Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB - Filtering Through Traffic

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- - Filtering Through Traffic - Germany (https://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/europe/filtering-through-traffic-germany-43245)

with regards to not wanting to overtake, I think it can come down to the way you present yourself. if you sit up the vehicles chuff in the overtaking zone then they will assume you want to overtake. if you sit well back and directly behind then they will realise you aren't itching to overtake. A lot of van drivers ride bikes remember!

filtering in slow or stationary traffic seems ok to me, but the habit I see in the UK of bikers 'filtering' (undertaking) at 70+mph, even in bad weather does annoy me enormously. It's mind bogglingly dangerous and how, when slipping through a gap barely wider than their bike, at high speed can those riders then expect cage drivers to give them the same room as a car at other times. the same applies at junctions. it really does hack me off when a biker overtakes me at a junction, then pulls in front of me to take up a car sized space. you wouldn't overtake someone in your car at a junction and then pull in front so why do it on a bike!!

just my two pennith of course, but then I am one of those that has to try and glue you back together again after it's all gone a bit wrong!!

As mentioned earlier, lane splitting in Germany is illegal. This is judged as "passing from the right".
Last summer on my way to HU meeting in Germany, I was doing this and got fined by 100€.
In any case, everyone are doing it here...

Quote:

Originally Posted by McCrankpin (Post 244749)

Thanks for a great set of replies.
I think I'll continue, more or less, as I have before. Filter very carefully (although I've never come across a hostile reaction to my filtering), eyes everywhere, including for doors opening.
Stop if local bikers have stopped, and have a good look at all the cars ahead in case the police are also in the queue.
Stop filtering when close to the cause of the queue.
Take a crossword to do if I do get stuck behind stationary police like last year.

Thanks Steve for the night-riding suggestion. I used to do that but now I really prefer just to ride during the daylight.

To Vaufi and all other German bikers - good luck in getting the law changed.

Here's a supplementary question, prompted by some of the replies above.
I find in the UK these days, most car drivers will pull over to make room for bikes to pass.
But we have, maybe, the greatest density of speed cameras in the world. So after quite a few years of training, I've trained myself to stick to 30mph whenever I can't be bothered to look out for them, or know where they are but think I might accidentally forget one. It's been hard work, but I can now stick to 30 without feeling like I'm locked up in the tiniest possible cell and someone's thrown the key away.
But, I still find the car ahead will pull right over to let me pass, and I don't want to!
I just want to stick at 32mph in case I forget myself, and the next camera, and get a ticket!
How do you signal to the considerate driver in front that you don't want to overtake?

Thanks again for all the replies.

Easy mate, keep a good distance to the car in front and they won't pull over to help you.

From the original topic.
I am amazed that German car drivers are permitted to commit attempted murder of a motorcyclist because he breaks a traffic rule. Then this is the motorcyclist fault????
Anyone who show agression on the road should be penalized, they do cause more accidents then non-agressive people.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hemuli (Post 353013)

I would like to know the circumstances regarding this.

As I mentioned in my post, I ride in Germany regularly, especially in the summer. I have seen literally 1000s of bikes filter through stationary traffic and have never known anyone be stopped or fined.

Filtering through moving traffic is a totally different thing though.

Steve

Quote:

Originally Posted by steveindenmark (Post 355310)

As I mentioned in my post, I ride in Germany regularly, especially in the summer. I have seen literally 1000s of bikes filter through stationary traffic and have never known anyone be stopped or fined.

Having never been caught doesn't mean it's allowed.

Quote:

Originally Posted by steveindenmark (Post 355310)

Filtering through moving traffic is a totally different thing though.

Not in Germany. The only exception for this rule are push bikes approaching a red light when a queue of cars is already building and there is enough place for the bicycle to pass to get to the stop line.

Hans

Quote:

Originally Posted by steveindenmark (Post 355310)

Almost everyone are doing this in Germany.
I have been riding here 180 000km and this was first time I got fined.
Circumstances: totally stopped traffic in Stuttgart area A8. Like normally, cars moved to the side, so no issues passing them (1st gear).
I did not notice police car, so they came after me and told that this is judged as "passing from the right" which is forbidden :thumbdown:

Came upon this old thread and was reminded that I passed several kms of stationary cars near Stuttgart last June. The German drivers are quite good at pulling aside to leave a "rettungsgasse" and nobody seemed to mind that I sailed past. Happily there weren't any cops in the stau....

Filter weave ...

The only country in Western Europe that I have had a problem when trying to filter through walking pace traffic was Germany, yes it's illegal but most Germans accept that it doesn't cause any problems...but some do like to adhere to their rules !
Truckers will pull over, as will the majority but there will always be the bell end who will do his / her best to bump you off the bike so take care.
On the spot fine if you are caught.

On a different note...a recent trip from Bulgaria to Turkey and I was caught up in a long tail of traffic ( Turkish customs were searching every car in the Q but they searched them in the line and didn't pull them aside..hence the long Q ), people in the Q were being quite forceful and told me to go to the front ( involved riding up and over several high kerbs..on a loaded GS 1150 ), when I neared the front a very attractive young lady told me to get to the back of the Q...I duly did as she instructed as she was pointing a gun at me at that point !

Temperature was 44c and 2 hours later I was free to enter Turkey :cool4: