How to filter in traffic when cycling | Commute Smart

[@robox91]

Aka; how to deal with bad infrastructure.

[@acceleratedsloth]

*bad route choice

[@oskarz]

@@acceleratedslothtry find a good route anywhere in zone >5 in london

[@Ryan-pz2wh]

Tbh once you get into inner London where virtually all roads are 20mph, it becomes pretty safe. I think our idea of “building cycle infrastructure” is to simply slow down vehicles to the point where it becomes safe for more vulnerable road users. I do think however cycle infrastructure is needed on faster roads.

[@dylancode]

​@Ryan-pz2wh definitely!

[@Horus-Lupercal]

Yeah, we know. 🤷

[@VAX1970]

Take control of the lane and be prepared to be rear ended by a distracted texting driver, or constantly beeped at by an incensed motorist, that about sums up London in my experience.

[@bigring6424]

Being rear ended is MUCH less likely than being side swiped, pulled out into, or hooked when you're out of their line of sight entirely or when they simply marginalize you in their mind as essentially being part of the gutter. Being beeped at is fine. They see you. Job done.

[@jayaybe1]

@@bigring6424 I think you've provided a great opportunity to reframe the way we react to beeping. Instead of launching into instant outrage....relax, at least you've been seen ; - )

[@tconnolly9820]

High quality very bright flashing lights front and rear are great for getting a driver's attention when you're in traffic. Cyclists who even do have lights front and rear mostly just have p1ss poor one's anyway.

[@tconnolly9820]

@@Donkavision-sx4js I use a very bright front flashing light always day and night. I also have a separate bright full constant light for nights. You have to make sure drivers are aware of your presence so you can be seen without them having to look for you. I also have two 150-200 lumens rear flashing lights plus another on the back of my helmet and a h-ivis vest always. I also drive and drive a white van for night shifts and I regularly make a point of giving suicidal Darwin Awards candidate cyclists and e-scooterists who appear out of nowhere at night with no lights and dark clothes the most vicious and abusive bollocking I can deliver. If you're on a bike at night with poor or no lights, just because you can see a driver is looking in your direction doesn't mean that they have actually seen you. There could be lights behind you that make you almost invisible or many other reasons even with street lighting. You need to ride safely, intelligently and defensively always. I don't want to have to explain to my boss why there's blood and dents on the bodywork of the van the next morning.

[@simonkraemer3725]

This is a nice skill to have, but I guess 95% of potential cyclists would feel very uncomfortable filtering on multilevel main roads. I'm glad, that where I'm living (Berlin) most of the streets have bike lanes or bike paths, I get somewhat nervous when riding on a multilane main road without any bike infrastructure since many drivers don't respect you taking the lane and filter and overtake you too tight.

[@acceleratedsloth]

05 % cyclists are not riding fast and speed is NOT their priority. They choose a different route as their priority is comfort. Putting bike lanes on main roads is completely wrong.

[@simonkraemer3725]

@@acceleratedsloth I AM a cyclist and no, I want to go places. This isn't a leisure activity but an essential transportation option that isn't recognized on many roads at all

[@maidrivingexperience143]

It's even much worse if you're in Malaysia. Sigh...

[@ZEFISH888]

We need more cycle lanes...

[@coffeeaddikkt]

also, always use lights to improve visibility, flashing lights in traffic make you more distinct both from behind, but also in rearview mirrors and the like!

[@StaffanPalm]

I agree flashing light can have negative effects. It might get attention, but it can also make it harder for your surrounding to interpret your distance and speed.

[@barrylongden7]

I've had people tell me my lights are on, during the day, as if I've accidentally turned them on!

[@SilvioDiego]

I can see now that this is mainly shot in Crystal Palace 😊 ... good advice, thanks for the video.

