This morning's commute and other commuting stories

I believe the onus is on the person pulling out/turning to make sure the road is clear before moving. Not that that is easily possible in queueing traffic, so many just chance it.
Strictly not your fault, but common sense says filtering past queueing traffic should be treated like going past parked vehicles on a narrow road (do it slowly and carefully).

Having seen it in the flesh it's pretty good. Plus bikes with 20" wheels are way fun.

Yeah having done a little reading up it's generally regarding as split liability: there is a duty for the drivers involved to try to be aware of other road-users, but there is also onus on those doing the filtering to do it carefully and slowly (which I wasn't).

However I wasn't apportioning blame, I didn't shout at anyone, the van driver was just a cunt, pure and simple.

Of course the real fault lies with the sheer amount of fucking traffic on that narrow road that causes it to snarl up every fucking morning, meaning cyclists have to try to negotiate it somehow, and filtering on the right is always better than trying to sneak past in the gutter on the left.

Heading south down Camden Road I generally find at least once or twice a week that a driver will gesture someone to turn right across them, as they're in a queue of traffic, without considering all the cyclists in the bus lane who aren't in a queue of traffic.

^ this happens on most A roads, Brixton Road being a prime example. It's worse when chumps on fucking bicycles do it.

"Sure, go ahead lol - it's not like there's 9 other people on bikes barreling up behind me unawares."

http://www.markthompsonlaw.com/motorcycle-filtering-past-traffic-queue/motorcycle-accident-solicitors/

Although the 3rd party is joining from the left, not the right, I'd say the advice is the same, keep a low speed when filtering and approaching junctions.

Heading south down Camden Road I generally find at least once or twice a week that a driver will gesture someone to turn right across them, as they're in a queue of traffic, without considering all the cyclists in the bus lane who aren't in a queue of traffic.

This is a different story though, one day I really want some cunt to get taken out by a bus.

I've had lorries overtake me on Hackney Road then stop in the road and wave turning drivers through. More times for it to be accidental I reckon, with zero proof.

I was certainly riding a little quickly, but at the same time filtering and being exposed suddenly does usually make me want to up my speed, so I can get past ASAP and back to 'safer' parts of the road. I wasn't that annoyed by the maneuver, just the attitude of the van driver. Drivers hate filtering as it reminds them of their own limitations, even in the mighty, godlike motorcar that should be worshiped.

I suppose they want us toi sit politely behind them, in congestion that have 0% to do with us

Use Sussex Gardens or Uxbridge Rd and move up later?

I was certainly riding a little quickly, but at the same time filtering and being exposed suddenly does usually make me want to up
my speed, so I can get past ASAP and back to 'safer' parts of the
road. I wasn't that annoyed by the maneuver, just the attitude of the
van driver. Drivers hate filtering as it reminds them of their own
limitations, even in the mighty, godlike motorcar that should be
worshiped.

I suppose they want us toi sit politely behind them, in congestion
that have 0% to do with us

I'm by no means having a go at you, and the fact they were emerging from the right, not the left means that you were much more visible, and so they really should have seen you.

It just pays to be a little extra careful in those situations, and I agree, that van driver was a cunt.

I 100% agree, it was certainly the closest shave I have had filtering and I will temper my approach next time the situation arises i.e. tomorrow morning, the morning after that, the morning after that etc etc

With the schools back and the weather on the turn the roads suddenly seem a lot busier.

@greenhell that's how my girlfriend came off last year. Barrelling along and the woman cycling in front waved a car our. A few people behind not expecting it came off as they slammed on and she cycled off oblivious.

I seem to remember failing my driving test for waving cars through whilst doing my three point turn, because you become liable for their safety too. Generous it may be, but its dangerous too, unless the waver and wavee are fully aware of the road around them.

unless the waver and wavee are fully aware of the road around them.

Which on this planet, has never actually happened.

Tru fax

Bit late but, @hats

I've been commuting on a Brompton for the last couple of days. Whenever I see another Brompton rider we give each other a look and a wave. My dad used to do this if he saw anyone driving the same car as him and I used to find it really embarassing.

I've officially turned into my dad.

Isn't that the entire purpose of this site:

"You rid bik w no gear? me 2. Oh Hai!"

...you become liable for their safety too.

Legally, no. Morally, perhaps.

Legally, no. Morally, perhaps.

Is what I thought. Note lack of description of the beckoning motion in the Highway Code, and/or see what flashing your lights means.

Its my understanding that you filter at your own risk, no? I may be wrong..

It certainly was once upon a time... Now we all has gears.

Good day to forget spare socks

Changed bags this morning and totally forgot to swap over any of my cycling gear. Half way into the journey and it starts raining. Law of Sod.

:( I feel this, we've all been there.

I'm really looking forward to building my winter commuter. It's going to have permanent fenders and a brake. Oh the luxuries.

Felt like carnage out there this morning...
12miles of picking through stationary traffic in drizzle.
Accidents at every corner.

Not nice.

Still... at least i remembered a dry pair of undercrackers.