobM77]

walm said:

RobM77 said:

The nod was intended for you - the rest for the other guy.

CC didn't say they pay more attention.
Pothole did.

Ah, yes, you're quite right. Simple mistake looking through quotes.

[FazerBoy]

supercommuter said:

Thanks, but no, you guess incorrectly and even if it was the opposite and i did ride like a lunatic - how would the person I am approaching ahead know that and then decide they are going to block me? I ride a standard piped commuter bike and do approx 40-50k miles per year on it. M4 then straight into central London between 6am-8:30am. My credentials are very similar to yours, although I would hazard a guess I spend a tad more time on the road than you, which may be why I am exposed to more idiots.

There could be any number of variables as to why I notice more idiots without your "I am the epitome of biking" response.

Edited by supercommuter on Thursday 19th January 10:23

Nah, if it's happening to you 'five or six times a day' then you're doing something wrong...

[supercommuter]

FazerBoy said:

Nah, if it's happening to you 'five or six times a day' then you're doing something wrong...

Or you just sit in traffic queuing / blocking other filtering bikes. Could be either or I guess...

[daemon]

KevinCamaroSS said:

Seen it a lot, but, I always move over to get out of the way. That's supposing I was in the way in the first place, I generally try to leave filtering space anyway.

+1

Though what peeves me is bikers who seem to think its "their right" to get through.

[Loyly]

I suppose it's just jealousy. It rarely happens to me, because I rarely ride anywhere that I need to filter, but it does happen. You can usually see the driver look in their wing mirror and turn their wheels towards you and nudge out in an effort to block your passage. I was once following another motorcyclist who folded someone's mirror in when they tried this trick, rather amusing. I am of course very grateful for those drivers with the common sense and courtesy who acknowledge me or make an effort to help me filter past, even if it is just usually not needed. I'll give a nod of thanks as I'm off on my way.

Riding motorbikes, you get used to the tiny penis car drivers. I never encountered it on a learner motorcycle, which was unexpected, but on a proper bike there is usually someone looking to prove something. It's not unusual to be crowded or tailgated through a speed limited area by a driver desperate to show off their TDi badge. Even funnier is when it's a car that you might consider fast, and looks anything but when it's appropriate to speed up. I've had people cross to the other lane as we've left speed limit looking to overtake, only for them to humbly resume their position when they realise my intention meets my capability to go far faster than they will!

[walm]

Loyly said:

I'll give a nod of thanks as I'm off on my way.

I got "the boot" the other day after pulling right over in my lane. Always a nice gesture!

[Balmoral]

What a bizarre thread, I always ease out of the way to give clearance for motorcycles if I can, and generally get the raised hand by way of thanks as they pass. I had no idea that folks would purposely do the opposite and block.

[Rawwr]

Balmoral said:

What a bizarre thread, I always ease out of the way to give clearance for motorcycles if I can, and generally get the raised hand by way of thanks as they pass. I had no idea that folks would purposely do the opposite and block.

Pfft, that's nothing. I've had two incidents where I've been deliberately shunted. Once whilst filtering, two chaps in an A4 tried to block me and once we got to the roundabout, they drove into my rear tyre but I managed to stay on the bike.

Second time wasn't dissimilar, angry woman in a 306 clearly thought I was dithering and so drove into me. I let her get past after the roundabout and then followed her. Drove past a police car so I tooted them and indicated that the woman in front was a lunatic. They pulled her over, she admitted to doing it because she was in a hurry and wanted to 'encourage' me. Police told her it was an incredibly dangerous thing to do but took no further action.

[DonkeyApple]

supercommuter said:

rockin said:

supercommuter said:

I like to think I have a good viewpoint of most road users.

I have been directly next to peoples window before (as it is usually wing mirrors that stop progression) and said "what is the point?"....

Yup, that's where you're going wrong.

Please explain more.

If somebody in a car the size of a shoe box (smart car was in question) made eye contact with me in their wing mirror and then moved in to block me between the cars, am I supposed to sit there like a melt and not take offence to it whatsoever? I am sure you would....

How could you take offence at someone so inferior? The kind of man who drives like that is a total nobody, one of life's losers. Surely your first emotion is pity for them rather than wasted anger? Really, just think what kind of pointless existence they are living through as a man that had made them act like that?

[Motorrad]

In many years of biking I've had less than a dozen instances that I can remember of people actively blocking me although most of my riding isn't in the UK. Lots of people who weren't positioned ideally for me and dopey s changing lane without looking or signalling but very few obviously blocking. When they have done it I just treat them like any other blockage, wait for them to start moving and carry on making progress.

