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Bikes – filtering

Filtering is illegal in some countries. I can understand why. For example take the US: Some hothead in his 4 x 4 pickup doesn’t like the fact that you pull through the traffic and reach the front of the queue before him…. He pulls out his handgun and shoots you. What a mess, more effort for the police, the ambulance etc etc.

OK, OK, over here that is not likely to happen. We are all too patient…. Well mostly. Car drivers are protected in their cocoons, and in a way we ignore them as people in their own right… they’re just “cars”. You should never forget however that inside that car is a person – possibly a volatile person who really does get worked up by not being at the front of the queue, who sees every biker passing him as a personal affront to his masculinity (or some such sad nonsense). I view filtering as a nice perk of riding. It’s not my RIGHT. If I can’t get through a gap, I might rev the engine a little to let them know I’m there – it’s then back in their court. If they want to be nice and move a little to let me through that’s great. If not… hey how long is a light change? Sometimes I’ll keep the revs high as I make my way down a long line of traffic, not to demand a right of way, simply to alert the sleepy drivers to my presence.

Drivers forget, or sometimes just don’t know that we are people too. That usually we are just trying to get home safely, in one piece and before our fingers freeze off. They see only the faceless helmets, sometimes very intimidating. They hear the loud engines and think “hooligan” not “at least I know that bike is there”.

I make a point of thanking drivers who move over a bit or keep well to the left so I can pass safely. I do this to show them that their action IS appreciated, that we are a polite and friendly part of society, and lastly so the next time they hear a bike they do it again.

I cringe when I hear bikers give drivers a hard time for not getting out of the way. It’s not as if you learn it when taking your test – it’s not in the Highway Code “thou must move over for bikers”. I believe that giving them a hard time is more likely to mean that they won’t try next time either… I mean why should they? I don’t think I would. But then I’m a stubborn mule about such things. I think the adage of catching more flies with honey proves itself here.

Update (2012) For those drivers that do notice bikes and either maintain a steady course or give a little room, thank you. However, please do no be offended if I do not overtake when you feel it is safe to do so. I will only ever make my way past when I am happy to do so. The left hand indictor to show that you are going to stay left is nice, but do it at the wrong time and it can be not only confusing for me, but for other road users - it could put your vehicle in danger. If you really don't like me following you, and trust me I'm not sitting behind you personally, then please pull in at a safe place (after properly indicating please!) you're just the vehicle in front - and you know what? I don't always need to get past. Really! If I'm tired after work and just taking my time I may have no desire to overtake you. By acting in an unpredictable manner and worrying about why I have not overtaken you, you are then becoming a danger to yourself or others. It's your journey and mine. They are not intertwined. I am fully capable of finding my way past if or when I want to, equally you should not try to pressure me to overtake you just to make you feel more comfortable.