Motorcycle Filtering Tips for Beginners - Part 1 Legalities
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- Опубліковано 29 чер 2024
- First in a series of videos on filtering tips (lane splitting). This episode focuses on the legalities of filtering, what is and what isn't against the law in the UK, make sure you know where you stand and stay legal.
Hope you find this interesting and possibly learn something. Do comment with your feedback or other scenarios I may have overlooked.
Find more adventures and riding tips on my blog: www.beginnerbiker.com - Авто та транспорт
As a learner on a cbt license, who wasn't taught filtering on the test, this is extremely helpful, good job
You didn't have a test. You had compulsory basic training. Filtering is not allowed to be taught to anyone until they have passed their full motorcycle tests
@@booshallmighty I don't know where you're getting your info. You can teach it, it's individual to each students ability. Some you just wouldn't, some pick it up very quickly. I filtered when taking my re-test and the examiner followed me. 2 minors. You're absolutely right bout the CBT vs Test though.
@@InSanCen I'm currently doing training with Honda school next to Honda where I bought my bike. I asked him on my my first tester session and he said that won't be being taught and will not be expected on my test. He said the DVSA don't want filtering taught to anyone without a full license so you will have to do Rospa or IM course. I'm not an expert but they are and they have a very Impressive pass rate and I will get money off a bike with Honda if I buy a bike. Filtering is something I want to do but I won't be doing on my test. Ride safe
@@booshallmighty Maybe because I was re-taking my test then (banned), and the examiner and my instructor who was tasked with getting me out of bad habits were fully aware of that. If I hadn't filtered, the test route in question would have had us *easily* double the allotted test time (accident with large tailbacks). Either way, passed, and minors were exceedingly nit-picky, but probably for the same reason, it's a re-test, I didn't need to learn to ride a bike. Good luck with your test.
@@InSanCen: As a side question, I remember reading somewhere that filtering was expected in tests (a long time ago mind you!), which initially scared me as I would rather "cheat" the test and not have to take the risk in a test. Is that true? Seems to contradict the above so not sure which is the case!
Great video. I quit long-distance HGV in 2016 and will never see London ever again. Dog eat dog, our capital is a disgrace, stay safe.
Just passed my test in Feb 2020, still building confidence filtering, this is a great video, many thanks, i'm 50 years old, had a car license since 17, been driving HGV's for 22 years but bikes are a whole new (mostly fantastic) world.
We only have filtering in two States in the U.S., so much of this applies only to a fraction of rider's here. I'm thankful that you mention the laws in the UK, since I hope to see Britain on a bike one fine day.
Yes, filtering/lane splitting laws vary drastically across the globe. Even places where it is legal have different definitions as to when it is legal e.g. only between stationary traffic.
Very well presented advice on the legalities, they should have this as "must watch" in any tuitional course
Great vid. I've been riding for years, and am appalled at the lack of both common, and road, sense that many bikers have. This video should be compulsory viewing. Keep up the good work. "Ride safe".
This video is absolutely brilliant. The best one on the subject I have seen. Your footage too is A class. Although the audio does have a lover whispering in my ear tone to it 😂 thanks for the info!
'a lover whispering in my ear tone' - I'll take that as a complement! :-)
You're right though, the vocals could have been better and I've since invested in a better microphone now.
Great video - should be shown to all riders as part of the theory test 👍 thanks!
I am going to add, 20mph seems to be the changer over point from filtering through traffic to traffic is now flowing.
The MCN (motorcycle news) law blog section years ago (like 10years ago i read it) had a question about filteting and the speed involved in an accident.
The judge ruled that 20mph and below is a slow speed to filter through traffic since the highway code leaves it vague to what a slow speed actually is.
Yes some riders out there are confident and happy to go above 20mph to filter, some think crazy speeds are ok to filter. But if you keep yourself within the rules (and rule of thumbs) and an incident happens, then it could tip the insurance battle in your favour. You just never know when an incident\accident\collision is going to happen.
