Lane Splitting / Filtering Europe?
Discussion
Marquezs Stabilisers said:
No idea if legal or not, but Germans didn't seem to appreciate it. Everywhere else I've been - France, Luxembourg, Monaco Spain, Italy and San Marino, it's been fair game
+1, Germans really don't like it. Years ago we were touring Europe and passed some other bikers who were queuing in traffic, we pulled in some miles down the road and about ten minutes later the other bikers pulled in behind us. One of them came over to us and said you cannot filter like that, it is illegal. My mates swift reply of " This is Luxembourg, nobody cares" seemed to leave him quite perplexed, he just didn't comprehend it. Ended well though as that night we bumped into them in a bar and had a few drinks with them, sound guys but definitely "rules are rules" type of people.
In Germany filtering is legal, but only between stationary lanes of traffic. Not when its moving.
Of course this can be a little open to interpretation in stop start queuing traffic, but you can get a ticket if the Police see you filtering between lanes that are moving even at 10mph.
Never had an issue, but thinking about it in the few times ive ridden through, Ive only had to filter a couple of times in traffic jams.
Of course this can be a little open to interpretation in stop start queuing traffic, but you can get a ticket if the Police see you filtering between lanes that are moving even at 10mph.
Never had an issue, but thinking about it in the few times ive ridden through, Ive only had to filter a couple of times in traffic jams.
When in Spain with a group, two of of my more impatient buddies made their way to the front of a queue at traffic lights, they were passing stationary traffic & within the marked lane. They were pulled over by the Police & each got 100 euro fine.
Some countries have a lot more Police than we do, I think they need to find stuff to fill their days
There are no traffic laws in Italy as far I can tell
Some countries have a lot more Police than we do, I think they need to find stuff to fill their days
There are no traffic laws in Italy as far I can tell
It’s illegal in Switzerland. Drivers used to try their best to stop you, but this seems to have calmed down over the last few years… I filtered for a few miles last year down to the border crossing without incident.
Germany it’s only legal when the traffic is stationery. I’ve found they don’t really care about it when moving either, although a lot of German plate bikes will not do it.
Italy you’re fine and a lot of drivers will move over slightly to allow you to pass.
Germany it’s only legal when the traffic is stationery. I’ve found they don’t really care about it when moving either, although a lot of German plate bikes will not do it.
Italy you’re fine and a lot of drivers will move over slightly to allow you to pass.
Ed. said:
I am surprised it's illegal in France, it was like the sea's parting a hundred metres ahead in congested but flowing autoroutes.
... and every now and then the French authorities decide to enforce the law which then results in French bikers bringing the Peripherique to a standstill, at which point everyone backs off and things return to how they were. 
https://www.femamotorcycling.eu/filtering-in-franc...
I was always under the impression it was more there was/is no actual offence listed to cover filtering in the UK. So that means it is up to the copper to decide if the move is being done dangerously or not - the offence then being careless/dangerous driving, which is rather serious.
BUT...you then get to know the general guidelines and feelings the local polices have towards filtering and in the UK it does seem our police are fine with it being done so long as it is low speed and not all over the place.
Ages ago I remember a biker cop saying he felt filtering was 100% fine and even recommended to do in stalled traffic, fine but needing more care in slow moving....and that he'd consider a ticket if you were not back in line once the speed was around 15 mph.
In Europe I found no issues in France or Spain but the Danish police always stopped me, although like here they seemed unable to agree the offence so would just do a slow, slow roadside MOT and make the point if I had not filtered I'd be home by now.
BUT...you then get to know the general guidelines and feelings the local polices have towards filtering and in the UK it does seem our police are fine with it being done so long as it is low speed and not all over the place.
Ages ago I remember a biker cop saying he felt filtering was 100% fine and even recommended to do in stalled traffic, fine but needing more care in slow moving....and that he'd consider a ticket if you were not back in line once the speed was around 15 mph.
In Europe I found no issues in France or Spain but the Danish police always stopped me, although like here they seemed unable to agree the offence so would just do a slow, slow roadside MOT and make the point if I had not filtered I'd be home by now.
black-k1 said:
... and every now and then the French authorities decide to enforce the law which then results in French bikers bringing the Peripherique to a standstill, at which point everyone backs off and things return to how they were.
https://www.femamotorcycling.eu/filtering-in-franc...
