My honest opinion of lane filtering is that its the stupidest thing Ive seen in years .... why should bikes get any special laws just to get to the front of the traffic? ... who wants to anyway? .... if you cant just 'get ahead' riding thru moving traffic , swapping lanes or wateva, then hand in your licence. All it does is create shitty drivers or arrogant dicks on bikes squeezing past between vehicles when theres really no room .... dumb law makes about as much sense as "loud pipes save lives" .... utter bullshite Thankfully I dont commute or ride on multi lane roads .... any idiots on bikes that pull up next to me at lights in my lane they will have a taste of Land Cruiser bull bar up their arse
I like filtering, less chance of a car rear ending you, it also give's you a clear road ahead when you take off And save's quite a bit of time when there's heavier traffic, you don't have to wait for 3 or 4 set's of light's to get through the intersection's South road here can get pretty busy with all the road upgrade's going on too, i can filter through 50 or 60 car's waiting at each set of light's so save's a lot of time. The picture below used to be 3 lane's each way, but should be a lot quicker to get through once it's all finished
Lane filtering is optional. If you like, you can pull up and sit amongst the cars. Personally, I think the law makers missed a golden opportunity when bringing in the law as most car drivers stop on or past the hard line giving the riders nowhere to go when they get to the front of the stationary queue. This leads to bikes in-between cars which is dangerous (for the bike rider). A boxed area for bikes would have fixed that. I recall @Murdo riding through Melbourne with me and commenting "how do you ride in this sh*t?". Riding amongst traffic in a big city is dangerous and filtering just helps to eliminate one extra danger and that's why it's legal and lane splitting is not.
I am against the unnecessary use of lane filtering, and those that misuse it (doing 80+kmh on the shoulder or 60 between cars). I live in Yeppoon and work in Rocky, so there is no need for me to filter - I do pull to one side of my lane to avoid being rear-ended. Lane filtering is only really for heavy congestion where traffic is moving at 10kmh or less for a substantial distance (several sets of lights or KMs), and it is safe to do so. I tried it in Brisbane and decided it was dangerous if the traffic started moving before you got to the front. Just because you can, doesn't mean you should.
Been lane filtering for years and years, now its legal done correctly, I like it but I choose my times to do it. When I deem it safe I am happy to do it, after all, its my hide thats at stake. Each to their own, its not compulsory
Shane, you're describing lane splitting...that is illegal. Lane filtering has a maximum speed of 30kph and the cops can still book you if they deem you're filtering in a dangerous manner or the traffic situation doesn't warrant filtering. VIC spiel follows. Video is second link. https://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/safety-and-road-rules/motorcyclist-safety/motorcycle-filtering Here is a tax-payer funded 33-second explanation...
We only got an animated video, same rule's as Victoria Strict conditions apply to lane filtering: only permitted at speeds of 30km/h or slower only permitted when safe to do so not permitted in a school zone or across pedestrian and children's crossings not permitted next to parked cars or between vehicles and the kerb, or on roundabouts not permitted in bicycle, bus or tram lanes only permitted by R and R-Date licensed motor bike riders. Persons with a P1 Provisional or Learner’s permit and moped riders with a car licence only must not lane filter The penalty for unlawful lane filtering is a $363 expiation fee and 3 demerit points.
Like I said, misuse. Qld is much the same, except they recently allow you to use the bicycle waiting space at traffic lights or something.
I went to clean up some zxr front brake assembly. I didn't take "before" photos, but here's some "after" pics: Sand blasted the calipers - it's no wet blasting, so I'll paint them tomorrow. But which colour? The pistons were a lot tidier than I'm used to. This is more effort than I'm accustomed to, but should look good. Next is to sort seals.
Back to lane splitting... I was pinged for “illegal” filtering for overtaking a line of stationary cars on the left hand side. 2 points and a couple of hundred bucks for crossing an unbroken line.. possibly took pity on me in my scuffed old leathers, holey gloves , weathered helmet and 45 year old oily Moto Guzzi .
Yes, I believe that's called undertaking and illegal regardless of what vehicle you're in control of. Cops!...don't get me started!
Oh, I was meant to ask, who did you freight the frame with, @kiffsta ? Work colleague has a YZ 250 frame someone wants freighted to them.
Yesterday I took Ms. Linkin out on the bike again, she wanted to go to the beach, I wanted to go for a semi-decent ride and test out the new shock with a pillion. So we went for a ride down to Bundeena. Nice day out on the beach and the bike performed brilliantly