Motorway filtering mentor [Archive]

Old Steve

7th March 2016, 09:50

Left Cambridge about 4.00 pm after the Toy Run and visiting rellies. From Taupiri, SH1 turned into a double lane carpark, so after refuelling at Huntly I slipped between the lanes and filtered all the way home. I passed a HD rider with a camping roll on the back of their bike sitting in the inside lane shortly after Huntly, and next time I checked my mirror there was a headlight right behind me between the lanes of cars. I pulled over into the outside lane as soon as I could in case I was holding them up but they pulled in behind me and waved me on.

So the two of us filtered all the way from just north of Huntly to the North Western motorway turn off at Symonds St, where they pulled up alongside in the inner lane, waved, and peeled off onto the NW M/way. We must have ridden maybe 85 km together and I feel I'd introduced someone to the art of lane filtering.

To the unknown rider behind me all the way, thanks for the company.

rastuscat

7th March 2016, 11:54

Laava

7th March 2016, 12:30

I like to think of filtering as moving between stationary vehicles.

I think lane splitting is moving between moving vehicles.

Am I right? I know the terms get interchanged, just looking to clarify.

The Road User Rule 2004 doesn't mention filtering or lane splitting. It talks about passing. Passing on the left, and passing on the right. When you can do either, that sort of thing.

http://www.legislation.govt.nz/regulation/public/2004/0427/latest/DLM303047.html?search=ts_act%40bill%40regulation%4 0deemedreg_Land+transport*_resel_25_a&p=2

I personally don't do either, but can sure see why you would.

If you live there or have to pass through, you will soon be lane splitting like everyone else.
It is by varying degrees though and if you are following another bike who is pissing people off, that is best left alone. I will happily sit in the traffic above about 20 kmh but when it is sub 10, i am fucked if I am going to sit there for an hour.

TheDemonLord

7th March 2016, 12:34

Everyday I'm filterin'

Old Steve

7th March 2016, 14:23

I started lane filtering in Queensland, who actually adopted the NSW lane filtering law. I only lane filter up to a speed of 30 km/hr, if the traffic is travelling at that speed then I slip back into the lane.

Queensland law states:

"Lane filtering is when you ride your motorcycle at low speed between stationary or slow moving vehicles travelling in the same direction you are.

"You're only allowed to lane filter in Queensland if you hold an open licence for the motorcycle you are riding and:

"your speed when filtering is 30km/h or less
"it's safe to do so.

"You're not allowed to lane filter:

"at a speed more than 30km/h
"in school zones during school zone hours
"if you're a learner or provisional licence holder
"if it isn't safe."

I think it's the NSW law which mentions lane splitting and declares that it is illegal and subject to large fines and demerit points.

I know we don't ride to QLD law here in NZ, but it's a good guideline for something which seems to be uncovered by local regulations. And I've ridden passed Police cars when filtering and none of them has given any reaction - probably because they were stuck in the bloody traffic!

rastuscat

7th March 2016, 14:26

And I've ridden passed Police cars when filtering and none of them has given any reaction - probably because they were stuck in the bloody traffic!

That reaction is hardly surprising. Most cops have no idea as to the technicalities of the Road User Rule.

Don't take inaction as approval. Probably they just couldn't be arsed.

nzspokes

7th March 2016, 18:22

I personally don't do either, but can sure see why you would.

Because you ride a couch with wheels that wouldnt fit?

Berries

7th March 2016, 18:26

I personally don't do either, but can sure see why you would.
If I am going to sit in traffic I might as well have a car.

rastuscat

7th March 2016, 18:26

Because you ride a couch with wheels that wouldnt fit?
Sprung.

10 char

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Gremlin

7th March 2016, 19:26

Sprung.
While rush hour traffic is certainly present in Chch, it's nothing compared to the almost city-wide deadlock that Auckland gets on a regular day. Throw in a few accidents in the morning commute and it's barely recovered by the time it builds in the early afternoon... If I hit the motorway 20km out of the CBD in the south, I can expect to split most of the way into the CBD any time after 3pm ish, often it seems more like 2pm. Long weekends, Friday is terrible most of the day.

Motorway is actually one of the best places to be, as the lanes are wider and most of the time the cars aren't even moving. The urban roads are more tricky, narrower, plenty of side streets etc.

Oh, even on the weekend, south of the city, it grinds to a slow crawl with everyone trying to get back in on a Sunday afternoon.

rambaldi

7th March 2016, 19:35

While rush hour traffic is certainly present in Chch, it's nothing compared to the almost city-wide deadlock that Auckland gets on a regular day. Throw in a few accidents in the morning commute and it's barely recovered by the time it builds in the early afternoon.

