Are motorcycles allowed to drive between lanes?

Andrew_Ryan_89

Hey all, just wanted to know what the rules of the road say about motor cyclist driving between lanes? Especially on motorways, there are times when a bike will dangerously overtake me but in the same lane that I am in. I always try to be as aware as possible when I am driving, always checking my mirrors and if I do see a bike behind me (especially going faster) I slow down and allow him/her to get past.

However, people don't always drive in a straight line. Sometimes I need to stretch my hands, or dodge a pothole and the car will move. If you were to knock of a biker off his bike whilst dodging a pothole or something but remaining in your lane, who is at fault?

HappyMJ

Andrew_Ryan_89 wrote: »

Hey all, just wanted to know what the rules of the road say about motor cyclist driving between lanes? Especially on motorways, there are times when a bike will dangerously overtake me but in the same lane that I am in. I always try to be as aware as possible when I am driving, always checking my mirrors and if I do see a bike behind me (especially going faster) I slow down and allow him/her to get past.

However, people don't always drive in a straight line. Sometimes I need to stretch my hands, or dodge a pothole and the car will move. If you were to knock of a biker off his bike whilst dodging a pothole or something but remaining in your lane, who is at fault?

If the traffic is stationary yes it's legal to ride a bike on the line between cars.

If the traffic is moving that would most probably be an illegal and quite dangerous undertaking manoeuvre by the cyclist. They would be in your blind spot.

If you're moving and accidentally hit a motorcyclist who happens to be in your lane you may be held partially liable if you suddenly swerve into the path of the cyclist and knock them down. You should always be aware of your surroundings and whether there is bike to your left or right so if a pothole appears on the road you would not be swerving into the bike and causing damage to your own car and potentially causing injury to the rider.

As with any accident you need to look at the circumstances to find who is liable.

bod1467

It's called filtering, and when traffic is stopped or moving slowly then it's very common and perfectly acceptable. (Except to the idiots who get angry at bikers being able to make progress when they can't).

However, once traffic is moving (e.g. 10+ mph) then it becomes a matter of judgment ... the biker could be considered to be riding without due care and attention.

Bikers who "filter" when traffic is moving quite fast (40+ mph) are simply idiots, and candidates for the Darwin Awards.

RichardD1970

bod1467 wrote: »

It's called filtering, and when traffic is stopped or moving slowly then it's very common and perfectly acceptable. (Except to the idiots who get angry at bikers being able to make progress when they can't).

However, once traffic is moving (e.g. 10+ mph) then it becomes a matter of judgment ... the biker could be considered to be riding without due care and attention.

Bikers who "filter" when traffic is moving quite fast (40+ mph) are simply idiots, and candidates for the Darwin Awards.

Totally agree. As a rider myself I always err on the side of caution adn only in stationary or stop/start traffic.

I am amazed at some of the gaps some riders think it is ok to try for and have seen a fair few incidents because of this.

AdrianC

Highway code, rule 88.

marlot

bod1467 wrote: »

It's called filtering, and when traffic is stopped or moving slowly then it's very common and perfectly acceptable...

Agreed. I very nearly failed my bike test for not filtering when I could have.

I remember coming up to a slow queue of traffic across three lanes, when a motorcycle cop was on patrol. He even led me through the traffic - they made much more room for him than they would have for me!

Jamiesmum

I've never seen it on anything above 10mph. Only ever in slow moving traffic or built up areas traffic lights and such. I just move over a bit if I see them coming. On a daily basis there may be bikes behind my car or in front, but they never weave up next to cars doing the speed limit. I think they value their lives. It's dangerous for them (and us) tbh no we don't check our mirrors to avoid every pot hole / cat / bird that we see in the street but we should.

So if you was to hit a motorbike through swerving I would assume it would be mostly your fault, and partly theirs for being stupid.

Strider590

http://www.motorcyclenews.com/news/2010/april/apr0910-driver-who-blocked-overtaking-biker-jailed/

And i've seen many a driver try to block bikers, had the following resulted in a collision i'd have stuck around, offered my footage as evidence and even gone to court to give evidence against the driver.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jvkeYmVcinU

insert_random_name_here

I filtered on my advanced motorcycle test both in town and on the motorway. My examiner, the local police force's chief instructor, commended me for my skill in doing so.

A couple of years back I had an accident while filtering. It was the other person's fault and their insurance company accepted full liability for both the damage to the bike and the subsequent personal injury claim. My solicitor was surprised as quite often when such cases go to court the rider will 9 times out of 10 automatically be apportioned 50% blame as they were filtering. I guess I was lucky in that respect.

walwyn1978

Filtering isn't taught in the motorbike CBT course which tells you a lot. I've done it lots at low speed, not on motorways though. As already mentioned Rule 88 tells you it's perfectly legal, despite what some drivers think.

Marvel1

I think if on a motorway and motorway speed (no traffic jam), if going between middle and right lanes, then illegal as you are undertaking the vehicle in the right hand lane.

I have seen a video where a biker attempted to go between 2 lorries and misjudged the gap, luckily survived.

In slow moving traffic I would move over if I saw one, don't fancy my wing mirror being knocked