You know when there is 2 lanes of queing traffic stood still on the road, and a motorbike comes past down the middle on the white line?

Is this actually legal / illegal?

Is there an official rule in the highway code that allows this, or is it just allowed to happen.

Any policemen, highway code fans know this?

Like it/ hate it?

Any thoughts?

I haven't got a clue as to whether it's legal or not, but the fact that it seems to be standard practice for most riders of motorbikes might suggest that.

There are times when I think that some motorbike riders have a serious lack of brains though.

Last night I was in my brother's car as we were coming down the Dronfield bypass towards Norton. We were in the outside lane and driving bang on the speed limit with traffic in the inside lane as well. Next thing we have a bike comming up behind and getting arsey because he couldn't get past us. Apparently he had to break some kind of land-speed record before we hit the roundabout. In the end he pulled into the inside lane in front of slower-moving traffic and put the lives of more than a dozen people in danger just so he could tear off on his two-wheeled penis substitute.

W*nker.:rant:

technically it is legal for a m/cycle to overtake within the white lines, including solid lines.

Originally posted by willman
technically it is legal for a m/cycle to overtake within the white lines, including solid lines.

Cheers, but what do you mean "within" the white lines?

what if theres only 1 line?

a motorbike can overtake a car within the same lane, i.e between the two lines or kerb & central line.

Cheers.

Although i've done this for 2 years on my scooter, i now know it's legal.

I was always worried a copper would pull me up and everyone in their cars would cheer!

http://home.clara.net/survivalskills/riding_skills_20.htm

Yes it is, have a look here.

A motorcycle can go past cars queuing or going at a slow speed it is called filtering. Just like a car, it may not pass over a solid white line. These are not actually "no overtaking lines" they mean do not cross over the line.

Filtering should be done at lower speeds, no more than around 20mph is advised. It is an extremely dangerous manover if it is not done with extreme alertness and caution, because cars and larger vehicles sometimes veer and can clip you, which could be fatal. And also cars often have drivers on mobile phones and these people don't seem to realise how bad their lane discipline is, and often lurch to the side without realising.

SHarper, thats a great article...

Another thing to mention, to car drivers, is that if you see a motorcycle coming down the middle from behind you, and you wish to be courtious and leave room for it to squeeze in, slow down and leave a gap in front of you big enough for a car. Don't lurch to the left. You may clip a bicycle rider who you might not have noticed or even a bus whisling down a bus lane. Car drivers do this all the time, and they don't realise what danger they are causing sometimes.

Originally posted by muddycoffee
A motorcycle can go past cars queuing or going at a slow speed it is called filtering. Just like a car, it may not pass over a solid white line. These are not actually "no overtaking lines" they mean do not cross over the line.

Filtering should be done at lower speeds, no more than around 20mph is advised. It is an extremely dangerous manover if it is not done with extreme alertness and caution, because cars and larger vehicles sometimes veer and can clip you, which could be fatal. And also cars often have drivers on mobile phones and these people don't seem to realise how bad their lane discipline is, and often lurch to the side without realising.
This works both ways, as with most things.

A friend of my dad's was hit by a driver in this way. He survived with cuts and bruises, but his wife who was riding pillion had her leg shattered and was in a wheelchair for months. After the incident they never rode on a motorbike again.

At the other end of the scale a bike drove casually between two rows of traffic waiting at the lights once and smashed my dad's wing mirror off before driving away without a care in the world.

Originally posted by SHarper
http://home.clara.net/survivalskills/riding_skills_20.htm

Yes it is, have a look here.


Thanks you very much, interesting read. :thumbsup:

Of course carmine,
I always advise extreme caution, I have myself been involved in an accident with this about 12 years ago where a mini metro decided to make a right turn, without signalling or checking her mirrors and caught me and threw me and my bike across the road. I was very lucky because I just got a broken toe and lots of bruises.

you live, you learn. !!

By the way. It is not advisable to filter or do anything mor risky with a pillion, as they often come off worse in an accident.

I travel the length of the A61 to work and back on my Vespa, and sometimes use filtering.

I don't carry passengers and am very curtious.

It's very nice when people actually move to the side to let you through, but it's diffucult to wave thanks as 2 hands on the handlebars is a must.

Some of the potholes down the centre of the lanes make it very dangerous.

I think car drivers are always saying "look at him the b*****d!"

Do you think most car drivers are ok with filtering as i think most are mumbling in their cars and shakeing fists at me.

Originally posted by oasismark
I travel the length of the A61 to work and back on my Vespa, and sometimes use filtering.

My,! that's a long way. Thirsk North of Ripon to Alfreton in derbyshire! 150 miles each way ?

Originally posted by muddycoffee
My,! that's a long way. Thirsk North of Ripon to Alfreton in derbyshire! 150 miles each way ?

Not all of it, only about 6 miles, high green to town.

I always filter, thats why I bought a bike. I would have bought a car if I wanted to sit in traffic. So, thanks to all the car drivers who let me through by leaving us bikers a big enough gap to get through.

Originally posted by Cbr Dave
I always filter, thats why I bought a bike. I would have bought a car if I wanted to sit in traffic. So, thanks to all the car drivers who let me through by leaving us bikers a big enough gap to get through.
I would like to associate myself also with these fine words.

well said Dave.

well i always move into the kerb to let bikes past unless their behaving like a t***er, then i make 'em wait.

I filter wherever it's safe. but I also have a LOUD exhaust so if the car drivers haven't seen me they've heard me. It's surprising how many car drivers don't move their heads round to look, instead relying on the mirrors. you can tell a rider when he's driving cos he looks round.

Originally posted by fredsredhat
I filter wherever it's safe. but I also have a LOUD exhaust so if the car drivers haven't seen me they've heard me.
Well thay do say loud pipes save lives!
Even my standard pipe has a nice noise and most people can here me coming unless they have got their "speed garage" music on full.

Originally posted by fredsredhat
you can tell a rider when he's driving cos he looks round.
Those of us who drive cars also, still use our defensive riding techniques. Doing lifesavers, and looking in our blind spot before changing lanes.

Motorcyclists in general, make very good car drivers, I have always found. They have a much greater understanding of safe cornering and road conditions, especially in the wet or when it's likely to be icy. The only trouble is, getting into a car after the freedom of a motorcycle can often be extremely boring.

* Time-Expired *

Originally posted by Pseudonym
"
... And I've driven both! :)
then you don't need to be told that a "lifesaver" is a quick look over your shoulder to make sure no-one is overtaking you as you make a right (or even left) turn.

* Time-Expired *

Originally posted by willman
well i always move into the kerb to let bikes past unless their behaving like a t***er, then i make 'em wait.

.............and I always acknowledge such gestures with a nod of gratitude!

there is no law saying that you have to give way to motorcycles,they are to be treated the same way as any vehicle on the road,they do not have the right to over take you in the same lane,they dont have the right to over take you in queing traffic on the motorway either its a risk they all take,maybe if they acted like a car then they would be involved in far less accidents including scratching the side of my car when overtaking me in the same lane when there was no need to.

well i always try to be curteous to motorbikes, staying to the left when safe to do so..

i do fel a little intimidated by them at times and do get nervous as they pass as i have seen one accident where they guy on the bike did not stand a chance"!

I wear a bright yellow flourescent helmet (i know...its bloody awful), and always ride with my lights on, but you will always get some prat who hasnt learned about indicators and mirrors, who pull out. Ive never suffered from road rage until i started riding. I thought that being able to filter through traffic, and get to work quicker would make me more relaxed...it hasnt

C'mon...open your eyes, car drivers