Thread: Lane Filtering - now legal in VIC

They've recently made it legal here in Queensland.

I've been doing it for over 20 years, on my daily commute into Brisbane.

Bearman, I hear what you're saying about the car drivers watching the bikes go past, but have you heard about the "protests" that have been done both here and overseas by bike riders wanting these sorts of activities legalised?

For one day/morning/afternoon, it was agreed that all bike riders would not lane split, and just take up the normal lane space as they should. The result was that traffic congestion was much worse when this happened.

Nearly all bike can take off faster than cars, so the end result when they've split to the front of queues is that - generally - all of the traffic moves quicker. The bikes get away and don't impede the cars, instead of being another vehicle that has to accelerate in the queue make the vehicle behind delayed that little bit more.

I do disagree with bike filtering to the front if they can't accelerate adequately... I'm thinking of scooter riders here, mostly. I reckon this is a bit unfair.

It also comes down to the rider, and how observant they are and riding to the conditions. You learn how to spot the places where a car could come across, and adjust your speed and position accordingly. Cars always have right of way while I'm lane splitting, as far as I'm concerned.

I haven't had an incident in my over 20 years of doing it, but if I did, I would also treat it as being my fault.

I also come across far more drivers that will move aside to let me pass than will try and block me... and I always give a wave or a nod of thanks.

I remember Seeing, when I first went to Taiwan, that the cars left a gap at the front at traffic lights and up to 20 bikes would filter through and take the space.

Originally Posted by TeamFA

.... ... ...
Nearly all bike can take off faster than cars, so the end result when they've split to the front of queues is that - generally - all of the traffic moves quicker. The bikes get away and don't impede the cars, instead of being another vehicle that has to accelerate in the queue make the vehicle behind delayed that little bit more.
... .. ..

It is about 40 years since i rode a bike in Sydney traffic, but my recollection is that I always felt safer if I could find my way to the front of the traffic at the lights.

Even on my Honda S90 (think Postie bike engine, but in a different frame), I could beat all the cars off the line. I could get to the speed limit quickly enough that there were no cars within quite some distance from me. Having an enormous gap between me and the cars felt safer than being surrounded by them.

For me, being at the front at the lights wasn't about getting anywhere sooner; it was about being able to ride for most of the time with no cars near me. It felt safer.

Originally Posted by TeamFA

They've recently made it legal here in Queensland.

I've been doing it for over 20 years, on my daily commute into Brisbane.

Bearman, I hear what you're saying about the car drivers watching the bikes go past, but have you heard about the "protests" that have been done both here and overseas by bike riders wanting these sorts of activities legalised?

For one day/morning/afternoon, it was agreed that all bike riders would not lane split, and just take up the normal lane space as they should. The result was that traffic congestion was much worse when this happened.

Nearly all bike can take off faster than cars, so the end result when they've split to the front of queues is that - generally - all of the traffic moves quicker. The bikes get away and don't impede the cars, instead of being another vehicle that has to accelerate in the queue make the vehicle behind delayed that little bit more.

I do disagree with bike filtering to the front if they can't accelerate adequately... I'm thinking of scooter riders here, mostly. I reckon this is a bit unfair.

It also comes down to the rider, and how observant they are and riding to the conditions. You learn how to spot the places where a car could come across, and adjust your speed and position accordingly. Cars always have right of way while I'm lane splitting, as far as I'm concerned.

I haven't had an incident in my over 20 years of doing it, but if I did, I would also treat it as being my fault.

I also come across far more drivers that will move aside to let me pass than will try and block me... and I always give a wave or a nod of thanks.

Actually most scooters will take off far quicker than a car, they just max out a lot sooner, but in a city where most scooters are this is not an issue. I lived in London for years and there are MANY scooters who move to the front of traffic jams and this never bothered me. I always gave bikes and scooters as much room as I could and let them go. Even when you finally get to the front of the jam if a scooter is slower than you they are just going to move to the left and let you pass. The only issues I had on the roads in London was with other very rude car drivers who wanted to start world war three over loosing a car length in a traffic jam.. WHY?
Chris

Originally Posted by TeamFA

It also comes down to the rider, and how observant they are and riding to the conditions. You learn how to spot the places where a car could come across, and adjust your speed and position accordingly. Cars always have right of way while I'm lane splitting, as far as I'm concerned.

Now, if they added the rule that bikes lane splitting are to give way to vehicles changing lanes, that would be a good thing.
It is far easier for a rider, travelling faster than the other vehicles, lane splitting to see a vehicle changing lanes than it is for the vehicle changing lanes seeing a bike rocketing along between slower moving vehicles.
Unless the traffic is stationary, I can only see the new road rule as an unhealthy decision for motorcyclists.

Originally Posted by cafe latte

Even when you finally get to the front of the jam if a scooter is slower than you they are just going to move to the left and let you pass.

Not here, mate. They sit in the middle of the lane.

Have always done it and will continue, whether legal or not. BUT....for me it is only whilst cars are stationary...ie getting into pole position at the traffic lights...no way do I do it while cars are moving, I don't know about other states, but here in SA, the drivers are way too unpredictable, and even on a freeway where everyone insists on sitting in the right lane and doing less than the speed limit, I still won't lane split. I just await a big enough gap to accelerate through and overtake normally.


At the lights, on pole, I clear the traffic and leave them in my wake. As I teach my kids when learning to drive a car...if you can be in your own space on the road...you only are going to get hooked up in your own mess ups, rather than being surrounded by some of the other clowns and getting inadvertently hooked up in their mess ups.


As to car drivers getting upset at being usurped for pole position at the lights....if they are going to get upset at someone who is not hindering their progress...then I don't care if their precious little selfish feelings have been hurt!

Originally Posted by Bearman

What is wrong with the old habit of waiting your turn and not jumping the queue. I am not a prude and no slouch on the road but I don't think this is needed.!!! Awaiting the flak!!!

So, you don't ever use overtaking lanes? Isn't that queue-jumping?

Originally Posted by Gordie

As to car drivers getting upset at being usurped for pole position at the lights....if they are going to get upset at someone who is not hindering their progress...then I don't care if their precious little selfish feelings have been hurt!

Agreed. Had a discussion with work colleagues about this, and eventually they all admitted their gripe came down to jealousy.