filtering for the first time.

[terry_gardener]

Went for a bike ride today total of 11.65 miles and i came a across a queue of traffic about 1/4 - 1/2 mile long so i filtered for the first time. first of all went up the inside between the kerk and the cars but then a driver decided to move his car close to the kerk so i couldn't continue on that line so i looked and indicated right and went up the right hand side of the cars and then went back to the inside when i got close to the end because i wanted to turn left. it was really fun riding past all the cars not moving or moving couple of feet and then stopping again.

i know that alot of you do this regularly and the mileage isn't great either but it felt good passing all the cars.

is there anything to watch out for except the obvious like car doors, car changing direction, car suddenly turning around etc.

also should i be filtering up the inside or right side of cars or doesn't it matter.

 

[TonyEnjoyD]

Chuckled about the driver who moved over to stop you - sad little sacks aren't they!
Personally I would only go middle out out - never inside.

 

[Andy_R]

If you know there is going to be a side road to your left at some point, then filter along the right hand side. And, as I'm sure you've read on here many times, never filter to the left of a bus/HGV. I personally choose to filter to the right, that way you can also be seen by oncoming drivers.

 

[slowmotion]

One of the many things to watch out for are (is?) passengers getting out of stationary vehicles eg at red lights. If you go up the inside, there is rarely enough room to avoid being "doored". I was offed that way once.

 

[summerdays]

If there is a side road on either side - be prepared for the car in the queue deciding it is safe to flash a driver to cross in front of them from either side. Either way you can find yourself in their blind spot. Or that they themselves suddenly decide to do a U-turn rather than wait in the queue.

 

[Bman]

Your commute today sounded just like mine. 11 and a bit miles, with a nice half mile of filtering

Sorry about the fog. The MUVI isnt the same since winter.


View: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OPYV-pbFJVU

 

[daSmirnov]

I don't do it often, but I usually filter on the outside. That's where I'd be on a motorcycle, too many people assume nothing will be coming up their inside.

But yeah it's great... If I'm commuting in rush hour I will have always filtered past more cars than had cars overtake me.

 

[sabian92]

You really shouldn't go up the inside - that's how people on bikes get crushed and killed.

 

[DanH]

Filtering on the inside within a dedicated cycle lane - different kettle of fish? I appreciate you've still got to look out for turning cars and buses, etc.

 

[old bell]

Pedestrians sometimes cross between stationary vehicles and without looking for bikes, etc.. You can see them if the vehicles are cars but anything bigger you are riding blind and need to be going slowly and able to stop in an instant.
I live in London and all my rides start and end in traffic.

 

[summerdays]

Filtering on the inside within a dedicated cycle lane - different kettle of fish? I appreciate you've still got to look out for turning cars and buses, etc.

Not necessarily - still got all the same risks, same with a Bus Lane too, the line doesn't increase your safety and may take you too close as you pass junctions.

 

[HLaB]

Filtering on the inside within a dedicated cycle lane - different kettle of fish? I appreciate you've still got to look out for turning cars and buses, etc.

Don't let them lull you into a false sense of security it is entirely the same kettle of fish a painted line doesn't stop a car, you would hope they might notice more but you can't rely on it. Take Care

 

[Andy_R]

And dont forget those dedicated cycle lanes are usually designed by highway engineers without a clue of cyclists requirements.

 

[sidevalve]

Never had had any real problems filtering. Just something to bear in mind which more or less covers all the above. Do it slowly and keep your eyes wide open and remember now YOU are the overtaking vehicle [good innit ?] with all the responsibilities that entails.
PS, if you do it on the left keep looking DOWN too, some of the potholes near here at the road edge are AWESOME !

 

[acrybb]

i am a driver i think that bikes should filter if they can motorbikes or cyclists. I am not yet a cyclist and soon will be commuting by bike.

a couple of pet peeves as a driver to cyclists.

1. The red light applies to you too.
2. The highway code suggests 2 abreast max on a non busy road and single file when its busy
3. Yes cyclists have every right to be there as motorists try to understand a motor is 1.5T of metal and cannot be stopped easily be aware of what is behind you.
4. Cyclists are extremely difficult to see please understand that on the odd occasion we may not see you and prepare to have to move as you are far more manouvreable than a car. We dont always mean it (we i dont ever mean it)
5. In the event that we dont see you we will apologise so long as you dont kick our 10k+ cars.

Anyone who is a driver and a cyclist will know what i mean. Im yet to find out from the other side of the coin. Although i WILL be following the rules of the road as i believe that EVERYONE including cyclists should.

One last thing i f*******g hate when a cyclist hops on the pavement and crosses at the pedestrian crossing to avoid the red lights. Its still not allowed.

Filter all you want your small and fit through the gap.

P.S Please dont kill me