Were the Police being Unfair Here?

Question raised about filtering through traffic on a motorcycle:
x.com/mototing...
Free £50, bonuses, and more:
linktr.ee/blac...
Exclusive content: www.blackbeltb...
)
IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER:
I'm a Barrister of England and Wales.
Videos for educational guidance only, Always seek advice before taking action. Videos on my channel are not legal advice and should not be taken as such. I accept no liability for any reliance placed upon the content of these videos or references, therein. Description may contain affiliate or sponsored links, for which we may receive commissions or payment.

[@ma9x795]

If I was in a car in that situation and saw a motorcycle filtering behind, I'd just change my lane position to allow them to progress more easily and safely. It's a total no-brainer. Sometimes you come across a police officer who's let their power go to their head a little, but there's nothing you can do about that.

[@ChrisPatrick-q6k]

But not everyone's as observant, so there's a chance he'd end up swerving into the coned off area. People must be patient.

[@iallso1]

@@ChrisPatrick-q6k here in New Zealand the NZTA have identified that it is more dangerous for motorcyclists to wait patiently in the queue, and have put in place rules that keep motorcyclists safe, such as filtering, lane splitting, use of bus lanes and transit lanes. What this rider is doing is actually the safe option.

[@donaldjames3912]

Yep. Just move over a bit, plenty of space for a normal overtake. If it was an emergency bike behind, what? It couldn't overtake because it is a single lane? Nah. Move over, stop blocking the road.

[@daveberry2177]

@@ChrisPatrick-q6k im 63 and done it all my life at a slow speed, is its not safe then how can you overtake a push bike on a narrow lane

[@johnosborne694]

Plenty of room copper doesn't like bikes, if he moved to his left the bike could pass at his own discretion.

[@paulmcgeoch2603]

Whatever the right or wrong is the policeman should have had spoken to the bike rider with a bit of respect and not like a piece of shit.

[@joaquimioakim229]

There are lot coppers like that

[@Asad-2166]

They are all like that,

[@GMac2776]

@Asad-2166 ​You've spoken to them all have you?

[@GMac2776]

​@@Asad-2166 you have spoken to them all have you?

[@DMC888]

They seem to forget who pays their wages.

[@angusmacmillan5365]

I have filtered through traffic many times in the past without any pronlems. In fact, many motorists pull ove when they see a motorcycle in their rear view mirror. In this case I would argue that the cones were the outside line and there was plenty of room to pass. If the lorry was too close to the cones common-sense would prevail and the filtering would have stopped. I think the real problem is the cop didn't like the motorcyclist appearing to jump the queue.

[@alexmorgan3435]

The cop was driving in considerately as he deliberately drove his cop car to the right of his lane when he saw the biker approaching from behind in his mirrors to prevent the motorcyclist from passing. How pathetic was that? He should be sent on a driver awareness course. The motorcyclist hadn't done anything wrong. Nothing.

[@krus3997]

Also let's not forget the police officer became a distraction by flailing and shouting out. The cones are within the other lane, this a new broken lane line was created, he assessed the gap was enough, so he's taken reasonable steps to remain safe. I'm not a bike person and where I live in Bristol, they are quite often not as safe or polite about filtering. The only wrong I see is the ego trip wannabe in the car.

[@pommeinzennor]

No way, the traffic is moving at a steady rate with only one lane. Definitely not enough room to filter. If it was moving slower I would agree with you

[@robertbarton4776]

@@pommeinzennorit would appear you have not read and understood the relevant sections of the Highway Code

[@pommeinzennor]

@@robertbarton4776 please show me where I am wrong

[@archstanton5603]

The alternative question is having seen the motorcyclist cautiously approaching, why didn't the police car move over in the traffic lane in order to give the motorcyclist room to pass?

[@thorgrimb2416]

Stupid ignorant reply from you, why did the motorcyclist not wait like every other road user what papers or laws, give it over everyone else ? Bet if a car or worse a lorry was within a foot foot and a half of you passing you would cry foul. The other lane ie the closed lane in practicality does not exist as it is officially closed for whatever reason. The motorcyclist has to observe the law and observe safety and be responsible for its own actions sick of people like you bey your the sort who loves the sticker "THINK BIKE" with no regard the sticker is better saying and more factually correct if it said "BIKE THINK" we do not know from this video why the other lane is shut, it could be debris it could be animals or works ongoing it might even be for work to start that night a few hours later etc, you don't need to know you need to follow laws and common sense re safety.

[@dicky3340]

Cos he has a mahooosive ego

[@nickbreen287]

Because filtering is not allowed in this scenario? Maybe?

[@neilpadfield]

Because he was probably more concerned about what would happen when he tried squeezing past the HGV and any vehicles after that where the driver is not so observant.

[@dicky3340]

Hobs

[@billyskoda6839]

I'm a retired UK area car driver. I would have pulled to the left to assist traffic flow. This H Youth 'roads policing officer ' needs to take a look at his behaviour. Policing is by consent in the UK. This officers behaviour is selfish and erodes public good will. Poor policing IMHO.

[@utrinqueparatus4617]

That would have been my approach. In a queue of this nature, I would expect a motorcyclist would attempt to 'filter' through, and I would be prepared to move left to give him room.

[@DropdudeJohn]

@@messageoftruth9797 Which roadworker would he have killed, can you point them out please as to where they are in this video

[@billyskoda6839]

@messageoftruth9797 a road worker? In UK roadworks. You send in a photo of a single workman in any 10 mile stretch of UK cones and I'll recant my comment.

