Tag Archives: lane filtering

Danger in lane filtering around trucks

Lane filtering around trucks can be dangerous simply because riders can be invisible to the truck driver, even if you are right in front!

The Goldwing World Facebook page published the above photograph claiming all the bikes in the photo are in the truck’s blind spots.

It has been shared on many occasions. But notice that one of the positions where riders cannot be seen is right in front of the truck.

I have witnessed riders filter to the front of a line of traffic and then move across to sit in the lane in front of a prime mover.

The truck driver could be totally unaware of the presence of the rider.

So if the rider stalls when the lights turn green, what’s stopping the driver from running over the top of you if you happen to stall?

Or if the rider is distracted and misses the change of lights and the truckie is keen to get going … splat!

Lane filtering rulesHow to ride safely in heavy traffic lane filtering happiest commuters commuting plan trucks

Despite the dangers of trucks to lane filtering riders, only the ACT prohibits lane filtering next to buses and trucks.

There is no mention in the official lane filtering rules for Queensland, NSW, SA, Victoria or Tasmania.

However, they all suggest in their explanatory notes riders “should avoid” filtering next to buses and heavy vehicles.

It should also be noted that an overriding rule is that riders must lane filter only “when safe to do so” (or similar words).

This is mentioned in Victoria, SA, ACT, Queensland and Tasmania, but not NSW,

It not only puts the onus on the rider to act responsibly and safely, but also provides police with some latitude to fine riders based on their judgement.

Onus on trucks

While riders should always take responsibility for their own safety, there is also an onus on truck drivers and other motorists to share the road with all vehicles, including motorcycles.

London has taken it further, banning trucks (lorries) over 3.5 tonnes that do not have special extended mirrors to reduce blind spots.

Drivers with a non-complaint vehicle face a £50 Fixed Penalty Notice and potential fine of £1000 in the Magistrates Court.

Similar legislation would be most welcome here in Australia.

RACQ safety officer and Suzuki Bandit fan Steve Spalding says blind spots around large vehicles are “a very risky situation for riders”.

“If there are ways to improve the types of mirrors fitted, or have better placement of existing ones, then we’d like to see heavy vehicle operators make those changes,” he says.

“Riders have to be aware of their vulnerability at all times but particularly when in congested traffic and around large and heavy vehicles because it can be difficult for truck drivers to cover all the blind spots.”

However, the truck mirror legislation would not have helped the London rider in this video which has gone viral. He was in front of the driver!

More blind spots

One of the big problems with riding near trucks, buses and other big vehicles is that their blind sports are not the same.

Fixed vehicles such as vans and buses/coaches have different blind spots to B doubles or prime movers with trailers. There are also extra blind spots for trucks with hoods (eg Mack) rather than cab-over trucks (eg Hino) with flat fronts.

We spoke with several bus and truck drivers and they say they don’t have a lot of problems with riders, but agree that there is potential for riders to get lost in blind spots.

For fixed vehicles, the worst blind spot is close on the inside (left in RHD countries and right for LHD countries) of the vehicle. Most heavy vehicles have blind-spot mirrors, but fast-accelerating bikes can zoom into view so quickly on a slow-moving vehicle, the driver may not have had a chance to see them.

Prime movers also have the problem that when they turn, their mirrors, which are fixed to the prime mover, show only a view of the trailer on one side and a wide view on the other, creating a massive blind spot area.

For trucks with a big bonnet, almost every near position from the mirrors forward is a blind spot, especially by the inside fender.

Drivers say riders can slip into the gap in front of a truck without them seeing the bike, which could result in a rear-ender as they approach a red traffic light.

They also claim that when the lights turn green, a gap opens up in front of slow-moving trucks and riders tend to slip into that gap where they may not be seen.

trucks

Wide berth

Motorcycles need to give trucks a wide berth on all angles in all traffic situations.

And don’t hope that your loud exhaust will alert the truck driver to your presence.

Most truck cabins are loud because the driver is sitting over the engine and is probably playing music or their CB radio over the top.

They will not hear you until you have passed them.

