Taking risks whilst filtering

[Matthames]

Riding home in traffic I filter at a pace which I felt comfortable, taking refuge when I believed that the risks where too great to make progress. However, my perception of risk was different to a few other cyclists I came across. Whilst taking refuge a couple of cyclists blasted past at what I describe as 'a fair old lick', cutting the lane with oncoming traffic. I tend to avoid taking too great a risk as I have ended up with a ride in an ambulance as a result, not something I want to repeat in a hurry.

What sort of risks do you take when filtering?

 

[Bigsharn]

The only risks I take when filtering are occasionally riding in the door zone (of cars waiting in traffic), and doing stupid things when emergency venicles are around (for example, if an ambulance is two dozen or so cars back I mount the pavement on whichever side is closest)

 

[HLaB]

I'd like to think I don't take any risks filtering but others might judge I do

 

[ufkacbln]

Often it is down to knowledge

I have a point on the way to work which has a set of lights. I know the sequence so will filter if the traffic is in three of the phases, but not the other.

 

[MrHappyCyclist]

I have been thinking about this lately also.

On my homeward journey there is a stretch where there are 2 lanes, various traffic lighs etc. The traffic is in queues stopping and starting a lot. You can be filtering between stationary queues one moment and then you are between two lanes of fast-moving traffic the next, and then they stop again. I have found that I am getting better at reading what's about to happen, so hopefully it will get easier to assess the risky moments and anticipate them.

 

[gbb]

The more you do something, the less scary it becomes...but that doesnt mean the risk is diminished.
On occasions i'll filter on the right of static traffic, always aiming to take refuge in gaps if needed...assuming a gap becomes available. Sometimes you have to be ' forceful'

Is it good practice..no. But i've primed myself for the day when someone says something..you see motorbikes do it all the time, why not a bike. They'll very often filter on the right, up to the traffic lights say. drivers never take umbrage with them.

I think it comes from within. I am a bit of a risk taker, although i do it as carefully and considerately as possible. Perhaps one day i'll pay the price.
It depends on mood as well, sometimes i'll just sit in the queue and wait.

 

[Sheffield_Tiger]

I'd like to think I don't take any risks filtering but others might judge I do

Depends on your perception of risk

Someone told me that 38mph down a (non resedential, main road) on a bike was stupid, all it would take was a car to pull out.

I responded with a quick account of the car that careered across the road and smashed into the car waiting at traffic lights just in front of me - if that had been me at the front of the queue - and asked if waiting at a red light was therefore stupid and dangerous.

Everything carries a degree of risk - not least being sedentary and not cycling because it's "dangerous"

The most risky filtering I see regularly is at roundabouts - I rarely if ever filter on the approach to a roundabout unless I am turning left, and then with extreme care

Example: A 3-lane approach to a roundabout. Left lane is "Left and straight ahead", Middle lane is "Straight ahead and right" and Right lane is "Right turn only". I queue, roughly for only 2-3 minutes at most, in primary in the centre lane, in order to turn right at the RAB

I see many cyclists make the right turn by filering down the white line between left and centre lane, and keeping that position as they enter the RAB, trying to turn right when the vehicles on their offside for may want (usually do on this RAB) to go straight ahead.

I'd rather lose 10 minutes queueing over the course of a week than longer in a hospital (or worse)

 

[wesa]

I have been thinking exactly the same for the past couple of weeks. I was wondering if my filtering was seen as reckless or timid by other road users.
There is only a short stretch of my commute that has any slow traffic and today was the first time I had the GPS on the bike while I was filtering.
My perception was that I was pushing 20mph while filtering, GPS says 13 - 17 mph, I feel a bit better knowing it was slower than I thought.

I feel safer when the traffic is moving and when there is oncoming traffic, the road is quite wide, most of the time, I can stay completely on my side of the line. My justification is that a driver is not going to fling open the door of a car doing 10mph and is not going to pull a U-turn in the face of oncoming traffic, if something does develop then my speed differential is only 5ish mph and I have both braking and accelerating as options.
There is one small roundabout, and I only filter on that if it is completely stationary and someone is blocking cars from entering (as they usually are) and with a very good look.

The small number of incidents that I have had while filtering have been when traffic is stationary or near stationary.

Some days, for reasons that I cannot fathom, it just does not feel right and I will sit and wait with traffic

Is my scene of safety justified?

 

[scouserinlondon]

I think that I'm a real coward. When the ASL looks full I hang back in the traffic, which usually allows me to overtake. I often pass people on the straights only to be scalped back at the lights. I just don't like skimming trucks and busses.

 

[Dan B]

In stopped traffic between lanes I try keep the speed down to not much more than 5mph (in practice I think it's probably nearer 10): if I do get doored at that speed they'll probably not do me too much damage. If the oncoming lane is clear I ride in that at a brisker pace.



In moving traffic - actually, it's not often that I'm going so much faster than the traffic to make filtering worthwhile if it's moving. Either the lights are about to go red, in which case the 'stopped' rule is about to become relevant, of the lights have just gone green and I'm looking for a gap to tuck into.

The riskiest thing I do is probably when moving from the inside lane to the outside or vice versa: strong chance of being collected by another bike or motorcyclist as I poke my front wheel out between two cars

 

[PK99]

Depends on your perception of risk

Someone told me that 38mph down a (non resedential, main road) on a bike was stupid, all it would take was a car to pull out.

I responded with a quick account of the car that careered across the road and smashed into the car waiting at traffic lights just in front of me - if that had been me at the front of the queue - and asked if waiting at a red light was therefore stupid and dangerous.

You are trying to equate a random infrequent event with a routine/regular hazard in an attempt to minimise your own perception of your won risk

 

[ComedyPilot]

My ethos is 'What's the rush?'

I rarely ride in heavy town traffic, but when I do I am not hell-bent on getting to the front. If I do, then que cera, cera. Since when did riding in town traffic become a TT?

I do use the ASL though - especially if a car is in it, and filter through and stop in front (so they see me) - he he

More often than not, I'll stop at the lights and hold onto the railing/lights etc to save putting my feet down.

You should hear the tuts from the (potential) RLJers, because I am 'stopping' them getting through the lights.

 

[gavintc]

Well, I am back onto the commute and I hit heavy traffic for the 6 km nearest to work. The last couple of nights have been remarkably bad. I now typically filter down the outside (left here in Naples) and do not have problems. My scariest point is the steepish (8-9%) hill for about a km, with stationary traffic and I have to face oncoming traffic. I find that I can usually keep a speed and cars coming up the hill will keep over to the right allowing me to squeeze through. The next bad point is a slow piece of dual carriageway and on that one, I take the outside jostling with the faster cars and nipping into gaps as they appear. The beauty about Italy, is that cars make way for you opening up room rather than as in UK closing the gaps. It is dream on a bike - people just seem so much more accepting of bikes.

 

[brokenbetty]

I don't really filter at all - seems a lot of faff and hassle to get 20 yards down the road. I like sitting in my car sized piece of tarmac thank you!

The only time I bother is if the traffic is gridlocked, and then I usually just ride down the right hand side and pull in if something comes the other way.

 

[Tynan]

I used to be full devil may care

these days I'm more fuddy duddy than ever, I'm quick in the open but I stop in traffic a lot, filter slowly, I think the accidents and near misses over the years all slowly build up in the sub concious, I see other riders riding as I used to and shake my head

filtering slower now only gives you time to react it reduces the level and risk of injury