[@billyskoda6839]

@messageoftruth9797 hopefully you don't share the roads with those of us reasonable drivers? Or judging from your self centred comment, I guess you don't share anything with anyone. It's all your road, right? You pay taxes, blah blah, blah.. people with the same attitude as you are the reason this country is restricted by traffic jams and is in decline.

[@mikehipperson]

@@messageoftruth9797 Do you mean the roadworkers who were probably at least a mile up the road?

[@sirtonymayo1468]

Police are wrong here as usual

[@jjwebster1]

As a cyclist I can recognise an obnoxious car driver when I see one and I see one here. Some car drivers really hate being over taken by bikes and di what they can to stop them. Personally, I wouldn't overtake a police car as I don't trust the police not to be difficult and stroppy and cause a situation where none is needed.

[@carefulcyclist719]

Its legal and low risk, if it was a single carriageway it would be an overtake, again perfectly legal and low risk if done carefully.

[@Smatnm]

…..but he hasn’t reached the lorry and you don’t know how the rider would handle that because it hasn’t happened yet. Filtering is legal, there is space, it’s up to the motorcyclist to determine what he feels safe enough to do and until he does something actually wrong the police officer has no business trying to police his behaviour.

[@gypsygem9395]

Exactly this

[@championn3c574]

I wouldn't have filtered, but I've got a sidecar.

[@smudge0356]

😂👍🏼

[@dh2032]

@@smudge0356 what three wheeler the robin reliant springs to mind it technically a motorbike, it covered on the fact its motorbike, and car?

[@laceandwhisky]

😂😂😂😂😂

[@attaat]

🤣

[@sentinal_uk]

@@dh2032 Robin reliant can be driven on a motorcycle license

[@Not_me_84]

We filter through because it's safer than sitting in traffic. Remember, we don't have crumple zones. If there was a pile up, the biker gets crushed. Better to get out of the way.

[@bobstreet8840]

You filter because your impatient and entitled.

[@Tim_Shippam]

I have heard such a ridiculous explanation of why motorbikes filter and I spent most of my early life on the back of bikes with friends... As the comment says above most of it is to do with being impatient. I have seen so many times when bikes are pushing such small and stupid spots.

[@Scott-lt9dr]

​@@bobstreet8840 filtering is one of the benefits of riding a motorbike, it's clearly allowable in the highway code, as long as done slowly and considerately. I suppose you just want the rider to sit still in line when they can easily get past?

[@bobstreet8840]

@@Scott-lt9dr congratulations on a classic straw man fallacy argument, I didn't say that bikers should sit in line when they can get past. I said that they are impatient and entitled, I really don't think you can argue against them being impatient, we can agree to disagree on the entitlement though.

[@Scott-lt9dr]

@@bobstreet8840 😂who recently learned about straw man and is desperate to put it in an argument! As a biker, I assure you I am patient, and do my best to maintain good relations with other road users, as I do when driving and indeed being a pedestrian. You disagree with the highway code about biker's general entitlement to filter? Ok, whatever, just drive safe.

[@alistairmonro]

If he's not filtering because the other lane is closed, then he is overtaking. Either way no law is broken. Officer was just hot, bothered and being held up.

[@abigailcross624]

Lanes are for one vehicle, not two abreast. Why can’t the rider just wait?!

[@JGmedia18]

⁠@@abigailcross624showing your ignorance !

[@davcrav]

You are not allowed to overtake if there isn't a gap to overtake into. No clear road ahead = illegal to overtake. It's also specifically illegal to overtake through roadworks. Section 167 of Highway Code.

[@spank86]

​@abigailcross624 you're wrong there. Otherwise you'd never be able to overtake on country lanes without a middle white line. There's no maximum occupancy rule for lanes and several roads have lanes where cars sit 2 abreast.

[@JGmedia18]

@@davcrav the Highway Code is not law it’s a code. The clue is in the name. By your reckoning you would be breaking the “law” if you didn’t look left and right and left again before crossing the road!

[@thomasdalton1508]

It isn't filtering. It is just overtaking. Motorbikes can overtake on a single lane road if there is space to do so. The reason there is a specific rule for filtering is because it involves undertaking, which is usually discouraged. Filtering is an exception to the rule against undertaking. There is no undertaking here, so we can just apply the usual rules for overtaking. Overtaking requires enough room to do so safely without crossing a solid white line. This looks safe to me as long as it is done at very low speed.

[@nicsnauticalia1737]

Exactly my thinking too.

[@EskiLdn]

Filtering is "overtaking" Slow moving traffic. Im not sure where you got the idea that filtering is undertaking, undertaking isnt filtering, its undertaking and shouldnt be done by motorists unless traffic forces you to do so.

[@stumpy8513]

​@@EskiLdnfiltering is both undertaking and overtaking at the same time and that's why it can only be done at slow speed because of the increased danger.

[@EskiLdn]

@@stumpy8513 You're just wrong.

[@togawearer2799]

@@EskiLdn Stomps feet and walks out?

[@DrRusty5]

In my opinion an aware driver would have happily moved left in the lane to open up space for the motorcyclists to pass. There was plenty of space on the left of the police car.

[@r4vr4c]

I would say the officer was on a power trip which seems to be increasingly more common these days

[@secondchance6603]

Cuntstable Butthurt was just doing his job of being an arrogant power tripping twat.

