Lane splitting/filtering: the legal and commonsense answers

[f2dz]

There's a post around here somewhere with detailed information about the legality of it all, but I'm not gonna be one of those people who spout on about using the search. Even though you probably should. :P

As far as I know, it's legal, as previously mentioned, to pass within the lane on the right side of the vehicle. Now sometimes this can be a bit sketchy as a lot of cars tend to drive more to the right side of their lane than the left.

I ride from Manukau to the CBD for work and I split if the traffic slows down below 50km/h. I try to pass on the right side of cars in the middle lane but even that gets a bit hairy sometimes. If it gets too tight on the right side of a car I'll usually just wait for a slight gap to open on my right before moving into that lane, then back into the middle lane where I overtake/split.

Be advised though, at such low speed and traffic confestion driver's are always looking for gaps and ways to get ahead, just like you are. So always be wary of that and try to think ahead. Watch people's tires and if there's a gap beside a car, just assume they could take it at any time. So your options are to either quickly accelerate past them or sit back and wait.

As for the cops, I passed a bunch this morning for the first time and I was passing on the left side of cars when they were either stopped or just slightly rolling, and none of the cops seemed to mind. I also had another rider beep at me to move over, then beeped thanking me once I did. I'm guessing he was a more experienced rider than me but I still wouldn't split faster than the speed I do now. The faster you go the less room for error there is.

[Alexofbbulgaria]

There's a post around here somewhere with detailed information about the legality of it all, but I'm not gonna be one of those people who spout on about using the search. Even though you probably should. :P

Thanks for the information I did try to search but I did not know the correct term for it and ended up reading through a few pages of threads till I decided I would just ask.

Sweet knowing that you have done it past cop cars makes me feel more at ease on this subject

[caspernz]

Use a bit of common sense, keep your differential speed at a sensible level, and 99% of the time it's not an issue, legalities aside. Yes, I've gone past numerous police cars over the years in this way, no dramas, but I'm quite relaxed and decisive.

If the traffic is moving slow, I'll split lane. If the traffic has a decent speed I'll just stay in my lane...

In stationary traffic I'll only sneak thru the traffic to the front of the queue at lights if I reckon I can get to the head of the queue before the green arrives...

[FJRider]

Sweet knowing that you have done it past cop cars makes me feel more at ease on this subject

Not all cops are created equal ... if they consider it is/was dangerous ... they will let you know.

They dont even need to stop you ... just a letter in the mail ...

[Swoop]

Yup, search for "filtering" or "lane splitting".

Keep a good look out ahead of you and also check your mirrors regularly (every few seconds). Another bike may catch up with you and it is nice to move over to let them through.
If you get "beeped" at, you are being a pain in the arse and really need to move over.

[FJRider]

If you get "beeped" at, you are being a pain in the arse and really need to move over.

And no matter how much care you take to do it safely ... some drivers wont like it. And they may even take action, that may not be entirely safe for you (understatement) ... car vs motorbike usually ends badly for the motorbike.

[CUMBRIAN]

i have recently passed my test in uk and was taught too filter and had todo it in one of my practical test . jst pass with care and dont speed and keep your eyes wide open . stay safe

[willytheekid]

One of the most dangerous things you can do on bike!...it quite often catches new riders out.

If your gonna filter...as many others here have said...KEEP YOUR EYES OPEN AND DONT SPEED

Seriously, if you ride fast and "Blind" through slow or stationary traffic...your gonna have a short life, car vs bike...there is only ever one winner.

And as for "The Road code says that you must stay in the centre of your lane"...Pffft, yeah right!, own your lane!, move around to get the best positioning and to remain visable to other traffic, and watch out for that centre of the lane, oil & desiel can build up on some parts of the road, and theres lots of nice slippery white paint in the form of arrows etc to keep an eye out for....always think about positioning to keep yourself save, visiable and upright!

...best advice I ever got in 30yrs of riding..."go to rider training!"

Ride Safe Alex

[Phantom Limb]

Just keep your speed low (20-40KPh max) and stay sharp, as mentioned cages will switch lanes without indicators almost every time when they're creeping along for some reason

If you do notice a bike behind you trying to push you along and force you to go faster F**k em'... If they want to fly between stationary traffic at 60KPh then slowing them down will keep them alive longer, also flying between traffic like a retard gives ALL bikers a bad name, it's only a matter of time before cagers start opening their doors in front of us! Be safe and don't be a squid.

[Tigadee]

And as for "The Road code says that you must stay in the centre of your lane"...Pffft, yeah right!, own your lane!, move around to get the best positioning and to remain visable to other traffic, and watch out for that centre of the lane, oil & desiel can build up on some parts of the road, and theres lots of nice slippery white paint in the form of arrows etc to keep an eye out for....

At the end of my restricted test, the tester reminded me to stay off the centre of the lane.

Alex - When moving on the motorway, I prefer to be on the right-of-centre when on the left-most lane and just left-of-centre on the right-most/overtaking lane. The latter because there will be a lot of cars wanting to switch into the fast/overtaking lane and they will more likely see you (if they bother to check) in the wing mirror if you're there at left-of-centre.

[f2dz]

In stationary traffic I'll only sneak thru the traffic to the front of the queue at lights if I reckon I can get to the head of the queue before the green arrives...

This caught me out recently over the weekend. I usually roll up to intersections, observe which phase is currently moving, then split to the front if I can tell our lights won't be going green for a bit. But the turning traffic had a short phase and the traffic started moving with me in between cars. Scary moment, but that's always something to be mindful of too. If in doubt, just sit behind the cars.

I've only been riding for a few weeks but I'm learning more and more that you should trust your gut. If something feels wrong or you feel like you're riding out of your comfort zone it means you probably are.

[Swoop]

And no matter how much care you take to do it safely ... some drivers wont like it. And they may even take action, that may not be entirely safe for you (understatement) ... car vs motorbike usually ends badly for the motorbike.

Was referring to another bike coming up behind. There seems to be a few slow wobblers filtering at the moment.

[p.dath]

The Wiki has the relevant legal articles are references:
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/wiki/Cate...otorcycle_Laws

[f2dz]

Was referring to another bike coming up behind. There seems to be a few slow wobblers filtering at the moment.

What's your definition of slow though? I got beeped doing about 40 through stopped traffic, the guy who passed was doing around 60/70 :X

[Phantom Limb]

What's your definition of slow though? I got beeped doing about 40 through stopped traffic, the guy who passed was doing around 60/70 :X

I've had this too. you should be going pretty damn slow when splitting, to go faster than 40KPh is getting on the sketchy side, I don't care how long you've been riding, it's plain daft!

I reckon we riders need to be self policing to a minor extent, cops probably leave lane filtering riders alone because it's impossible to pull them over without endangering someone, so if riders insist on going like a bat outa' hell between slow traffic, we really need to let them know that it's not right. As I said before cagers hate us anyway, no need to make it worse by flying past them like a human cruise missile. The more riders that speed, the less often cagers will pull over and let us through.