Source
r/MotoUK•
matstar862

Am I filtering correctly?

Hey.

So even though I've been riding on my little 125 for a year now I've only recently begun using it to travel to and from work. When the traffic is bad I filter down the hatched markings and after a recent incident with an oncoming car beeping and swerving into me then driving off, I'm not sure if im supposed to be doing it down that road.

Here is a picture of the road that I go down which is the same layout for about 2 miles. I generally go into the middle markings and then back into traffic at the islands. I dont go fast and slow down even more for junctions incase someone doesnt see me. I honestly thought that this would be the perfect example of a good road to filter stopped traffic down but I am completely open to being wrong.

Thanks.

Posted May 4, 2017, 10:48 PM UTC

521
Neds_Severed_Head2000 VFR800Fi•

As a general rule you can cross any line except an unbroken line on your side of the road and you're right to stay on the left of the island as the arrows indicate.

I dont go fast and slow down even more for junctions incase someone doesnt see me

This is key, hatching is often there to give people space at junctions so you do need to be careful.

Also, be aware of all the crap that builds up on this part of the road. There can be gravel, glass, mud, anything else that gets pushed out of the main part of the road and can cause you issues.

9
Megaross'97 Bandit 600, '02 Sprint ST 955i•

Can confirm, I've nearly stacked it on gravel in the hatched markings before. You really need to watch your braking in that area.

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reelmonkeyNorwich FZ6•

I would, and do on part of my journey, filter on hatched areas. As far as I know it is not against the law but I think it might count against you in an accident.

Once when I was filtering along the hatched area a police bike went the other way and didn't bat an eyelid.

You will find some morons don't like you filtering and will do shit like that.

I have had a situation where I have been filtering and as traffic starting coming towards me I have got back in my lane a good 10 -15 seconds before the car got near me and the guy flashed his lights and was shouting from his car. Some people just are stupid and don't think anyone should be allowed to filter.

You might find this of some help: http://www.suffolkroadsafe.net/assets/Motorcyclists/HuggerSuffolk/Hugger-PDFs/Hugger-Filtering-Guide.pdf

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[deleted]•

[deleted]

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reelmonkeyNorwich FZ6•

Thanks for that. I have had a quick skim and looks interesting

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dnsteeleYZF-R6 + YZF-R125 Leicester•

Thanks for this...Great Guide.

1
fucknozzleLondon '14 MT07 / '00 R1•

It's legal. The space is marked out to ensure thr traffic is seperated but if it's a broken line you can enter it.

So long as you're not going beserk and are being considerate when you pull back in for islands, there's no reason whatsoever for any car driver to interfere. You must have just found one who was late for work and frustrated.

I'd suggest you get yourself a camera.

2
ValkerionPlaysDerbi Senda Cross City 125•

I too am somewhat new too filtering but I go down a road with similar markings on my way to work and I always see many other bikers go down it so. I think you just had an encounter with a cuntish driver mate. However at some point those middle markings are usually used for waiting traffic to make a turn so maybe that was your issue.

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speedyundeadhittite'93 K1100LT, '00 XTZ660, 02' GSF600•

Hatched markings as such are perfectly game when you are legally overtaking. A lot of twats don't know the rules and take this as "cheating". You're doing it right, as long as the hatches are between broken lines.

This includes long stretches of A roads with hatches in between - overtaking is completely legal, it's no different than a broken line. You can go in there if it is safe to do so.

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matstar862OPLancashire l Vespa PX125•

I thought so to since he stuck his indicator on as he got close so I sped up past the clear turning area and then he did the swerving and beeping and then turned his indicator off and carried on straight.

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[deleted]•

[deleted]

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Megaross'97 Bandit 600, '02 Sprint ST 955i•

Yeah you're fine, be a bit careful but it's not illegal.

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redmercuryvendorLondon, Honda VFR800Fi•

One thing to look out for with roads divided by long stretches of hashed areas is that they often mean there are periodic islands (and junctions) along the road. If traffic is dense but slowly advancing, the time you save by leaving the queue and moving down the hashes may end up spent again trying to merge back into traffic in order to get around the islands. Depending on whether traffic is really stationary, it can take just as much time trying to squeeze around than it just just to slowly idle along.

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GlockWanColchester - Red '15 CBR500RA•

nah just shove into a gap near the island, slower the traffic the easier and you'll usually be doing it to save time when traffic is slow anyway

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captfXJ6 Manchester•

Yeah, I'd filter down that too.

Your description of how you're filtering sounds right to me. Ride on!

an oncoming car beeping and swerving into me then driving off

That, young one, is an asshole. You were doing nothing wrong or illegal; they were. Probably some little twat wanting a laugh at others' expenses.
Just keep an eye on oncoming traffic, and you'll be good.

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K43210I don't have a bike•

Of course you can. Bear in mind most people haven't got a bloody clue of the Highway Code.

You can also cross double white lines, as long as the traffic in your lane is stationary and it is safe to do so. Bear in mind "stationary" so even if the traffic is trickling forward even at 5mph you aren't allowed. In this case you can take a car or 2 at a time whilst they are stood.

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fucknozzleLondon '14 MT07 / '00 R1•

You can also cross double white lines, as long as the traffic in your lane is stationary and it is safe to do so.

This is dodgy advice. You can pass a stationary vehicle, but that would not apply to a vehicle stopped in traffic.

Cue downvotes and lots of furious disagreement. Bear in mind solid white lines are specifically to keep traffic out of the opposing lane.

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duckfoneNottingham - 2015 cbr300r•

yep I've seen this argued before. Traffic isn't considered "stationary" in this scenario, as far as I've read. "Stationary" applies to parked cars that aren't running.

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Calex_JESuzuki Marauder VZ800•

I believe there is also a reference in there to "if necessary", I've heard of police deciding that it's not "necessary" to overtake just because the car in front isn't moving at that exact moment.

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K43210I don't have a bike•

So if a vehicle stopped in traffic (which can't move as there's a vehicle front of them) isn't stationary, are you saying they are moving?

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Phantom_Shadow•

Police take the opinion that stationary means parked vehicles that have completed their journey.

The legal definition does not have to match what the dictionary says stationary means. As far as I'm aware it hasn't been tested in court yet, but I'd rather not be having to argue to a magistrate to take my opinion above a police officer's.

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K43210I don't have a bike•

I'd agree with you there, it's not to my knowledge been tested in court.

Based on my experience in court, (allbeit civil cases) I would punt that the court would rule on whether the wording stands as it is, or that the intention of the law was to enable the passing of broken down/parked vehicle which is in this scenario is being stretched... you can toss a coin as to the outcome.

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PaidToBeRedditingBMW F800R•

Yep! You're good buddy, that driver was just a cunt. I'll get people bipping me when I'm filtering, I mostly assume its because I scared them or something. Crack on pal.

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