[@venividivici1401]

Maybe the rules suggest that single lane filtering is not filtering. The difference in safety though seems backwards. With two lanes of traffic a rider creates a 3rd down the middle meaning intermittent reaction gaps to each side whilst passing vehicles. With a single lane like this the rider has an intermittent reaction gap to the nearside and a continuous one to the offside, (until the lane closure). The "what ifs" are the same in either filtering scenario. Be safe, be slow, keep distance. Not sure why having a wall of traffic to your right is somehow safer than having space.... If the motorcyclist breached some law then the officer should have dealt with it accordingly. Otherwise, dont stick your hand out and rant at another road user for no (apparent) reason....🤷‍♂️

[@Scott-lt9dr]

100% agree. My thoughts entirely!

[@michaelwoffindin]

Filtering is completely legal in the UK and what the biker was trying to do is perfectly legal and safe. The copper is just upset that he has to sit in traffic. So he thinks everyone else should too. I bet his other car is a beamer. BMW drivers always throw a wobbler when another road user over takes them.

[@SuperAd1980]

Traffic was moving at the time so no, is the traffic was stationary then yes it would have been OK

[@nagualdesign]

Interesting. Perhaps you could provide some further speculation about his home life, or what sort of childhood he had?

[@Aloh-od3ef]

He was just angry at the thought of the motorcyclist getting ahead, while he sits in traffic. A classic case of police abusing their powers and making up their own rules!

[@bleakyfinder2692]

Cop is being a total twat, he is hogging the lane, all cars etc should drive more to the left, allowing motorcycles to pass. Let the hate begin.

[@illegalopinions4082]

Nobody drives two abreast. You have a motorcycle, you have ample opportunities to overtake and cut your commute time. You know what you're saying is wrong so stop being impatient. Unless, of course, you're happy for other vehicles to do the same to you. In which case you're just an unsafe rider.

[@gray100]

Wrong...when filtering you lane share. No biker rides on the white line when filtering as it becomes slippy when wet or damp conditions. Which would be dangerous! But filtering done correctly isnt dangerous...its legal for that reason.​@illegalopinions4082

[@DaveJudd]

@@gray100 You answered the question the cop has stop him driving down the white line which is dangerous, I agree hold back be safe when its only one lane.

[@gray100]

@@DaveJudd no, you clearly have never ridden a bike on the road. There is enough room to filter inside the lane a vehicle is using. That is how to filter. You don't filter on the line, you clown.

[@alexonthestreet]

Motorcyclists need to be allowed to filter in order to keep moving. This keeps them from overheating as they must dress for temperatures 20 degrees cooler than the people in a car. Other countries take the over heating of motorcyclists very seriously. Why not here?

[@splifsend]

I ride and have some rules I follow when filtering - 1 never do it on the approach to a roundabout - 2 never do it when the traffic is moving more than say 10 mph - 3 never do it when there's any road works.. I know I can filter in these cases, but I think its a high risk situation.

[@danatate8803]

This American agrees. I ride too. The motorcycle driver put himself and others at risk.

[@random-person1]

@@danatate8803 motorcycle riders put others at risk every time they filter, they just dont realise it until its too late!

[@mikehipperson]

@@danatate8803 Others? What others? Nothing was coming from the other direction as it was what we call a dual carriageway, there being an identical carriageway on the other side of the divider for traffic driving in the other direction. Should the rider have come across the actual road works I'm sure he would have had the sense to merge to avoid any potential obstruction. It wasn't as if he was speeding past the stalled traffic so I guess he was very aware of what was happening. A pissed off cop with nothing better to do!

[@Cookie69697]

Can I say there is no reason to not filter on the approach to a roundabout. But if you're not happy that's fine. Ride your own ride....

[@danatate8803]

@@mikehipperson Hi. It looked to me like the biker intended to drive adjacent to a car that was in the single lane created by the cones. Looks dangerous to me. I sure wouldn't do that with a grandchild with me. Safe riding, neighbor 🙂

[@iallso1]

From the perspective of a motorcyclist, and one who has filtered many many times, there are two terms used in motorcycling, filtering and lane splitting. When discussing filtering on a training course the instructor asked if we would go down between the two vehicles, and suggested that he would use the area to the side of the vehicle closest to the grass, in this case to the left, but if the other lane was open to the right. His logic for this is that if a vehicle were to change lane position as he was approaching he would have a escape route. I came up behind a long tail back approaching an accident, and ran all the way along the line between the first lane and the hard shoulder and the police were totally cool with that. As for this police officer, as I said when I watched the original video, I would have suggested to him that sticking his arm out of his vehicle to stop a motorcycle passing was a sure way of loosing his arm, and that if he caused an accident that I would be looking to have him charged with dangerous driving. It's on the motorcyclist to ride safely not for the police to second guess what might happen.

[@oftendead3228]

Sometimes as a motorcyclist you just have to sit in traffic with everyone else. Personally I wouldn’t be filtering if the traffic is moving in this case because there are too many clowns that will deliberately move over to block you. If the traffic was stationary I would do so at walking pace being extra vigilant. It can be decidedly unhealthy to sit still on a bike with all that gear on in the heat

[@togawearer2799]

Yeah, sometimes but this isn't one of those, obviously.

