Lane splitting/filtering: the legal and commonsense answers
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.
I mentioned as a rule of thumb, I travel at around 20kph, wether traffic is moving slower or not at all. They said (again, within reason) this is ok. I have passed many cop cars while they're doing 10 or so, and I've passed them at 20kph. So far, no one has given me grief. As soon as the traffic picks up speed, merge back in asap, but don't cut anyone up (they don't really like that either..)..
As for riding down the extreme right hand side of the motorway, big no-no. As is riding down the hard shoulder (very left emergency lane) unless it's clearly stated as a bus lane within those hours (or you follow a bus outside the hours, cos if you get done, then he can get done too..).
Using the chevrons too, is also a big no-no.. In fact, it's pretty much safe to say, that if it doesn't feel right, it probably isn't, aside from slow speed filtering.
You can use any bus lane except for motorway buslane. Else, the law applies (as in, if cars can use it outside the hours too, then so can you).
I was precautioned tho - a lot of this is at the officers' discretion. If you're being a silly dick, then they're gonna pull you and give you some paperwork. If you behave and don't 'act' nervous and keep your cool, they'll most probably ignore you.
I have been stopped once for filtering, but that's cos I made a bad/late decision and ironically, a cop was a few cars back, plus I was a little over the limit before the traffic. He just slapped my wrist and said what I did was ok, but to think ahead. That's the trick. Think ahead and don't be stupid, else they will have you.
This is all what I've been told by the boys in blue and is what I ride by, so if there are any cops reading this, or anyone knows any different, then please, tell me too!! (thanks bugjuice-best answer so far)
The deal is I'd like to hear from Bykey cop /scumdog nodman etc to get the legal definition of what we can and can't do.
As well as what their common sense aproach is to it.
I will keep editing this post as response comes from those that actually Know
I must say My attitude is that if you have been riding for 12 months or less or have been away from biking awhile and just returning. I personally dont suggest it -My reasoning is that you don't know what danger signals to look for when filtering. also if ya gut says--this ait right---listen to ya gut and slow down.
Another point is -When filtering past moving cars its your neck -moaning about a car that changed lanes into you to me is unfair on the cager -Logic says at 30km/h faster than them by the time theyve checked alls clear and started to move you could have moved 10-20 carlenths up on them
SO PLEASE COULD THE ACTUAL POLICE KBERS RESPOND TO THIS THREAD.
pm me if ya aint happy being quoted
Last edited by FROSTY; 11th December 2005 at 14:52.
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