What would you say is the definition of filtering?

 

When is filtering not appropriate?

 

For those who say that it is legal for a bike to filter between the outer two lanes with other traffic moving at 70mph, can you state where this exemption is written in law?

 

 

I'm genuinely interested to know what our two-wheeled bretherin think on this. I hear the terms "filtering" and "lane sharing" being used as friendly terms for lane-splitting and weaving as a way of playing it down.

Filtering is only clearly legal through stationary traffic.

 

http://www.motorbikestoday.com/news/Articles/filtering_law.htm

 

As a driver I've no idea why anyone has an issue with filtering done properly. A biker getting past doesn't hold me up, makes no difference to my journey at all. so why would I get angry?

Edited 16 June, 20169 yr by Aspman

Yes, filtering is not illegal but does not, in principle, obviate the rider from prosecution for careless riding.

For those who say that it is legal for a bike to filter between the outer two lanes with other traffic moving at 70mph, can you state where this exemption is written in law?

 

Well the speed limit is 70 so clearly it's not 

 

Filtering is legal so long as it's done with the 'due care and attention' as far as I have been taught. Everyone has differing opinions on that, for me personally it depends on the situation, if I'm riding through rush hour traffic in tight London roads, I'll barely go anymore that walking pace. If I'm on a nice wide dual carriageway or motorway then I'll filter up to higher speeds, so long as it's safe. Speed differential also play a part, even on a wide motorway I'd not be doing 50mph through stationary traffic. 

 

You obviously need to stick to other rules, not doing it in 'no overtaking' sections of road or crossing solid white lines.

 

Weaving between traffic at 70mph isnt filtering, it's just being stupid, I dont see it often though. 

Edited 16 June, 20169 yr by matt1chelski

I'll only filter when the traffic is stationary and its safe to do so. I'll also not exceed roughly 20mph and im always extremely cautious of people about to do a U turn or change lane position... or indeed block you off on purpose (i had a guy do that last year. not sure what he was trying to achieve, but it didn't work). 

 

Some bikers do go over the top with it taking unnecessary risks and i'll just sit there shaking my head. 

 

It's only the same when moving though.. people go for an overtake when theres a junction on the right etc etc. 

 

It's just human nature for some people to push things more and more i think. 

I always move left a little when I see a bike approach from behind. Their flickering headlight as they bounce over the cats eyes usually alerts me to their presence but it is one of the many good reasons why regularly checking your mirrors is a good idea.

 

I've been caught napping a few times and had the fright of my life when over taken by a bike, it certainly focuses your attention back where it should be again!

 

I was crawling in traffic the other morning, about 20mph and a Police bike passed by doing about 40mph. There was a tractor approaching in the opposite direction with a queue of traffic waiting to pass it. I though if someone pulls out from behind the tractor then the bike will be in a tough situation. 

I always move left a little when I see a bike approach from behind. Their flickering headlight as they bounce over the cats eyes usually alerts me to their presence but it is one of the many good reasons why regularly checking your mirrors is a good idea.

 

I've been caught napping a few times and had the fright of my life when over taken by a bike, it certainly focuses your attention back where it should be again!

 

I was crawling in traffic the other morning, about 20mph and a Police bike passed by doing about 40mph. There was a tractor approaching in the opposite direction with a queue of traffic waiting to pass it. I though if someone pulls out from behind the tractor then the bike will be in a tough situation. 

 

We all have moments of unintentionally not quite paying as much attention as we should, it just happens. 

 

When riding a bike, you can see it a mile off. Come up the side of traffic and you get people in the distance pulling in already as they've seen you coming. Then you get the people that you can see in their mirrors (bikes are a little higher so give you a good angle for looking in car mirrors) on their phones, and the ones that are just doing other things. 

 

When im approaching a car im not sure about, i like to blip the throttle and rev it a little. I can literally sit there and watch them crap themselves and shake back into life sometimes. Which is good for me.. i like to think thats made them realise im there and they aren't going to commit manslaughter . 

As far as I am aware there is only one place where lane splitting / filtering / whatever you want to call it is actually legal and that is California (but even there they have restrictions).  The problem in this country is that nowhere in law does it say that it is legal and nowhere in law does it say that it is not legal.  Motorcyclists inevitably interpret this as meaning that it is legal, but it is very much a grey area.  If they come to grief as a result it would probably be counted as 'due care', but as the police generally no longer care about road safety (at a senior level, otherwise we would still have traffic officers) nothing is done about it.

