[Closed] If you were in traffic on a motorway, would you notice...?

Not sure I would notice it due to the full face helmet, tbh. You need a little illuminated sign on the back of your bike that says 'Thanks!' with a smiley face, activated by a button on the bars.

I thought most bikers made some gesture of thanks ? I did when I rode a few years ago.

Moved over for loads of motorcyclist and most will nod or raise their hand as a thanks.

I've had quite a few bikers 'wave a foot' after I've moved over a bit for them.

Worth a try!

It's a sort of a sideways nod, if you see what I mean? As I'm just in front of the car.

I've had quite a few bikers 'wave a foot' after I've moved over a bit for them.

Yeah. Thought of that. I reckon I'm too close for that to be seen, or I'd just end up kicking the next car in the line!

Moved over for loads of motorcyclist and most will nod or raise their hand as a thanks.

Ahh, So I might not be the only one.... Good 🙂

OP, yes and the gesture is appreciated.

I'm usually looking for it to be honest.

I move over. The hand is always appreciated, a nod I have to look for, a foot is welcome and amusing.

I feel slightly aggrieved when I spot a motorcycle squeezing up between cars behind and I move over to give them extra room (checking the other side for another bike of course) and they don't say thank you.

So keep doing it, as long as it's safe as concessions are made when other motorists haven't noticed and left a tiny gap.

As a ex biker, I always notice a nod of the head or a foot being stuck out.

However on a 120 mile journey today, I was almost sideswiped twice by other divers who didn't 'see' me.
If these idiots can't spot +2 tonnes of Volvo XC90, they ain't gonna notice a nod!

Is it as few as that? Surprises me as I thought it was a common courtesy. Sometimes I get a nod, sometimes a wave, sometimes just a few fingers lifted off the bars but TBH I'm not that bothered as the bikes usually a bit busy so I appreciate its not always possible for them to acknowledge my move.

OP, yes and the gesture is appreciated.

I'm usually looking for it to be honest.

Cool. Nuff said.
On a more open road I'd wave, but not a chance of that in close proximity to solid M3 traffic, with my hands buried in muffs... 🙂

I'm not that bothered as the bikes usually a bit busy so I appreciate its not always possible for them to acknowledge my move.

That's very true. 100% attention required to the task in hand

I never move - not because I am ignorant or haven't noticed the person behind, but by moving I would be inviting them to make a manoeuvre that may actually be dangerous - for example, someone else may do something unexpected. It is 100% for the other party to drive according to the conditions as they perceive them.

Here's another question then:

Lights. I can't turn my headlight off, as bikes are all hard wired on these days, but what do we think to me having high beam and/or hazards on as I filter?

I've experimented and I'm not convinced it makes a difference

Thumb up off the bars a few times and the nod. Always do it if I see them coming then curse them as they cruise on by!

Attention seeking. Full beam irritating.

hazards would make it look like you are pretending to be emergency services or break down recovery etc and would probably get peoples backs up. Headlight should be sufficient.

Always have a cheery wave for anyone who moves over while I'm filtering even if 99 times out of 100 it makes no difference - I think some people are more concerned about their expensive mirrors than me

By the same token if I'm behind the wheel I'll move over if there's an accident on wheels coming through but I don't expect an acknowledgement I'm just glad they missed my car!

Those who dont look still wont see you!
I reckon a fellow biker in their car will notice the nod.
When I commute on a busy a road I'm amazed how many will pull over for me to overtake when they clearly havent left a big enough space in front for me to land in. Of course you also get the ones who pull out to block you or who want to race you from the lights when you can see the next traffic jam for them to join.

I move over for motorbikes but I've never noticed any sign of thanks; but never until today given a thought to it!

I think I'd prefer the rider to stay on their bike tbh rather than fall off in a clatter trying to show appreciation.

Yeah,something like that gets noticed and is appreciated.

A wheelie would be better though.