[@ulicadluga]

Nice one. While keeping to the general theme, in fast moving traffic, of "stay as nearside as possible", confident cycling can can allow you to overtake slow or stalled traffic on the offside. Just a few thing to really look out for: Car doors being opened as you approach and, more frequently, pedestrians crossing between slow or stalled traffic - especially from in front of vans, trucks and buses!

[@tconnolly9820]

A very bright flashing front light can be really good in making you noticeable among traffic. It will be spotted very easily in rear view mirrors.

[@kalle911]

let's see... not filtering in the first place by getting your politicians to build bicycle infrastructure. one can dream.

[@insoft_uk]

North east style is jump on the payment hop on the road, use the speed bumps to boost your speed, bunny hop over potholes great fun.

[@bornyesterday8976]

Thats everywhere when they dont want to obey traffic lights

[@NeilMalthus]

@@bornyesterday8976 Crime of the century, eh! Car drivers love playing that victim card.

[@philadams9254]

Why are some number plates blurred out but others not?

[@MathMagician93]

The only problem seems to be when the traffic starts moving again. No worries here in Germany, as it never starts moving again.

[@QiuEnnan]

lol

[@mlee6050]

I always stay behind, I enjoy bike as corner at 20mph and not slow to a crawl like cars, tempted to maybe filter now but I do feel it is rude as there is only 2 lanes on most roads, no one put a middle lane for motorbikes and bicycles to be on so should be on the 2 actual lanes

[@alexkk6zly262]

Man this is really confusing if you live in the United States, lol

[@WKDPOWER]

Everything's confusing to an American

[@marypetrie930]

Its confusing if you live here!

[@illuforce]

America has bike lanes just use them but I would rather commute on a motorcycle than on a bicycle since much of america makes it that everything is too far away to walk Or cycle to.

[@marcrides2016]

Just switch left for right. In the states.

[@rizvirashid1493]

No man its easier in America you have it way better trust me, I’m in a 3rd world country with 1 mil people living in every 3 kilos so cherish the streets of the states.

[@dazimor]

Crystal Palace!

[@georgeemil3618]

If you follow along with the congested traffic, YOU ARE contributing to the traffic congestion.

[@etou1146]

You are congesting traffic, regardless if you are at the end or at the front of the queue. A cyclist still takes space, needs distance to other vehicles and requires a second or two to get back moving when the traffic light turns green. Most of the time it is the safer option to just wait.

[@paeden5431]

Awesome footage and editing as well as info! New Subscriber here!

[@DAZLIN6]

Great advice

[@SamrudhDixit]

Sigh try that in India 😹

[@poonamgaikwad7541]

Samrudh Dixit Ikr 😂😂

[@SrijithUnni1998]

We have cars trying to filter and busses riding over these cars and auto drivers just fill the gaps

[@maumor2]

Great advice but I have to mirror the whole thing and remember that left is right LOL

[@guessagainkk6322]

Even if a cyclist has a *full driver license* , it still feel like an "Urban Battleground": 100 kg (bike + gears) vs 1500 kg car, guess who will win? Even with full body armor, it will not prevent you from being pinned down (& potential crushed) by *impatient commercial vehicles* where LGV with 3500 kg mass and no helmet in the world are rated against that, let alone a HGV with 10,000 kg mass.

[@rkowel]

Indonesian people are expert at this skill

[@jaiso434]

awesome.

[@certifiedomlayoo]

My ideals: Mountain bike:Pedal on the pedastarian Road Bike: use the damn road

[@MisuracaAntonio]

- Never overtake on the left - ... - Wait what?? Ahhh, it's UK

[@DEAR7340]

In fact, in Georgia (US), a cyclist can overtake on the right, provided: 1) there is more than one traffic lane (ex. 3-4 lane road), including turning and parking lanes 2) the bicycle does not leave the road surface (ex. hop onto the sidewalk). Most motorists don't know this and are triggered by cyclists passing them at traffic lights. So, your options are to 1) refrain 2) suggest that they consult the vehicle code or the sherrif 3) ignore them.

