Filtering Masterclass, Please
- Thread starter taxing
- Start date
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Would this be the lane splitting that you speak of?
[media]
]View: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aq_ce0D9eMQ[/media]
Nothing wrong with it if done with care. You just have to keep a close eye on what is happening ahead and react early.
[media]
]View: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aq_ce0D9eMQ[/media]
Nothing wrong with it if done with care. You just have to keep a close eye on what is happening ahead and react early.
nasserblue
Active Member
- Location
- London
When I've been down the strand at quarter to six in the evening I've often thought they should paint a green path down the middle of the west bound carriageway, because the cars and busses are going nowhere fast, and all the bikes have to weave all over the road to try and find gaps...
Yikes! The problem with that is that some cyclists follow cycle lanes blindly. I can just imagine wee grannies on their shopper bikes with cars flying past on both side!
Seriously though, if you needed anything, I think signage indicating that in periods of heavy traffic expect filtering cyclists/motorbikes wouldn't hurt.
Yikes! The problem with that is that some cyclists follow cycle lanes blindly. I can just imagine wee grannies on their shopper bikes with cars flying past on both side!
Seriously though, if you needed anything, I think signage indicating that in periods of heavy traffic expect filtering cyclists/motorbikes wouldn't hurt.
Here's something to that effect.
211
It is often difficult to see motorcyclists and cyclists, especially when they are coming up from behind, coming out of junctions, at roundabouts, overtaking you or filtering through traffic. Always look out for them before you emerge from a junction; they could be approaching faster than you think. When turning right across a line of slow-moving or stationary traffic, look out for cyclists or motorcyclists on the inside of the traffic you are crossing. Be especially careful when turning, and when changing direction or lane. Be sure to check mirrors and blind spots carefully.
Ignorance is no excuse.
Yikes! The problem with that is that some cyclists follow cycle lanes blindly. I can just imagine wee grannies on their shopper bikes with cars flying past on both side!
Seriously though, if you needed anything, I think signage indicating that in periods of heavy traffic expect filtering cyclists/motorbikes wouldn't hurt.
Was that a subtle bit of indignance I detected?
the guy who hit me did a 270degree turn out of line of traffic queued at a level crossing, without pausing aftert eh 180 u-turn and hit me when i was 3/4 way through the junction
martint235
Dog on a bike
- Location
- Welling
I tend to take whichever gap is the largest but always take lots of extra care. If I'm on a road I'm familiar with it helps as I also know where the potholes/draincovers etc are.
For some reason in the last few weeks, motorists and motorcyclists have all been much nicer than usual. Cars have moved over to make the centre way wider, bikers have got out of the way if its a gap they don't think they can fit through. It's all getting a bit spooky!!!
For some reason in the last few weeks, motorists and motorcyclists have all been much nicer than usual. Cars have moved over to make the centre way wider, bikers have got out of the way if its a gap they don't think they can fit through. It's all getting a bit spooky!!!
Filtering in very heavy traffic you're going to end up stuck at some point. I just go down the 'middle of the road'. By which I mean wrong side of the road. The right hand side means you can see where threats are coming from (oncoming traffic/twats) or are so far removed from it (stationary traffic with the gaps full of cyclists) that as long as you can filter back in you're okay. The problems with splitting lanes is you're neither fish nor fowl, so to speak: you may get stuck in traffic which will scream off faster than you and you're annoying people by squeezing past they're vehicles (I know, I know), but if you're splitting you're going to need their help later on.
The trick with filtering isn't to my eye filtering at all but the usual confidence, making space in the road and being able to be in the main flow of traffic without being intimidated. Whipping between cars unsettles people and keeps you hidden: it's great, thrilling fun but the reason we have the adrenalin is it is a touch unsafe donchathink and seems to me a little underhand? Screaming down the wrong side of the road may seem foolhardy but your visibility is great and seems less annoying, or, more importantly, is less likely to annoy people you have to deal with later as they'll be behind you. It is merely overtaking, after all. Watch out for U-turns though.
The trick with filtering isn't to my eye filtering at all but the usual confidence, making space in the road and being able to be in the main flow of traffic without being intimidated. Whipping between cars unsettles people and keeps you hidden: it's great, thrilling fun but the reason we have the adrenalin is it is a touch unsafe donchathink and seems to me a little underhand? Screaming down the wrong side of the road may seem foolhardy but your visibility is great and seems less annoying, or, more importantly, is less likely to annoy people you have to deal with later as they'll be behind you. It is merely overtaking, after all. Watch out for U-turns though.
summerdays
Cycling in the sun
- Location
- Bristol
[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.
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And the converse - which especially is a problem with high sided vehicles, whether vans etc, when your visibility is reduced.
Also knowing a road often helps to know where the spaces are..... and if a car sees you coming and moves over to block your way.... remember they have now committed themselves to that position and left a lovely big gap on the other side....
And if it gets really bad I've been known to hop off the bike and go along the pavement to get to a nearby road past the blockage/roadworks etc that is causing the problem.
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.
[/quote]
And the converse - which especially is a problem with high sided vehicles, whether vans etc, when your visibility is reduced.
Also knowing a road often helps to know where the spaces are..... and if a car sees you coming and moves over to block your way.... remember they have now committed themselves to that position and left a lovely big gap on the other side....
And if it gets really bad I've been known to hop off the bike and go along the pavement to get to a nearby road past the blockage/roadworks etc that is causing the problem.
Always the middle with caution for me, looking for any gaps that anyone might be tempted to move over into, looking at drivers in their car to see where they are looking, and keeping the speed reasonably slow. I've never had any problems, as mentioned before people seem to be anticipating motorbikes coming up anyway and often move over.
Just need to be careful when getting to the front if its traffic lights as you don't want to be stuck in the middle of a dual carriageway with cars flying by on both sides!
Just need to be careful when getting to the front if its traffic lights as you don't want to be stuck in the middle of a dual carriageway with cars flying by on both sides!
What you need is a hub dyno powering lamps that are ON continuously. Yes, dyno front lamps are next to useless for seeing the way ahead, so point it upwards to the level of door mirrors.
Or if no hub dyno, a flashing ultrabright LED front lamp, one of the white ones.
Or if no hub dyno, a flashing ultrabright LED front lamp, one of the white ones.
