Nearly had my first crash this morning.......
Discussion
Filtering through traffic - doing about 35-40 - leading up to Blackwall Tunnnel.
Prick in white Golf decides that he is going to change lanes - even though there is nowhere to go.
Somehow after locking front & back wheel and skidding into another lane - I look down to see I am still sitting on bike! Miracle. No idea how I stayed up - but am happy to say that I did.
I then gesticulated at prick in white Golf, who held his hands up to apologise, I gracefully accepted and carried on my journey.
Now my question - imagine if I had found myself laying on the floor on the A102, with my bike scratched or smashed or whatever worst situation you could imagine, what chance would I have of claiming off White Golf Prick boy - bearing in mind the vehicles did not touch each other?
Prick in white Golf decides that he is going to change lanes - even though there is nowhere to go.
Somehow after locking front & back wheel and skidding into another lane - I look down to see I am still sitting on bike! Miracle. No idea how I stayed up - but am happy to say that I did.
I then gesticulated at prick in white Golf, who held his hands up to apologise, I gracefully accepted and carried on my journey.
Now my question - imagine if I had found myself laying on the floor on the A102, with my bike scratched or smashed or whatever worst situation you could imagine, what chance would I have of claiming off White Golf Prick boy - bearing in mind the vehicles did not touch each other?
Fats25 said:
Filtering through traffic - doing about 35-40 - leading up to Blackwall Tunnnel.
Prick in white Golf decides that he is going to change lanes - even though there is nowhere to go.
Somehow after locking front & back wheel and skidding into another lane - I look down to see I am still sitting on bike! Miracle. No idea how I stayed up - but am happy to say that I did.
I then gesticulated at prick in white Golf, who held his hands up to apologise, I gracefully accepted and carried on my journey.
Now my question - imagine if I had found myself laying on the floor on the A102, with my bike scratched or smashed or whatever worst situation you could imagine, what chance would I have of claiming off White Golf Prick boy - bearing in mind the vehicles did not touch each other?
You would, I'm afraid, be found partially at fault. Be bloody careful when filtering because it is technically illegal. Look at the front wheel angle of every car you are approaching. If it is angled into your path, be prepared to stop.
strange that - as when I was doing my test I was told that filtering was legal.
Also when filtering last year (much slower - 5 mph) aother excellent driver decided to pull across me - I anticipated he was gonna do it - but he still managed to hit my exhaust with his tyre. No damage.
Luckily for me there was a meatwagon behind me that saw everything happen - and gave him a ticket/summons (not sure exactly what) for careless driving. I asked at the time and they said that I was not doing anyhing wrong - and he was totally at fault.
Also when filtering last year (much slower - 5 mph) aother excellent driver decided to pull across me - I anticipated he was gonna do it - but he still managed to hit my exhaust with his tyre. No damage.
Luckily for me there was a meatwagon behind me that saw everything happen - and gave him a ticket/summons (not sure exactly what) for careless driving. I asked at the time and they said that I was not doing anyhing wrong - and he was totally at fault.
Have you recently past your test?
The reason I ask is that if you're commuting ito London (I do daily) you're going to have to get used to idiots like this.
Be alert, look at the angle of the front wheels of the cars, where the drivers are looking (ie over their shoulder should be a warning!), be prepared to stop within 2-3 metres if need be and therefore don't go too fast. Once you get used to these warning signs you'll find you filter quicker and more safely but you'll notice that you move around the road a lot more as you avoid both potential and actual risks.
The reason I ask is that if you're commuting ito London (I do daily) you're going to have to get used to idiots like this.
Be alert, look at the angle of the front wheels of the cars, where the drivers are looking (ie over their shoulder should be a warning!), be prepared to stop within 2-3 metres if need be and therefore don't go too fast. Once you get used to these warning signs you'll find you filter quicker and more safely but you'll notice that you move around the road a lot more as you avoid both potential and actual risks.
Forgot to say that if you're filtering on the outside of traffic rather than between lanes then take note of the surface. You mentioned that your front wheel skidded - this shouldn't happen unless the surface is gritty, stoney etc...if it is, keep your speed right down and try to steer round risks rather than just braking.
it's a sad fact but statistics say you will eventually come off.
I have 7 times! lol!
1. 50cc scooter at 16. Came off on ice! Inexperience!
2. Wheelied the scooter. Took off the number plate and stumbled off to one side. Didn't really fall off I guess but i came off the scoot.