[@jamiemorris7688]

How about when filtering be sure to make rear observations when changing position to avoid impinging on the path of filtering motorcycles.

[@alex2143]

Motorcycles don't have a right to filter faster than cyclists. They can adjust their speed.

[@jamiemorris7688]

@@alex2143 not what I am dating though it is, I'm saying cyclists should check behind them before changing position, I've had a cyclist come right out between 2 cars into my path, it was lucky the road was dry, if it was wet there's a good chance both of us would have gone down.

[@alex2143]

@@jamiemorris7688 agreed

[@majorskies7091]

I won't do this because I don't want to hit someone's wingmirror.

[@SuperFuzzyDunlop]

I consider myself a confident cyclist but thank fk I don't live or commute on London

[@greg4629]

"do not ride up on the pavement to dodge traffic" i like how they dont explain why this is wrong. i do it all the time because the advantage of a bike is it can do anywhere

[@DEAR7340]

I think the idea is that doors on buildings are being flung open, into the sidewalk unexpectedly, and pedestrians will step out without much warning. Where I live, it is (generally) illegal to cycle on a sidewalk, beyond a certain age.

[@alexheschuk9429]

Mainly because it's illegal to ride on the pavement

[@retroonhisbikes]

On country lanes i’ll use the path avoiding the roads where possible, no judge in the land will prosecute if you fear for your own safety on the road. as for city riding ill take the car thanks!

[@retroonhisbikes]

Kenith McIntosh better than being squished

[@frankhooper7871]

In your area, country lanes have _paths_ ? No such thing around Suffolk: country lanes only have hedges or ditches.

[@bigring6424]

It's not illegal to ride on paths in most countries, including the U.K. This only applies to roadside pavement unless the path is explicitly marked for pedestrians only.

[@paulflory3532]

Lots of helmet less riders shown. Wearing helmets would be a good start. The human head is not designed to protect your brain in a fall from bicycle height onto asphalt. And collision with another vehicle is not required to fall, cyclists sometimes just fall down. I have, and it was wonderful to hear the clonk of my helmet against the pavement and be glad I was wearing one! (The financial pain from having to buy a new helmet came later.)

[@bishplis7226]

helmet fallacy, please do your homework.

[@bishplis7226]

a foam helmet is not desyned to protect your head from a 2 ton steel box, your brain however is evolutionary evolved to protect your brain from trauma.

[@bishplis7226]

the dutch dont wear helmets

[@bishplis7226]

youre most likely to suffer head injuries in your own home, mainly the bathroom.

[@bishplis7226]

mandatory helmet use lowers cycling use by 70% and deters women from cycling completely.

[@trillinflossin412]

Filtering/lane splitting is dangerous and stupid. SEPARATE CYCLE TRACKS WORLD WIDE NOW!

[@bbglas007]

TRILLIN FLOSSIN bicycle are not cars. Filtering is so beneficial. The more people who drive and see it, the more awareness and the more likely hood of a change of behaviour

[@trillinflossin412]

bbglass007 Lane splitting is dumb, filtering in a bike lane is one thing but when you lane split there is a legal grey area and it will always be unclear who is at fault. Plus no matter what benefit, it is too dangerous and not worth it. What should happen is more advocacy and more building of serperated bike lanes and paths everywhere. I ride bicycle to work in the USA and our car culture is stupid as fuck, 90% of people don't even know how to drive in a roundabout correctly

[@shadowfan982]

do you know how the economy works you cant just get people to agree

[@LupusRides]

In the UK we have Bikeability (Provided by the Department Of Transport), they show you how to cycle safely and how to filter through traffic as it's safer and perfectly legal.

[@ShermanSitter]

The UK is doing great things. I wish the USA would keep pace. I'm so envious. If you do go the USA, here are some videos I hope you will find useful: kzbin.info/aero/PLFOOfdNQa2ztXPVRuIUWE3gPntkTMBSWs

[@emmae9924]

and no helmet?

