Filtering round traffic islands

[fomb]

Very simple question, and one more for the bikers amongst us, but every morning I see plenty of bikes filtering the wrong side of traffic islands when I will sit and wait.

Now, I always thought this was deeply wrong. Am I right?

[defblade]

You are right, it is deeply wrong. Tempting. But wrong.

[supersport]

I have seen driving instructors do this, despite the very large keep left sign. IF they teach their students like this it would explain a lot.

[oldcynic]

My brother got 3 points & a fine for doing that, many moons ago.

ETA: I may be wrong about the points. Definitely stopped & charged though.

Edited by oldcynic on Tuesday 5th April 14:22

[Iang84]

yep offsiding islands is deeply wrong and comes under contravention of mandatory direction code 334 think it comes with a £30 fine but no points

[fomb]

Iang84 said:

yep offsiding islands is deeply wrong and comes under contravention of mandatory direction code 334 think it comes with a £30 fine but no points

Good - nice to just double check that I haven't been sat there like an idiot for nothing then

[7db]

Blue arrows / no left/right turns are non-endorsable.
I think their friend "no entry" is endorsable, however.

[fomb]

7db said:

Blue arrows / no left/right turns are non-endorsable.
I think their friend "no entry" is endorsable, however.

So, what would this get you (other than probably knocked off)?

[shovelheadrob]

7db said:

Blue arrows / no left/right turns are non-endorsable.
I think their friend "no entry" is endorsable, however.

It all depends on the offence, failing to comply with a traffic sign = points & fine, failing to follow the prescribed route = fixed penalty as I found out many years ago the hard way!
It is down to the discretion of the BiB as to which they choose (often attitude dependant)

[croyde]

Solid traffic in Putney Bridge Road and I was stuck on my Triumph next to a keep left island with bikes and bicycles going around it by the dozens. After a few minutes I gingerly went around it and carried on past the grid locked traffic.

A week later got a fine in the post from Wandsworth Council for £60 going up to £120 if not paid within 2 weeks. I was caught by a CCTV operator.

I don't do it now, unless I am absolutely sure that there are no cameras nearby.

[robbyd]

Is it safer to to go right of a bollard when safe (assumes biker has eyes), or wait and squeeze through on the left close to traffic?

The point of filtering is to pass stationary traffic, isn't it?

Is this about what is sensible, or compliance?

I'm not a biker by the way, but I'd say do it.

[Pothole]

robbyd said:

Is this about what is sensible, or compliance?

The law? The latter, generally.

[croyde]

robbyd said:

Is it safer to to go right of a bollard when safe (assumes biker has eyes), or wait and squeeze through on the left close to traffic?

The point of filtering is to pass stationary traffic, isn't it?

Is this about what is sensible, or compliance?

I'm not a biker by the way, but I'd say do it.

But it is illegal. Formerly a fine and 3 points but now mainly dealt with by the local council, like parking fines.

[robbyd]

But 'illegal' may have nothing to do with what may be 'right', involve a degree of common sense, or be 'just', unfortunately....

[vonhosen]

robbyd said:

Is it safer to to go right of a bollard when safe (assumes biker has eyes), or wait and squeeze through on the left close to traffic?

Both may be able to be done safely, it will depend.

robbyd said:

The point of filtering is to pass stationary traffic, isn't it?

Nowt wrong with legal progress.

robbyd said:

Is this about what is sensible, or compliance?

Both is best. Illegality can delay your progress & have other costs.

robbyd said:

I'm not a biker by the way, but I'd say do it.

I am, I'd say don't.

[robbyd]

I would have said 'no', too, until a friend of mine who does ride explained his reasons - basically what I forwarded.

That applies to stationary traffic and not slow-moving.

I have no problem with others making progress when the cars are stuck in jams...

[vonhosen]

robbyd said:

I would have said 'no', too, until a friend of mine who does ride explained his reasons - basically what I forwarded.

That applies to stationary traffic and not slow-moving.

People will do what they like, they just don't have control of what others will do about it. If he is that worried about stationary traffic, he'd be better off staying at home.

[robbyd]

sorry, Von -

think there's a misunderstanding - what I meant was that it's justifiable if traffic is stationary, maybe not so if it's moving (slowly).

[vonhosen]

robbyd said:

sorry, Von -

think there's a misunderstanding - what I meant was that it's justifiable if traffic is stationary, maybe not so if it's moving (slowly).

Justifiable in what ?
Not in law.

[robbyd]

Not in law - I agree. OP's question was, 'is it wrong?'; not, 'is it illegal?', however.

I don't believe they're necessarily the same thing...