Nods, legs waves and hands or thumbs all looked for and appreciated. Good things to collect on long journeys. I'm always saddened to think that so many people spend so much time staring blankly into the stationary numberplate a few yards ahead of them.

Always nice to be thanked but no big deal. My intent is not to be thanked but to make things safer for a more vulnerable road user. That is thanks in itself. A wavy foot always makes me smile but being thanked by a truck driver makes me feel really special. 😀

johndoh - Member
I never move - not because I am ignorant or haven't noticed the person behind, but by moving I would be inviting them to make a manoeuvre that may actually be dangerous - for example, someone else may do something unexpected. It is 100% for the other party to drive according to the conditions as they perceive them.

i always get given the boot when i pull over for or wave past the bikers in the Alps during the summer.

If you notice the bike, you'll notice the nod, or slight raise of the fingers. I personally, even notice a glance back in the mirror (but then I was a motorcycle instructor for averal years).

Point is, in your scenario, drivers have alf selected into observant and non observant. You're asking if the observant ones will notice a nod. I think you're safe.

incidently, you are not allowed to filter through stationary here in the Vaterland..... bizarre. you are sat in a traffic jam and there will be a group (or solitary) bikers all staddling their machines. and this being Germany 99% of the people stick to the rules.

You should ride everywhere standing up. That would get you noticed.

[i]If you were the driver, do you think you'd notice, or am I wasting my time?

[/i]

I'd notice, but then I'm a biker.

[i]I filter past literally hundreds if not thousands of cars each day, mostly between lanes 2 & 3. Sometimes there's virtually 10 miles solid of this.
[/i]

I use to commute M40, M25 and then M4 - once I filtered all the way from Beaconsfield to Richmond..., only added 10 mins to my journey. And then I was the only one in the meeting, as all my colleagues were late 🙂

A knee out on the relevant side seems to do the trick, and keeps your hands and feet on the controls.

In France this year, I noticed them all lowering their foot to say thanks.
I liked it

[i]Lights. I can't turn my headlight off, as bikes are all hard wired on these days, but what do we think to me having high beam and/or hazards on as I filter?[/i]

IME Big FO bike is needed, lots of lights and dressed up like a copper - and then you've a fighting chance that folk will see you.

I've got to be honest though, I've always found that riding like I own the road is the safest. It's all about positioning and observation.

Seriously?
Exactly what sort of manoeuvre could you possibly be thinking of? Edging the car slightly to the left by a foot or two is hardly "inviting them to make a manoeuvre that may actually be dangerous"!

Think about it - I pull over a bit to let them past, they assume that my moving has suggested it is safe, someone else does something stupid, they crash. It isn't worth it. Of course this is only my opinion, but I strongly believe I am right in having it.

they assume that my moving has suggested it is safe,

I'm certain that the vast majority of filtering bikers would interpret this purely as "I've seen you" and appreciate the gesture. A biker who relied on a car driver to provide their observation for them would quickly become known as an organ donor.

The other thing you could do which is even more helpful is to increase your braking distance, so they've got an escape spot if needed.

As a ex biker, I always notice a nod of the head or a foot being stuck out.

Ditto. As someone else said, if a driver's observant enough to see you to move over, they're observant enough to see a "thanks." I used to straighten my fingers out / up as a sort of half-wave without letting go of the bars.

what do we think to me having high beam and/or hazards on as I filter?

Hazards I'd wonder WTF you were doing and whether you were about to come axing across to the hard shoulder. Main (non-dipped) beam, I'd think you were a nob. Cos what you really want to do as you're filtering through traffic is temporarily blind them.

I'd move slightly one way or the other if I see someone sensibly filtering. Can't say I've ever noted any specific gesture of thanks, but I know they probably appreciate it.

If it's slow moving and I see a lane swerver, serving between successive cars braking distances, then I'd cut them off and make them earn a pass.
In general, that seems to be suicidal scooters, at least here.