[@MarcoTheGreat2008]

Yeah if you like. Cycling isn't that dangerous.

[@mohamedaminekoubaa5231]

at low speed (below 30km/h) they are unnecessairy,. They dont protect from car accidents which are mostly dooring, and accidents when the car takes a turn without looking. In high speed, you can fall forwards on your head, thus the necessity. In low speeds I wont recommend it, since cars overtake closer when people have helmets, and it looks more agressive for them.

[@JillyBean860]

Dudes at 1:18 & 2:14 have zero fucks to give riding around with no helmet.

[@amauryjonkers1140]

Why should they?

[@alex2143]

Over 99% of Dutch people also give zero fucks about riding around without a helmet.

[@MrW1999]

Filter it in São Paulo hahahaha

[@maanceto2]

Em São Paulo nos últimos anos tem existido um esforço real em construir ciclovias separadas do tráfego, pelo menos na ZO que era onde eu morava. Aqui em Londres as ciclovias separadas são raras e vc é obrigado a pedalar no meio dos carros e dividir espaço com ônibus. É hardcore, não é divertido não, os pedestres aqui são meio doidos e tem muito motorista que xinga por não ter paciência, sem falar que é sempre estressante saber que vc pode ser multado e parado pela polícia por dar um jeito de cortar pelas calçadas por ser mais seguro. O que faz pedalar aqui ser mais aceitável é que o limite de velocidade aqui é muito menor, os carros andam bem mais devagar, mas ainda pode ser bem estressante as vezes. Eu achava mais divertido pedalar em São Paulo do que aqui, mas lá eu não pedalava pra chegar nos lugares, até pq os ônibus e o metrô lá são bem mais rápidos do que aqui, e tem muito mais subida tbm, então só dava pra pedalar em alguns lugares específicos, não sei se dá pra comparar os dois

[@johndoes2434]

Okay you're talking about my life I'm going to ride on the sidewalk anytime I feel that the traffic is too dangerous to be playing in especially when there's nobody on the sidewalk 2 miles there's bicycle paths in pedestrian pass combined everywhere why suddenly on a sidewalk in the city streets does it have to change this law is insane and it needs to change how many people look into statistic how many bicycle Riders get hit every year because they're playing in traffic with vehicles are way too big and too powerful and people not paying attention I've known this week I've almost been run over three times by in the crosswalk by people not paying attention just trying to get to work and they don't care who's in the crosswalk they'll run you over so yes I'm going to continue to ride on the sidewalk cuz it's my life and I don't tend to give it up to some idiot this worried about being late because they're in a traffic jam

[@illuforce]

You could seriously hurt a pedestrian and in the bid there are a lot of pedestrians so unless you want to be stuck behind people walking 1 mph looking at there phones OK...

[@davidbeacham5786]

What was that pathetic excuse of a hand signal at 1.19?

[@MarcoTheGreat2008]

What I do most of the time tbh, sticking my arm out like a wally is too much effort

[@therandomdojuploader3030]

1:19 for a press able time stamp

[@rushbcykablyat1792]

Hah noob, I use my pinky finger to signal to drivers instead.

[@suikoden1979]

Any filtering is dangerous and stupid don't do it. where u have to get to is no more important than any moterist. Be patient and wait in the queue

[@peteruk65]

Have you ridden in London lately - almost every cyclist seams to have a vendetta against traffic and must be the first cyclist anywhere - great video, pity so many don’t abide by common sense. And if the new laws about pedestrians and cyclist having right of way are passed this autumn, it’s going to be a blood bath out there.

[@alex2143]

Let's see. Roads have hardly any cycle infrastructure whatsoever, and cyclists are forced to drive with high speed motor traffic that is often hostile to them, on infrastructure that is most definitely not accommodating to them. Does it really surprise you that only insane daredevils and fit young risk takers are gonna do that?! Here's a stupid idea. If you want to create a better bike culture, build better bike infrastructure. Build infrastructure that kids, moms with babies, elderly people and people with disabilities feel comfortable and safe using.

