Discussion
I was driving to Surrey yesterday from Yorkshire down the M1. I was surprised by how many motorcyclists have a magic helmet that puts a new lane in the visor. It seems to appear between the middle of lane 2 and lane 3 for the purpose of overtaking cars who are already doing a reasonable speed. I presume the magic helmet also puts a forcefield around the said motorbike to help rebound the car drivers who don't expect you to be there.
I have no problem at all moving out of the way of fast bikes when they are coming up behind, but please, this suicidal weaving in and out of non existent gaps - STOP, Don't do it!
(Stands back ready for onslaught from bikers)
I have no problem at all moving out of the way of fast bikes when they are coming up behind, but please, this suicidal weaving in and out of non existent gaps - STOP, Don't do it!
(Stands back ready for onslaught from bikers)
The question has got to be could you move out the way?
Most motorcyclists will come behind a car (with lights on) and are simply ignored 'cos the car drivers doing "a reasonable speed" and theres no need to move into the middle lane. Even though the bike can get past ready for you to pull out again very smoothly. Certainly as a car driver I have done the "bike shuffle" ie move in let bike past straight out again. Its part of whats called observation.
I've seen drivers deliberatly move their car accross a lane to stop bikes driving inbetween in traffic jams. So pointless.
Most motorcyclists will come behind a car (with lights on) and are simply ignored 'cos the car drivers doing "a reasonable speed" and theres no need to move into the middle lane. Even though the bike can get past ready for you to pull out again very smoothly. Certainly as a car driver I have done the "bike shuffle" ie move in let bike past straight out again. Its part of whats called observation.
I've seen drivers deliberatly move their car accross a lane to stop bikes driving inbetween in traffic jams. So pointless.
having only recently been on the back of a bike for the first time, all i can say is if I see a bike in my mirrors i move as far to one side as possible. regardless of the rights and wrongs of the issue i wouldnt want to see anyone fall of a bike and i think the majority know when they are acting in a safe manner and when they are taking advantage of the narrowness of their vehicle and using it to their gain.
it may lok like they are weaving dangerously but i think they recognise their vulnerability and are well within their limits.
have you hugged someone today?!
it may lok like they are weaving dangerously but i think they recognise their vulnerability and are well within their limits.
have you hugged someone today?!quote:
The question has got to be could you move out the way?
The answer is in my post - I have no problem in moving aside as I said.
Perhaps I wasn't clear - all three lanes were virtually solid with traffic most of the journey - nowhere to move to , everybody in lane 2 and 3 almost at same speed ie about 70 - 80. Bikes coming down between us.
Will go and hug someone right now Pablo - maybe that will help!
Isnt this practice known as 'filtering'? Completely legal as far as I understand it as long as the speed differential is not too great.
I for one have no problem with it, they have as much right to be on the road as car drivers and knowing it happens makes sure you check your mirrors and dont weave yourself etc.
Matt.
I for one have no problem with it, they have as much right to be on the road as car drivers and knowing it happens makes sure you check your mirrors and dont weave yourself etc.
Matt.
I think it looks scary from inside a car
but as a former m3 commuter in the rush hour doing the "death star run" is actually quite straight forward - observation and planning by the biker is crucial but you can find time and space quite easily
as long as everyone uses there indicators - but even if they don't you usually can use the force to read the road
but as a former m3 commuter in the rush hour doing the "death star run" is actually quite straight forward - observation and planning by the biker is crucial but you can find time and space quite easily
as long as everyone uses there indicators - but even if they don't you usually can use the force to read the road
quote:
Isnt this practice known as 'filtering'? Completely legal as far as I understand it as long as the speed differential is not too great.
I for one have no problem with it, they have as much right to be on the road as car drivers and knowing it happens makes sure you check your mirrors and dont weave yourself etc
Well said sir
Risky though.
I saw a bike do it last week. Two queues of traffic on the exit of a dual carriageway. Cars totally stationary.
He went flying up at about 60 and then had to stop because someone wasn't pulled right over.
He had a right go at the bloke. Don't think the biker was in the right here though ??
I saw a bike do it last week. Two queues of traffic on the exit of a dual carriageway. Cars totally stationary.
He went flying up at about 60 and then had to stop because someone wasn't pulled right over.
He had a right go at the bloke. Don't think the biker was in the right here though ??