Can you imagine MAG organising something like that?? https://www.femamotorcycling.eu/filtering-in-franc...
Tribal Chestnut said:
black-k1 said:
... and every now and then the French authorities decide to enforce the law which then results in French bikers bringing the Peripherique to a standstill, at which point everyone backs off and things return to how they were.
https://www.femamotorcycling.eu/filtering-in-franc...
Can you imagine MAG organising something like that?? https://www.femamotorcycling.eu/filtering-in-franc...
Electric Blue said:
Don't even think about doing it in Switzerland, they are like Germans on steroids.
I've never had any issues in Swiss Romande with filtering, it seems pretty prevelant and tolerated. Car drivers seem fairly bike aware too and will often move over in their lane to give space. I've not ridden much on the other side of the Röstigraben but everything's taken more seriously over there! jondude said:
I was always under the impression it was more there was/is no actual offence listed to cover filtering in the UK. So that means it is up to the copper to decide if the move is being done dangerously or not - the offence then being careless/dangerous driving, which is rather serious.
BUT...you then get to know the general guidelines and feelings the local polices have towards filtering and in the UK it does seem our police are fine with it being done so long as it is low speed and not all over the place.
Ages ago I remember a biker cop saying he felt filtering was 100% fine and even recommended to do in stalled traffic, fine but needing more care in slow moving....and that he'd consider a ticket if you were not back in line once the speed was around 15 mph.
In Europe I found no issues in France or Spain but the Danish police always stopped me, although like here they seemed unable to agree the offence so would just do a slow, slow roadside MOT and make the point if I had not filtered I'd be home by now.
I recall a conversation with a Hampshire copper a few years ago on a Bikesafe day. We were discussing filtering speeds and he did say he was in court the next week having stopped someone who's defence was filtering. The defendant was filtering on the M3... at 90mph. Reckon that was going to be an awkward chat with the magistrate. BUT...you then get to know the general guidelines and feelings the local polices have towards filtering and in the UK it does seem our police are fine with it being done so long as it is low speed and not all over the place.
Ages ago I remember a biker cop saying he felt filtering was 100% fine and even recommended to do in stalled traffic, fine but needing more care in slow moving....and that he'd consider a ticket if you were not back in line once the speed was around 15 mph.
In Europe I found no issues in France or Spain but the Danish police always stopped me, although like here they seemed unable to agree the offence so would just do a slow, slow roadside MOT and make the point if I had not filtered I'd be home by now.
jondude said:
I was always under the impression it was more there was/is no actual offence listed to cover filtering in the UK. So that means it is up to the copper to decide if the move is being done dangerously or not - the offence then being careless/dangerous driving, which is rather serious.
BUT...you then get to know the general guidelines and feelings the local polices have towards filtering and in the UK it does seem our police are fine with it being done so long as it is low speed and not all over the place.
Ages ago I remember a biker cop saying he felt filtering was 100% fine and even recommended to do in stalled traffic, fine but needing more care in slow moving....and that he'd consider a ticket if you were not back in line once the speed was around 15 mph.
In Europe I found no issues in France or Spain but the Danish police always stopped me, although like here they seemed unable to agree the offence so would just do a slow, slow roadside MOT and make the point if I had not filtered I'd be home by now.
Filtering is legal in the UK. The grey area is the speed at which everyone is travelling.BUT...you then get to know the general guidelines and feelings the local polices have towards filtering and in the UK it does seem our police are fine with it being done so long as it is low speed and not all over the place.
Ages ago I remember a biker cop saying he felt filtering was 100% fine and even recommended to do in stalled traffic, fine but needing more care in slow moving....and that he'd consider a ticket if you were not back in line once the speed was around 15 mph.
In Europe I found no issues in France or Spain but the Danish police always stopped me, although like here they seemed unable to agree the offence so would just do a slow, slow roadside MOT and make the point if I had not filtered I'd be home by now.
https://begin-motorcycling.co.uk/lane-splitting-fi...
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