Have noticed that bikes on the autobahn here in Germany are pretty rare. Last one I saw was when I in a taxi at 200km/h indicated, and the biker came steaming past, wearing lid, jeans and t-shirt. Even the taxi driver exclaimed jesus effing christ!

It happens.
I notice.

It's nice to be nice, NNTTM.

Full beam and hazards are not required.

All this talk of foot gestures on overtake has me recalling many halcyon days on 2 wheels on the continent; I always felt a bit giddy doing it when passing cars or other bikes in France, Spain, Italy etc. And it's so much more 'Top Gun' when you pass a bike coming the other way and you take the left hand off the bars and do the pointy-salute thing.

Full beam on a motorway isn't needed and just p!!!!s people off - They are mostly annoyed that we are filtering anyway (unless they are bikers too, then they are annoyed they didn't bring the bike that day!)

However low beam is a must - I only just saw an 'old school' biker the other day whilst driving with his ancient twin and no hard wired headlight, black waterproofs etc. And as a biker, I'm really looking out for them too - total nutter

Surprised you've not seen people do it - fairly common up here in the Midlands, often pull in slightly to let motorbikes pass in traffic.

Unless they are on the A6 on a weekend and I'm worried that they will get to 800BC before I get there!

Yep, a foot out or sideways nod gets noticed...and yeah it is appreciated.

, they assume that my moving has suggested it is safe,

No. Never assume anything. I just know you've seen me, as I already said, which is nice 🙂
Do you ride a bike?

Surprised you've not seen people do it - fairly common up here in the Midlands, often pull in slightly to let motorbikes pass in traffic.

Not nodding at drivers, no. Nobody's ever done it to me whilst IU'm in a car, but then, I don't use the car much anyway. I came up with the idea off my own bat.
Lifting a hand isn't an option as I have bar muffs on..... A full on wave is tricky because I need to get my hand back inside the muff and I prefer too keep my fingers covering brake/clutch.

It's good to see motorists making space when filtering. I always give a little wave or thumbs up. Out if interest I was told during a BikeSafe that there's no issue with using full beam if u need to make other road users aware. The police rider taking the course said you'd be amazed how many road users don't observe their mirrors even with blues & twos on.
I can't imagine motorists making space for cyclists when they're filtering....

I'm gonna let the question of lights run a bit I think.... Some interesting answers already shall we say? 🙂

Actually, another question too... This one is a tricky one as well, could fire up an argument..... 🙂

At what point does 'filtering' start taking the pee? I've seen many motorcycles ridden (Guessing by the bike and the style of rider) by those who commute regularly in heavy motorway traffic, 'filtering' when the traffic is doing 70mph or more, meaning the rider is clearly doing 80+

This is obviously taking the piss.

General filtering, the traffic is moving, so you have to be going faster than it. When MY OWN speed reaches 40-50ish it seems prudent to fall into line and chill, whaddya reckon to that? 🙂

I'm generally one of the slower filterers I see on my commute, at that speed....I get passed by other bikes maybe twice as often as I pass another

At what point does 'filtering' start taking the pee?

Speed differential, and how comfortable you are with doing it. ([i]And,[/i] not [i]Or.[/i])

I wouldn't filter in traffic when it's doing 30mph or more and ride no faster than 15-20mph than the moving traffic... Just my own two pence....

I always lift a hand to say thanks if I can, otherwise a nod. Might try the foot thing though I'm not sure how noticeable (or safe) that would be in heavy traffic.

Filtering at 80+, that would be ever so naughty wouldn't it? 8)

Tend to stop filtering on mways when traffic gets to 40ish, i.e you are doing 50-55 - any faster and it starts becoming a lottery. Drivers expect bikes to be filtering when the traffic is stationary or crawling but not when it speeds up a bit

Btw, if the post on intersesting light answers was aimed at me I'd love to know your thoughts - I've given the matter a great deal of thought my self (same with hi viz)

I assume that bikers are cool, so acknowledgement from them makes me feel cool too.. the foot down thing is even cooler.
Spread the cool.