Good vid. I've just passed CBT and noticed you entered a bus lane at 1:45. No one else was in there and it looked like rush hour traffic. My instructor said riders are not allowed to use bus lanes unless it says explicitly that you can (at certain times etc).
It all depends, you have to check the signs, around London there are many bus lanes open to motorcyclist at all times. Typically all the red routes managed by TFL, but some local authority bus lanes do allow motorcyclists. Otherwise, you're right, you can only use them outside the active times sign posted. And of course times vary wildly across all bus lanes, some rush hours, some mornings only, some evenings, some 24/7.
Ultimately, there is no single rule for all cases, you need to check the signs for each bus lane and see if you use it at the current time.
Of course, a clear bus lane still has hazards to consider, check out my follow up video where I discuss some of these: ua-cam.com/video/EBJO7W5M3DA/v-deo.html
Have to confess I've waited in a cycle box at a junction, unsure if it was ok or not. Glad it was clarified here!
Filtering always seems to be a very grey area and a source of much confusion. It was certainly not a part of my bike training or my actual test back in 2000. As such is great to have guidance of this kind to illustrate what is and what isn’t acceptable. Thanks.
great video. Filtering is something i'm still getting use to - but practice makes perfect
Great video. It’s hard to find anyone who can say exactly what is allowed when filtering. Much appreciated
Glad it was helpful!
I like the fact every road shown is where I ride, ripple road Dagenham, martins corner ect
What can I say, there was plenty to film on the streets of Dagenham!
Very good video. Thanks for the tips!
Good video well put together with nice informative narration. Thank you 👍
Glad you enjoyed it! Watch this space for more.
I learnt a lot, my life's not that hectic to filter like some of them riders.
As always "ride your own ride".
This is excellent. Thank you.
Interesting video, loads of good example footage!
Many thanks!
FYI: when traveling to Germany, not allowed there. For other European countries: comment here if you know.
Commenting to see any responses to this. That said, I only have moped entitlement (via a car licence + CBT), but as the CBT is recent enough to give provisional "real motorbike" entitlement for a while, I'm tempted to get a full bike licence, prefer them much more than cars 😍
Very helpful, thank you!
Very informative, thank you
I rode a scooter in Bangkok, Thailand for 10 years and obeyed the rule 'when in Bangkok do as the Bangokians do'. After a 7 year hiatus from riding a scooter, I recently took my CBT and now have a scooter in the UK, complete with L plates! Your tips and advice in this instructive video were great. Very calm and measured verbal commentary. Thank you for posting this very helpful video.
Glad you liked the video. I can't even imagine what riding around Bangkok was like!
This is a great and useful video, much appreciated
Glad it was helpful!
A very interesting video.
Enjoyed that :D
About hatched areas where there is only a broken white line. Whilst the H.C. says one should not use it unless it is 'necessary' in the guidebook the DVSA 'Essential skills' there is no mention of where it is 'necessary' at all. So you can use it and that book in defence of any possible prosecution used against you for doing so.
Good to know. I'll need to check out that book.
Great video....thanks.
Nice video, as a full license holder i've learned something today, it's always worth teaching "old head on young shoulders". Ride safe people.
Glad you liked the vid. Do check out part 2.
The biker who filtered past the lorry on the zigzags was also illegal. It's not permitted to pass the lead vehicle, which the lorry clearly was in this case.
Well done, that is a great video to explain filtering. The only thing I'd add is about excessive speed, many motorcyclists genuinely believe they are filtering going past cars on the outside or between them when the car is not stationary or is not slow moving, just because the car is not doing 40 in a 40 zone does not mean you're filtering if you pass them when they're doing 35, you're overtaking (or undertaking) them and as often as not in such instances speeding as well. BTW not referring to you personally but the multitude of bikers out there that believe they're filtering when doing 35 in a 30 down the outside of traffic. Stay safe and thanks for the vid, really enjoyed it.
