Filtering Masterclass, Please

[taxing]

I don't usually ride in heavy traffic, and last week when I was faced with a slow-moving jam (in the rain, so I didn't want to sit and wait in it) I realised that I'm not very good at filtering. I know there are some master filterers on here, so can I have some words of advice? What do you do when you've got two lanes of cars that are moving about five car lengths, then stopping again for a few minutes, on a two lane road? Where do you position yourself? In some places there was room on the left, in some there was room on the right, and in some there were big gaps down the middle, but I've been warned against "splitting lanes".

Thoughts?

 

[Bromptonaut]

I'm filtering in London not Hull and location can make a massive difference but I don't think there's a textbook answer. On the whole though right side filtering is preferable with splitting lanes a risky but sometimes 'least worst' option.

 

[Tynan]

in those circumstances I'd pass on the right if it was safe, ie the road was wide enough, maybe on the left if there was plenty of room, I wouldn't split lanes if it was stopping and starting

depends on the road, conditions etc

 

[Ranger]

I always split the lanes, it just seems natural to me from riding motorbikes and hadn't ever considered it dangerous as cars seem to be more aware of small fat things being there in stop/start traffic but you do need to keep your wits about you.

One tactic I often employ is to actually follow a motorbike through the traffic

 

[Tynan]

as long as the motorbike doesn't get it's fat arse stuck in front a gap wide enough for two bikes to get through

cars open their doors to the pavement, people spin out to make U turns on the outside, people chop lanes suddenly in either direction

CBT taught me to ride no more than 5mph faster than the traffic speed

 

[henshaw11]

I always split the lanes, it just seems natural to me from riding motorbikes and hadn't ever considered it dangerous as cars seem to be more aware of small fat things being there in stop/start traffic but you do need to keep your wits about you.

One tactic I often employ is to actually follow a motorbike through the traffic

T'other thing to remember about lane splitting is that it's more dangerous when there's a gap to one side of the car you're passing - ie for the car to move into. Having said that, you might get one moving over a bit even if there's a car next to it, but it'll probably edge over, whereas it might pull over more quickly if there's a real gap.

Oh, and I'd generally avoid the gutterside, drain/rubbish road repairs and the possibility of getting doored.
I tend to filter on the offside, since that's where drivers expect motorcycles to be, if it occurs to them..

 

[rosscbrown]

Sorry, newbie here: "splitting lanes"??

 

[Tynan]

riding along the gap betwen two lanes of traffic going the same way

 

[hackbike 666]

riding along the gap between two lanes of traffic going the same way

I did that tonight riding from Mile End but the inexperienced cyclists tend to stay left...I even saw them undertake a bus last week...can't remember if it was bendy or not...also I find motorbikes can be a pain because they can't get through as narrow a gap as me.

 

[Simba]

I always split lanes, comes naturally to me as I used to ride motorbikes and as said above, drivers look there more than on the left hand side. As long as you dont filter too fast and have your life-saver, then you will be fine.

 

[Norm]

Generalising, I cautiously go down the middle if it is stationary and, when cycling, I take a strong position in one lane or the other if it is moving.

On the motorbike, I stay in the middle, a position which I call "lane 1.5".

 

[jimboalee]

There are three routes. Inside, centre and outside. Pick the one which has the most width, because you don't want a motorcar door mirror damaging your handlebar grip.

 

[PK99]

[QUOTE 1201276"]
Oh, and if you're on the left also look out for cars turning right across you who assume because the traffic isn't moving it's ok for them to make the turn.

Eh, Tynan?
[/quote]

definitely, it will be 6 months on 21 october since that was done to me and i'm still not back on the bike for other than very easy pootles and have physio twice a week

 

[jimboalee]

[QUOTE 1201276"]
Oh, and if you're on the left also look out for cars turning right across you who assume because the traffic isn't moving it's ok for them to make the turn.

Eh, Tynan?
[/quote]

It is not the cars turning that assume. It is the stationary traffic in your lane that let them across. If this happens, pin the blame on the motorist at the head of the queue for letting the others across in front of him and you.

Give him/her a scowling glare.

 

[PK99]

It is not the cars turning that assume. It is the stationary traffic in your lane that let them across. If this happens, pin the blame on the motorist at the head of the queue for letting the others across in front of him and you.

Give him/her a scowling glare.

mine happened at a yellow box junction the guy at the head of the queue was obeying the law