Going up the left

[benb]

I had to drive in to work today (boo!) and at a junction, a cyclist squeezed up my left and stopped level with the front of the rear door - not very clever and not nearly visible enough.

Luckily for him I always, always check my left before turning left through a junction, so I let him get in front. Lucky I wasn't an HGV!

 

[martint235]

I've nothing against going up the left hand side if I have a good idea of what's going on but I tend to stop either level with the front bumper of with the front of my front wheel level with the rear bumper. ie if there isn't space to get my bike mostly in front of the car in front of me, I'll wait in the small gap between the two cars.

 

[DCLane]

I go up the left and right, but always make sure that there's space and the driver is aware I'm there. If there's not space I'll wait ... that's OK! Oh, and I avoid HGV's and buses.

 

[GrasB]

Going up the left is fine but make sure you end up in a position that makes you clearly visible to the people around you. For me that mean I want to be able to see the eyes of drivers who are in vehicles which potentially cause a problem.

 

[Anders]

IMO you just gotta expect the unexpected, always put myself infront of the vehicle or behind - less chance of a side-swipe. Plus for me, self preservation is key so not going to take any risks but it is enjoyable passing stationary traffic

 

[benb]

I'm not saying filtering on the left is a problem - it's not.
This was at a junction where I was indicating to turn left. Sorry for not making that clearer.

 

[scouserinlondon]

sooooo many people in London dive headlong up the left of traffic without any idea what's ahead or whether they're safe. I must be passed 20 people per day who do this. Most times I'll wait in primary and go hell for leather off the junction to keep up with the traffic before finding my moment to re-join the cycling melee in secondary or the bus lane.

 

[addictfreak]

Times I do not go up the left are:

HGV, buses or other large vehicles

Any vehicle that is indicating to turn left

When there is insufficient room

If I am unable to adopt a position where a driver can see me

 

[Andrew_Culture]

I filter stationary traffic on the left, but if it starts to move I make damn sure I'm in a space, and not next to a vehicle.

 

[Boris Bajic]

I'm very nervous about filtering on the left in slowliy-moving traffic.

Enough road users make a sudden swing to an almost-missed left to make me very cautious about it.

The indicator isn't always used - or if i is it is with the sweep of the hand as the wheel is turned.

That isn't good driving, but it is common these days.

I'm a terrible nearside filterer, but once the traffic is burbling along I prefer the offside rule on roads with lots of side roads turning off it.

 

[benb]

^ Yes, I certainly prefer filtering on the right.

 

[Gez73]

I got nudged last year by a white van I was on the left of on A very straight slow moving road. He'd pulled across to allow a motorcycle to come down the centre of the road. I had a word about mirrors. There was no danger of him turning hence my travelling on his left but I really didn't expect him to veer like he did. He was apologetic and polite as was I. No harm done but I've learned not to get caught too near the front of large vehicles on the right side of me. If there's not enough space or no clear view of what's ahead I sit tight and listen to whatever tunes are coming out of the nearby cars! I always assume someone is likely to turn left without indicating and stay behind the vehicle in front nearest the junction and as much in front of the one behind as possible. Never hurts to take a glance backwards just to let the driver know you're not turning and you think he/she might. Gez

 

[HLaB]

I found the drivers down in Chelmsford using the Parkway rbt were very alert I got the feeling that they were used to folk filtering down the left of the left turn lane (the farcility encourages it) Alert as they were however, I'd rather not take the risk.

 

[fossyant]

I had to drive in to work today (boo!)

Huston, we have a problem ! "had to drive" - oh the shame

 

[benb]

Huston, we have a problem ! "had to drive" - oh the shame

Huston, where's that?