[@Weeem]

Yea, in Canada they aren't allowed to filter. The missus and me went there holiday as a recce as we were thinking of moving over there. In stand-still traffic we saw a poor guy on a bike in the sweltering heat trying to get as close as possible behind a u-haul the get into it's shade. Massive wide roads, no filtering and 55mph speed limits. Those two things alone killed the idea of moving there for me.

[@togawearer2799]

@@Weeem The land of the free.

[@togawearer2799]

@@Weeem Don't knock it.

[@togawearer2799]

@@Weeem They've been coming over here for decades - you're best placed where you are, fighting for what you believe.

[@robertparkinson2102]

The highway code talks of other road users needing to be aware that in slow moving traffic bikes may filter on EITHER side. As the edge of the lane is the only thing to the left side and passing that side is filtering, then the highway code's definition of filtering need not involve being between two lanes of slow moving traffic. Your mention of being rear ended and not always innocent reminded me of a contentious video on Ashley's channel where a car joins heavy traffic from a side road, putting the car where the cycle would have come to a halt, steeling a little of the large but necessary breaking distance the cyclist had given himself due to his speed, the rain and the downward slop.

[@sacred-soil52]

His uniforms gone to his head,jobsworth

[@joshchannings2311]

OK, dictionary says it’s not filtering. So it’s just overtaking. Rule 168 Being overtaken. If a driver is trying to overtake you, maintain a steady course and speed, slowing down if necessary to let the vehicle pass. Never obstruct drivers who wish to pass. Speeding up or driving unpredictably while someone is overtaking you is dangerous. Drop back to maintain a two-second gap if someone overtakes and pulls into the gap in front of you.

[@harrywhoudini9013]

I'm not a motorcyclist, and I don't see an issue with the motorcyclist in that clip. I do however see yet another self-righteous police officer who can't help but throw his weight around!

[@mikehipperson]

It looked as though he had plenty to throw around! I've seen them queuing up at my local McDonald's!

[@Aardvarkjamm]

I am not a motorcyclist. There is more than enough road space for the police car to allow the motorcyclist to pass! The police car could have moved over to the left easily. They are just on a power trip and exercising their 'authority'. If the driver of the police car was paying attention, he should have been aware of the motorcyclist approaching for some time and been able to give him plenty of room to pass safely. Also, sticking his arm out of the window is quite possibly the most stupid thing I can think of for him to do! Clearly the motorcyclist was really paying attention to the road ahead of him. He was quick enough to stop when a totally unexpected event occurred without warning, or reason. Taking the BBB point about passing the truck in front of the police car. I used to drive trucks(over 30 years experience in the UK and Europe) and as a professional driver I was constantly aware of vehicles around me, particularly anything approaching from behind. Having been stuck in many similar situations, in trucks, vans and cars, I always keep a check for motorcyclists approaching. Were I the driver of the truck, I would have already moved to the left side of my lane before the motorcyclist had reached the police car. I would have done this to enable him to pass without need of being close to the cones or my vehicle (To be honest, I probably would have 'defaulted' to keeping over in anticipation of motorbikes doing just that). There are 2 reasons for this. First being, why hold up a vehicle in traffic unnecessarily? Be courteous and allow the rider to be on his way. The second being, I would rather he pass me on my driver side, where I can see him where it is safer for both of us and that also means, there is 1 less thing for me to concentrate on, knowing he has already passed. Another point, again from my experience of working for many years in highway maintenance, installing and repairing VRS (crash barriers). 1 less vehicle stuck in traffic on a hot day, when exhaust fumes are probably hanging in the air is a definite bonus to a worker on the road. The only issue I could possibly have with the motorcyclist would be if I were in a maintenance vehicle, approaching a works access, with my beacons and indicator on, showing I was about to enter said access and THEN he passed me, but this was not the case here. So, despite my having been in either of the 2 groups of people who could have been potentially affected by the motorcyclist, I still believe the policeman was just being a dick, because he has power. I bet he would not have behaved that way had it been one of his colleagues trying to pass on a motorcycle! If there is room to allow the bike to pass safely. be courteous, move over and let him pass, don't be like this police officer.

[@InimitaPaul]

As a motorcyclist I’d politely explain to the officer that I’m going to filter through, indicate to cut in front of his car, pull over and take the ticket in order to see what happens legally. I’ve got and have never had a single point on my licence so I’d be quite happy to test this one out as I would think twice about filtering “through” in that position. The officer may be correct and I may be found to be correct but it would be worth the points to find out for every other motorcyclist. Imo the officer was being petty rather than safety conscious but that’s just me, I don’t think a police motorcyclist would think twice about filtering in that position and I don’t think the officer would stick his arm out to stop him/her.

[@S.Trades]

They generally do as they want. Allegedly.

[@Norfolkbiker50]

Some years back I was on the M11 when it was 2 lanes between Stansted and Cambridge and both lanes had slowed to about 50mph. The queues were so long I couldn't see The end so I decided to filter between the lanes. After about 15 miles I arrived at the cause of the holdup, one pig ignorant lorry overtaking another by driving 0.5mph faster. So, I rode between them and obviously had totally clear road ahead of me as far as I could see so I stoked the blade up and cracked on. Several miles along the road I could see a cop car on the hard shoulder so I slowed down to 69mph (ooer missus) plod gestured to me to pull over which I did, he caution me for "driving without due care and attention" now, I know that the legal definition of that offence is causing a danger or inconvenience to another road user and I hadn't. The copper did the usual faux anger and the old "I don't want to have to tell your parent's you've been squashed under the wheels of lorry" at this point I took my lid off and he was surprised to find a 40 year old bloke instead of a youngster. It seems that just prior to riding between the HGVs I had passed an unmarked car. I told the copper that the only person driving without due care and attention was the lorry driver in the offside lane. This was when the traffic came into sight and the queue was now about 20 miles long. I told the copper that the moment I was back on the road I was going to do the exact same thing again and thanks a lot for needlessly holding me up. He told me he was going "recommend prosecution" and let me go, I had been sat there about 45 minutes and I screamed out of the hard shoulder straight into the middle of the road and nailed it until I caught up the lorries again, still two abreast holding up the traffic for miles and I rode between them again. About 10 days later I received a letter saying "no further action" because I had done absolutely nothing wrong other than expose a copper as an idiot.

