Just having a giggle but jokes aside I thought you'd all find some of the comments interesting. The main comments/view is to keep the speed down and if you can't see past a vehicle slow down or wait until you can
Thanks Madscots, good read. I class myself as a slow filter rider as I prefer to be able to not get hit by eejits who have an inability to use mirrors or indicators (which happens several times during my daily 12 mile return commute to work). I always pull in and let those who wish to go faster get by. I go past drivers who regularly : a) on the phone; b) on their tablets; c) working on files; d) shaving (only males so far); e) putting make up on (only females so far); f) fluffing hair with both hands whilst steering car with knees (both sexes) g) combination of any of the above. If I were to go any faster than I do, than I might not have time to stop safely and then its me that gets hurt not them! Common sense dictates if you want to stay safe, alive and uninjured, in rush hour traffic ride defensively and sensibly. Boring, yes, but better than seriously hurt or, worst case scenario, dead. As for the bit of not getting into conflict with other road users...errrr....sometimes a sign to show how much of a w***** they have been just has to be done! (not even going to start on pedestrians)
I read the article with interest and learned quite a lot from it. Thanks for posting @madscots
I'm a pillion on the back of someone who filters regularly. I admit that on the odd occasion I have been nervous but not by the rider's ability. It's the drivers (cars in the main) who, as @RB very clearly indicates above, are occupied by mobile phones (speaking and texting), tablets, satnavs, newspapers(!), and personal grooming regimes. Many of them don't even see motorcycles filtering until they pass, observation skills NIL! Where are the police patrol vehicles when you need them?
Strange as it may seem I never felt more safe filtering than last year when travelling through London. I was surprised to see the mentality of drivers in London are completely different to Northern (England) drivers. As soon as the London drivers were aware of a motorcycle travelling behind them they immediately repositioned their vehicle, in a safe manner, in order to allow the motorcycle to pass without a problem. This certainly doesn't happen in Leeds/Bradford/Sheffield areas, in fact the opposite, gaps are closed down, often in a dangerously quick, last minute fashion.
Being able to filter through heavy traffic is one of the great things about riding bikes (although I'd always prefer the open road!) drivers who think there being clever by closing up a gap you might use often show signs before you get there, I suppose its a sort of body language! I've got use to this and tend to know what there intentions are (especially when they want to move into your lane without indicating!) thats when you pass them on the other side
usually its the drivers of BMW's Jags and other expensive cars who think they bought the road when they got the car!
Three things that you need to ask yourself before you filter is 1) is it safe. 2) is it legal. 3) is it necessary. If the answer is yes to all three you SHOULD be ok. I've seen some riders over four feet to the right of the cars believing that they are safer in this position. Now if the driver doesn't use their mirror, they're not going to see you, but if they do use their mirror the rider is now in the driver's blind spot. So if you are going to filter make sure you are doing a speed that you can safely stop in.
Mostly, drivers move over and let you through. Occasionly, the odd arsehole deliberately blocks you. Wait patiently, till u can get thru, and give his wing mirror a smack!
Sitting and waiting for the gap is the only thing to do if a cage closes the gap when your filtering.
Best position is so your headlamps are definatly in the cars mirrors. They soon get fed up with the dazzle and let you pass.
Even the special breed of idiot you get driving in Leeds. Which has to be the most dangerous place in the UK to filter. There must be something wrong with the instructors up here. Both car AND bike!
And what I mean about that is the car drivers are not being tought about other road users when learning to drive. Teaching a bad attitude.
And the bike instructors around here arnt teaching new riders how to and when to filter. As a result no one does it up here you just see bikers sitting in cues with the cars. So when a car driver sees a biker filtering he assumes it's illigal so deliberately try's to prevent them doing it.
Come on guys learn how to filter and reclaim Leeds. London drivers have learnt to let you past (or loose there mirrors ;-) ) so they all can learn.
If your filtering past trucks just have a look in his/her mirror make sure you get eye contact we will move over if we can. Please dont try and filter between 2 truck there is never a time that its safe unless we have seen you and called you though.
![Filtering Info - Forums [Biker Match]](/images/backgrounds/strips/8mobileLQ.jpg)
![Filtering Info - Forums [Biker Match]](/images/backgrounds/strips/8desktopLQ.jpg)