As noted above a wave of the leg is a common and yes, we do notice. I make a point of always moving over and I'd say about 30% offer some kind of signal, mostly either a leg or lifted fingers. Always appreciated. However personally I think you're all cheating and as such if you did any thing silly like use a high beam I'd close the gap...

I don't filter above 30 but then I don't ride on motorways much. Stationary traffic I try and stick to around 20. Once its moving above 30 it would become an overtake IMO.

those who commute regularly in heavy motorway traffic, 'filtering' when the traffic is doing 70mph or more, meaning the rider is clearly doing 80+

many, many people are ****ing mental!

[i]At what point does 'filtering' start taking the pee? I've seen many motorcycles ridden (Guessing by the bike and the style of rider) by those who commute regularly in heavy motorway traffic, 'filtering' when the traffic is doing 70mph or more, meaning the rider is clearly doing 80+

This is obviously taking the piss
[/i]

Not really, only a 10mph difference - its far more dangerous on a 'normal' road when your doing 60 and the car coming the opposite way is doing 60.

Only issue when filtering fast is hitting cats-eyes at speed when leaned over for the 'bend' 🙂

Quick left right indicator or hazards if their handy. No hands removed from bars and pretty obvious. Might even get you noticed by someone further up the road.

Always move over. Usually get thanks. Appreciated.

Like the slow foot extension best. Most cool.

i rermember my uncle telling me a story of some guy that saw the bikes coming so moverd over into the lane to block their path. as the traffic moved and the driver straightened up all four or five bikes gave him the boot.... a boot into the door or front wing and then sped off.

If it's slow moving and I see a lane swerver, serving between successive cars braking distances, then I'd cut them off and make them earn a pass.

I commute each way over 40km's of jammed Belgian highway every day by motorbike.(75km each way in total)
Hazards on / main beam (& noisy pipe) and then hanging left foot for those kind enough to acknowledge my presence & give me a little room....

Been hit twice over the past 10yrs and had some horribly close misses.

I'm very grateful to any driver who makes my journey a little less scary.

My commute was the hell hole of the Manchester motorways, sometimes some bikers did something that was about it. Some got grumpy if you didn't move over - which was normally a shame as it's hard to do that when the traffic is stationary and that motorway had some narrow lanes in places. Some of the time those of us in a lane were moving to avoid debris or just someone doing a slow lane move or drifting themselves.

As for what speed is safe? If you think you can put the bike in a small gap at 70mph and react in time to somebody else doing something then good luck to you. Most drivers struggle with what is in front of them and a bit of the side, expecting them to be aware of you coming from behind is a big ask. They should be just don't rely on them.

Been hit twice over the past 10yrs and had some horribly close misses.

I'm very grateful to any driver who makes my journey a little less scary.

Most French bikers ("motards") drop the right foot. I guess because the right hand's on the throttle?

looks a bit daft when someone on a scooter does it though.

I used to move over but when they (motorcyclists) all seemed to stop bothering any recognition for my considerate action, I stopped.

Same applied to lorries and buses.

Nowadays, I pretend I'm in an Audi.

When I see a motorbike in my mirror I always let it pass( if safe to do so,obvs.). When I was an apprentice I used to get a pillion lift with my foreman (which scared the shit out of me).
He pointed out to me the drivers that let bikes pass & would always say " they've ridden a bike before".
Any kind of acknowledgement is appreciated imo.

I am a biker so I move over bit as PP said I do it to let them know I have seen them rather than to give them room as normally there is enough room anyway. Most thank you but if they don't I am not that bothered as if they are new to filtering I would rather they concentrated than wave or nod at me.

Controversial I know but loud cans help filtering if I hear you I will look for you.

As for speed I find if I am filtering for a long time through lots of traffic my speed can creep up if the traffic starts moving. Sometimes I do look down at speedo and thing hmm maybe I should go with the traffic now. But as someone said its the speed differential thats the big thing.