[@itsdaley]

The copper wasnt concerned for his safety he was just being an twat, Long as your passing at a sloe and safe speed theres no issue, ive been riding bikes for years and 99% of drivers move over to let you pass

[@Dr.Gunsmith]

A police car was in front of me, and I was at a safe distance but I was keeping up with the police car and other cars behind me, then he put his lights on and siren and waved me past to pull me over…then proceeded to get on a massive power trip and said I was speeding, technically I was but not by much only because he was doing 40 I was only behind him keeping up with the flow, I think that’s a bit ridiculous because he’s a police officer and was not going to a crime, so are they allowed to break the law or speed. 😂 I told him that and he went berserk but told me to Fook off and just go, terrible behaviour and some have issues 😜

[@stevebeever2442]

I had something similar driving on a busy motorway once. Had a car right up my backside so i sped up a bit to let him past next thing lights come on and pulls me for speeding. Aggressive unmarked cop car clearly trying to entrap people by driving dangerously so people in front just want to get out the way and out of danger.

[@Weeem]

@@stevebeever2442 Something similar here when I was a young'un. Driving down an broad unlit road (Runnymede, Egham) which was a 50mph at the time. A car briskly caught up to me with 1 headlight very very dim and the other way too bright. Drive right up ma butt and then proceeded to tailgated me the whole way. I wasn't in the mood and just wanted to cruise, so I did my thing of flipping the lever on the rear-view mirror so I could hardly see him in it. He tailgated me the whole way and it was only when we got the small roundabout at the end of the road he flipped on his blues and swung left to go on another call. Unmarked car with knackered lights trying to force people into speeding.

[@schoolofhardknocks4501]

He is NOT allowed to speed without his blues, but equally keeping up is not an excuse. however, if you do intentionally accelerate to avoid an accident or safety a court may if supported with sufficient evidence be considerate.

[@BuddhaofBlackpool]

Typical power crazed cop who was bullied at school... Got tattoos, joined an arm gym, became a cop.

[@Ravencos]

There's a huge truck in front. The police are stopping him trying to overtake it.

[@jamieevans5979]

I don't see an issue here of any more significance than filtering between two cars. Copper just unnecessarily asserting authority.

[@ninetieschild9114]

He's allowed to filter, just cannot be more the 10mph faster then the traffic an no higher then the speed limit. Number of lanes doesn't matter. What isn't allowed how ever is to stick your arm out of the moving vehicle in the path of another moving vehicle. The argument of its safter to wait on a single lane falls flat on face...

[@Dr.Gunsmith]

That cop was just having a power trip like they always do.

[@JackOfski]

And if you do like the police did and stop the bike your car/truck will receive a kick and a dent in the side and you get all the verbals, seen it happen sooooooo many times.

[@theumarianmeme1483]

Seen lorries do a bad thing once......... Once every 5-6 minutes. 🙄

[@facelessvaper]

If there is a sign, which I suspect there is, it will state that the conned lane is closed.

[@thefishingbikeruk5112]

in my opinion this is not filtering (lane splitting) but overtaking. As long as the rider is not crossing the line (cones) he should be allowed to do so if safe. Getting past the lorry ahead is a different matter.

[@ohwiseowl9163]

Bless police mad HE couldn't filter through

[@hairadditions]

I am a biker, and have been for many years. The policeman was correct in not letting the biker filter. BUT, if I was driving a car in the same situation I would move over to let the bike through.

[@Cookie69697]

How can you say the officer was correct! Had he said that to me I would have stuck him on for being overbearing. Just remember there are Special Constables who drive traffic cars and they even have a couple who passed their police motorcycle test.....

[@SuperAd1980]

He was not filtering as the traffic was moving. If the traffic was stationary, he would be allowed to do it slowly and carefully. (I thought I'd be in the side of the biker, but no, traffic is moving)

[@spanky-wrath8339]

Lane splitting, or filtering, is the act of riding through stationary or slowly moving traffic. This could be between vehicles in multiple lanes or riding around the car-driver’s side of stopped or slow-moving vehicles on single-carriageways. Due to this he is filtering and as per rule 88 of the highway code he is allowed to pass the police officer

[@SuperAd1980]

@spanky-wrath8339 NO!!! highway code rule 167... DO NOT overtake where you might come into conflict with other road users. For example - where traffic is queuing at junctions or road works

[@SuperAd1980]

Exactly 💯 If the traffic was stationary, and there was space, and you wouldn't be coming into conflict with other road users... then filtering here would be OK, as it is in this videowhat was happening was he was driving carelessly and potentially coming into conflict with other road users.