Sucked in

Bus and truck drivers also warn about the aerodynamic effects of following and riding too close to their vehicles.

Vehicles such as buses and some trailers with carriages low to the ground tend to create a vacuum at highway speeds that can suck a light bike toward them and potentially under their wheels.

Other trailers can push riders away into oncoming traffic. Some trailers, such as those carrying vehicles, create so much turbulence it can send a light bike into a tank slapper.

The effect is worse if the rider follows too closely before overtaking as they cop a sudden blast as they draw up alongside.

Oakey truckie Brad Shannon advises: “If you can see our mirrors we should be able to see you. But I always look twice, anyway.”

Trucks
Truckie Brad Shannon

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Road rage against motorcyclists ‘on rise’

The father of a young rider who was rammed from behind by a driver who had previously tried to block him from legally lane filtering says road rage against riders is on the rise.

Daniel Lee of Brisbane says his 23-year-old son, Lucas, was “rammed up the butt” by the driver who had “earlier and deliberately tried to block my son from filtering”.

“My son told him that it was legal but was met with a tirade of expletives,” Daniel says.road rage tailgate tailgating rear-ender motorcycles BMW S 1000 RR lane filtering lane splitting

“This driver drove up my son’s back twice.

“My son walked away with just a scratch. His bike (BMW S 1000 RR) was totalled.road rage tailgate tailgating rear-ender motorcycles BMW S 1000 RR lane filtering lane splitting

“The driver was charged for malicious driving and got three months’ suspended licence.”

Rage on the rise

road rage tailgate tailgating rear-ender motorcycles BMW S 1000 RR lane filtering lane splitting
ACT police are seeking to charge this driver with road rage on legally filtering riders 

Daniel says road rage against motorcyclists is on the rise.

“Me and my two sons commute almost daily on our bikes through city traffic where you will tend to encounter frustrated drivers,” he says.

Daniel claims he was recently chased by a “clown in a ute because I lane filtered to the front”.

“I got off the line but he tried to keep abreast of me to intimidate,” he says.

“I moved off to allow him to overtake. At the next set of lights he kept watching and waiting for me to start filtering up to his side but my spidey sense told me he was up to something and I deliberately slowed down and about to filter when he suddenly closed the gap real tight by turning into the median.

“I flicked off to the left side and entered a bicycle green box. When the light turned he tried chasing me but failed.

“Instead he tailgated me as I deliberately kept abreast with a car to my left.

“Eventually I had to move ahead so as not to hold up traffic. He sped up to the lights and as I took the right lane and he on the left, he wound down his window and spat at me.”

road rage tailgate tailgating rear-ender motorcycles BMW S 1000 RR lane filtering lane splitting
Daniel and riding friends

Good Samaritan

Not all drivers are intimidating toward riders, Daniel says.

“Another ute came and wedged himself between me and him to protect me from the wanker trying to run me off the road when the lights turned green,” he says.

“The Good Samaritan told the wanker to stop his cursing and grow up.

“Wanker took a left and I went straight. Samaritan gave me a wave and a thumbs up for which I am really grateful.” 

Daniel says some drivers become road ragers because they have a negative attitude towards bikers.

“No amount of reasoning and explanation would ever convince them to be patient and be more accommodating,” he says.

“Half a second after the lights turn green and a bike can easily get ahead and not hold drivers up, but ragers will push their cars to intimidate. Nothing will stop them from getting even.”

Road rage strategiesroad rage tailgate tailgating rear-ender motorcycles BMW S 1000 RR lane filtering lane splitting

Daniel asks what is the best strategy for dealing with road ragers. Click here for our recommendations.

“I prefer to slip between traffic and move off as I once had a rager actually try to run me over,” he says.

“A camera is a great option to record the misdemeanour for the police to intervene.”

Do you agree road rage towards riders is on the rise? What can be done? Leave your comments below.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Lane filtering road rage charges stalled

Charges against a driver who is shown in a video and photograph to swerve toward legally lane-filtering riders have stalled because the riders have not come forward with evidence.

ACT police have confirmed they are still investigating the October incident and hope to charge the driver.

