Filtering - the law

[Alba]

Sorry to repeat stuff already said above. By and large filtering is a special form of overtaking. Some Highway Code "rules" say "should not" and some say "must not". Only the "must not"s are contraventions of Road Traffic Acts. Examples include passing in the zig-zag zone at a pedestrian crossing.

I'm encouraged by the case where the biker got full compensation, but in general we ought to assume that if we filter (or overtake) in a way that ignores the Highway Code we will be held partly liable... maybe wholly liable. That includes passing on the inside (left).

Had a quick shifty over a 2004 highway code and I agree with Dee Duble Yuh. I was looking for specfic bike manoeuvres that are generally accepted but can they get us in the sh*/. So the must nots must be adhered to, the only other reference I found were;
71.
Manoeuvring. When overtaking traffic queues look out for pedestrains crossing between vehicles & vehicles emerging from junctions.
129.
You should not changes lanes to the left to overtake
139.
you should only overtake on the left if the verhicle in front is signalling to turn right and there is room to do so.
143.
Do not overtake where you might come into conflict with other road users. For example where traffic is queuing at junctions or road works.


So I think filtering the cops can pull you for a chat, but if you are doing it sensible the there is less of a chance.

[icenian]

You can overtake on zig zags at pelican crossings.

http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2002/20023113.htm#28

So you can overtake if any of these things apply:

• you have passed over the crossing are are going away from it
• you are passing a stationary vehicle other than the one closest to the crossing
• you are passing a stationary vehicle that is closest to the crossing, if it hasn't stopped for the crossing (e.g. if a queue that goes right through a crossing and is caused by some other hold up, you can filter right through the crossing (provided you don't break any other rules))

Yen will be along in a minute to tell me if those regulations are up to date

And also I'm not claiming you won't get into trouble.

[YEN_POWELL]

You can overtake on zig zags at pelican crossings.

http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2002/20023113.htm#28

So you can overtake if any of these things apply:

• you have passed over the crossing are are going away from it
• you are passing a stationary vehicle other than the one closest to the crossing
• you are passing a stationary vehicle that is closest to the crossing, if it hasn't stopped for the crossing (e.g. if a queue that goes right through a crossing and is caused by some other hold up, you can filter right through the crossing (provided you don't break any other rules))

Yen will be along in a minute to tell me if those regulations are up to date

And also I'm not claiming you won't get into trouble.

The Traffic Signs and General Directions 2002 (the one in the link) is the current one and likely to stay current for a long time. The previous ones were the 1994 and the 1981, despite promises of a new one every year in between.

Big differences in this version from previous were, no time plates needed for double yellow lines, unless not 24 hour 7 days a week (that means park on single yellows with missing time plates and you have a good chance of appealing tickets still) and the legalisation of cycle reservoires at traffic signals, with a marking which must now be as per the regs rather than the experimental ones used before.

[icenian]

Big differences in this version from previous [include] the legalisation of cycle reservoires at traffic signals, with a marking which must now be as per the regs rather than the experimental ones used before.

Interestingly there are loads of these around Edinburgh that don't comply with the regulations, so any cyclist who uses them is breaking the law. (Cyclists may not enter this area on a red light unless they do so using a marked cycle lane; lots of these markings do not have cycle lanes entering them.)

BTW, it is not unlawful to be inside a cycle reservoir when the traffic light is red, provided the light wasn't red when you entered it. If the light goes red whilst you are within the reservoir must remain there.

There seems to be an ambiguity here. You are supposed to leave the reservoir clear if you can exit it before the light goes red. But the law also requires that you stop for an amber light if you are able to do so safely. So the law requires -- if the light goes amber at the wrong moment -- that you stop within the reservoir and also that you don't stop within the reservoir

With councils able to use CCTV to hand out penalty notices, I wonder how many people will get stung for doing things like

1. stopping in a box junction
2. overtaking on zig zags at pedestrians crossings
3. stopping inside cycle reservoirs
4. operating a motor vehicle with two wheels

all of which are lawful (subject to certain restrictions) but seems to be widely regarded as illegal...

[YEN_POWELL]

Interestingly there are loads of these around Edinburgh that don't comply with the regulations, so any cyclist who uses them is breaking the law. (Cyclists may not enter this area on a red light unless they do so using a marked cycle lane; lots of these markings do not have cycle lanes entering them.)

BTW, it is not unlawful to be inside a cycle reservoir when the traffic light is red, provided the light wasn't red when you entered it. If the light goes red whilst you are within the reservoir must remain there.

There seems to be an ambiguity here. You are supposed to leave the reservoir clear if you can exit it before the light goes red. But the law also requires that you stop for an amber light if you are able to do so safely. So the law requires -- if the light goes amber at the wrong moment -- that you stop within the reservoir and also that you don't stop within the reservoir

With councils able to use CCTV to hand out penalty notices, I wonder how many people will get stung for doing things like

1. stopping in a box junction
2. overtaking on zig zags at pedestrians crossings
3. stopping inside cycle reservoirs
4. operating a motor vehicle with two wheels

all of which are lawful (subject to certain restrictions) but seems to be widely regarded as illegal...

A non compliant cycle reservoire is non enforceable too. There are plans to allow motorcycles in them anyway. A few experimental ones are about, not seen one yet, but heard about them.

Box junctions are a big earner for councils at the moment. However, lots aren't designed properly so are again, non compliant. Problem is the ticket gets sent and you have to faf about appealing, losing the local authority appeal (they always refuse any appeal) and going on to the independent panel, where most people win.

[Annette]

Alba

I have a spare leaflet on filtering from the Met Police which they hand out a bike safe days. If you pm me your address I'll send it to you.

And when I've got time I'll put it up here.

Regards
Annette

[alpslapper]

Also an interesting read

HERE

[z-weiser]

nothing official but i was sat in a jam last night in the car and a copper filtered through at a goodly pace - got the the front and hurtled off - no blues and twos just doing a damn fine job of making serious progress!

hats off the the guys - made it look effortless - even through the really tight squeezes!

Z

[spicy mchaggis]

when they change the motorcycle test in August 31st i got told by my instructor they will be adding filtering to the manouvers list!! , I'm glad i got my test out the way!

he also said they will be adding overtaking to the manouvers.

how the hell is someone gunna get the chance to overtake anyone when there rinding a 12 bhp restricted 125 .

[YEN_POWELL]

when they change the motorcycle test in August 31st i got told by my instructor they will be adding filtering to the manouvers list!! , I'm glad i got my test out the way!

he also said they will be adding overtaking to the manouvers.

how the hell is someone gunna get the chance to overtake anyone when there rinding a 12 bhp restricted 125 .

They'll have to run the moped tests at the same time on the same route!