Look behind when filtering!
Discussion
In the summer months months I expect thousands of bikes to be commuting in the city with wildly different skill levels showing up at every queue of cars when the filtering begins.
In the winter though a bit of rain usually filters out the inexperienced and the fair-weather riders leaving just couriers and die-hard commuters allowing some good and unobstructed filtering at most times. Over the last couple of weeks though the standard seems to have plummetted.
I'm not sure if loads have people have done their test as it's cheaper in the winter or the cold and wet is distracting them, but I seem to be getting constantly held up through traffic by bimbling bikers who never look behind.
There's often a queue of 5 or 6 quicker guys stuck behind someone filteruing at 5mph faster than the cars who never uses their mirrors. Even worse are those that use their mirrors, see the bikes behind, then don't deviate at all.
Surely it's not rocket science. Use your mirrors and if there is a bike there that wasn't last time you looked, move over because you're holding him up. I always come accross a couple of bikes who want to filter faster than me, so I just move over, let them past and get on my way with no delay.
Rant over
In the winter though a bit of rain usually filters out the inexperienced and the fair-weather riders leaving just couriers and die-hard commuters allowing some good and unobstructed filtering at most times. Over the last couple of weeks though the standard seems to have plummetted.
I'm not sure if loads have people have done their test as it's cheaper in the winter or the cold and wet is distracting them, but I seem to be getting constantly held up through traffic by bimbling bikers who never look behind.
There's often a queue of 5 or 6 quicker guys stuck behind someone filteruing at 5mph faster than the cars who never uses their mirrors. Even worse are those that use their mirrors, see the bikes behind, then don't deviate at all.
Surely it's not rocket science. Use your mirrors and if there is a bike there that wasn't last time you looked, move over because you're holding him up. I always come accross a couple of bikes who want to filter faster than me, so I just move over, let them past and get on my way with no delay.
Rant over
Technique:
Fit Loud Can
Full beam on
Clutch in.
Throttle all the way on
Slip clutch
Maintain position 2 inches from back wheel
They'll soon move.
Thats my 'fast lane layabout' removal technique, it should transfer to other riders until they learn
a) how to filter
b) how to get the
out of the way
Fit Loud Can
Full beam on
Clutch in.
Throttle all the way on
Slip clutch
Maintain position 2 inches from back wheel
They'll soon move.
Thats my 'fast lane layabout' removal technique, it should transfer to other riders until they learn
a) how to filter
b) how to get the
out of the waym3psm said:
In the summer months months I expect thousands of bikes to be commuting in the city with wildly different skill levels showing up at every queue of cars when the filtering begins.
In the winter though a bit of rain usually filters out the inexperienced and the fair-weather riders leaving just couriers and die-hard commuters allowing some good and unobstructed filtering at most times. Over the last couple of weeks though the standard seems to have plummetted.
I'm not sure if loads have people have done their test as it's cheaper in the winter or the cold and wet is distracting them, but I seem to be getting constantly held up through traffic by bimbling bikers who never look behind.
There's often a queue of 5 or 6 quicker guys stuck behind someone filteruing at 5mph faster than the cars who never uses their mirrors. Even worse are those that use their mirrors, see the bikes behind, then don't deviate at all.
Surely it's not rocket science. Use your mirrors and if there is a bike there that wasn't last time you looked, move over because you're holding him up. I always come accross a couple of bikes who want to filter faster than me, so I just move over, let them past and get on my way with no delay.
Rant over
Totally agree, I've certainly noticed it more and more since moving into central london for work. I generally find its scooter riders or small bikes with L plates that cause the biggest hold up - I think generally the numbers of L plated riders has definitely increased hugely. I was stuck behind a queue of 3 very hestitant v slow L plated riders this morning all in line, when we came up to the next set of lights none of them would use the advanced cycle box and not one checked their blindspots or mirrors at all. Basically I rode round them all and stopped at the front of the box, unsuprisingly my swift safe progress mean't I didn't see them again at all. BTW I'll continue to use the green cycle boxes until they start dishing out fines (its coming next year apparently).In the winter though a bit of rain usually filters out the inexperienced and the fair-weather riders leaving just couriers and die-hard commuters allowing some good and unobstructed filtering at most times. Over the last couple of weeks though the standard seems to have plummetted.
I'm not sure if loads have people have done their test as it's cheaper in the winter or the cold and wet is distracting them, but I seem to be getting constantly held up through traffic by bimbling bikers who never look behind.
There's often a queue of 5 or 6 quicker guys stuck behind someone filteruing at 5mph faster than the cars who never uses their mirrors. Even worse are those that use their mirrors, see the bikes behind, then don't deviate at all.