Or this morning, I believe it was a lady having a baby on the side of the Southern.

Runty

7th March 2016, 19:56

Or this morning, I believe it was a lady having a baby on the side of the Southern.
Dont confuse the symptoms with the cause - she wasnt even pregnant when the traffic jam started

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TheDemonLord

7th March 2016, 20:12

That reaction is hardly surprising. Most cops have no idea as to the technicalities of the Road User Rule.

Don't take inaction as approval. Probably they just couldn't be arsed.

I've had 2 police vehicles stick on their lights after I have gone filtering passed (okay, admitedly one was when I was using the Central Median but you know - details) - suffice to say that Bike vs Car in heavy traffic, I didn't even need to attempt to getaway - just continue riding as normal. :laugh::laugh::laugh:

bmws1r

7th March 2016, 21:10

Was in the tintop trying to get to greenlane after a long trip up, saw a bike go down filtering , traffic speed was 20kph car just changed lanes and took rider down, rider was OK as got up straight away, Why I don't filter.

pritch

7th March 2016, 21:25

I like to think of filtering as moving between stationary vehicles.

I think lane splitting is moving between moving vehicles.

Am I right?

Well slim evidence I know, but I have a pair of CRG bar end mirrors model "lane splitter". They flick back out of the way to split between cars at the lights. They have a detent so they return without losing adjustment once you don't need them folded. So the folk at CRG seem to regard what you call filtering as lane splitting.

David L Hough in his book Proficient Motorcycling uses the terms "lane splitting" and "white lining" interchangeably. In both cases he is referring to moving traffic.

Big Dog

7th March 2016, 22:11

If I were to try to get to work by 9am without filtering or going mad I would need to leave before the traffic starts. That can be as early as 5:50.
I know it wouldn't take 3 hours in anything but the worst of scenarios, but the reality is in traffic that heavy I'm not hanging about.
Longest filtering trip to work was just under 2 hours. Not much you can do when you filter up to the front and all 3 lanes are closed.

Other people claim it is only 60-90 minutes in the car but they have been known to be 4 hours late for work.

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Black Knight

8th March 2016, 07:49

Living up Norf we don't really suffer the Auckland problem and lane splitting is new to me-however-coming back from Paeroa street races was a fast learning curve.Got away a bit late so traffic was just awful,after sitting in it for 10 minutes I did what every other bike rider did-outside where even double yellows didn't count,inside was a bit safer.Got to a busy tee intersection part way and the first 40 odd vehicles were bikes!Then came the Auckland motorway carpark,I had never lane splitted before but if I was to get home before dark it was the only way to go.Scarey for the first 5 minutes,then it was just go with the flow until the traffic freed up,about Khyber Pass.

baffa

8th March 2016, 22:40

Filter erryday. It's the only way in busy traffic. Take care around gaps and differences in lane speeds and it's fine. Almost 5 years splitting and I'm yet to have any dramas

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Ulsterkiwi

9th March 2016, 09:44

gotta love those situations in barely moving traffic and you are picking your way through making progress. Someone (usually an angry middle aged guy) sees you coming and drifts closer to the white line so you cannot pass. Jealous much?
Filtering is good for the soul, the environment and congestion relief we are told. Its a pity so many seem to do it like they are riding around Manfield. Ah well.

Old Steve

9th March 2016, 12:43

gotta love those situations in barely moving traffic and you are picking your way through making progress. Someone (usually an angry middle aged guy) sees you coming and drifts closer to the white line so you cannot pass. Jealous much?

Yeah, but I try to wave thanks to all those car drivers who see me coming and fade away from the white line between the lanes so that I can pass easier. Thanks for seeing me and thanks again for clearing the way. I think to myself, "Thanks, two wheeled brother," as they must be bike riders doomed to drive a car that day.

Ulsterkiwi

9th March 2016, 12:47

Yeah, but I try to wave thanks to all those car drivers who see me coming and fade away from the white line between the lanes so that I can pass easier. Thanks for seeing me and thanks again for clearing the way. I think to myself, "Thanks, two wheeled brother," as they must be bike riders doomed to drive a car that day.

you could be right. For all the moaning that happens about car drivers for the most part everyone is just trying to get through the day like the rest of us. Definitely if you give people a bit of time, the vast majority will give you a bit of room and thanking them is a small thing to do.
Its hard for anyone to give that room when the speed differential gets too big.
In some ways the NZTA ad gets it right, we all make mistakes, we need to be allowing for that.