Good points on speed. There is no hard and fast rule there (in the UK). Recommendations I've had from BikeSafe cops has been keep the speed difference between yourself and cars no more than 10-15mph and don't filter/overtake at speeds greater than 40mph. Beyond that, you're potentially looking at a driving with out due care and attention offence or even dangerous driving offence. I too have seen many a biker filtering beyond these speeds, taking large risks as they just won't have the reaction time should a car suddenly change lanes.
As to whether you call it filtering or over/undertaking, up to you, possibly semantics. :-) I guess, if you're sharing a lane as you pass other vehicles it tends to lean more towards filtering.
It should also be noted that in many other countries filtering/lane splitting is only legal between stationary traffic.
Nicely and well explained👍
Thanks a lot 😊
A s was said Its not illegal to overtake whilst approaching junctions etc. or other dangerous areas as outlined in the H.C. for any overtake but one doe's so at ones own peril or the peril caused to other road users. . Too many riders who filter fail to recognise those codes of practise and will filter as they don't appreciate that if filtering one is actually overtaking in the first place.
So we must always apply the same principals of avoiding potential danger to filtering as we do to any overtake. Also too many riders believe that they are actually filtering whilst passing all other vehicles on their offside and indeed maybe riding in the opposing traffic lane. That is an overtake and not a filter and all dangers must be avoided especially one of coming into possible conflict with other oncoming vehicles. One should not expect other drivers or road users to give way to you at all under those circumstances. You should not be there. .
Helped me alot
Excellent advice
Glad it was helpful! Watch this space for more tips.
As an experienced motorcycle rider and have filtered for years . I found this informative and useful.
But like you say it’s mostly common sense.
And remember most box drivers are blind . Don’t care . At worst resent a motorcycle not having to wait in a traffic jam, taking pleasure in stopping motorcycles filtering .
Yep, totally agree. You also find more drivers getting irrate at motorcyclists outside of the big cities, where filtering is less common.
Nice calm video
Really useful video, thanks!
Glad you found it useful. I shall have to crack on with the next installment. 😄
@@Beginnerbiker Haha, yes, a part 2 would be great! 😀
When it comes to overtaking and crossing any white line on ones side of the road its an offence to overtake and allow any part of ones bike or even ones self to be vertically above and over that white line. So that may include one panniers if wider than yourself. Its however not an offence if ones carriageway is wide enough to actually overtake and not have any part of oneself or the bike vertically over that line.. That said we know that one can overtake or pass vehicles that are temporarily stopped but not stopped at say traffic road works or any general queue, then we cannot overtake by crossing the white line that is apparently a No No.
very helpful thanks so much
Glad it helped! Do check out Part 2.
I’ve just started riding. Thank you for this video. It is good enough to be official training material. Very nicely narrated.
(Did you pay your mate to play the stereotypical L scooter scenes? 🤣)
Glad it was helpful. There was no need to get mates on scooters, plenty enough dodgy scooter riders in London as it is!
I don't even ride in the UK but it's still helpful since our guidelines in Slovakia don't really offer any guidelines for motorcycling.
this should be on the CBT but it's not.Of course you should know the highway code buy you've gathered all important info about filtering in less than 7min -well done! and well worth to watch it.
Glad you found it useful, ride safe!
Really useful as a beginner
Glad it was helpful!
Wow, that’s all Dagenham where I grew up. Recognised it straight away lol.
Yup, all 'nam. Say what you like about drivers in East London, but all our vehicle insurance dropped to a third when we moved to Scotland!
Thanks for the video!
You're welcome!
@@Beginnerbiker I still haven't tried filtering yet lol, too scary haha.
Very informative
Glad it was helpful!
Brilliant and very useful...the over taking on double whites I'm guilty of as I thought slow moving or stopped cars in a traffic jam was ok on a bike safely done.