Surely it's not rocket science. Use your mirrors and if there is a bike there that wasn't last time you looked, move over because you're holding him up. I always come accross a couple of bikes who want to filter faster than me, so I just move over, let them past and get on my way with no delay.
Rant over
Edited by sjtscott on Tuesday 29th January 13:37
seeing as I am now scootering at the mo'*, why do so many bikers think they don't need to get out of my way?? just plain annoying that they think why be courteous to a scooter? I'm able to fit through gaps a bike can't follow...
Ride safely everyone.
Ride safely everyone.
- might be getting another ninja as well, this year tho', before anyone slates me for scootering.
Good to see it's not just me that suffers
I like Jack's technique but have found that it can induce either panic braking or brake testing. Neither of which help calm me down
I generally give them a few blips of the throttle and a bit of weaving from mirror to mirror, then undertake and cut their nose off
Not the nicest way to deal with them but it gets the job done
On the plus side, now I've moved house I'm learning the new route in from Chelmsford, and on a couple of occasions have come accross a nutter on a dark red (I think) Buell who knows the road like the back of his hand. I just let him past and tag along for some superb traffic negotiation
If you're the pilot, top riding (though I suspect you're everso slightly insane) 
I like Jack's technique but have found that it can induce either panic braking or brake testing. Neither of which help calm me down
I generally give them a few blips of the throttle and a bit of weaving from mirror to mirror, then undertake and cut their nose off
Not the nicest way to deal with them but it gets the job done On the plus side, now I've moved house I'm learning the new route in from Chelmsford, and on a couple of occasions have come accross a nutter on a dark red (I think) Buell who knows the road like the back of his hand. I just let him past and tag along for some superb traffic negotiation
If you're the pilot, top riding (though I suspect you're everso slightly insane) m3psm said:
On the plus side, now I've moved house I'm learning the new route in from Chelmsford, and on a couple of occasions have come accross a nutter on a dark red (I think) Buell who knows the road like the back of his hand. I just let him past and tag along for some superb traffic negotiation If you're the pilot, top riding (though I suspect you're everso slightly insane)
Used to do that all the time. If you're the pilot, top riding (though I suspect you're everso slightly insane) Now I get it done to me a lot. Granted, 1st gear using the above technique, cars tend to part like moses and the red sea. I get this swarm of scooters behind me. It actually irritates the f*ck out of me, I can't see anything behind me besides them!
JackHolroyde said:
Used to do that all the time.
Now I get it done to me a lot. Granted, 1st gear using the above technique, cars tend to part like moses and the red sea. I get this swarm of scooters behind me. It actually irritates the f*ck out of me, I can't see anything behind me besides them!
It's a fair slog but should be a good ride in the summer Now I get it done to me a lot. Granted, 1st gear using the above technique, cars tend to part like moses and the red sea. I get this swarm of scooters behind me. It actually irritates the f*ck out of me, I can't see anything behind me besides them!
I'm far less polite in the city and if there's the slightest hint of a gap between bikes, I just take it
It's only when the speed gets up out of town that the slow filterers are a real problem when there are less options.I have trouble differentiating between bikes and cars in my mirrors at night though, no problem getting out the way during the day but being a fat bloke with a pillion at night I can only see a little bit in my mirrors! I'm constantly letting other riders past only to discover there either the same or slower than me in traffic.
Quite a few faster ones though, especially the Lithuanian in the Blackwall Tunnel the other day!
Quite a few faster ones though, especially the Lithuanian in the Blackwall Tunnel the other day!
Some interesting comments here....reinforcing the fact that some bikers are mental and need to sort themselves out before they end up being just another statistic.
Filtering is probably one of the most dangerous things you can do on a bike, and requires the utmost levels of concentration and skill.
The last thing the guy in front needs is some nutter behind tailgating and distracting them.
The last thing the nutter behind needs is for the slower filterer to loose concentration and hit something (like a van wing mirror<->bike wing mirror contact) or to perform an emergency stop as a car crosses lanes in front of them. The nutter won't have seen the imminent danger and will rear end the poor guy in front.
I was filtering on the M40 a few weeks back. The cars were literally nose to tail and stationary. I was doing 25-30mph (A respectable filtering speed when the traffic is stationary IMO) and I had some nut case up my backside clearly trying to intimidate me into somehow letting him passed. He got a bit of a shock though when someone opened a passengers door and stuck a leg out just as we were approaching!!. I was going slow enough to see the danger, slow down - and slip round the now fully open door. The guy behind skidded and wobbled a bit (I could see him in the corner of my eye in the mirror). He followed at a fair distance after that!!
If I can safely pull over to let a faster filterer through I always will. But sometimes if the traffic is nose to tail it's impossible and you need to be patient.