However, a spokesperson told us that the driver could easily cast doubt about his actions without critical evidence from the riders involved.

The incidents occurred on Majura Parkway on Tuesday, October 30, 2018. One incident is shown in this video which we published on November 2.

Police were made aware of this video a day later and began investigating.

A week later, a photo emerged of a second similar incident on the same day.

Surely it demonstrates the first incident was not accidental and that the driver is intent on causing alarm and/or injury.

Police seek riders in lane filtering incidents
The rider in the second incident

Charges stalled

On November 15, we published a plea from ACT Policing for the rider to come forward.

There was no response and the charges have stalled.

The police spokesperson has now asked for us to make another call for help to identify the two riders.

Here is the Police version of the events:

About 4:30pm, the riders were separately travelling northbound on Majura Parkway, Majura, when a green Ford Falcon swerved, almost colliding with the riders. At the time, the riders were lawfully lane filtering.

If you are one of the motorbike riders affected please contact ACT Policing on 131444. Please quote reference 6327970.

Police are also urging anyone who knows the motorbike riders or who witnessed or has dash-cam footage of this incident to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or via the Crime Stoppers ACT website.

Please quote reference 6327970. Information can be provided anonymously.

ACT Police have confirmed Motorbike Writer “will be the first we call” if/when the driver is charged.

Legal filtering

Interestingly, these incidents occurred only a few weeks after the ACT made lane filtering legal.

Lane filtering is now legal in all states and territories (except NT and WA which is expected to follow shortly) and has been legal in NSW more than four years.

So there is no excuse for this driver’s ignorance of the laws as the ACT is inside the state of NSW.

Not only is lane filtering legal but it also benefits all motorists as it helps move heavy traffic more quickly.

What does it take for drivers to understand this?

You can do your bit to educate drivers by sharing this article you are reading now as well as this “Open letter to drivers“.

Filtering rage

Drivers trying to obstruct riders has been happening ever since lane filtering was introduced.

Check out this video from last year sent to us by Newcastle rider Harry Criticos.

“I was filtering legally when a driver stuck his whole body out in an attempt to block me,” the 2016 Triple Black R 1200 GS rider told us.

“I did not stop and he did make contact with the bike. I hope it hurt.”

It might be worth telling your driver mates that this particular motorist not only got hit, but also copped a $325 fine and three demerit points.

Lane filtering is legal 

Surely it is time for some major advertising campaigns in each state to advise motorists that riders are allowed to filter and what benefits there are for ALL motorists.

That was the major finding of an online poll we conducted in 2016, yet there are still no major ad campaigns.

So far, lane filtering education campaigns have been minimal and mainly aimed at riders, not the general motoring public.

We not only need major ad campaigns, but also roadside signage such as this photoshopped sign.

lane filtering signs consensus duty defend filter
Here’s a sign we’d like to see!

We are not aware of any polls about lane filtering in Australia.

However, in California where lane splitting (filtering at higher speeds than 30km/h) is legal, polls have found it is vastly unpopular among other road users. The main objection is that it’s unfair!

That breeds hostility which results in stupid behaviour such as in the above video.

Lane filtering lane splitting America danger bosch filter
Lane splitting is unpopular in the USA

So long as lane filtering remains unpopular and/or erroneously believed to be illegal, motorists will do stupid and dangerous things to stop riders filtering.

Police ‘not interested’

Not only are authorities not interested in educating the motoring public about lane filtering, but police don’t seem to help, either.

Harry says police were initially not interested in following up on his complaint about this driver.Lane filter Incident

After we published the video, Harry went back to the police to find out why charges had stalled.

Eventually the driver was charged.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Should riders be allowed on road shoulders?

Highway road shoulders look inviting for motorcyclists when the traffic is heavy, but is it legal and are they a safety trap for riders?

Some say it is actually safer than filtering between lanes of traffic as there are fewer instances of drivers suddenly pulling on to the road shudders compared with drivers swapping lanes.