 

The article quoted in post 2 is talking about civil cases, not road traffic regulations.  Civil law has no bearing on anything other than civil cases, so what they are suggesting is somewhat wide of the mark!

From the Briskoda 'Idiot in an EVO' thread,

the vid with the idiot biker as well.

Edited 16 June, 20169 yr by GoneOffSKi

As far as I am aware there is only one place where lane splitting / filtering / whatever you want to call it is actually legal and that is California (but even there they have restrictions). The problem in this country is that nowhere in law does it say that it is legal and nowhere in law does it say that it is not legal. Motorcyclists inevitably interpret this as meaning that it is legal, but it is very much a grey area. If they come to grief as a result it would probably be counted as 'due care', but as the police generally no longer care about road safety (at a senior level, otherwise we would still have traffic officers) nothing is done about it.

The article quoted in post 2 is talking about civil cases, not road traffic regulations. Civil law has no bearing on anything other than civil cases, so what they are suggesting is somewhat wide of the mark!

It is legal. Theres just guidelines to obey within doing it, of course.

Its been through MCN more times than i care to remember.

Bottom line is basically the first paragraph of this.. The rest might just open a few eyes....

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

Filtering is only clearly legal through stationary traffic.

 

http://www.motorbikestoday.com/news/Articles/filtering_law.htm

 

As a driver I've no idea why anyone has an issue with filtering done properly. A biker getting past doesn't hold me up, makes no difference to my journey at all. so why would I get angry?

 

Because they're getting somewhere quicker than you, or they're jumping the queue, something like that would probably go through some drivers's minds, especially the ones who have the 'Me First! Me First!' attitude. I'm with you though, absolutely no problem with bikes filtering if I'm in a queue of traffic. If I was a biker, I'd do the same thing.

Because they're getting somewhere quicker than you, or they're jumping the queue, something like that would probably go through some drivers's minds, especially the ones who have the 'Me First! Me First!' attitude. I'm with you though, absolutely no problem with bikes filtering if I'm in a queue of traffic. If I was a biker, I'd do the same thing.

 

It is exactly that. 

 

I got nudged up the back a few years back. I was filtering... a wagon was coming the other way, so i just slowly moved across to my left infront of a car to make room (just briefly, then once it had gone past, i was going again) but this guy didnt want to let me. Did everything he could to close the gap, shouting, swearing, waving his hands. I wasnt bothered, until he got abit too close and nudged me forward.. 

 

You can imagine.. he dint get my impressed face. I did throw my toys out the pram. Parked infront of him, got off, checked my bike and went absolutely ape **** with him. He didn't know what to do. Went from being the big man, to apologising like a 5 year old, locked his car doors, did his window up to nearly the top etc etc. 'sorry sorry sorry i didnt realise i was that close' blah blah. 

 

Wasnt really the right thing to do.. but it did boil my ****, big time haha. 

No personal issues with bikes filtering - As above, normally move further to the left to let them past easier.

I've seen many drivers over the last few days driving without paying the slightest bit of attention. If I was on a motorbike on the road, I'd be very worried these days!

I have no problem with it at all, if I see a bike coming I move over to the side to let them past and most of them give me a thanks so I keep on doing it :-)

Unless its clearly not a safe spot (narrow lanes, no shoulder, blind bend/crest, oncoming traffic i dont trust) i'll slide over a bit and let the bikes through. Gonna go anyway, so try and make it safer for everyone.

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

 

To quote:

 

"Whenever the subject of filtering comes up we often get asked the question “Is it legal?” The simple answer is “Yes.” There is a ‘but’ though. Filtering is legal if it is done with ‘due care and attention’, and is not ‘dangerous’. Filtering is really just overtaking slow moving vehicles, remember overtaking is illegal where there is a no overtaking sign, where there is a double white line and it would be necessary to cross a solid one closest to you, on hard shoulders on motorways and the approach to pedestrian crossings."

 

Sadly the picture that goes with this article shows a bike between 2 cars moving at high-speed on a dual carriageway, which implies that the bike is filtering and within the definition of filtering.

 

 

I have no problem with bikes getting to the head of the queue, they'll be gone long before I get through the lights. I have noticed that, if a car over-takes a bike to within a couple of feet, the biker gets quite irate, but when bikes speed between two lines of traffic, often to within inches of cars, that seems not to be a problem. Same with tailgating: bikes will travel along very close to the vehicle in front quite happily (there's a nice video on youtube where a bike goes into the back of a van because of this), but it's hated if a car does the same to a bike (often when the bike just "drops in" to a gap).