I find most people do move out of the way but I can only assume that many cars think they are making reasonable progress compared to all the other cars so stay where they are. Problem is that to us on bikes most cars seem to be driven as slowly as lorries must seem to cars if you see what I mean. It's not just the speed cars drive at but it seems to take them an absolute age to accelerate from lorry speed to a decent speed.
I found that if someone is going to move out of the way they do so well in time before I arrive and if they haven't then they won't. So I quickly discovered that I could simply overtake either side and it caused all parties much less stress than trying to encourage them to move to the left lane. It would be much safer though if drivers would just drive in the left as and when they can as they are supposed to.
If all lanes are full then I personally won't filter much above 30 but I have caught my self doing it at 70 as traffic speed increased after a hold up.
Mark
I found that if someone is going to move out of the way they do so well in time before I arrive and if they haven't then they won't. So I quickly discovered that I could simply overtake either side and it caused all parties much less stress than trying to encourage them to move to the left lane. It would be much safer though if drivers would just drive in the left as and when they can as they are supposed to.
If all lanes are full then I personally won't filter much above 30 but I have caught my self doing it at 70 as traffic speed increased after a hold up.
Mark
I used to commute from Uxbridge to Southgate (North circ) on a bike. The first week I couldn't believe how fast the couriers would ride in traffic, six months later and they're holding me up 
(well alright not actually holding me up)
I got to the point where I could brake at a suitable time and force to get the handle bars to dip under wing mirrors (gives you an idea of the gaps involved)
Needless to say, I now work out of the city, keep to the hard right when in the fast lane in traffic, try to keep as vigilant as possible in traffic jams (and don't regularly see my heartbeat over 200 BPM)
More medication dear
Ta
My point, ah right,
Just like I want to do 80 down "safe" A roads and am hampered (s/p?) by numpties. If motorway trafic is all doing 60 ish I see nothing wrong with anyone "making progress" even if I'm not.
Just be a love and get out of the way would you ?
(well alright not actually holding me up) I got to the point where I could brake at a suitable time and force to get the handle bars to dip under wing mirrors (gives you an idea of the gaps involved)
Needless to say, I now work out of the city, keep to the hard right when in the fast lane in traffic, try to keep as vigilant as possible in traffic jams (and don't regularly see my heartbeat over 200 BPM)
More medication dear
Ta
My point, ah right,
Just like I want to do 80 down "safe" A roads and am hampered (s/p?) by numpties. If motorway trafic is all doing 60 ish I see nothing wrong with anyone "making progress" even if I'm not.
Just be a love and get out of the way would you ?
Don't have a problem with bikers filtering... but...
On the M4, moderate traffic doing about 70, I'm in the outside lane passing a car in the middle lane. Get past, clear space in the middle lane, check mirror, check over shoulder, indicate, start to move in, and then recheck mirror.
Biker doing about 110 came between the car I just overtook in the middle lane, and the car behind me, and if I hadn't done the extra, late check he'd have been in the arse of my car.
There's filtering, and filtering. I suspect that particular biker may have come to grief somewhere...
On the M4, moderate traffic doing about 70, I'm in the outside lane passing a car in the middle lane. Get past, clear space in the middle lane, check mirror, check over shoulder, indicate, start to move in, and then recheck mirror.
Biker doing about 110 came between the car I just overtook in the middle lane, and the car behind me, and if I hadn't done the extra, late check he'd have been in the arse of my car.
There's filtering, and filtering. I suspect that particular biker may have come to grief somewhere...
quote:
Don't have a problem with bikers filtering... but...
On the M4, moderate traffic doing about 70, I'm in the outside lane passing a car in the middle lane. Get past, clear space in the middle lane, check mirror, check over shoulder, indicate, start to move in, and then recheck mirror.
Biker doing about 110 came between the car I just overtook in the middle lane, and the car behind me, and if I hadn't done the extra, late check he'd have been in the arse of my car.
There's filtering, and filtering. I suspect that particular biker may have come to grief somewhere...
I'm all for live and let live but ...
Same thing happened to me recently on the A40 heading into London (just past Greenford). I had to swerve back out again - Silly twat. He could have waited a split second - I was in the TVR, he should have known I would have moved over and would be watching the road. I saw him coming so made my move over sharper than usual too and I was indicating.
While I'm at it, G287 RTE (I think - I'll recognise you) is a biker who commutes through Windsor. Hit my door mirror because he was cross that I was in front of him (I didn't block him on purpose, there was a light and I was turning right, I never block bikes if I can help it). Just 'cos you're on a bike, it doesn't mean you're never going to be seen again and knocked off. Allegedly.