However, we have heard several reports of riders (including us) copping flat tyres from the detritus on the road shoulder such as nails from illegally unsecured tradies’ utes. Queensland Motorcycle Breakdown Service tyre punctures puncture-proof tyres flirting shoulders

Queensland is the only state in Australia that allows riders to use the road shoulder, but only in certain conditions:

  • the speed limit is 90km/h or more;
  • your speed is 30km/h or less;
  • you give way to bicycle riders or other motorcycle riders already using the shoulder;
  • you are not riding on any unsealed parts of the road;
  • there are no roadworks;
  • you are not in a tunnel; and
  • it is safe to do so.

It used to be illegal if the variable electronic speed signal dropped below 90km/h but that has now been amended, thanks to representations by the Motorcycle Riders Association of Queensland.

Safe to do soEdge filtering is allowed under Queendsland lane filtering rules shoulders

The final conditions “when safe to do so” seems to put the onus on the rider to judge the prevailing conditions.

However, it also allows police leeway to pass judgement on your riding and issue a fine of $341 and three demerit points.

Some riders in other states have called for lane filtering rules to include road shoulders.

However, we have not found a politician or road department interested in amending the rules. 

American shoulders

In the USA, California is the only state that allows lane filtering or lane splitting, but it is not clear if riders can use the road shoulder.

Lane filtering lane splitting America shoulders
Lane filtering or lane splitting in California

Around San Francisco, they are considering allowing buses and car poolers to use the shoulder when traffic is heavy, so it may not be a safe place for riders.

Hawaii this year allows riders to use the road shoulder so long as they did not travel faster than 10mph and traffic was stopped. They must leave the shoulder when traffic begins moving again.

Although the law went into effect from January 1 2019, no road shoulder has yet been officially designated for use by motorcyclists.

Do you believe riders are safer on road shoulders than between lanes? Leave your comments below.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Tesla Autopilot detects lane filtering riders

Electric car company Tesla is further developing its Autopilot software that detects lane-filtering riders as shown in this driver’s YouTube video.

One of the biggest issues about the rapid move toward autonomous vehicles is how they will detect small and vulnerable road users such as motorcyclists, cyclists and pedestrians.

In one incident in San Francisco last year a lane filtering rider was hit by a Chevrolet Bolt electric vehicle being driven in autonomous mode.

And police had the hide to blame the rider!

The Australian Motorcycle Council and other motorcycle representative groups around the world have called on authorities to slow down the testing and introduction of autonomous vehicles.

A motorcycle industry group in the USA called Give a Shift went so far as to say that “the single biggest threat to motorcycling overall (particularly in urban and higher density environments) will be the incompatibility between autonomous vehicles and existing motorcycles”.

However, motorcycle, car and tech companies such as Bosch are continuing to work together to develop systems that better identify and communicate with each other.

So while we still have grave concerns, it appears technology is starting to find solutions that just might make us safer.

In fact, BMW Motorrad spokesman Karl Viktor Schaller declares they will make riding safer because autonomous vehicles (AVs) will be virtually crashproof.

Tesla Autopolit

Tesla has now launched its Version 9 software update to Autopilot 2.0+ hardware that has a more advanced “neural net” to detect smaller and faster-moving objects around the vehicle.

That includes lane-filtering motorcycles.

In the above video by Tesla Model 3 owner Scott Kubo, there are several examples of lane-splitting riders in LA travelling at much higher speeds than the 30km/h lane filtering maximum in Australia.

The system struggles at times to detect them both day and night.

Tesla detects lane filtering riders
Tesla detects lane filtering rider in video, but not on the sidescreen graphic.

In some cases it mistakes a bike for a car and in others the bike is in the next lane and passing right through cars!

Scott says drivers also use their ears to detect motorcycles and suggests an audio sensor to help the camera and radar sensors.

However, the bikes — including a couple of loud Harleys — are only audible for the last couple of seconds as they are coming from behind.

With the crackdown on exhaust noise and the coming wave of quiet electric motorcycles, an audio sensor would probably be pointless.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Police renew call to identify riders

ACT police have renewed their call for help to identify two riders who were videoed in separate incidents where a car swerved toward them while they were legally lane-filtering.