 

I saw a video a little while ago (youtube or idiotdrivers) of a biker that got hit by a bloke in a RangeRover. The bloke in the RangeRover's actions, without question, were dangerous, however the biker justified the way he was driving by calling it filtering. In this case, there was no hatching separating the two directions of traffic, and the biker was clearly 18"-24" on the wrong side of the road. I regularly encounter this mentality (on the A232): bikes on the wrong side of the road who are expecting me to get out of their way, because they believe that "filtering" gives them right of way.

 

The biggest issue I have is when bikes weave not just from one lane to another, but from one split to another (i.e. lane 1/2 split to 2/3). Again I watched a bike (on Pepper Hill, for those in the Gravesend area) pass me in 1/2, across in front of me into 2/3, just as the car in 2 was indicating and starting to move into 3. Needless to say the biker wasn't happy and hand-signals were exchanged. (I've not put a camera in Emily yet, so there's no footage.) Pepper Hill is a climb that goes from 4 to 3 lanes half a mile after it's crest and has a fairly major ingress at it's base. Traffic there is regularly slow as HGV's and buses get in lane 2 far too early causing congestion. Not a major problem if you use it every day, as you expect the 5 mile tailback.

 

I believe that under the conditions previous mentioned about filtering (Aspman's post), bikes should be able to use the hard-shoulder, just like we all can on "managed" roads, instead of filtering between other vehicles. This would alleviate a lot of issues, IMHO. Or at least stick to one split to filter along. Does somewhat rattle me that a gap is left in a split, and then some tw@tcicle tried to get down the narrowed split on the other side.

 

For the most part, I'll move over and create a gap / let it pass. The exception is: I will not compromise my safety to do so. But, a polite message to our biker bretherin: filtering / is not a right, neither do I *have* to move out of your way (it's still up to the over-taking vehicle to make sure it is safe to do so - not for me to compensate for your ego / stupidity).......a "thank you" is always appreciated. Sadly manners is something that is getting to be in short supply these days. Oh and I've avoided the obvious point of "if we can't see you, because you're weaving or traveling at the speed of light" because none of the Brisky bikers do those things, do they. ;) And remember, if you do drop into a gap, that *you* have just shortened the safety gap that someone had left between them and vehicle in front. Breaking hard to give yourself space between you and the vehicle in front, means that several vehicles behind you will probably end up having to do the same.

 

 

 

 

It is comical though, when the bike in front isn't filtering as fast as the others would like. ;)

To quote:

"Whenever the subject of filtering comes up we often get asked the question “Is it legal?” The simple answer is “Yes.” There is a ‘but’ though. Filtering is legal if it is done with ‘due care and attention’, and is not ‘dangerous’. Filtering is really just overtaking slow moving vehicles, remember overtaking is illegal where there is a no overtaking sign, where there is a double white line and it would be necessary to cross a solid one closest to you, on hard shoulders on motorways and the approach to pedestrian crossings."

Sadly the picture that goes with this article shows a bike between 2 cars moving at high-speed on a dual carriageway, which implies that the bike is filtering and within the definition of filtering.

I have no problem with bikes getting to the head of the queue, they'll be gone long before I get through the lights. I have noticed that, if a car over-takes a bike to within a couple of feet, the biker gets quite irate, but when bikes speed between two lines of traffic, often to within inches of cars, that seems not to be a problem. Same with tailgating: bikes will travel along very close to the vehicle in front quite happily (there's a nice video on youtube where a bike goes into the back of a van because of this), but it's hated if a car does the same to a bike (often when the bike just "drops in" to a gap).

I saw a video a little while ago (youtube or idiotdrivers) of a biker that got hit by a bloke in a RangeRover. The bloke in the RangeRover's actions, without question, were dangerous, however the biker justified the way he was driving by calling it filtering. In this case, there was no hatching separating the two directions of traffic, and the biker was clearly 18"-24" on the wrong side of the road. I regularly encounter this mentality (on the A232): bikes on the wrong side of the road who are expecting me to get out of their way, because they believe that "filtering" gives them right of way.