Yeah, watch out for the double whites, it's something cops are very hot on enforcing.
Great video. Super useful. I'll bet serious money that the white-van driver at the end was on his phone.
Thanks, glad you found it useful. There's always so many people on their phones on the A13, that or smoking weed, I often rode through clouds of its distictive smell. Definitely worrying and why we need to keep our wits about.
@@Beginnerbiker indeed. I’m not an experienced rider (only got full license last month) but I always ride assuming that I’m invisible to all other road users. It makes you hyper cautious but rather that than having an accident.
Thanks helpful
Great video, cheers! Just got my A2 licence three days ago and I wanted some advice about filtering and this video did a great job at that :)
Glad my video was useful to you. Congrats on passing your A2 test. Remember, passing your test is just the start, there's plenty more to learn, but there's much fun to be had along the way too!
@@Beginnerbiker Thanks! Completely agree, I've been riding carefully and making sure I'm focusing on being safe and improving my skills. I've started looking for videos like yours to learn more, and I shall continue do so!
@@marcuskolton5233 Certainly, that'll make me a much better rider, cheers for the tip.
You drove right past my swimming pool
What I learnt here is that the old Highway Code seriously needs updating. Filtering a a whole needs to be restricted far more heavily for the sake of all road users. It’s common practice for bikes to be in hatched line areas, the “should not” phrase is not followed in the slightest and that’s one area for example where it should be changed to a “must not” instead. Also common practice for bikes to cross solid white lines. The whole culture/behaviour of it needs changing. The problem where you have vague rules and no punishment is that they are pushed further and further past the original intention. I mean logically what’s more dangerous a car doing 80mph on a clear motorway in good weather or a motorbike filtering on a hatched line at 30mph past stationary traffic. The car will most likely get £100 fine and 3 points via strategically placed camera and the bike nothing. And that’s the point. We all know what’s far more dangerous but it’s harder to police.
It's not really clear why you believe filtering in a safe and legal manner should be restricted further within the highway code.
If a hatched area really 'must not' be ridden in, that can be achieved today by surrounding it in a solid white line (which is done in some places). The practice of crossing a solid white line I agree is dangerous, however, it is already illegal (as pointed out in the video), is often enforced by the police and already carries penalties. Nothing vague there.
Your comparison between filtering at 30 on a hatched area and doing 80mph on the motorway is too simplistic, it all depends on the situation. Are we talking about an empty stretch of the M74 in Scotland at 3am in the dry, or a heavily congested section of the M25, in torrential rain at rush hour? It's too easy to generalise and just say 'all filtering is dangerous, the reality is, it all depends on the situation. There can be safe and legal filtering, but like driving on the motorway in a car, it can be done in a dangerous and illegal manner - it's this difference is that I've attempted to show in this video.
Filtering ,though legal, is frowned upon by insurance companies and even if a car suddenly pulls out out of the traffic queue without signalling and hits a filtering biker,the insurance company may well judge the biker to be partly to blame.
Not if you have video evidence and you threaten court proceedings. If you can clearly show that you were performing a legal manoeuvre at reasonable speed then they have no legal reason to refuse or to put blame on you. The fault is lack of observation of the car not any fault of the biker.
There's a right hand turn where I ride. The line on the right is a solid white but in the left it's broken. That means I can filter to the front right? And if I do should I wait for the first car to go and try squeeze in or squeeze Infront of him crossing the white line where the lights are?
If the nearest centre line to you is broken, you can cross it to filter, that's legal. But you should not cross the white stop line at the junction. Crossing the stop line is illegal, even if it 'feels' safer to place yourself in front of that first car. To remain legal, only filter past the first car if there is room for you without crossing that stop line, otherwise, squeeze in behind the first car.