[@super-sim1665]

Makes no sense. Is filtering overtaking? If so you can only pass on the right. Cars will have to then pass the bike each set of lights or get held up by the bike. Both will slow each other up.

[@alex2143]

"Cars will have to then pass the bike each set of lights" No they don't. They don't have to overtake the cyclist just to get stuck at the end of a queue. The cyclist has all of the right in the world to filter, and all of the right in the world to take the entire lane.

[@tiortedrootsky]

No, thanks!

[@shALKE]

Do not show riders without a helmet please.

[@emmamurray4206]

i wanted to show my company but cant now because of that!

[@ThePostalGril]

helmets make riding more dangerous, especially if you're a woman. studies show drivers take more risks around helmet wearers and take twice as much risk around male riders than female riders. as a woman you're approximately 4X safer without a helmet than you are a male with a helmet.

[@alex2143]

Helmets and helmet laws make cycling less safe. Don't advocate for people wearing helmets, advocate for safe bike infrastructure.

[@KeillorChristopher]

Easy be smarter than a car bumper remember those cars weigh more than you in like a train they don't stop very quickly be smart stupid people get hurt in stupid people hurt other people

[@bishplis7226]

english learn it

[@bigring6424]

Cars stop much faster than bicycles. It's not about weight (within design spec). All that matters is the tires and the angle of the center of gravity to the front contact. For cars that angle is much lower.

[@bishplis7226]

BAN CARS, SAFE OUR CHILDREN

[@texabara]

👍🏽🚴🏼🇵🇷🇩🇴

[@loudontwo916]

Don’t worry about helmets though lads eh?

[@judahrex]

Now hang on a second, are you admitting to being bad drivers on the road, who don't look in the mirrors or indicate at all? This is a silly video. How stupid is this?

[@Will-dq4vh]

Nah thanks. I’ll wait for segregated cycle lanes with speed limits for bikes and bans on Lycra.

[@Katmando376]

Yawn cycling for beginners we all have road sense don't we?

[@Razgaz.]

video makes it seem like bicycles belong on the road same as cars...

[@DavidsonReviews]

That's because it's the law for bikes to be on the road!

[@Razgaz.]

@@DavidsonReviews cycling in the middle of the road? holding up traffic?..1st world laws i guess

[@rushbcykablyat1792]

When we ride on the pavement we get cursed at by pedestrians at times. When we then ride on roads we get cursed at by cars every now and then. It's tough being a cyclist if you ask me, lol. Because you simply don't belong anywhere, and everywhere we go people will only be thinking of themselves and how we as cyclists will threaten their own interests.

[@emmae9924]

Why isn’t the cyclist using lights and wearing light coloured clothing?

[@nathanwoodruff9422]

