4 - FILTERING SKILLS. MotorCycle RoadCraft, page 126, 139 and 140.
Used when applicable, to make progress, usually between, stationary/slow moving lanes of vehicles.
Speed to be about no more than 10 mph higher than other vehicles though not at speeds above 30 mph.
If traffic is held up by, say, temporary traffic lights and a large safety margin (space) is possible then, perhaps, by judicious use of the offside of the road, for example, then higher speeds may be both possible and desirable,
(space + view = speed). But this is really overtaking stationary traffic rather than filtering.
When filtering past large vehicles extra caution is required due to the greatly restricted view.
Increased potential danger arises when vehicles are stationary or very slow moving – cycles, pedestrians, animals or vehicles crossing are a distinct possibility.
When traffic is stopped, at traffic lights for example, look for traffic flow from the road crossing yours.
How long is the traffic queue on your road?
What colour are the lights on the other road?
Can you see any red/green “men” on any of the lights?
These things will give information as to how long it is likely to be before the lights change.
And, therefore whether to filter or not
Part of the art of filtering comes from knowing when to show restraint.
Avoid being drawn into a “race” with other vehicles. If need be, allow them to go.