I know it can be annoying because I often get 'stuck' behind a slower filterers, but under no circumstances will I tail gate and intimidate them
Filtering is probably one of the most dangerous things you can do on a bike, and requires the utmost levels of concentration and skill.
The last thing the guy in front needs is some nutter behind tailgating and distracting them.
The last thing the nutter behind needs is for the slower filterer to loose concentration and hit something (like a van wing mirror<->bike wing mirror contact) or to perform an emergency stop as a car crosses lanes in front of them. The nutter won't have seen the imminent danger and will rear end the poor guy in front.
I was filtering on the M40 a few weeks back. The cars were literally nose to tail and stationary. I was doing 25-30mph (A respectable filtering speed when the traffic is stationary IMO) and I had some nut case up my backside clearly trying to intimidate me into somehow letting him passed. He got a bit of a shock though when someone opened a passengers door and stuck a leg out just as we were approaching!!. I was going slow enough to see the danger, slow down - and slip round the now fully open door. The guy behind skidded and wobbled a bit (I could see him in the corner of my eye in the mirror). He followed at a fair distance after that!!
If I can safely pull over to let a faster filterer through I always will. But sometimes if the traffic is nose to tail it's impossible and you need to be patient.
I know it can be annoying because I often get 'stuck' behind a slower filterers, but under no circumstances will I tail gate and intimidate them
Edited by Hyperion on Tuesday 29th January 16:41
Hyperion said:
...If I can safely pull over to let a faster filterer through I always will. But sometimes if the traffic is nose to tail it's impossible and you need to be patient.
I know it can be annoying because I often get 'stuck' behind a slower filterers, but under no circumstances will I tail gate and intimidate them
That's all I ask for. Move over when you can. I don't expect people to leap out of my way, but to a) never look in your mirrors, or b) blatantly make no effort to allow anyone past, shouldn't be filtering.I know it can be annoying because I often get 'stuck' behind a slower filterers, but under no circumstances will I tail gate and intimidate them
Everyday I see the nutters who are blatantly riding beyond their ability and their time will come if they don't slow down. Personally though, after riding for as long as I have and after couriering in London in all seasons clocking mega miles, I can make better progress through traffic than many whist still riding in "my" safe zone, and do get a smidge miffed when my progress is halted by ignorant and/or oblivious riders.
I'll probably get taken out by a car door now
I agree its definitely a 50/50 one this...
There definitely are some bikers who are either bimbling along filtering very slowly or perhaps so scared that they daren't look in their mirrors.. They perhaps could do with a bit of awareness and where possible (and safe) get out the way so the confident biker can pass...
On the other end of the spectrum the temptation of a fast biker when making fast progress is to get very impatient.. I've done it on an occasion to be honest where i've made good progress not having to slow down for anything then getting stuck behind a slower filtering bike.. For a second you do think they should leap out of your way but a deep breath later and you gotta realise you're still making far better progress than the cars stuck in the queue..
maybe a bit of give n take on all parts is necessary..
There definitely are some bikers who are either bimbling along filtering very slowly or perhaps so scared that they daren't look in their mirrors.. They perhaps could do with a bit of awareness and where possible (and safe) get out the way so the confident biker can pass...
On the other end of the spectrum the temptation of a fast biker when making fast progress is to get very impatient.. I've done it on an occasion to be honest where i've made good progress not having to slow down for anything then getting stuck behind a slower filtering bike.. For a second you do think they should leap out of your way but a deep breath later and you gotta realise you're still making far better progress than the cars stuck in the queue..
maybe a bit of give n take on all parts is necessary..
I used to check my mirrors when filtering.
Then I realised that to check if there was a bike behind me, meant I went passed at least 2 rows of cars without looking...
So, no.. I won't check my mirrors anymore. I'm not risking myself just because you're impatient.
However, if I happen to notice you there, I will move out of the way as long as you're not tail gating me.
Then I realised that to check if there was a bike behind me, meant I went passed at least 2 rows of cars without looking...
So, no.. I won't check my mirrors anymore. I'm not risking myself just because you're impatient.
However, if I happen to notice you there, I will move out of the way as long as you're not tail gating me.
Fire99 said:
I agree its definitely a 50/50 one this...
There definitely are some bikers who are either bimbling along filtering very slowly or perhaps so scared that they daren't look in their mirrors.. They perhaps could do with a bit of awareness and where possible (and safe) get out the way so the confident biker can pass...
On the other end of the spectrum the temptation of a fast biker when making fast progress is to get very impatient.. I've done it on an occasion to be honest where i've made good progress not having to slow down for anything then getting stuck behind a slower filtering bike.. For a second you do think they should leap out of your way but a deep breath later and you gotta realise you're still making far better progress than the cars stuck in the queue..
maybe a bit of give n take on all parts is necessary..