[@markbooth3066]

One thing that always frustrated me was the phase "legal filtering" being used without a definition being given. I wouldn't have attempted that manoeuvrer, as vehicles are far too likely to drift around within their lanes, but it's good to know the likely interpretation a court would give to the rules that are given in the highway code.

[@steffenscheibler5849]

Look at it this way: imagine the road is a single lane and the biker was passing vehicles as they were doing. I'd not say it was dangerous. The lorry up ahead would present a barrier though, but the biker wasn't there (yet).

[@daytonabeach44]

I always believed that motorcycles should start filtering only when speed is under 40mph on the motorway. I live in Scotland and most Road users seem to believe that to be the actual rule, however I don’t think it’s officially written anywhere

[@syncrosimon]

In most European countries the cars would all get out of the way for the motorcycle, it’s just polite.

[@bobikdylan]

My objection is with the copper barking orders at a member of the public. Who the hell does he think he is?

[@GeoffInfield]

I think he was understandably offended that someone would do that right under his nose. It's kinda insulting. For all my insane riding years, I had a good relationship with the cops, go the odd slap over the forehead with "dont' make me catch you again today", pretty good deal really 😅

[@davidbnsmessex.5953]

@@GeoffInfield Yes the good old days when they used to just tell you off / advise you . One week after my lovely wife of over fifty years died a “young” dickhead pulled me over and fined me for not wearing a seatbelt ( fair enough ) but under the circumstances ? he didn’t even know why I was wearing a black armband ! . Back in the day of real police officers he may well have said “ don’t do it again “.

[@davidbnsmessex.5953]

A police officer obviously

[@PaulP999]

Almost any biker who has a good few miles under their belt has experienced traffic jam cars moving over to prevent you getting ahead - I've even experienced the drivers door being opened to block me (I am not a nutter and filter cautiously) - and this cop is doing just that. I have also experienced, trying to make a ferry, a cop giving tacit approval to shoot ahead carefully and even being allowed to walk my bike through a closed route by a cop. He made a poor impression for his fellow cops.

[@motorcyclejunkie7564]

Was he filtering or was he overtaking? I would say he was overtaking, and that is perfectly legal. As a motorcyclist, I devide other motorists into three categories when filtering/overtaking. 5% will move left to allow you to pass easily, 5% will move to the right to try and deliberately block you. The other 90% have absolutely no idea you are even there as they don't bother checking mirrors!

[@rebokfleetfoot]

not unfair, just rude, he could have respectfully informed the man about the dangers involved

[@simonrawle7885]

plenty of space to filter at that point .

[@Improbus-uh4ox]

Safety first,

[@spicy110]

Sitting between cars in traffic on a motorcycle is not a safe place to be though.

[@alistairmonro]

This was just a case of "if I have to sit here so do you. "

[@barryfrench2534]

Betting the copper wouldn't do the same thing to a cyclist.

[@lesjones471]

Why is that police car not on the left,It's slow moving traffic.

[@exceloutkasts8104]

I did exactly the same thing last summer on my motorcycle. Vehicles were moving over to the left slightly including a police car allowing me to pass safely. No issues created and i went on my way. This police officer was having a bad day i think and didn't like the fact he was stuck in traffic and the biker didn't have to be.

[@davetaylor812]

with the right hand lane closed he is not filtering but effectively overtaking, there was sufficent space to do this at that speed until the police car pulled over to the right to block him.

[@lollylaunder]

Most sensible drivers would have pulled over to the left of their lane and allowed the motorcyclist to have passed safely within the lane

[@thorgrimb2416]

What wondrous deluded law says that then ? And what makes the bike rider above other road users with special privilege that mean other road users have to move out of this things way?

[@mikehipperson]

@@thorgrimb2416 The bit where it says 'try not to obstruct other road users' whatever the vehicle is!

[@jamesgill6213]

people on two wheels think they can do anything

[@colinfitzsimons3409]

Who says it is filtering? Just because the cop said it , like a lot of the lies and BS they come out with, doesn't make it true! IMO you were correct that it isn't filtering. It is overtaking and nowhere in the highway code is that illegal if it is safe and there is room to do so. The only person breaching the HC is the cop. Rule 168 states "Never obstruct drivers who wish to pass" He did. He was wrong. Surprise surprise!

[@UkTruckerStu]

Officer is a you know what. Let the guy get on.

[@pirateadam3686]

More than enough room to filter safely. Cop was being a baby because he has to sit there.

[@db7314]

Cop was being a douche, with motorbikes I’d rather move over to let them through where I can see them.

[@Weeem]

I feel the same way about texting drivers. I'd rather they were in front so they don't smash into the back of me. Needless to say I'm letting a lot more drivers overtake recently :(

[@johnnydiamondsmusic1673]

These types of incidents are here today Cone tomorrow

[@GeoffInfield]

Cop is right. I raced an RC30 superbike at national level and more recently trashed my fireblade so legit bike nut who does dumb stuff, but not only is this unnecessary, the DISRESPECT it showed the cop FORCED him to stop the guy - I'd be furious too it's insulting.

[@0ccam5Raz0r]

Disrespect? The police officer was throwing his weight around. Could have been way less aggressive. I have no idea, as a rider, why you'd say it's disrespect to the officer.

[@nickbreen287]

@@0ccam5Raz0r Maybe, riders get so used to 'bending' the law that they forget themselves sometimes and do a bit of 'flexing' in front of someone who is both 'inflexible' and in a position of power?