The biggest issue I have is when bikes weave not just from one lane to another, but from one split to another (i.e. lane 1/2 split to 2/3). Again I watched a bike (on Pepper Hill, for those in the Gravesend area) pass me in 1/2, across in front of me into 2/3, just as the car in 2 was indicating and starting to move into 3. Needless to say the biker wasn't happy and hand-signals were exchanged. (I've not put a camera in Emily yet, so there's no footage.) Pepper Hill is a climb that goes from 4 to 3 lanes half a mile after it's crest and has a fairly major ingress at it's base. Traffic there is regularly slow as HGV's and buses get in lane 2 far too early causing congestion. Not a major problem if you use it every day, as you expect the 5 mile tailback.

I believe that under the conditions previous mentioned about filtering (Aspman's post), bikes should be able to use the hard-shoulder, just like we all can on "managed" roads, instead of filtering between other vehicles. This would alleviate a lot of issues, IMHO. Or at least stick to one split to filter along. Does somewhat rattle me that a gap is left in a split, and then some tw@tcicle tried to get down the narrowed split on the other side.

For the most part, I'll move over and create a gap / let it pass. The exception is: I will not compromise my safety to do so. But, a polite message to our biker bretherin: filtering / is not a right, neither do I *have* to move out of your way (it's still up to the over-taking vehicle to make sure it is safe to do so - not for me to compensate for your ego / stupidity).......a "thank you" is always appreciated. Sadly manners is something that is getting to be in short supply these days. Oh and I've avoided the obvious point of "if we can't see you, because you're weaving or traveling at the speed of light" because none of the Brisky bikers do those things, do they. ;) And remember, if you do drop into a gap, that *you* have just shortened the safety gap that someone had left between them and vehicle in front. Breaking hard to give yourself space between you and the vehicle in front, means that several vehicles behind you will probably end up having to do the same.

It is comical though, when the bike in front isn't filtering as fast as the others would like. ;)

Different bikes ride in different ways, just like car drivers do. So impossible to tar everybody with the same brush. Different riders find different things safe, see different opportunities and go into different gaps.

Nobodys a saint either. Ive annoyed people, ive cut an overtake short and pushed in, just like many have, bike riders and car drivers. Everybody makes mistakes.

I do always say thankyou too. Its always appreciated when people move over or whatever. Just like i always say thanks when somebody lets me out in the car/van. Im a big believer in manors.

Yeah i know it cuts the safety gap. I never go into a gap if people will have to brake for me. Also, i dont tailgate, as obviously its reaction and braking times but also it restricts vision soo much for overtaking the next vehicle. Space is time and vision is key to spot opertunities and hazards.

But yeah. Nobodys expecting you to believe any of it, i ride for myself and nobody else, but everybody is different and some bikers do give bikers a bad name, just like car drivers do.

Edited 17 June, 20169 yr by fabiamk2SE

I have no problem with bikes getting to the head of the queue, they'll be gone long before I get through the lights. I have noticed that, if a car over-takes a bike to within a couple of feet, the biker gets quite irate, but when bikes speed between two lines of traffic, often to within inches of cars, that seems not to be a problem. Same with tailgating: bikes will travel along very close to the vehicle in front quite happily (there's a nice video on youtube where a bike goes into the back of a van because of this), but it's hated if a car does the same to a bike (often when the bike just "drops in" to a gap).

 

 

 

The biggest issue I have is when bikes weave not just from one lane to another, but from one split to another (i.e. lane 1/2 split to 2/3). Again I watched a bike (on Pepper Hill, for those in the Gravesend area) pass me in 1/2, across in front of me into 2/3, just as the car in 2 was indicating and starting to move into 3. Needless to say the biker wasn't happy and hand-signals were exchanged. (I've not put a camera in Emily yet, so there's no footage.) Pepper Hill is a climb that goes from 4 to 3 lanes half a mile after it's crest and has a fairly major ingress at it's base. Traffic there is regularly slow as HGV's and buses get in lane 2 far too early causing congestion. Not a major problem if you use it every day, as you expect the 5 mile tailback.

 

 

 

For the most part, I'll move over and create a gap / let it pass. The exception is: I will not compromise my safety to do so. But, a polite message to our biker bretherin: filtering / is not a right, neither do I *have* to move out of your way (it's still up to the over-taking vehicle to make sure it is safe to do so - not for me to compensate for your ego / stupidity).......a "thank you" is always appreciated. Sadly manners is something that is getting to be in short supply these days. Oh and I've avoided the obvious point of "if we can't see you, because you're weaving or traveling at the speed of light" because none of the Brisky bikers do those things, do they. ;) And remember, if you do drop into a gap, that *you* have just shortened the safety gap that someone had left between them and vehicle in front. Breaking hard to give yourself space between you and the vehicle in front, means that several vehicles behind you will probably end up having to do the same.