T/.
While we are having a general bitch...
Smokers, use your
ing ashtrays. I'm so ing p*ssed off with you selfish tw*ts chucking your cigs out of the window, hitting me and getting stuck in my bike, my clothes, my luggage and my visor. Rest assured that if you use your ashtray it won't make you or your car stink anymore than you already do.
Drivers, if you are about to wash your front window with your washers just have a quick peek behind you to see if there is a bike behind you. If there is let him or her past before you press that button. I have a pretty long commute (about 45 miles each way) and I collect a sh*t load of bugs on my visor every day, the last thing I need is a face full of screen wash as I can't see where I'm going and I can't wipe it off as all the bugs smear. Using youring brain just once in a while.
Everyone else, as you were and thanks for listening
Mark
Smokers, use your
ing ashtrays. I'm so ing p*ssed off with you selfish tw*ts chucking your cigs out of the window, hitting me and getting stuck in my bike, my clothes, my luggage and my visor. Rest assured that if you use your ashtray it won't make you or your car stink anymore than you already do. Drivers, if you are about to wash your front window with your washers just have a quick peek behind you to see if there is a bike behind you. If there is let him or her past before you press that button. I have a pretty long commute (about 45 miles each way) and I collect a sh*t load of bugs on my visor every day, the last thing I need is a face full of screen wash as I can't see where I'm going and I can't wipe it off as all the bugs smear. Using your
ing brain just once in a while. Everyone else, as you were and thanks for listening
Mark
Filtering always looks more dangerous from the car than the riders seat, you are higher, have better visability, more manouvarability, speed, acceleration and are generally looking a lot further ahead than the car drivers. I understand that for car drivers it can be a pain in the arse if your doing a sensible speed in a busy overtaking lane to keep shuffling over into middle lane to allow a bike past, most bikers filter and the best curtesy a car driver can extend is to simple let the biker know they've been seen, a simple two flashes of the right indicator is enough that way we know you can't go any further right but we know that you know we are there and you aren't coming left to kill us. Any decent rider would say thanks by either raising a hand, sticking a leg out, or nodding. It's greatly appreciated to know your safe and seen.
quote:
While we are having a general bitch...
Smokers, use your
Drivers, if you are about to wash your front window with your washers just have a quick peek behind you to see if there is a bike behind you. If there is let him or her past before you press that button. I have a pretty long commute (about 45 miles each way) and I collect a sh*t load of bugs on my visor every day, the last thing I need is a face full of screen wash as I can't see where I'm going and I can't wipe it off as all the bugs smear. Using your
Everyone else, as you were and thanks for listening
Mark
quote:
quote:
While we are having a general bitch...
Smokers, use your
Drivers, if you are about to wash your front window with your washers just have a quick peek behind you to see if there is a bike behind you. If there is let him or her past before you press that button. I have a pretty long commute (about 45 miles each way) and I collect a sh*t load of bugs on my visor every day, the last thing I need is a face full of screen wash as I can't see where I'm going and I can't wipe it off as all the bugs smear. Using your
Everyone else, as you were and thanks for listening
Mark
Second that
As a long time biker myself (didn't even own a car until in my thirties), I like to think I'm aware of bikers, and make reasonable allowances.
Filtering in slow/stationary traffic is fine, no problems. Making an extra lane between 2 and 3 seems suicidal to me. I've done it, yes, as a last resort when some tw@ wouldn't shift, but to do it as a matter of routine as I've seen on the M6 is plain stupid.
I've done Coventry to the centre of Manchester in just over an hour on a GSXR1100. Ok it was well over a decade ago, there was a bit less traffic, but the M6 was still the M6. Plenty of headlamp flashing generally did the business, and if not the gap between lane 3 and the armco tends not to be crossed quite as often.
Filtering in slow/stationary traffic is fine, no problems. Making an extra lane between 2 and 3 seems suicidal to me. I've done it, yes, as a last resort when some tw@ wouldn't shift, but to do it as a matter of routine as I've seen on the M6 is plain stupid.
I've done Coventry to the centre of Manchester in just over an hour on a GSXR1100. Ok it was well over a decade ago, there was a bit less traffic, but the M6 was still the M6. Plenty of headlamp flashing generally did the business, and if not the gap between lane 3 and the armco tends not to be crossed quite as often.
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