[@pjcnet]

Safety should always take priority over impatience. There's a single lane open, drivers wouldn't expect to be overtaken and it's too tight unless the bike wrongfully goes into the closed lane, especially with trucks up ahead.

[@neilfreeman7425]

Am example of the power the police belive they have over everyone who is not police Look at the arrogant way that member of the public was spoken to !

[@Meifesto]

For as far as we can see (on an action camera angle) there was enough space to filter without any real extra risk. He was nice and slow, so good example. So I can't figure out why the cop stopped him. Would I have stopped myself, probably, but only because I don't feel it is worth the risk of a ticket. But when it opens up the filtering will continue

[@peterbell7553]

Motorcyclists have to adapt what they do in each circumstance. Just because it was safe to filter past the police car to make progress, doesn't mean they are going to blindly filter past the lorry. I would wait and make sure that each vehicle knew I was there and my intention and that I had space to pass. Would the police car driver had done the same if it was a police motorcycle? I think not. Why? How do we know it wasn't an off duty police motorcyclist on his own bike?

[@avulonanderson2372]

The police car is so far over to the right there's more space on his nearside.

[@Me.ImCounting]

As a lifelong biker, I'm of the opinion that you are either part of the problem or part of the solution. Whilst staying within the law, aiding traffic flow is invariably a good thing. As for " is it filtering?" there are 2 lanes, the rider is filtering between them and it matters not that one lane is closed (for no obvious reason).

[@jaconorth2098]

It does matter, if one lane is closed that lane is not a road, more often than not it's a work CDM area, try drive in them and use the eecuse it's still a road

[@smudge0356]

Also a lifelong, 'Lifestyle Biker' here, and while it's usually against my 'ACAB beliefs' to admit that Mr Plod is right, I believe in this case, his action was correct, 'cause the gap past the truck, WAS, being honest, just a wee bit too narrow to be properly safe. As for your, "... is it filtering?" there are 2 lanes, the rider is filtering between them and it matters not that one lane is closed (for no obvious reason)". Well... ... what a load of old BOLLOX! If you're so ignorant that you believe that that would be an acceptable defence, then you're as deluded (poss. insane?) as you are DUMB! I f'kin' HATE little Gobshite Posers who're all brave, behind a KB, an' shouting 'bout how much of a 'rebel' they are and bragging about how they'd 'do it' and not get caught. W@nkers!

[@Weeem]

@@jaconorth2098 So it's become a single one way lane. We can still overtake if it's safe to do so

[@davidtodd988]

What a disgusting excuse for Police to enforce unreasonable rules There’s nothing wrong with what’s going on

[@knoxieman]

until the biker gets clipped trying to pass the HGV that's probably being driven by a less than attentive inexperienced foreign driver who wouldn't be expecting anyone to filter in that situation.

[@davidtodd988]

@@knoxieman I ride a bike and you are allowed to make your own decisions when and when not to move you always ride defensive and protect yourself The hgv driver has a lot more common sense on the road than car drivers ( I also drive cars and vans )

[@him050]

There was nowhere near enough room for a safe pass between the car and the line. Therefore, for it be safe he would have had to go into the coned lane. So that’s the question, do the cones mean the whole lane is closed? So is it illegal to drive in it?

[@TreborKyle]

Motorcyclist of 20 odd years... Car and van driver of the same... Copper, to me, is in the right. Traffic is moving. Risks of doing what he was doing are simply not worth the marginal time he would gain. Plenty times where filtering is worthwhile, this is not one of those times. Cop may well have saved the motorcyclists life.

[@Wetglab]

Having been on that situation before as a car driver and having a police bike go past with millimetres to spare and at a higher speed I would say he’s careful. But there are many, many times I see officers doing things that they would pull me over for. Plus the officers should be aware of their surroundings and notice the bike and move their vehicle over slightly. Little things to solve a problem if you are an aware driver.

[@fatblokes_ferguson]

I nearly failed my bike test because I hesitated at road work traffic, I took the chance and when I got back to the test centre my examiner said he see me hesitate and would have failed me.

[@fatblokes_ferguson]

But only when safe to do.

[@KarrierBag]

In this case I agree with those that think the police were right (and I don't say that often) but only because there is so little room between the cones and other vehicles it is dangerous.

[@Weeem]

The rationale from the officer that he must not filter because the traffic is a single lane doesn't seem right. If anything, I'd consider that as overtaking, not filtering. Same scenario on a single track road you don't overtake. However if the traffic is moving very slowly or at a standstill then you absolutely should make progress as long as you can see it's clear ahead and that it's safe to move past. I could understand if the officer said he didn't want the rider to attempt an overtake of the lorry, but that's not what he says. If I was the rider than my sequence would be to put myself visibly behind and offset of the lorry and wait for him to see me. When the driver does see me he'll either nudge over a foot and you can go or he'll stay in place and you wait. If he does let you go then you know he won't put you in harm by randomly swinging right which he might if you hadn't waited. I wouldn't need him to move over for me to make the overtake. It's all about making sure he sees you. Just common sense stuff.

[@gadgetman36]

The biker could always do what many bikers do in this situation which is to undertake all the traffic! There looks room to do it as well!

[@adrianjenkins2447]

Sadly, most police officers Ive encountered on my cycle DO NOT know the highway code, even the new rules H1-H3. (Met/Herts)

[@dancoulson6579]

I would argue that the biker was filtering between the cones in the right lane (because it looks like about 1ft of space is still available of the right lane), and the cars in the left lane. He was doing so carefully and safely and at a sensible speed. In this situation, I would say that the driver of the white, yellow, and blue car was the cause of the issue.

