Another moan: Cyclist in ASLs

[very-near]

No. Filtering isn't far too dangerous. Don't try to rubbish my argument by pushing me to an extreme I'm not at. It's more dangerous that not filtering, and that's why it requires constant risk assessment, awareness, anticipation and contingency.

You know well that the highlighted sentences are nonsense. Well, most of it is really.There's not a fixed gap between all cars at all times. It's fluid. It's easy to get yourself into a position where you can rejoin the flow. If cars aren't actively letting you back in, you can make your own space. It's not even forcing yourself in, but being assertive.

If you're filtering, there's a fair chance the car immediately behind you can see you. If he hasn't clocked you, there's an even better chance that the car behind that has already seen you. If he hasn't, you've got plenty of time to make him aware of you. It's all about matching speed and getting into the right gap.

Come for a ride with me if you like linf and I'll show you how easy it is. It's difficult to explain with words (probably because it's so simple), but when you see it done you'll see how incredibly simple it is.

I've only once got myself into a position where I was stuck outside of the traffic, with nowhere to go, and in a dodgy position. It was my fault, it was a learning experience, and I have no-one else to blame.

The rest of the time, commuting daily in what's supposed to be the most congested city in the UK, I have never had a problem filtering, picking the right times to pop out and overtake, switch lanes and finding or making a safe place back into the flow of traffic.

You should never commit to a manoeuvre that has an increased risk unless you can see your exit strategy.

The reality is though that if you are in between lines of traffic, you are totally reliant upon the drivers letting you back in. The reality is that whilst 99% do without issue, there is always the risk that one could play hard ball and block you out if they are feeling particularly stupid.

I don't need a lesson in filtering MrP, I am both an experienced cyclist and m/cyclist, and have ridden regularly in town traffic for well over 30 years on the road on one or the other.

 

[Origamist]

Welcome back LLB.

Merging back into traffic after filtering is rarely a problem - car doors, pedestrians, and U-turning vehicles are more serious threats IMO.

 

[very-near]

Welcome back LLB.

Merging back into traffic after filtering is rarely a problem - car doors, pedestrians, and U-turning vehicles are more serious threats IMO.

Cheers 'o' tall one

Would agree with the above statement 100%

Perhaps I'm feeling a bit jaded as I've had a few drivers deliberately move over in an attempt to block me out over the years whilst filtering when they have been sat in a long line of very slow moving traffic (walking pace)

 

[very-near]

Easily to deal with, without the need for an ASL.


Then I take it that you'll be returning to your posts that suggest the opposite of this claim then?

You may be experienced linf, but until you can deal with the self-preservation v blame problem that you have, you'll never be as safe as you could be.

Our current postman has been around for years. He's experienced, but still rubbish.

The trick is not to put your fingers inside the letterbox when you post the letter if there is a big dog on the other side. The downside is of course that you can't open the letterbox without doing this if it has a strong spring.

Is this the risk versus blame thing you are on about, and can you draw a comparison between this and filtering ?

 

[Rhythm Thief]

Linf, I wish you'd read other people's posts properly and reply to what they've said rather than what you think they've said.

 

[DJ]

I'll not go back to the original risk v blame thing you struggled with, because we've done it a thousand times.

In terms of filtering, it's your responsibility to make sure that you've got a safe zone to create or get back into if you choose to filter. It's no good arguing about whose fault it is when you're stuck out in a dangerous position with nowhere to go, let alone trying to blame someone else.

If you look at it from a self-preservation perspective, blame doesn't come into it.

+1 , Having cycled through the middle of the city last night I saw a lot of cyclists in the wrong position, its there fault.!