3. Knocked off the scoot in Cementery Junction in Reading. Knocked out cold for 5 mins.
4. Fell off again at age 17 on my RG125 2 stroke racer. Again, in the ice.
5. Knocked off my Bandit 600 in Reading again. Knocked out for 10 mins and i only came off at 30mph.
6. Rode into the back of my housemate on his really old 125 while I was riding my Kwacker ZR7S (big bike). His brake lights didn't work and he slammed the brakes on at some lights just gone amber. Turned out he didn't have a valid license or insurance.
7. Came off my Buell. 50:50
Lost 1 years no claims.
I have 7 times! lol!
1. 50cc scooter at 16. Came off on ice! Inexperience!
2. Wheelied the scooter. Took off the number plate and stumbled off to one side. Didn't really fall off I guess but i came off the scoot.
3. Knocked off the scoot in Cementery Junction in Reading. Knocked out cold for 5 mins.
4. Fell off again at age 17 on my RG125 2 stroke racer. Again, in the ice.
5. Knocked off my Bandit 600 in Reading again. Knocked out for 10 mins and i only came off at 30mph.
6. Rode into the back of my housemate on his really old 125 while I was riding my Kwacker ZR7S (big bike). His brake lights didn't work and he slammed the brakes on at some lights just gone amber. Turned out he didn't have a valid license or insurance.
7. Came off my Buell. 50:50
Lost 1 years no claims.italiano said:
You mentioned that your front wheel skidded - this shouldn't happen unless the surface is gritty, stoney etc
Maybe he rides a bike with a relatively high rake angle (cruiser being an extreme example) and/or he snatched at the front brake. Either can get the front wheel skidding.
I have been commuting for about 9 months - and am well aware of the monkeys that choose to change lanes, and touch wood have managed to see all of them up til this morning!
Unfortunately this morning it was just one of those things where I did not anticipate he was going to move, and he never looked to even give himself a chance to see me.
With regards to the fact that I am going to come off at some point - I have to agree with you - I just don't want it to happen!
Funny thing was it all happened so quickly that I don't remember which brakes I pressed, in which order, which wheels skidded (I think both) BUT whilst it was happening all that was going through my head was "I'm gonna hit the floor in a minute" - and that seemed to last forever! Very strange.............
Unfortunately this morning it was just one of those things where I did not anticipate he was going to move, and he never looked to even give himself a chance to see me.
With regards to the fact that I am going to come off at some point - I have to agree with you - I just don't want it to happen!
Funny thing was it all happened so quickly that I don't remember which brakes I pressed, in which order, which wheels skidded (I think both) BUT whilst it was happening all that was going through my head was "I'm gonna hit the floor in a minute" - and that seemed to last forever! Very strange.............
trumpet600 said:
Always approach drivers in German cars with caution. They are a different breed all together and seem to forget their highway code the minute they drive off the forecourt.
Next time you see an accident, just take note if a german car has been involved!!
Oi! Ive got two german cars!!
when filtering,
a) leave a big gap
b) do it at a speed only slighty over the speed of the other traffic.
IMO its not illegal, well thats what the police biker told me that I went on a bikesafe with, the police opinion is, do it, but be bloody careful
Filtering isn't illegal,it's the same as overtaking.But it's YOUR responsibility ,to make sure that it's safe.Don't filter on the wrong side of a solid white line that is illegal.You have to be really careful.When filtering,there is just so much that can happen.Watch out for cars leaving gaps near side roads etc,as the tend to wave other cars out.Without using there mirrors,with.the inevitable consequences.As Joey Dunlop used to say."Aye, you have to be careful."
filtering is not illegal so long as your not beinng a prat about it, i.e. your speed is not above 25mph otherwise you should move with the traffic according to the test.
As for the near accident I can relate as I had the same hapen except I was hit/touched and came off!, trying to avoid. Have found that as long as you were not speeding and can prove the guy was not watching (which generaly you can as he/she would have seen you) you are not liable.
cutting across lanes without warning is an offence with bikes or cars!
As for which brakes you hit when and where, well I have locked the front so many tims easily in panic but thankfully have let go and regained control, though I never filter unless I can brake and pull asside from the car as well; as I can not stop as fast as a car on a mission!
As for the near accident I can relate as I had the same hapen except I was hit/touched and came off!, trying to avoid. Have found that as long as you were not speeding and can prove the guy was not watching (which generaly you can as he/she would have seen you) you are not liable.
cutting across lanes without warning is an offence with bikes or cars!
As for which brakes you hit when and where, well I have locked the front so many tims easily in panic but thankfully have let go and regained control, though I never filter unless I can brake and pull asside from the car as well; as I can not stop as fast as a car on a mission!
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