Do not follow this while riding in the USA. It will get you killed. For one, all vehicles in this video are driving on the wrong side of the road for some reason. Google "Bicycle Law" and add in the state where you are riding a bicycle. Two, "Filtering" as the Brits call it is illegal in all states in the USA. You are a bicycle when you are riding less than 3 feet from the edge of the road or the white line, which ever is farther left on any road 45mph or less. Local laws vary. There are very few cases when you are allowed to leave that 3 foot space and remain a legal bicycle rider, check your local laws. You leave that 3 foot space you are now considered a vehicle as per bicycle law and must at all times abide by vehicle law, or suffer the consequences of a 4,000lb vehicle traveling at 45mph+ that will not feel anything other than a little bump as it breaks every bone in your body possibly causing death. Oh and you would be responsible for repairing the dent in the bumper that your skull made and cleaning off your blood from the underside of the car. Number 3, there are 1,000's of drivers in the USA that get very offended that you are riding a bicycle on their road, even when riding in the 3 foot bicycle lane. They will drive up next to you match your speed and then proceeded to move you into the curb or into the dirt. The best I can say is I hope your helmet cam got a picture of the license plate as you were flipping over your handle bars. The worst is a line of 50 cars at a stop light and you are riding in the 3 foot bicycle lane to the right of the cars and all of a sudden when you are one car behind, the car in front drives its front passenger tire into the curb forcing you to face plant in to the passenger side window as you grab all the brakes that you can. Feel free at that point to lift your bicycle up so the pedal clip scrapes as much paint off the passenger side as possible as they drive off. Police will do nothing to the driver if reported and the driver themselves will not turn themselves in even if you can gouge out as much paint as possible. www.strava.com/activities/1408600414 Be aware that 99 times out of 100 that someone turning left in front of you is expecting you to stop even if you are rolling downhill at 30mph+. Expect them to drive off if you end up hitting the passenger side quarter panel and flipping over the hood(Bonnet for UK people). It has happened to me twice. The last time I lay in the road with my bicycle in a crumpled mess because the car ran over it and continued on it merry way. I lay in the middle of the side road 5 minutes or so before 1 of the 40 to 50 passing cars stopped rolled down the window and asked if I was okay. www.strava.com/activities/980687623 I ended up with a fractured ankle. Zoom in to the end of the ride and notice the abrupt right turn my bicycle took at 17mph So... Be safe out there and only follow these rules if you are in the UK.

[@frankhooper7871]

Well, this _is_ a *British Cycling* video. Filtering is legal in the UK for both cyclists and motorcyclists.

[@bigring6424]

"You are a bicycle when you are riding less than 3 feet from the edge of the road or the white line, which ever is farther left on any road 45mph or less. Local laws vary. There are very few cases when you are allowed to leave that 3 foot space " I didn't read more because you're completely full of nonsense. The laws almost universally in all states now stipulate as far right as "practicable". ALL states have implicit limitations on "practicable" and MANY have explicit exceptions. Regardless if it's explicit or implicit, the courts interpret practical as safe (imagine that) and they rely on engineering expertise to decide that. The engineering expertise says lanes less than 14 feet wide are not safe to share. When not safe to share riding on the edge encourages unsafe passes without slowing and is NOT required. Furthermore in such situations riding 2 abreast becomes moot and is not only allowed but better for traffic as it reduces passing distances. Furthermore if there is debris, ruts, driveways, intersections, or soon will be any of these, you are not safe on the edge where you are less visible, have less visibility, and have less space to avoid moving and stationary hazards. This is all the law. What you spout is nonsense.

[@annacoribioanna]

Thank you! I am a woman in USA and just started riding my bike among traffic and had saved this video (although is UK) because the rules seemed the same, I have now deleted it from my safe playlist!

[@RamiAbdelal]

No shit.

[@nathanwoodruff9422]

@@bigring6424 I never got the notification that you responded.... I hope you haven't killed yourself yet. The laws are not universally in any of the states.... I sure hope you educate yourself before getting someone else killed..... Here is the best place for you to start your education... www.bicyclelaw.com/ They have all 50 states listed because every single last state is different. In my state of Georgia a bicyclist is a vehicle and must follow ALL vehicle law except when bicycle law supersedes vehicle law. I did read all of your nonsense and know you will get someone killed. Go to the website link and look for Georgia, you will find that the LAW says ALL bicycles have 3 feet to the left of the WHITE line or edge of the road, which ever is farther to the left. AND going to the website to verify, I also found that in 2009 Georgia updated its bicycle law to include ALL roads no matter the speed limit as long as the road is not limited access as in an interstate. Please educate yourself.

[@thememaster7]

"Filtering" lol. It's lane hogging. Cars can't always overtake in today's roads.

[@andrewkennan8812]

do not filter through traffic stay in line like the 4 wheeled vehicles

[@alex2143]

Filtering is completely legal and you don't get to tell other people what to do.