Correct Filtering.
Discussion
So I've only been on my 125 for a week now, got my DAS booked in August.
Quick questions about the proper way of filtering. Going past a line of stationary traffic, get to the traffic lights, they're red. Where do you position the bike?
As I'm not the quickest at pulling away yet, I feel if I sat next to the car at the front, they would undertake me, leaving me in the wrong lane and approaching opposite cars, but I feel cheeky pulling infront of people, mainly because then I can't see the lights above! So what to do?
Quick questions about the proper way of filtering. Going past a line of stationary traffic, get to the traffic lights, they're red. Where do you position the bike?
As I'm not the quickest at pulling away yet, I feel if I sat next to the car at the front, they would undertake me, leaving me in the wrong lane and approaching opposite cars, but I feel cheeky pulling infront of people, mainly because then I can't see the lights above! So what to do?
Rawwr said:
Own the road. If you can't dominate the traffic, hang back. When you get submissive to the flow, you get knocked off.
superb avice .Learn to control the space all around you , and pay particular attention to behind you.
I recently saw somebody moaning that they had been shunted from behind a few times and couldnt see how it was possible to have avoided it in any way
Riknos said:
Going past a line of stationary traffic, get to the traffic lights, they're red. Where do you position the bike?
As I'm not the quickest at pulling away yet, I feel if I sat next to the car at the front, they would undertake me, leaving me in the wrong lane and approaching opposite cars, but I feel cheeky pulling infront of people, mainly because then I can't see the lights above! So what to do?
This is the dilema cyclists face isn't it? On one hand you don't want to sit in a queue and on the other you piss everyone off when you crawl away and hold up everyone you've just filtered past.As I'm not the quickest at pulling away yet, I feel if I sat next to the car at the front, they would undertake me, leaving me in the wrong lane and approaching opposite cars, but I feel cheeky pulling infront of people, mainly because then I can't see the lights above! So what to do?
Own the road by all means but my advice would be to find somewhere to practice your launches because no bike should be slower than a car off the line and then you can get in to the lane you want and you can fill your boots with road ownership.
I'm also new to filtering and wonder about this, especially as the most likely place I have to do it is coming up to a busy roundabout, so have to think about pulling away quickly around a bend after coming up to the roundabout between 2 lanes of equally eager traffic.
Practice launches must be the way to go.
Practice launches must be the way to go.
If you're not confident, don't filter. Simple. Pulling onto a large roundabout you really do NOT want a car either side of you as you start to tilt the bike.
When you're confident in your launch ability just stick it in between the cars, slightly ahead of them to show your intention of pulling off first.
When you're confident in your launch ability just stick it in between the cars, slightly ahead of them to show your intention of pulling off first.
surfsofa said:
I'm also new to filtering and wonder about this, especially as the most likely place I have to do it is coming up to a busy roundabout, so have to think about pulling away quickly around a bend after coming up to the roundabout between 2 lanes of equally eager traffic.
In my opinion filtering up to a roundabout without traffic lights represents one of the more dangerous things you can do. Essentially you need to bear in mind that the guy on your right firstly is looking right and may be unaware that you're there and secondly the car on the roundabout which you're both waiting to go past will clear him before it clears you and therefore theoretically he could enter the roundabout first. Additionally the car going round the roundabout may be turning right so the guy on your left may just go anyway while all of the above is going on. There are too many variable frankly and I try to avoid the situation by filtering up almost to the front, slotting/pushing in and then joining the roundabout 'normally'. I can see though that on the commute people have other ideas of the risks involved and go for it so you have to make your own mind up.Riknos said:
So I've only been on my 125 for a week now, got my DAS booked in August.
Quick questions about the proper way of filtering. Going past a line of stationary traffic, get to the traffic lights, they're red. Where do you position the bike?
As I'm not the quickest at pulling away yet, I feel if I sat next to the car at the front, they would undertake me, leaving me in the wrong lane and approaching opposite cars, but I feel cheeky pulling infront of people, mainly because then I can't see the lights above! So what to do?
You should filter up to be in front of the second car but behind the first car. Position yourself such that the second car can't move until you have moved away.Quick questions about the proper way of filtering. Going past a line of stationary traffic, get to the traffic lights, they're red. Where do you position the bike?
As I'm not the quickest at pulling away yet, I feel if I sat next to the car at the front, they would undertake me, leaving me in the wrong lane and approaching opposite cars, but I feel cheeky pulling infront of people, mainly because then I can't see the lights above! So what to do?
Busamav said:
Rawwr said:
Own the road. If you can't dominate the traffic, hang back. When you get submissive to the flow, you get knocked off.
superb avice .Learn to control the space all around you , and pay particular attention to behind you.
Do not let yourself be bullied by other road users.I used to commute to the City by train, then get accross it on a 50cc moped that I left at the train station/work. Filtering on a 'ped is a different game and as stated above, you need to dominate the traffic around you and make your space. Even on a 50 you'll be off the mark quick enough to get away from the cars, so on a 125 you'll be fine.
