Filtering Law

Guys, if you are approaching traffic jams, stationary or slow moving traffic then please dont get irate & make sure you filter through the traffic slowly & cautiously, chances are its me at the front.... Just saying x :wink:

 

That's great news, I'm always wary when filtering in case someone pulls out whilst using their mobile and finishing off eating their breakfast ! I find young women the worse always changing lanes to gain an extra few feet.

 

Best not to follow this fellow's example of filtering

 

WOW! Long time since I saw anybody as nuts as that....

 

I had a bit of an email conversation with a copper about bikes filtering in bus lanes, apparently its down to each local authority to make the decision, some major citys actually encourage it.

Anyway this is what he said

Jon,
I am not familiar with the exact location, but my advice would be not to ride in the bus lane. Should you be involved in any collision, you could be deemed to be at fault in that another motorist would not expect a motorcycle to be in that lane..
If you need any further advice, please get back in touch with me direct.
Alun

Anyway this didn't really answer my question so I wrote back

Hi Alun,
Thank you for getting back to me, I have looked into it a bit further and as far as I can see its legal (or at least not illegal and prosecutable) to do but as you mentioned not recommended (perhaps you could confirm this?).
I do think you make a good point with not looking for a bike.
Jon

And his reply

Jon,
I see bus lanes being for buses, not for any other traffic. As well as cars not expecting a bike to be in the bus lane and knocking you off, there is the issue of pedestrians not expecting you. If a motorcyclist were to collide with a pedestrian in the bus lane, I would think we could be investigating the offence of careless driving.
Regardless of the legalities Jon, I would say don’t do it. I ride a motorbike myself, and wouldn't ride in a bus lane.
Keep safe !
Hope this helps.
Alun

Again doesn't really answer my question, I wasn't emailing my mum asking if she thought it was safe I wanted to know if it was illegal hence the email to the police! He doesn't actually say its prosecutable apart from if you had an accident. Anyway make of it what you will.

 

In London you can use the bus lanes... I would also point out for another motorist or person to collide with you they would also have to be in the bus lane.
I don't think the excuse I was not expecting your be there will hold up in court.. (But what do I know.....)
But filtering is not really bus lanes it's the white chevrons areas In between traffic islands...
I spoke to a copper once and he said in London some police call them bike lanes....
I suppose it all depends where you are riding.. In Wales it's a lot quiter than the main towns andthe people may not be as aware as say townies....

 

That they do... Your right and if the song says no bikes and you use it then your asking for trouble.. Some of the London buses have 16 cameras on them facing all direction....

 

Thing is if a bike hit a pedestrian you would be looking at careless driving anyway bus lane or not. He doesn't say you can't just recommends not to as 'friendly advice'

 

It will never catch on sounds like witchcraft to me

 

I think he thought he was me mam for a bit and he could give me a bit of a lecture on road safety!

 

I think its generally, that the police dont know everything and have to be carefull what they advise.
For me, when I come back to the UK its always a pain to find out rule changes and such...
The amount of speed camera`s is fecking amazing... Camera`s generally everywhere, yet nothing gets solved...

Rant over:smile:

 

We have one in Salisbury, its up on the signs for buses, taxis and motorbike in the summer very handy although you do get a few drivers who don't like giving way at the end

 

No they are no better in Wrexham at giving way. I don't tend to have a lot of patience anymore when I'm driving/riding and tent to tell people what I think, I think the general public just annoys me now.

 

Yeah but I bet you look for bikes when your driving so you don't count!