Maybe it's something to do with the British love of queuing and some drivers perceive filtering bikes as pushy fkers not waiting in line?

[DonkeyApple]

parabolica said:

There was a thread on here not so long ago about how filtering is illegal in a few EU countries (and further abroad) and with London being the hot-pot stew with every known nationality living in it, some aren't going to know that it's perfectly legal in the UK.

Either that, or someone is just being a dick for the sake of being one. That said, this doesn't just happen to motorcycles; I've had plenty of times where someone will block two or more lanes of traffic for no apparent reason.

Somehow, when you picture the typical bloke who would use his car to try and stop a bike moving past you don't really think of it being a chappie from the continent. I think we all probably have a pretty clear picture of the chappie who acts like this and not only does he have a British passport but probably still quietly weeps for the days when they weren't burgundy.

[jaja4421]

I ride for the commute into Manchester and find people either stay where they are or move out of the way - maybe it's a London thing? - I've never been deliberately blocked as far as I know although the number of people who 'drift' across the white lines while texting or checking facebook is getting insane!

amancalledrob said:

Yep me too. I'm also a biker and although I use the motorway rarely, I can guarantee that a few car drivers will make room. I don't filter above around 50mph because I've noticed it just pisses people off, but even at 50ish people will move over and let me by

Above 50mph you'll struggle to claim it's filtering - that's overtaking - Highway code Rule 88 - Manoeuvring. You should be aware of what is behind and to the sides before manoeuvring. Look behind you; use mirrors if they are fitted. When in traffic queues look out for pedestrians crossing between vehicles and vehicles emerging from junctions or changing lanes. Position yourself so that drivers in front can see you in their mirrors. Additionally, when filtering in slow-moving traffic, take care and keep your speed low.

[supercommuter]

jaja4421 said:

I ride for the commute into Manchester and find people either stay where they are or move out of the way - maybe it's a London thing? - I've never been deliberately blocked as far as I know although the number of people who 'drift' across the white lines while texting or checking facebook is getting insane!

Sorry to confirm, my numbers include these types of incidents as well. Although I do often have people intentionally block me and the others I am with. I don't get it in Bristol. Just London and just in the morning. Very odd.

[Motorrad]

supercommuter said:

Sorry to confirm, my numbers include these types of incidents as well. Although I do often have people intentionally block me and the others I am with. I don't get it in Bristol. Just London and just in the morning. Very odd.

Having read the thread through I'm guessing it's a perceived 'thrusty wker issue'. When you're going over a certain speed it triggers retarded fks to perceive you as a threat and they react according to type. Solution is to slow down a bit and look more friendly so these vacant fks don't get the hump.

To be fair whenever I commute into town I do notice bikers taking the piss a little ie filtering at 80mph.

[Heppaz]

akirk said:

Some guff about being a great driver by blocking bikers.

I'm not really that active here, but lurk about.
But your postings really are from the soul of a broken and sad man.

My advice to you is to just stop being a self-righteous moron and move out of the bikers way. There is not a court in the land that would convict you of letting one pass to crash, so stop being an imbecile and using such drivel as an excuse to block them.

Are you 5 foot tall? You have all the traits of someone suffering from 'Small man syndrome'.

Sorry anyone else that had to read this, it's not something I get into usually, but this pathetic idiots views on bikers drove me to posting.
The last thing I want to do is offend, but I hope this moron is offended enough to actually reflect on how sad his life has become that he deems it necessary to block people that are filtering past him at a higher speed than he deems it safe for them to do so.

Bikers are almost certainly better drivers than you Akirk, imagine sitting on the bonnet of your car while driving it. Do you not suppose you might be very cautious in your actions?

Riding a bike, you are pretty much sitting on the bonnet, anything you hit or hits you, will actually be hitting you and/or throwing you into something that can easily kill you. Added to that, lots of modern bikes will have supercar performance and their riders are acutely aware of the fast route to a coffin that a mistake can and will present itself to them.

The next time you are driving along at the regulation spec speed of 70mph on a motorway and a biker doesn't want to inconvenience you, by making you move out of your lane to let him pass, just sit still, hold the steering wheel and it will all be over in the blink of an eye.

Please don't make him brake, as if anyone catches that on their webcam in the even of him losing his life, you may well be in court on charges of death by dangerous driving. If you think that it hasn't happened before, you're more of a moron that you have already presented yourself as.

No need to reply, just think it over.