Are motorcycles allowed to drive between lanes?

Andy_L

In and of itself filtering isn't illegal. However,like "ordinary overtaking" depending on the circumstances it may be classed as dangerous/careless/inconsiderate driving which is illegal.

Mercdriver

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?

Whether legal or not in circumstances you find, it's generally best to be watching for them in your mirrors and to avoid any potential for an incident. Even if the motorcyclist is at fault.

interstellaflyer

Filtering is perfectly legal and in slow or near stationary traffic I will move over to the left of the inside lane slightly to give the motorcyclist more room. However, the guys that speed down between the 2 lanes when the outside lane is moving at 70 are just morons and are likely to become another statistic.

DKLS

Never had an issue with a biker filtering, give them some room and they are soon past, just don't try to be like tis plum who wants to police the road.
https://youtu.be/We8USOz67lY


I like this guys skills, although the margin for error is very slim.
https://youtu.be/B4KqJYDwxsk

Johno100

interstellaflyer wrote: »

Filtering is perfectly legal and in slow or near stationary traffic I will move over to the left of the inside lane slightly to give the motorcyclist more room.

Careful with that, you'll get it in the neck from pedal cyclists who want to filter/undertake on the left.

tykesi

cjdavies wrote: »

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

Bold not illegal.

rdr

Johno100 wrote: »

Careful with that, you'll get it in the neck from pedal cyclists who want to filter/undertake on the left.

On my pedal bike I prefer to filter on the right, it's usually quicker and safer. Less risk of being doored too.
The really frightening motor cycle filterers are the ones that are going so much faster than the traffic that they just appear between scans of you mirrors. This often happens if your are behind one lorry overtaking another on the A12. Anyone driving much faster than the rest of the traffic needs to be very careful.

tykesi

DKLS wrote: »

Never had an issue with a biker filtering, give them some room and they are soon past, just don't try to be like tis plum who wants to police the road.
https://youtu.be/We8USOz67lY

His user name tells you all you need to know.

interstellaflyer

Johno100 wrote: »

Careful with that, you'll get it in the neck from pedal cyclists who want to filter/undertake on the left.

On a 2 lane motorway?

Johno100

interstellaflyer wrote: »

On a 2 lane motorway?

Of course not, but you knew that wasn't what I was referring to.