With all this talk of thanks, I was wondering if any of the car drivers here do this or if it’s just me…
When I see a bike some distance behind filtering up through, I’ll wait until they are about 3 or 4 cars lengths before making an obvious move giving them plenty of space. You know, so they see me do it and know someone is looking out for them and get a well deserved thanks. And then if they don’t, mark them down mentally as miserable honda/ktm/bmw/harley/sportsbike gits as they painlessly glide through the gridlock Because I know when I’m filtering my eyes are mostly watching for immediate danger and not surveying the situation 10+ cars ahead, and would thus miss the gesture myself.
I try, but in the van if I am in the middle lane when they come up both sides it’s impossible to get out the way . So I sit in the middle and they just gotta hope someone either side of me moves .
I try to do something similar but nearly got caught out on theA406 the other day. I was in middle lane and saw bike coming between me and lane on the right. Just as I was about to move to the left still in my lane another bike came along on the left between lane 1 and 2 filtering between Lorries and cars.
Always try to keep an eye out for bikes and give them room. try to make sure my actions convey that to them as well. Not bothered if they don’y say thanks. Prefer they watch ahead for the ones who don’t see them. I always try to say thanks, when on the bike, if only just a small lift of the hand off the grip.
What I hate is when they block you and leave no space between them and a traffic island, idiots not using their mirrors, usually texting whilst driving. If there’s space but they still won’t move after flashing them or tooting, or dare flick a finger, I’m happy to show them how to adjust their mirrors… There seems to be more and more of them driving close to the middle line I suppose to see how many cars are stuck in traffic but that’s no excuse ! C**ts!
I think it is a given really, if I see a bike I move and I don’t think there will be many Riders who also drive cars would not as they know that feeling of being held up for no reason.
Hi all
We must remember that car drivers are human also
And the days that I ride my bike out I find that most if not all car drivers will let me through when I am filtering
I always say thanks , with a cheery wave then I’m on my way
I for one think we should live and let live on the roads
And talk about the fun times we share on the roads of London
i usually move over a little to make room, but carefull not to make any sudden movements, and if they are filtering from both sides just stay put - you could inadvertantly move to let one past and block (or worse) another.
i must admit, considering i drive and ride, in the car bikes can be surprisingly difficult to spot (even when watching out for them)
recently went to pull out at dusk in traffic, and i could hear a bike, but checked mirror and only saw car way back.
my better judgement told me to wait - and the bike wizzed past.
due to the low light, the glare from the car that was behind the bike was dazling, and the bike itself wasnt visible - be careful out there.
Its not always helpful to move over - i have seen car drivers panic at reasonable speeds, pulling over to let a biker whos riding to close, revving and trying to imtimidate, the car drivers gets startled and in his panic to move out of way hits the kerb and bounces back across… (this actually happened a few yrs back on the A40 after leaving ace on a rideout, it was a classic ferrari in question this particular time!)
TBH this is why I don’t fully buy the loud pipes argument outside of avoiding pedestrians. I won’t be aware of a swift biker until I’m overtaken if I’m not expecting an overtake opportunity, like on a fast A road, and the music is often loud enough to [intentionally?] drown out the passengers let alone anything else happening outside…
Because I know when I’m filtering my eyes are mostly watching for immediate danger and not surveying the situation 10+ cars ahead, and would thus miss the gesture myself.