I love it in Europe when a mass of cars part for you, makes you feel like royalty 🙂

As I am a fair weather biker (Apart from Touring) I hope this rain goes away soon 🙂 Going to Portimao for a track day(s) end of May it would at least be nice to do some riding before that 🙂

Most French bikers ("motards") drop the right foot. I guess because the right hand's on the throttle?

I'd hazard that's correct. Don't [i]really[/i] want to be wiggling your right hand about.

Most French bikers ("motards") drop the right foot. I guess because the right hand's on the throttle?

At what point does 'filtering' start taking the pee?

Filtering at high speeds is called 'weaving' and the people who do it are called 'bell ends'

When I'm on the bike I am trying to make eye contact with other road users often in their mirror. No I eye contact and I treat them as threat. When I see someone moving over and I have eye contact with them I give them a nod of the head as I pass them I will raise fingers as further acknowledgement to them.

At what point does 'filtering' start taking the pee?

what do we think to me having high beam and/or hazards on as I filter?

Lights. I can't turn my headlight off, as bikes are all hard wired on these days, but what do we think to me having high beam and/or hazards on as I filter?

I always move over if I can, and a simple finger-lift wave is appreciated, but if your hands are covered in full winter muffs, I'd probably notice and assume you'd waved. 🙂

As a biker, my first preference is that other drivers stick to the rules and don't make any sudden lane movements. Being let through is great but I'd prefer to wait than have drivers jerking around on instinct.

Haven't read what every one else has said, but both of my brothers are motorcyclists ( and I'm a cyclist, so like to think I'm more observant than most ( well, I am!)), so yes I do move over and I do notice if I'm thanked for it.

When filtering takes the piss, is , like a few weeks ago when the traffic starts moving (at traffic lights) and the motorcyclist expects me to change my pull away speed so he can sneak thru a gap between me and a big van.. This with only one other car in front and the next set of lights red. I didn't stop for him and the dick pulls up next to me when we stop. I open my window and point and laugh at him.

Anyway, apart from that, if bikes can make better progress than the rest of the traffic, I see no problem with (safe) filtering.

If you were in traffic on a motorway, would you notice...?

Yes I would and I always move slighly to the right if its a slow moving jam. I notice everything. I can also tell you what people 360degrees in the cars around me are doing, what the cars ahead are going to do before they do it.

Its called being a normal and competent driver.

I notice everything. I can also tell you what people 360degrees in the cars around me are doing, what the cars ahead are going to do before they do it.

Its called being a normal and competent driver.

I always shoulder check too before changing lanes (either way)- I never rely on just the mirrors.

The 'good' thing about the motorway is everyone is going in the same direction in just 3 or 4 wide lanes so you have a measure of control.

Its very different to driving on normal roads- then my thoughts ^ go totally out of the window.

I always move out for bikers and appreciate someone thanking me for it so feel free to carry on 🙂

Don't wave, don't waggle your leg at me, don't nod suggestively and don't do that lefty righty lefty righty indicator thing. We're over, through, it was a one time thing, I will NOT be calling you in the morning. You've passed me, you've got all the stuff ahead of you to worry about now, work on that, not someone who may have made space for you on your ego chariot or might just have swerved accidentally while checking Twitter.

My Fav is the little kick out of the rider's boot in my direction, as I give them room.

But a nod is good... as would be a flick or two of the elbow.

It's nice to be nice peeps 😀

Some people probably think they are queue jumping or avoiding their stint in the jam. The trade-off is bikers are mental for riding completely unprotected on a very fast road. If someone does bregrudge then all they have to do is also buy a bike. Its not an exclusive club.

If I was commuting say in the South East and it was always mental jams = bike IMO.

I notice everything.

Omnipresent.. omnipotent... omniscient. It's Hora.

As a biker, my first preference is that other drivers stick to the rules and don't make any sudden lane movements. Being let through is great but I'd prefer to wait than have drivers jerking around on instinct.