Wise words indeed, but a loud can is the answer not the high beem lights.There definitely are some bikers who are either bimbling along filtering very slowly or perhaps so scared that they daren't look in their mirrors.. They perhaps could do with a bit of awareness and where possible (and safe) get out the way so the confident biker can pass...
On the other end of the spectrum the temptation of a fast biker when making fast progress is to get very impatient.. I've done it on an occasion to be honest where i've made good progress not having to slow down for anything then getting stuck behind a slower filtering bike.. For a second you do think they should leap out of your way but a deep breath later and you gotta realise you're still making far better progress than the cars stuck in the queue..
maybe a bit of give n take on all parts is necessary..
I had a BMW R1200GS behind me the other morning on the M11 we came up against slow moving traffic and he flicked on his high beem even though he had been following me for two miles I then slowed down on purpose because he had his high beem on, it bolis my urine when bikers have there high beem on when filtering, there is no need for it as it not only dazzles the car users but other filtering bikers in front of you as well.
I know M3PSM uses the same route to commute as I do and I have noticed a few more slower filterers but a quick blip on the throttle lets them know you're there if they're not having a quick glance in their mirrors.....
At what point should you move over? if the cars are stationary, I *used* to do daft speeds like 70 through the gap. Old age has shown me that 30 is enough. Would you get annoyed if I can't move into a gap from 30, stop dead, while you roar by at warp speed? For the record when I was in mad-mode, I never expected people to move over for me, just went into another part of the road & went past...
HertsBiker said:
At what point should you move over? if the cars are stationary, I *used* to do daft speeds like 70 through the gap. Old age has shown me that 30 is enough. Would you get annoyed if I can't move into a gap from 30, stop dead, while you roar by at warp speed? For the record when I was in mad-mode, I never expected people to move over for me, just went into another part of the road & went past...
I also used to do silly speeds when couriering and in my younger days, but now filter at 30-40 depending on conditions. If the traffic is not moving at all you can't expect someone to get into a gap so I just find a way around. When it is moving though it's relatively easy to find a gap every 5-10 cars, then let the faster guy(s) through and carry on. That's what I do.@ Andy OH - You're right about the blip or two of the throttle. Alas mine's not that loud and a loud pipe would cost more than the bike is worth, but it is getting louder as it gets older
A bit of a resurection on this thread after following another numpty today. Not sure what the bike was, but looked like a one litre retro jobbie with big bloke on it in full hi-viz jacket and trousers. If that was you on the A12 going out of town at about 6:15 tonight MOVE OVER next time 
This guy was barging his way through traffic chasing down smaller bikes in the pouring rain then tailgating them immediately, scaring the 5h1te out of some, then barging through the tinoest gaps forcing the other bikes to take evasive action
He'd then slow down. All the time I was behind him apart from the delays as I found a more polite and safe way past the slower bikes. He saw me in his mirrors then started to ride clearly beyond his abilty and perception to try and shake me off with me always sedately catching him every time the cars looked to scary for him, all the time bullying other bikes out of his way 
His over-riding nearlly saw him in the side of a lane changing car that clearly indicated but he either didn't see or tried to ignore. This gave me my opportunity to slip past in the gap the car left behind as he had to stand on the anchors.
He was then a decreasing dot in my mirrors, but not for lack of frantic and irratic efforts.
So, I'll reiterate what I said back in January; "if there's a bike behind you that wasn't there before, it's faster so just let it through". You'll soon be back on your way again with no time lost and everyone will get home happy.
To thee bullying numpty in hi-viz, you are a dick and should think yourself lucky that you haven't come off yet. Calm down, relax and enjoy the journey home in peace rather than making it a battle
This guy was barging his way through traffic chasing down smaller bikes in the pouring rain then tailgating them immediately, scaring the 5h1te out of some, then barging through the tinoest gaps forcing the other bikes to take evasive action
He'd then slow down. All the time I was behind him apart from the delays as I found a more polite and safe way past the slower bikes. He saw me in his mirrors then started to ride clearly beyond his abilty and perception to try and shake me off
with me always sedately catching him every time the cars looked to scary for him, all the time bullying other bikes out of his way His over-riding nearlly saw him in the side of a lane changing car that clearly indicated but he either didn't see or tried to ignore. This gave me my opportunity to slip past in the gap the car left behind as he had to stand on the anchors.
He was then a decreasing dot in my mirrors, but not for lack of frantic and irratic efforts.
So, I'll reiterate what I said back in January; "if there's a bike behind you that wasn't there before, it's faster so just let it through". You'll soon be back on your way again with no time lost and everyone will get home happy.
To thee bullying numpty in hi-viz, you are a dick and should think yourself lucky that you haven't come off yet. Calm down, relax and enjoy the journey home in peace rather than making it a battle
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