The incidents occurred on Majura Parkway on Tuesday, October 30. One incident is shown in this video which we published on November 2.

Police were made aware of this video a day later and began investigating.

A second video later emerged showing another rider also being intimidated by the same driver.

This surely demonstrates that the first incident was not accidental. Instead, the driver seems intent on causing alarm and/or injury.

ACT Police made their first call to identify the riders in late November.

Second call for riders

The riders have not yet come forward so they have now renewed their call.

Police seek riders in lane filtering incidents call
The rider in the second incident

It seems the driver cannot be charged without police interviewing the riders.

If you are one of the riders or you know the riders, please contact ACT police.

Police issued these details of the incident:

About 4:30pm, the riders were separately travelling northbound on Majura Parkway, Majura, when a green Ford Falcon swerved, almost colliding with the riders. At the time, the riders were lawfully lane filtering.

If you are one of the motorbike riders affected please contact ACT Policing on 131444. Please quote reference 6327970.

Police are also urging anyone who knows the motorbike riders or who witnessed or has dash-cam footage of this incident to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or via the Crime Stoppers ACT website.

Please quote reference 6327970. Information can be provided anonymously.

ACT Police have confirmed they will alert us on the outcome of their investigation into these incidents.

Legal filtering

Interestingly, these incidents occurred only a few weeks after the ACT made lane filtering legal.

Lane filtering is now legal in all states and territories (except NT and WA which is expected to follow shortly) and has been legal in NSW more than four years.

So there is no excuse for this driver’s ignorance of the laws as the ACT is inside the state of NSW.

Not only is lane filtering legal but it also benefits all motorists as it helps move heavy traffic more quickly.

What does it take for drivers to understand this?

You can do your bit to educate drivers by sharing this article you are reading now as well as this “Open letter to drivers“.

Perth incident

Meanwhile, in another road rage incident in Perth on Sunday, October 28, a driver swerved at a rider twice.

We posted YouTube video of the incidents, but it has since been removed.

However, it showed the driver trying to hit the rider at traffic lights, then a second time further down the road.

At the end of the video the driver gets out at traffic lights to have a go at the rider, but forgets to engage his handbrake! His car almost rolls into the car in front.

We contacted WA Police to make them aware of the video.

They said they would investigate and we have continued to follow up, but they say they are still investigating.

Filtering rage

Drivers trying to obstruct riders has been happening ever since lane filtering was introduced.

Check out this video from last year sent to us by Newcastle rider Harry Criticos.

“I was filtering legally when a driver stuck his whole body out in an attempt to block me,” the 2016 Triple Black R 1200 GS rider told us.

“I did not stop and he did make contact with the bike. I hope it hurt.”

It might be worth telling your driver mates that this particular motorist not only got hit, but also copped a $325 fine and three demerit points.

Lane filtering is legal 

Surely it is time for some major advertising campaigns in each state to advise motorists that riders are allowed to filter and what benefits there are for ALL motorists.

That was the major finding of an online poll we conducted in 2016, yet there are still no major ad campaigns.

So far, lane filtering education campaigns have been minimal and mainly aimed at riders, not the general motoring public.

We not only need major ad campaigns, but also roadside signage such as this photoshopped sign.

lane filtering signs consensus duty defend filter call
Here’s a sign we’d like to see!

We are not aware of any polls about lane filtering in Australia.

However, in California where lane splitting (filtering at higher speeds than 30km/h) is legal, polls have found it is vastly unpopular among other road users. The main objection is that it’s unfair!

That breeds hostility which results in stupid behaviour such as in the above video.

Lane filtering lane splitting America danger bosch filter call
Lane splitting is unpopular in the USA

So long as lane filtering remains unpopular and/or erroneously believed to be illegal, motorists will do stupid and dangerous things to stop riders filtering.

Police ‘not interested’

Not only are authorities not interested in educating the motoring public about lane filtering, but police don’t seem to help, either.

Harry says police were initially not interested in following up on his complaint about this driver.Lane filter Incident call

After we published the video, Harry went back to the police to find out why they did not charge this driver.

