As others have said that junction layout invites a left hook. Worth sending the link with a commentary on this risk to the highway authority? The junction geometry really needs to be tightened up in order to force drivers to slow down before they make that left turn.
Filtering --> Punishment Pass. Opinions?
- Thread starter MrHappyCyclist
- Start date
Page may contain affiliate links. Please see terms for details.
OP
OP
MrHappyCyclist
Riding the Devil's HIghway
- Location
- Bolton, England
Good idea. I am waiting for their response to my message about our
400bhp
Guru
+1
That's Farnworth?
Go a different way for that small section where, at 22s, you were nearly wiped out. That kinf of thing won't be a one off there.
Also, if you are going to filter, don't wait for hesitation. If you find yourself unable to fully slot in, then stick your bike in the gap as best as possible-self preservation comes before politeness. You need to be looking for the gap-try and pick the point where a car will set off and the one directly bhind will leave a natural gap.
OP
OP
MrHappyCyclist
Riding the Devil's HIghway
- Location
- Bolton, England
No, it's not Farnworth; it's very close to home and is the only route to take without going about 5 miles out of my way to approach from the opposite direction. Thanks for the advice, though.
its north bolton , belmont road splitting from blackburn just past the cromptonway / blackburn road junction.. in front of the pineapple and three pidgeons pubs and just past asda.
it is an AWFUL junction.. even in cars, as a pedestrian etc.. i hate it as a bike because of the 'mechanics' of the traffic flow and since it's uphill its not the quickest bit!..
tbh, the bmw that crosses from the right lane in front of you, i'm tempted to say he's kept right in order to give you room ( probably doesnt feel like it)..
must admit, when i've gone that way, i'd never try the middle of the road filtering, i'd be playing safe down the left.... doesnt protect from the belmont road nutters but just dont feel safe in the middle!
is it better/worse after the new lights at asda ?
i dont like it in the car and have 'changed' which route i prefer when driving up that way...
still, it really is a shame they'll never do the bypass now, since theres the 'valley' been built instead!
OP
OP
MrHappyCyclist
Riding the Devil's HIghway
- Location
- Bolton, England
It's probably better because you don't have cars trying to edge out from ASDA, and the lights are phased so that there seem to be always traffic going through the lights at Crompton Way. The ASDA lights probably cause little or no additional delay.
OP
OP
MrHappyCyclist
Riding the Devil's HIghway
- Location
- Bolton, England
Here's how I have been doing it recently:
[media]
]View: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JEZqNnU-yCE[/media]
(It's funny how I sometimes don't do things I already know I should until someone else says it. Is it just me or do others find this?)
[media]
]View: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JEZqNnU-yCE[/media]
(It's funny how I sometimes don't do things I already know I should until someone else says it. Is it just me or do others find this?)
growingvegetables
Guru
- Location
- Leeds
Matthew_T
"Young and Ex-whippet"
- Location
- Prestatyn, North Wales
I dont like to be in the way too much (I know I'm not in the way), but if it would endanger me to be in secondary position, then I will be very agressive and make sure I prevent any other danger to myself.
When I can see that someone behind me is going to impatiently try to overtake me at a pinch point, traffic lights, etc, then I will take a strong position in the middle of the road, and make sure that they cannot overtake. If they hit me, then I would simply say that I was riding in primary to stop drivers from overtaking, and some idiot thought his car was a motorbike.
With filtering and then taking primary, I do it all the time when approaching traffic lights. The fact is: if you are filtering past a lot of cars, then it is likely that they will not pass you for a while. And within that time, the could possibly forget that you filtered past then and therefore not take any silly risks for no reason.
When I can see that someone behind me is going to impatiently try to overtake me at a pinch point, traffic lights, etc, then I will take a strong position in the middle of the road, and make sure that they cannot overtake. If they hit me, then I would simply say that I was riding in primary to stop drivers from overtaking, and some idiot thought his car was a motorbike.
With filtering and then taking primary, I do it all the time when approaching traffic lights. The fact is: if you are filtering past a lot of cars, then it is likely that they will not pass you for a while. And within that time, the could possibly forget that you filtered past then and therefore not take any silly risks for no reason.
Shut Up Legs
Down Under Member
In that situation, I would have forgone the advantages of filtering and claimed the left lane through that entire stretch, because as others noted, it helps prevent motorists left-hooking you.
I do the same through a few problematic sections of my afternoon commute, even though motorists occasionally use their horns, and they still can't resist the urge to overtake me at relatively close range.
Overall though, claiming the lane makes you (a) more visible and (b) gives you emergency manoeuvring room on your left if needed.
I do the same through a few problematic sections of my afternoon commute, even though motorists occasionally use their horns, and they still can't resist the urge to overtake me at relatively close range.
Overall though, claiming the lane makes you (a) more visible and (b) gives you emergency manoeuvring room on your left if needed.
OP
OP
MrHappyCyclist
Riding the Devil's HIghway
- Location
- Bolton, England
Forgo the advantages of filtering on that stretch? It's a bloomin' long stretch mate!
[media]
]View: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ceaC4833Cn8[/media]
I usually do take the lane. I just wasn't in the habit of doing it there.