[@graemepeters5717]

Just to add some info to the pot - 85% of motorcycle accidents involve queueing traffic. Queueing traffic should ring alarm bells in the head of any motorcyclist, as that is when they are at most risk of an accident. Having said that, this guy takes appropriate care and is within the law. The traffic cop however, is being a numpty! His feathers are ruffled by somebody being able to make progress in traffic when he cannot!

[@davidmccurdy8911]

Thanks for this breakdown as one of the emailers :) As you say about through and between, couldn't it be argued that the 2 things can be different? In this case between roadworks and the vehicle? But it does seem to be a bit of the Highway code that could do with some expansion to make it clearer!

[@jamesgraham6122]

Surely the gap between the vehicles and the cones constitutes a possible filtering element. If the rider approaches a vehicle, in this case the lorry, and discovering insufficient space moves into the lane not in use, then that would constitute an offense. If on the other hand the rider simply stops and waits for an opportunity for passing then the rider has committed no offense. The police cannot, or should not, prevent the motorcycle rider from continuing simply in the belief that the rider 'may' commit an offense.

[@captainhll9661]

Here in Australia we have been having lots of Bike rider's being hit, I always have an imagery bubble around myself in the car but a very real first aid kit. Also know how to use the kit, put on the free gloves frist. And trying to grab someone's handle bars while they are navigating traffic is as bad as grabbing someone's gun's as they take a shot.

[@robertclark693]

I agree with the police

[@richarddeutsch9984]

I believe the arguments are beside the point. Police can direct traffic. Even tho this officer is a jerk for not moving away and let the bikes pass, he could argue he was doing his job controling traffic.

[@markwarren5358]

As a motorcyclist of well over 50 years, in my opinion, this officer of the law should have moved over to let the motorcyclist through instead of showing his authority. The highway code should be updated for a start... if space is available , filtering should be allowed. What's the point of a motorcycle otherwise? Would he of stopped a cyclist doing the same? The motorcyclist was not going mad but riding considerately.

[@Cannonstroke]

Should the motor cyclist stay where he is and not move as he was told to stay there

[@ianlogan6632]

Slight tangent, but is it not remarkable that the authority of the cones is not in question.? Visibility is perfect and as far as the eye can see on this straight stretch of road, there are no workers, there is no plant. The mass consent that manifest the hypothetical as concrete is really quite amazing...

[@WelshChappie]

The question suggests the police are sometimes fair? The idea is simply absurd! Hehe!

[@lynasbigal]

I would say that the motorcyclist was filtering "between" the cars and the traffic cones. A lot of motorists in this situation would ease to the left to the the motorcyclist past and be on his way. On this occasion the motorcyclist was certainly filtering at a slow speed and in a controlled way, so I would say there was no problem passing the police car. Passing the lorry would be another issue but he didn't get that far so it would be a matter for speculation.

[@SquareoftheyearFM]

How is this different to a bike filtering down the outside of traffic against oncoming traffic?

[@monza1002000]

Agree with the Police this time

[@darrylwigginton1067]

A motorbike is classed as like other vehicles as such if both lanes arent open or enough room between vehicles or the cones & vehicles, they have too stay behind the vehicle behind just the same as a pedal bike

[@raymonray5444]

hand signals by authorised persons under the highway code show a defined hand position for vehicles at the rear , which is not done , and the driver may be deaf so verbal utterances are not heard or even wearing a crash helmet may inhibit hearing !

[@altypeRR]

I bow to your vastly higher knowledge but wanted to add something to the mix. When you search the definition of filtering there isn’t a clear legal one but a few sites, including the bike insurer, have the following “Lane splitting, or filtering, is the act of riding through stationary or slowly moving traffic. This could be between vehicles in multiple lanes or riding around the car-driver’s side of stopped or slow-moving vehicles on single-carriageways”. The key thing is the bit about moving around the drivers side on single carriageway. Whilst this is still a dual (due to the central reservation) surely this suggests filtering around traffic to its right is legal? As a biker myself and a trainer for lorry drivers I’d be prompting any trainee to be constantly checking mirrors and give space where they can to passing cyclists and motorcyclists.

[@richardeggett392]

I have ridden in the exact same situation, i have gone to the other side of the cones when safe to do so. if anyone was there you obviously wouldn't you would stay in the regular flow of traffic. my opinion is the policeman did not want to be passed,

[@KnightRider1157]

If the cordoned off lane was traffic going the other way, then the biker was perfectly in his rights to filter. There was no reason for the officer to stop him safely passing the stationary or near stationary traffic except that the officer would still be stuck in it. Maybe in our time of two tier policing the biker should have been waving a palestinian flag?

[@albertsmith1048]

1) The bike rider was not attempting to pass the lorry. 2) The cones denote the edge of the carriageway. 3) The bike was filtering between the car and the cones at a very safe speed. 4) Just another cop with a huge ego, overstepping his authority.

[@garrycroft4215]

It is single lane for a reason, could be an accident ahead or maybe workman. Plus an officer of the law said don’t come past or I’ll book you. Just pass him and find out. This is getting as bad as pedal cyclists thinking that they can do whatever they want.

[@dangerousdavecox]

I tagged you on twitter about this one. Glad to see you dod a video