AIBU to think motorcyclists shouldn't zoom up the 'middle lane'??

[windygallows]

I spend a lot of time in traffic and slowly getting through the ring road around my town.... and always shocked when a motorcyclist zooms up the lane between the two cars, even if it is legal here.

But why? It's so unsafe and the area between two cars isn't a lane so many car drivers aren't expecting a motorcyclist to race past them. You just need one car driver to switch lanes and it's an accident.

I'm not sure why it's allowed unless the motorbike manufacturers and lobbiests encourage it as being able to speed through traffic is one of the main benefits of having a motorbike.

Also not sure why the govt spends a lot of money to raise driver awareness re motorbikes when those on bikes are allowed to continue such a dangerous practice.

Would love to hear others thoughts/opinions especially those who do drive motorbikes....

[YNK]

It's called filtering and perfectly legal and sensible.
Any accident caused by cars switching lanes without looking would be a case of dangerous driving by the car driver.

[windygallows]

But why is it perfectly sensible? You think a motorcyclist weaving through closely positioned cars at a dangerously fast speed is okay? It just seems a recipe for disaster.

[Mari50]

Shocked or pissed off and jealous? Your argument holds not water, maybe pay more attention in traffic and then you won't be so horrified when a cyclist pulls alongside (and catches you on your phone!!!)

[YNK]

Yes, it keeps the traffic moving and is the reason many people use a motorbike.
The only danger is from the risk of dangerous driving by other motorists.
If you are so intolerant of other road users, should you really be on the roads?

[ToastDemon]

In Rio the motorcyclists beep continuously to alert cars of their presence. Mind you the lot of them drive like loons there.

[acornsandnuts]

Well sitting in a car queue kind off defeats the object of having a motorbike.

[AndShesGone]

It might be legal but it's often a terrible idea. I travel round the North Circular every day which has quite narrow lanes occasionally.

Motor bikes are constantly weaving in and out and hard braking in front of people so everyone else has to slam their brakes on to create an extra 'space'. It happens at least 20 times a day on my route.

I regularly see motor bikers kick out and dent cars they deem to be taking more of the road or not driving close enough to the kerb so they can get through
I saw a stand up fight a couple of weeks ago when a biker kicked a white van. The white van was doing nothing apart from driving in his lane.

[toolonglurking]

You should be checking your mirrors every few seconds, even when not moving. As a driver you are completely responsible for knowing exactly what hazards are around you at all times.

[Eyeslikesheepsfannys1]

I'm am a motorcyclist and dp is motorcycle instructor, you are expected to do this on your test, definately not illegal.

[windygallows]

I'm not intolerant of other users, I'm not jealous and I'm not on my phone (jeesh...) but as I noted in my original post while IT IS LEGAL I wonder why as it is really dangerous, the 'middle lane' isn't a proper lane and not really fit for weaving and while I totally appreciate that I need to keep alert at all times as a driver, it doesn't really seem like very safe practice.

[slightlypeevedwombat]

well if you're fully alert, then you will see them.

[YNK]

It shouldn't be dangerous so long as the car drivers are fit to be on the road!

[wasonthelist]

OP
It's so unsafe

Are you sure? It may look unsafe to you, but that doesn't mean it actually is.

I try to leave space for bikers in these situations - good luck to them. Obviously I don't condone kicking cars etc, but I do know some drivers will deliberately block motorbikes and cycles for absolutely no good reason.

[Strifae64]

I've been commuting on a motorcycle for nearly 7 years and filtering is essential and kind of the whole point (commuting wise). It is safe enough if you are sensible and keep your eye out for idiots in cars (and to be fair, other idiots on motorbikes)

[EatsShitAndLeaves]

YABU

All road users should be aware of the traffic around them - including cycles and motorbikes.

[TheNaze73]

YABU, really can't understand your point here??

[pyjamasonbananas]

I thought you meant on a motorway or something - undertaking in that sense.
Filtering is fine, though the filter-er needs to keep their wits about them, as car/van drivers DON'T always look - as they should do - and it's the motorcyclist who will pay the price for their carelessness. For the same reason, it's better done slowly.

[NotVeryWhite]

Yes you abu and its people with that sort of viewpoint who deliberately block motorbikes, with the mistaken notion that they somehow have every right to. Well they don't!

Nobody likes traffic jams and being overtaken unfairly. Nobody likes people pushing in queues. But motorcycles don't have the luxury that a car does (roof, heating) and that is balanced by the perk of being able to weave and filter appropriately.

If you, the car driver, change lanes the do so safely. Part of that manoeuvre includes checking your blind spots for motorcycles. Failure to do so is your fault and not theirs!

[akkakk]

there is a legal option to filter, but:

• it is at very slow speeds only
  
• with a motorcycle speed not much above the traffic speed
  
• with a default position of the motorcycle stopping if there is an issue / they have not been seen
  

while there is a legal right to filter under those circumstances, it comes with extra responsibility for the motorcyclists... they don't suddenly gain right of way, whatever they think!

there are many motorcyclists who do it very well - and many who are very bad - go too fast, and I have even seen them pushing car mirrors into get past which is really not acceptable...

if you want to see what some do - just wander around London to see examples of the best and the worst - the good ones will take a place in the queue and then as and when appropriate filter forwards - not affecting anyone else... - the bad ones will shoot up the wrong side of the road and try and cut back in or weave in and out, or filter on the motorway at 70mph+ - leads to some interesting and life-threatening situations!

[FedupofbeingtoldIcantusemyname]

Motorcyclists are NBU to filter in traffic, as has been pointed out by PP. I would add thought that when I ride I personally don't feel comfortable doing it at speed (1st or 2nd gear only). I think technically you are only supposed to do it slowly anyway to give you more time to react if a car does suddenly pull out/change lanes etc. So if they are zooming past really fast then they probably AB a bit U and unsafe.

[asdad]

I didnt know it was legal.

Im going to have a go at that!

[LogicallyLost]

Riders tend not to do the speed limit and try to be hyper aware of turning etc, so it's normally safe. If a car isn't checking before changing lanes then they shouldn't be driving, it's fundamental part of the test.

[Castironfireplace]

YANBU. The amount of motorcyclists that have a death wish never fail to amaze me. Filtering is legal, but not at high speeds, in cycle lanes or my favourite - cutting off cars at junctions.

I do clench when I see those watch out for bikes signs. Yes care and respect should be given to all road users but it seems many think that the law just doesn't apply to them. But then they get on the bike behaving like that knowing that many kill themselves doing so. It's their choice I guess.

[UsernameHistory]

They aren't weaving in and out though are the OP? They're filtering which in entirely different. It does seem to piss drivers off as I do it on my motorbike or pedal bike. I suspect it's because they're sat still.

Your reason for it being dangerous is that [car] drivers may turn suddenly in front of them. That would, as someone pointed out, be the other drivers' fault. That doesn't make a difference when you're injured or worse, but don't try to blame the bike rider.

[RandyMagnum]

If your sitting stationary in traffic, something coming past you closely at even a relatively slow speed will still give illusion that it's a lot faster than it actually is. I filter all the time, the only thing that makes it dangerous are the dickheads in cars who chop and change lanes without looking properly.