Lane splitting/filtering: the legal and commonsense answers

[Swoop]

Dont really need to lane split round these ways but when i do i just pulle both my mirrors in ,just in case ,then when i get to the front pop them back out again ,i guess thats one good thing about fairing sceen mounted mirrors.

In a built-up area, having your mirrors in working order is compulsory.
The amount of riders who do not use their mirrors when filtering, is disgusting.

[HornetBoy]

In a built-up area, having your mirrors in working order is compulsory.
The amount of riders who do not use their mirrors when filtering, is disgusting.

o by no means am i saying i dont need to use them ,its just on one occasion i had to flick them in to prevent them causing long scrapes along a very nice lexus otherwise i would sincerely agree with you on other bikers not using their mirrors.but around here it is not as common as say Auckland

[Badger8]

I'm a fair bit of a nana when it comes to splitting.
Luckily i am fortunate enough to have a 7 minute commute (9 minutes in bad traffic) and dont need to touch the motorway, so it's not such an essential for me.
I will happily split if i'm approaching a red light with a modest queue of traffic and i can see plenty big enough gap down the middle right to the front, but i find most 50k roads around auckland are too narrow to afford much room. plus cagers like to sit to the right of their lane doesn't help.
If i took the motorway in rush, i'm sure it would be a different world though, wider lanes would make a world of difference i'd say.
Have tried splitting on the odd occasion i've been in sidestreets traffic jams, and people get rather pushy when i try and jump back in once they're moving, or it gets to the point i'd have to be over the white line and charging down oncoming traffic. Doesn't make a pleasureable experience for a noob!

[alanzs]

If you don't split lanes, might as well drive a cage....
I always split lanes.
Survival tip: Right middle finger on the brake, right foot poised on the brake. I figure that nanosecond that I may save getting to my brakes is essential, as most cages here drive like shit. I also figure cages ARE AIMING (not that they don't see me) for me, so I drive accordingly. Get in front and away from them, always.

You'll see me, as I rip between the lanes, with a big smile on my face...

[mashman]

The issue of filtering has been raised so many times I've set this up as a sticky.
Filtering (splitting) - When the traffic is stationery, technically, it's parked. You're allowed to ride past a parked car, thus, at red lights and traffic jams, you can filter - but within reason. It doesn't permit you to fly thru at 150kph, cos that's just silly.

Isn't there a law over here that specifically forbids parking on a highway??? that being the case, why isn't everyone getting booked for being stationary... And based on that thinking, aren't bikes technically not breaking any law at all...

[Mikkel]

Isn't there a law over here that specifically forbids parking on a highway??? that being the case, why isn't everyone getting booked for being stationary... And based on that thinking, aren't bikes technically not breaking any law at all...

I can't remember if it's Murphy's or Darwin's law that one...

[mashman]

I can't remember if it's Murphy's or Darwin's law that one...

certainly one of those fits the bill and the other is just wishful thinking...

[Swoop]

[rant]
Well, it appears as if the price of petrol is putting more people onto two wheels. Unfortunately some of these retards are attempting to filter at times and speeds that are inappropriate.
If a bike comes up behind you whilst filtering, move over and let them pass. You will see them in your mirrors. If you cannot use your mirrors, get back in your cage.
Luckily some of us know how to use other "lanes", but the line of bikes that is forming behind you and stuck - due to your actions, are not appreciating your efforts.
If you ride a trailbike in traffic on a clear and sunny day, while wearing a plastic bag as a raincoat, lookout buddy...
[/rant]

[xwhatsit]

If you ride a trailbike in traffic on a clear and sunny day, while wearing a plastic bag as a raincoat, lookout buddy...

Leave Ixion alone. It's not his fault he's slower than your Nana's Nana.

Heading north into the city, before the viaduct, seems rather excessive amounts of numpties clogging the motorcycle lanes. If I had an open megaphone I could let them know I'm there, but all the RS will give out right now is a little *piffle-wheeze*.

[Swoop]

Leave Ixion alone. It's not his fault he's slower than your Nana's Nana.

I seriously doubt it would have been Ix. He would ride with consideration for other bikes around him.
This person was... different.
Immune to horn and pipe-music... so after a km, had to be undertaken in 1a.

[Rotor]

Well it took a fucken hour to read all that blabble

My point is: Be safe and take a little bit of risk to put you in a safer space. I allways travel 10 to 20km/h above traffic unless it feels unsafe and then i sloww down, even stop. The safest place is in front of the cars so here in the Coromandels we don't have that sort of problem but when i come to Auckland on my bike its a rush. Down side of motorway riding is the pollution, the hills are better

[McJim]

There's no point filtering in Invercargill. What an utterly wasted skill I have learned.

[Hanne]

There's no point filtering in Invercargill. What an utterly wasted skill I have learned.

then again, if there is suddenly a glut of pre-apcalyptic traffic jams in your town you will be the one with the mean skills and people will see and elect you undisputed leader and you will reign over them all.

well, you never know!

[mouldy]

There's no point filtering in Invercargill. What an utterly wasted skill I have learned.

Are tou down in Invercargill cos the weather reminds you of home ?

[Irontusk]

I'm not riding yet but a guy I work with has been saying that splitting is illegal and he often sees riders pulled up for it. Says that this morning he saw (first) a cop sitting as a passenger get out of his car in stand still traffic on the motor way to block a bike off and give them a ticket, shortly after the DRIVER opened his door and got out to block/ticket other rider. Something just doesn't sound right about that.
Also I'm happy for bikes to filter through.. and I like it when they take off from the lights infront of me (Filtering is only OK if it's a proper bike, not some stupid scooter or pedal powered POS that just gets in the way. That reminds me, if they ticket riders for it, why don't they ticket cyclists because they are much MUCH worse.)