Gremlin

9th March 2016, 15:28

Thanks for seeing me and thanks again for clearing the way. I think to myself, "Thanks, two wheeled brother," as they must be bike riders doomed to drive a car that day.
Yup, when I've been sentenced to a 4 wheeled vehicle I always try to keep an eye out and make room for the bikes. I figure that hopefully other vehicles will see that and learn from it...

Bass

10th March 2016, 05:32

I head into work around 0530 every morning, usually in the car. I often encounter 2 or 3 riders lane splitting at speed and wonder " guys, is it worth it?".

They are really hard to see coming, even if looking for them, when the mirrors are just a mess of headlights.

Hubris

10th March 2016, 09:24

There is a lot of bravado associated with lane splitting at 40-50km/h faster than traffic - it's accepting a level of risk and putting trust in that which you can't see and can't control beyond where I'd go. Separate transit/bike lane where I have a couple metres space...sure - but I'd hate to have an accident at speed because somebody is stuck in traffic so using their mobile to surf the net and unknowingly pinch my space between vehicles. Ride to conditions, and really heavy traffic moving slowly is unpredictable conditions.

fxxk

10th March 2016, 11:42

Yup, when I've been sentenced to a 4 wheeled vehicle I always try to keep an eye out and make room for the bikes. I figure that hopefully other vehicles will see that and learn from it...

Or other vehicles will think your'e making space for them and they will try occupy it... :doh:

Moi

10th March 2016, 12:44

Yup, when I've been sentenced to a 4 wheeled vehicle I always try to keep an eye out and make room for the bikes. I figure that hopefully other vehicles will see that and learn from it...

Or other vehicles will think you're making space for them and they will try occupy it...

I wonder if Gremlin means he moves over in the lane to let the bike through...

Swoop

10th March 2016, 13:01

I've had 2 police vehicles stick on their lights after I have gone filtering passed...
They had probably been sitting in traffic for so long the electrical contacts might have corroded. Probably just checking the vehicle still functioned.;)

gotta love those situations in barely moving traffic and you are picking your way through making progress. Someone (usually an angry middle aged guy) sees you coming and drifts closer to the white line so you cannot pass. Jealous much?
Deliberate cager blocking = game on. Damage may occur to the tin-top.

Yeah, but I try to wave thanks to all those car drivers who see me coming and fade away from the white line between the lanes so that I can pass easier. Thanks for seeing me and thanks again for clearing the way.
Yup, a wave of thanks is hopefully appreciated.

Gremlin

10th March 2016, 13:46

Or other vehicles will think your'e making space for them and they will try occupy it... :doh:

I wonder if Gremlin means he moves over in the lane to let the bike through...
Yep, exactly. Move right if I'm in the right most lane, left otherwise, also did it returning to Auckland after Paeroa and hitting traffic on SH2. Never had other vehicles try and take it, and sometimes me moving around alerts other vehicles.

fxxk

10th March 2016, 14:01

Yep, exactly. Move right if I'm in the right most lane, left otherwise, also did it returning to Auckland after Paeroa and hitting traffic on SH2. Never had other vehicles try and take it, and sometimes me moving around alerts other vehicles.

I was having a laugh about the shitty hamilton drivers, so many bad/angry/tail gating/ditzy drivers

Hads

10th March 2016, 14:42

Berries

10th March 2016, 18:13

Ever had a car lanesplit? Scenario: You lanesplit to front of queue at traffic lights, then proceed ahead of all cars, hit 100kph zone and car moves up on your right hand side and then overtakes within the lane whilst you are doing 80kph and accelerating.

Twice now I have had this, similar spot too, lanesplit to front at Johns Rd coming to Main North, get overtaken when Main North changes to 100kph zone.
I would be pretty annoyed if someone squeezed past me to get to the front of the queue and then commenced to hold me up. You can't complain if they do it to you in that case.

meteor

10th March 2016, 18:23

Filtering passed stationary traffic or lane splitting passed moving vehicles. I do both. Very carefully. No issues but never say never. I don't even guess at the legal technicalities of it. I'm probably breaking some law somewhere but so be it, I'll take that medicine when it comes my way. I commute on a bike and don't see the point to wait in stationary traffic (to get shunted from behind) and don't see the problem with riding passed slow moving traffic carefully. If I see someone move wide for me I'll always say thanks/wave, if someone cuts in, I'll wait. In all the cars I've passed I've only been yelled at once, arrived home with some spray string on my bike once and a gob full of meat from a pie on my jacket once... Ah well.

Hads

10th March 2016, 20:39

I would be pretty annoyed if someone squeezed past me to get to the front of the queue and then commenced to hold me up. You can't complain if they do it to you in that case.

Difference is I wasn't holding up, they split past me just to tail gate the guy in front...