About filtering or rather maybe overtaking vehicles at an uncontrolled ped. crossing. The rule say that whilst one can overtake some vehicles in the zig zag lines one must not overtake the lead vehicle nearest to the crossing and that is stopped for the purpose of allowing peds. actually on that crossing. There was a recent stated case in the High Court that ruled that if traffic was stopped for any other reason, say a queue and not stopped for the purpose of allowing peds. to cross then it is lawful to pass that first vehicle. But beware one might fall foul of the law and many a police officer or a camera operator are not as yet aware of this ruling and one will have to justify ones actions in a court of law.
That is interesting. I'll have to look that case up.
It some sense it doesn't make sense to continue waiting behind the lead vehicle after all peds have crossed that and lights have gone green, just because there's a traffic jam. But I'd still take caution, too often you seen pedestrians trying to cross the road and stepping out through stationary traffic without considering a filtering biker.
@@BeginnerbikerThe case in question happened in Blackpool. It was in relation to a normal uncontrolled crossing and not one with controlling lights.
Good stuff, cleared up a few things I wasn't sure about, but the main thing I learned was.........Avoid London like the plague, ha ha.
At about 1.70 we see a scooter rider overtaking over a double white line which is in itself an offence in law but then you then rode in a bus lane. I suppose that bus lane allowed bikers to ride to ride in it but not all bus lanes throughout the country do that. Its up to the local authority whether bikes are allowed in bus lanes so don't just accept that one can. See what are the guidelines or rules or authority for your area or any other . There will also be signage allowing it or not.
Yeah, you have to be very observant when it comes to bus lanes, they vary so much. Some allow motorcycles (e.g. all those on London red routes do), but those managed by local authorities vary drastically. Secondly, a bus lane may be used outside it's active times - even then many daft car drivers even then still refusing to use it in fear of getting a ticket or from not reading the signs.
Lastly, violating a bus lane might earn you a fine, but it is just a civil offence. Unlike crossing the solid white lines, a more severe offence where you're breaking the Road Traffic Act...
For overtaking on middle lane hash lines with a broken white line can anyone tell me what is meant by the word "necessary". Does it have a meaning in law like in the event of an accident or other emergency or is subjective to the person doing it as in perhaps that rider if in a hurry then it becomes necessary to him and him alone and to their benefit. I think that its the first one and it would that therefore make it perhaps illegal or at least one at fault/blameworthy should something untowards happen.
I'm not aware of any firm definition TBH. Just assume if you have an incident whilst filtering in the hashed lines surrounded by broken white lines, insurance firms will likely assign some (or maybe all) blame to you.
@@Beginnerbiker I don't disagree.One might be held to blame. That may change some riders minds as to whether they should filter or overtake on hash lines.
at 146 the scooter over white line but your in bus lane in less the rules different in london
Many bus lanes are open for motorcycles to use across the country. In London, it varies from borough to borough, so you have to check signage in each instance to confirm. Key red routes in London are managed by TFL rather than local boroughs and are all open to motorcyclists. And of course, outside the prescribed hours of use, bus lanes are open for anyone to use.
If I'm the lead stationary car at a set of traffic lights, can you filter infront of me. I'm still unclear on this? Thanks.
No. You should not filter past the lead stationary car at a pedestrian crossing. You can filter up to it, but should wait behind lead car.
"...should not be entered unless unnecessary..."?! (hatched lines)
Its neither nor illegal here in my state. I split lanes when traffic is stopped but i always go really slow because people around here try to block you ALL the time. Its absolutely ridiculous, but you have to expect it hence why you go SLOW because people get really jealous
Good calm video with good advice apart from the last sequence . The bike was in the wrong as there was no space to pull into in front of the van. Yes the van driver should have seen you but cutting in at such a tight angle was not wise. Reverse the situation and put the biker in the van and the van driver in a car trying the same thing. Bet her response would still be 'what the fuck are you doing'
Number of times I've filtered to be sat by a stationary (or very slow moving) car's front, right wing, clearly visible to any driver. Once traffic starts again they just take off like I'm not there. It is is truly terrifying.