If you're not comfortable going to the very front, do as suggested above and wedge yourself between two car in a way that the car behind can clearly see you and has to wait for you to move. If you just sit between cars and you're not confident and quick off the mark, they'll soon be whizzing past either side and it won't be long before one clips you.
For big roundabouts I used to use pull up on the left hand side of the car on the right, then use him as a screen when he pulls out, then adjust your speed and position to peel off at your exit or slot in behind him to go right.
Once you build up confidence it'll all fall into place
If you're not comfortable going to the very front, do as suggested above and wedge yourself between two car in a way that the car behind can clearly see you and has to wait for you to move. If you just sit between cars and you're not confident and quick off the mark, they'll soon be whizzing past either side and it won't be long before one clips you.
For big roundabouts I used to use pull up on the left hand side of the car on the right, then use him as a screen when he pulls out, then adjust your speed and position to peel off at your exit or slot in behind him to go right.
Once you build up confidence it'll all fall into place
Cheers guys, great advice. Just more practice I think.
Pulled up to a roundabout today, in the middle of both lanes. Pulled away with both cars either side of me level, was a bit scary at first, but they could both see me so they both hung back until I picked a lane to be in. Not sure if I was doing something wrong but no one knocked me off and I didn't get beeped at!
Pulled up to a roundabout today, in the middle of both lanes. Pulled away with both cars either side of me level, was a bit scary at first, but they could both see me so they both hung back until I picked a lane to be in. Not sure if I was doing something wrong but no one knocked me off and I didn't get beeped at!
jon- said:
If you're not confident, don't filter. Simple. Pulling onto a large roundabout you really do NOT want a car either side of you as you start to tilt the bike.
Riknos said:
Pulled up to a roundabout today, in the middle of both lanes. Pulled away with both cars either side of me level, was a bit scary at first...
Edited by Heskey on Thursday 10th July 09:41
Riknos said:
Cheers guys, great advice. Just more practice I think.
Pulled up to a roundabout today, in the middle of both lanes. Pulled away with both cars either side of me level, was a bit scary at first, but they could both see me so they both hung back until I picked a lane to be in. Not sure if I was doing something wrong but no one knocked me off and I didn't get beeped at!
Be very careful - You put yourself in danger there and were lucky this time!Pulled up to a roundabout today, in the middle of both lanes. Pulled away with both cars either side of me level, was a bit scary at first, but they could both see me so they both hung back until I picked a lane to be in. Not sure if I was doing something wrong but no one knocked me off and I didn't get beeped at!
Hyperion said:
Riknos said:
Cheers guys, great advice. Just more practice I think.
Pulled up to a roundabout today, in the middle of both lanes. Pulled away with both cars either side of me level, was a bit scary at first, but they could both see me so they both hung back until I picked a lane to be in. Not sure if I was doing something wrong but no one knocked me off and I didn't get beeped at!
Be very careful - You put yourself in danger there and were lucky this time!Pulled up to a roundabout today, in the middle of both lanes. Pulled away with both cars either side of me level, was a bit scary at first, but they could both see me so they both hung back until I picked a lane to be in. Not sure if I was doing something wrong but no one knocked me off and I didn't get beeped at!
Filtering may be good, but ultimately lanes are there for a reason. Decide which you need to be in and stick to it. Roundabouts are usually 2 lanes;
1st for next left
2nd (inner) for turning off after the first exit.
There is no 'hog both lanes whilst deciding where I need to be'.
As for your comment about 'deciding where I need to be', you should have observed roadsigns prior to the roundabout and decided which lane to be in based on whether you are turning off first left, or after.
Heskey said:
Roundabouts are usually 2 lanes;
1st for next left
2nd (inner) for turning off after the first exit.
No... 1st for next left
2nd (inner) for turning off after the first exit.
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/TravelAndTransport/Hig...
...perhaps it's a good thing the test is getting harder
Edited by dern on Thursday 10th July 13:30
Heskey said:
There is no 'hog both lanes whilst deciding where I need to be'.
Err.... I've done it, on many occasions. An example would be approaching a roundabout where the left lane goes left and straight over while the right lane goes straight over or right. I’ve been going straight over so have maintained a gap in both lanes while I establish which lane of traffic is moving quickest. All you need is good spatial awareness, a high level of all around observation and an ability to ‘command the road’, all of which come with experience.black-k1 said:
Heskey said:
There is no 'hog both lanes whilst deciding where I need to be'.
Err.... I've done it, on many occasions. An example would be approaching a roundabout where the left lane goes left and straight over while the right lane goes straight over or right. I’ve been going straight over so have maintained a gap in both lanes while I establish which lane of traffic is moving quickest. All you need is good spatial awareness, a high level of all around observation and an ability to ‘command the road’, all of which come with experience.Rawwr said:
Own the road. If you can't dominate the traffic, hang back. When you get submissive to the flow, you get knocked off.
Agreed, you need to be assertive - take the space you want and let the car drivers know you're there but don't put yourself somewhere where you could be 'closed down' by an agressive driver - sometimes second place on the 'grid' is OK Try to leave yourself a contingency plan in case they try and knock you off, but equally don't get right to the front and then hold up the traffic.
and get some carbon/kevlar/titanium knuckled gloves in case the going gets tough........
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