Legalities of a quad bike filtering in traffic?

[Joe5y]

Evening,

Just wondered what the legality is of a quad bike filtering through traffic.

See it a few times on the way to and from work. Doesn't really bother me as the affect is very minor but some beep and raise their hands in discust.

[bordseye]

I doubt that the legality is any different from any other vehicle filtering. Filtering is one of those legal grey areas where plod in the main just let us bikers get on with it as long as it isnt dangerous. It definitely isnt something specifically allowed either for bikes or anyone else.
I am a biker and I filter. When driving a car I am not very aware of bikes fiiltering in a traffic queue so I do wonder how aware non bikers are. In short I see it as dangerous and onl;y do it when I really do need to hurry.

[Pica-Pica]

Don't try this though!

http://www.mercurynews.com/2017/06/23/santa-clarit...

[Pica-Pica]

Don't try this though!

http://www.mercurynews.com/2017/06/23/santa-clarit...

[Davel]

Filtering on a bike is perfectly legal - but doubt that it is on a quad bike.

No legal expert etc...

[Wait Here Until Green Light Shows]

There is no grey area with regards to motorcycle filtering - it's perfectly legal in the UK (as long as it's done sensibly).
A quad bike is not a motorcycle, and I very much doubt you'd get away with filtering?

[dukeboy749r]

bordseye said:

I doubt that the legality is any different from any other vehicle filtering. Filtering is one of those legal grey areas where plod in the main just let us bikers get on with it as long as it isnt dangerous. It definitely isnt something specifically allowed either for bikes or anyone else.
I am a biker and I filter. When driving a car I am not very aware of bikes fiiltering in a traffic queue so I do wonder how aware non bikers are. In short I see it as dangerous and onl;y do it when I really do need to hurry.

You need to be more aware of the law before you post stuff.

And a quad bike is legally different from a motorbike as (unless you passed your test before 1997), you need a full car licence ot drive it on the road - not a (motor) bike licence

[Dr Jekyll]

dukeboy749r said:

bordseye said:

I doubt that the legality is any different from any other vehicle filtering. Filtering is one of those legal grey areas where plod in the main just let us bikers get on with it as long as it isnt dangerous. It definitely isnt something specifically allowed either for bikes or anyone else.
I am a biker and I filter. When driving a car I am not very aware of bikes fiiltering in a traffic queue so I do wonder how aware non bikers are. In short I see it as dangerous and onl;y do it when I really do need to hurry.

You need to be more aware of the law before you post stuff.

And a quad bike is legally different from a motorbike as (unless you passed your test before 1997), you need a full car licence ot drive it on the road - not a (motor) bike licence

Where is he wrong? Legally filtering is just overtaking irrespective of the vehicle.

[dukeboy749r]

I think the implication is filtering between two lines of traffic heading in opposite directions, where there is not the necessary room.

So filtering, not overtaking.... Or he'd have said that.

[BertBert]

We certainly need some (legal) references as to why one is fully legal and the other not. Could you help out?
Bert

dukeboy749r said:

You need to be more aware of the law before you post stuff.

[Dr Jekyll]

dukeboy749r said:

I think the implication is filtering between two lines of traffic heading in opposite directions, where there is not the necessary room.

So filtering, not overtaking.... Or he'd have said that.

Not all overtaking is filtering, but all filtering is overtaking.

[dukeboy749r]

A quick Google would have helped you

http://www.bikesafe.co.uk/advice-centre/filtering/

https://bikerandbike.co.uk/filtering-motorbike-wha...

So now you know

[Tablecloth]

Wait Here Until Green Light Shows said:

There is no grey area with regards to motorcycle filtering - it's perfectly legal in the UK (as long as it's done sensibly).
A quad bike is not a motorcycle, and I very much doubt you'd get away with filtering?

Motorcyclists filter through slow or stopped traffic because the vehicle is narrow enough to do so. A quad bike, if narrow enough to filter in the same situation can filter the same as the motorcycle. A car, if narrow enough to do so can filter the same as a motorcycle.
There is no difference in what class of vehicle filters, just its size in relation to the gap.
Filtering is always dangerous even when done at slow speed through stopped traffic. A car nearly collided with my bike as I filtered at 5mph through stopped traffic on the M6 near Birmingham. As I was at a slow speed I avoided the collision with the driver who hadn't looked before he manoeuvred. It's a shame that the 'M' in Mirror, Signal, Manoeuvre (MSM) at each end is interchangeable. I'm sure some folk use Manoeuvre, Signal, Mirror.
The motorcyclist that was in front of me filtering at about 40mph would have been in a different situation that I was if someone did the same to him.
Dangerous or careless filtering will attract charges of driving with the same names no matter what vehicle you choose to drive between other vehicles.
I say the answer to the OP is, a quad bike can filter under exactly the same regulations and consideration as a motorcycle or any other vehicle as long as the gap allows.

Motorcycles filtering through traffic that is already at the speed limit isn't acceptable though; I'm surprised more of them don't come to grief.

[dukeboy749r]

Indeed - slow, or stationary, traffic fine, but then you see bikes doing it (and it makes me cringe) on the M25 for instance, at ridiculous speeds.

[Tablecloth]

dukeboy749r said:

Indeed - slow, or stationary, traffic fine, but then you see bikes doing it (and it makes me cringe) on the M25 for instance, at ridiculous speeds.

The danger in filtering is directly proportional to which motorcycle magazine the rider reads...or looks at the pictures in.

[dukeboy749r]

[creampuff]

I don't remember ever seeing anything in legislation mentioning motorbikes in particular and filtering. It's only mentioned in non-legally binding advice guides.

I'd say the laws for filtering in cars, quad bikes, bikes or vans are the same, but for obvious size reasons it is only bikes which can do it.

[Atomic12C]

A definition of "filtering" would be useful for this thread.

[caelite]

I mean...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TzxsbRffVfM
(Probably the only case of one of these little things being used properly )

[Hol]

Atomic12C said:

A definition of "filtering" would be useful for this thread.

This X 1000. Its key to why X will disagree with Y. (Apples v's Pears)

For example:

Do you need to be fully over the white line in the inside/outside lane if adjacent to the vehicle you are passing,

or

Is it also filtering to move between two moving adjacent vehicles by driving right on the white line between them.