Lack of awareness, education and care is all I can think. Oh, that and every moron driving on the phone these days.
It's the way it is. You have to ride like you're invisible to everyone else.
"This poor lady....". ,😆😆Very polite, though my sympathy is absolutely not with her. She certainly doesn't sound apologetic. Nor even an English speaker. Great video !
I’ve been driven into the side like that if he hadn’t stopped he’d have slowly broken my leg 💀 kinda funny though he said I’m a learner and I clearly don’t know what I’m talking about 😂
In Canada, filtering on a motorcycle is prohibited. Motorcycles must follow the rules of the road like cars. This avoids many problems.
When the rules of the road are the same for everyone, bikers don't think they are the kings of the road.
In the UK, which is already horribly congested, motorcycles filter ahead so as no to contribute to traffic queues.
@@ponderouspanda8266
Its regulates the traffic a little, but it creates a lot of other problems
@@bobroch1107 No it doesn't. Bad car drivers not checking mirrors are the cause of the problems you're referring to. Yes you get bad bike drivers as well as bad card drivers. Bit this doesn't mean we should ban over taking by cars just because some cars do it wrong?
Filtering is perfectly legal and perfectly safe when done correctly and car drivers are observant correctly.
@@Adam_Outdoors
Motorcycles are not easy to see in the mirror because they roll on the side of the line instead of in the middle.
Filtering gives bikers the chance to smash mirrors and flee like cowards.
@@bobroch1107 Nonsense. I'm a car driver as well as motorcycle so I know you're talking nonsense. If you look properly BEFORE you try and swap lanes then you have no problem.
All you're doing is giving a RARE example of a motorcycle doing damage to your car and crying about here saying all motorcycles shouldn't be allowed to go further than you in queue.
By your logic cars shouldn't be allowed to switch lanes because some drivers don't indicate.
Filtering on a motorcycle is perfectly fine if done correctly ..AND... car drivers use their EYES before switching lanes or turning. It's the same logic with cycle lanes. Before you turn a corner you check your mirror for bicycles.
Why is it always a scooter on L plates doing the "do not do" 🤣
Possibly because those on L-plates have only had the bear minimum of riding tuition. Half a day's worth of CBT, then left to develop many bad habits with no further training (or simply repeated every couple of years...)
Many of them on these scooters are food delivery guys racing against time! I usually just let them pass asap.
Statistical probably considering vast majority of bikes on road are CBT not full license so majority having L plates is simple math. Correlation is not causation.
@@Adam_Outdoors: + as the comment above, many who do that are couriers, with the bikes not being theirs (so even if the rider is fully bike licenced, easier to just keep L plates on all bikes).
Because they’re learners who have been given 2 hours of road time under supervision, and then left to go and figure out the true ways of the road themselves. It’s not like a car test where they make sure your skills are pristine, basically as long as you don’t fall off or do anything inherently dumb, your given your license and let onto the open road to try and learn the workings of the road in the real world yourself
IV had cars swerve over to close the gap or even have extreme road rage to the point of fight me and it's usually women 😂
The scooter was a learner
No, he had L plate because he only has provisional/CBT. The vast majority of UK bike owners have L plates.
Learned that you have little idea what you're talking about, and doing.
You're doing most of what you talk about, wrong.
some good points, I got caught out filtering when some helpful driver waved someone out of their driveway without checking for a bike filtering.Cost me a damaged Bonneville 🤬 but a good low speed lesson 53 years ago.Now at 71 i do not filter much and only slowly when no panniers on.😢
Filtering (like overtaking) will always be one of the more risky manoeuvrers you'll do on a bike. It's all about building your observation and riding skills to manage those risks. It can't be stressed enough, there is rarely any necessity to filter, it's a choice and you should not ride beyond your what you're comfortable with. Ride your own ride!