 

 

 

 

It is comical though, when the bike in front isn't filtering as fast as the others would like. ;)

 

Just my 2p on a few points. 

 

The first paragraph, it's not a bike thing, my 'mate' tailgates on his bike, then gets into his car and does the same in his car, whereas I dont, be it on the bike or car. A ****** is a ******, whatever they're driving/riding. 

 

2, that boils my ****, when I'm steadily filtering between L2/3 and someone comes up behind, I'll make the effort to move into a lane to let them past as soon as it's safe but when they just go L1/2 it generally causes everyone in the middle lane to not know where to go, at best they stay still, worst then move towards either side and knock someone off, all because someone couldnt wait 30 seconds. 

 

Lastly, we are perfectly within our rights to filter, as long as it's safe. You're right in that you dont have to move over, if it makes you feel warm inside then by all means dont. I dont expect anyone to move over for me, but if they do I'll always give a nod of thanks or a shake of the leg, it can be tricky on a bike filtering because I'm either on the clutch or covering it so I cant wave most of the time. Manners are in short supply, again, that doesn't change depending on what someone is riding or driving. The people who fly past your wing mirror at 50mph or weave in and out of lanes will do the same to me on my bike, dont think it's something against you, they're just ****** plain and simple. 

 

So many people have a thing about a certain type of motorist, modified car owners are all boy racers, motorcyclists all think they're on a race track, bus drivers or lorry drivers just dont look and do what they want etc etc. Trust me I've followed plenty of professional drivers, if they're a bad bus/lorry driver, they're a bad car driver. Same on bikes, same with anything. 

Edited 17 June, 20169 yr by matt1chelski

Lastly, we are perfectly within our rights to filter, as long as it's safe.

 

No, it's not a "right": you have no right of way if you're filtering. No-one is obliged to get out of your way so you can filter. There is a big difference between something you're allowed to do and something you have a right to do.

No, it's not a "right": you have no right of way if you're filtering. No-one is obliged to get out of your way so you can filter. There is a big difference between something you're allowed to do and something you have a right to do.

 

Go on....

No, it's not a "right": you have no right of way if you're filtering. No-one is obliged to get out of your way so you can filter. There is a big difference between something you're allowed to do and something you have a right to do.

I think you're getting confused here.

Bottom line is, i dont expect anybody to move out the way, but it is nice when they do.

Its legal to do and i shall continue to do it wherever i feel is safe to do so as long as im not breaking any rules in the process. Nothing really anybody in a cage can do about that.

You might aswel sit back and oet it happen (:

Go on....

 

Hmm,,...you need "allowed" and "right" explained to you. Ok, I'll try and keep it simple for you.......

 

Your partner allows you to stick your hand in their underwear. You have no right to do it.

 

A lawful, legal, "right" will be laid out in a statute, and will be enforcable in a court of law. Something that no-one has managed to show, so far. Just because something is "not illegal" doesn't legitimise any legal status.

Edited 17 June, 20169 yr by RainbowFire

.

Edited 17 June, 20169 yr by RainbowFire

I don't know if it is legal or not but I have always done it with care and sometimes at speed. Positioning your bike so that you can be seen in both the rear view and wing mirrors is important and drivers who move to give you more room I always acknowledge, those who deliberately move to block your progress you have to accept although I have heard of car wing mirrors being knocked off ;0) Personally I would rather cars not move over on country lanes and the like because I usually get showered in gravel but I still thank them because it means the driver is awake. I believe the police consider it making "safe progress" or some such. You have to treat everybody in a car as a total idiot and ride accordingly.

Hmm,,...you need "allowed" and "right" explained to you. Ok, I'll try and keep it simple for you.......

Your partner allows you to stick your hand in their underwear. You have no right to do it.

A lawful, legal, "right" will be laid out in a statute, and will be enforcable in a court of law. Something that no-one has managed to show, so far. Just because something is "not illegal" doesn't legitimise any legal status.

I was thinking of an example a little more relevant to the discussion.

Have a read of the 'overtaking' section of the Highway Code plenty in there to read up on.