06-18-2019, 05:09 AM
As it pertains to California, splitting is riding between cars in active, moving traffic. Filtering is the practice of coming to a stop light and making your way up to the front of the intersection and stopping between the two cars on either side of you.
To your point, Ferret, when I come to an intersection and see that someone on a bike has already made their way to the front of the line, I hang back, and don't want to be the second bike back when the light turns green. The bike in front may not move out quickly, leaving me stuck going the same speed as two cars close in on my sides, and that pretty much just confuses everyone. If the rider in front of me notices me in his mirror, he may get nervous trying to speed away and stall his bike (been there, been stuck behind that).
Personally, I don't filter as much as I split. I'll filter when I come to an intersection with several cars stopped, I know it's a long light, and I can easily get ahead of a herd of cars once the light changes and have a nice space cushion. You get more personal with the drivers around you, as you're now mirror-to-mirror with them for a few minutes. A few weeks ago, I watched a Goldwing waddle his way to the front of an intersection. His wide bike wouldn't fit between the two mirrors at the front of the intersection. He leaned forward, and folded the right side mirror in on the car at the front of the line to his right, so he could sit next to it.
That was a little crass if you ask me...
To your point, Ferret, when I come to an intersection and see that someone on a bike has already made their way to the front of the line, I hang back, and don't want to be the second bike back when the light turns green. The bike in front may not move out quickly, leaving me stuck going the same speed as two cars close in on my sides, and that pretty much just confuses everyone. If the rider in front of me notices me in his mirror, he may get nervous trying to speed away and stall his bike (been there, been stuck behind that).
Personally, I don't filter as much as I split. I'll filter when I come to an intersection with several cars stopped, I know it's a long light, and I can easily get ahead of a herd of cars once the light changes and have a nice space cushion. You get more personal with the drivers around you, as you're now mirror-to-mirror with them for a few minutes. A few weeks ago, I watched a Goldwing waddle his way to the front of an intersection. His wide bike wouldn't fit between the two mirrors at the front of the intersection. He leaned forward, and folded the right side mirror in on the car at the front of the line to his right, so he could sit next to it.
That was a little crass if you ask me...