Eventually the driver was charged.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Police seek riders in lane filtering incidents

ACT police have asked for help to identify two riders who were videoed in separate incidents where a car swerved toward them while they were legally lane-filtering.

The incidents occurred on Majura Parkway on Tuesday, October 30. One incident is shown in this video which we published on November 2.

Police were made aware of this video a day later and began investigating.

Two incidents

It now appears there were two incidents involving the same driver.

This surely demonstrates that the first incident was not accidental. Instead, the driver seems intent on causing alarm and/or injury.

ACT Police have now released the images on this page (at top and below) of both incidents.

Police seek riders in lane filtering incidents
The rider in the second incident

They are seeking the identity of the two motorbike riders involved and have released this statement:

About 4:30pm, the riders were separately travelling northbound on Majura Parkway, Majura, when a green Ford Falcon swerved, almost colliding with the riders. At the time, the riders were lawfully lane filtering.

If you are one of the motorbike riders affected please contact ACT Policing on 131444. Please quote reference 6327970.

Police are also urging anyone who knows the motorbike riders or who witnessed or has dash-cam footage of this incident to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or via the Crime Stoppers ACT website.

Please quote reference 6327970. Information can be provided anonymously.

ACT Police have confirmed they will alert us on the outcome of their investigation into these incidents.

Legal filtering

Interestingly, these incidents occurred only a few weeks after the ACT made lane filtering legal.

Lane filtering is now legal in all states and territories (except NT and WA which is expected to follow shortly) and has been legal in NSW more than four years.

So there is no excuse for this driver’s behaviour in the ACT which is inside the state of NSW.

Not only is lane filtering legal but it also benefits all motorists as it helps move heavy traffic more quickly.

What does it take for drivers to understand this?

You can do your bit to educate drivers by sharing this article you are reading now as well as this “Open letter to drivers“.

Perth incident

Meanwhile, in another road rage incident in Perth on Sunday, October 28, a driver swerved at a rider twice.

We posted YouTube video of the incidents, but it has since been removed.

However, it showed the driver trying to hit the rider at traffic lights, then a second time further down the road.

At the end of the video the driver gets out at traffic lights to have a go at the rider, but forgets to engage his handbrake! His car almost rolls into the car in front.

We contacted WA Police to make them aware of the video.

They said they would investigate and when we followed up yesterday they said they were still investigating.

Filtering rage

Drivers trying to obstruct riders has been happening ever since lane filtering was introduced.

Check out this video from last year sent to us by Newcastle rider Harry Criticos.

[embedded content]

“I was filtering legally when a driver stuck his whole body out in an attempt to block me,” the 2016 Triple Black R 1200 GS rider told us.

“I did not stop and he did make contact with the bike. I hope it hurt.”

It might be worth telling your driver mates that this particular motorist not only got hit, but also copped a $325 fine and three demerit points.

Lane filtering is legal 

Surely it is time for some major advertising campaigns in each state to advise motorists that riders are allowed to filter and what benefits there are for ALL motorists.

That was the major finding of an online poll we conducted in 2016, yet there are still no major ad campaigns.

So far, lane filtering education campaigns have been minimal and mainly aimed at riders, not the general motoring public.

We not only need major ad campaigns, but also roadside signage such as this photoshopped sign.

lane filtering signs consensus duty defend filter
Here’s a sign we’d like to see!

We are not aware of any polls about lane filtering in Australia.

However, in California where lane splitting (filtering at higher speeds than 30km/h) is legal, polls have found it is vastly unpopular among other road users. The main objection is that it’s unfair!

That breeds hostility which results in stupid behaviour such as in the above video.

Lane filtering lane splitting America danger bosch filter
Lane splitting is unpopular in the USA

So long as lane filtering remains unpopular and/or erroneously believed to be illegal, motorists will do stupid and dangerous things to stop riders filtering.

Police ‘not interested’

Not only are authorities not interested in educating the motoring public about lane filtering, but police don’t seem to help, either.

Harry says police were initially not interested in following up on his complaint about this driver.Lane filter Incident

After we published the video, Harry went back to the police to find out why they did not charge this driver.

Eventually the driver was charged.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com