egmell2190

I found a thread in A&S all about filtering but it took about 8 posts before it turned into a VC or not discussion, so I'll post this here.

OK, here is the situation, I work on base (USAF) and currently one of the gates is closed for construction. This is causing much larger than normal delays at the remaining gates. This and other mornings I've had 2-3 other bike commuters pass me and head strait to the gate while I patiently waited in the sea of automobiles.

There are many reasons I don't filter. First every one there is waiting for the same thing-to physically get their ID checked and allowed access to base (similar to a sobriety check point). Jumping line no matter what the mode of transportation just seems rude to me. If I chose to ride the motorcycle instead of the bicycle I'd have to wait anyways. The biggest reason I don't filter is I think it would make me a target for later JAM behavior in the area I already experience the most JAMs.

What would you do in this situation?

Flimflam

Depends if you want to or not, by the way of things. If you can get over the feeling of being rude and 'cut in line', then go for it.

I did this on Rainbow Bridge re-entering Canada from NY state, I filtered through until there was about 5-6 cars in front (the point at which they seperated into the toll booth lanes) and stayed there after that. I too had that "rude" feeling, but I also don't like sitting in traffic if I don't really have to be.

I think I'd approach this the same, give the CP a 5-6 car 'buffer' before you get there, so as to not annoy the next couple guys in line. If it works, stick with it - else, change/or stay in traffic.

Edit: are there any motorcyclists that you see? What do they do? Sometimes I find they'll provide an 'example' to car drivers to make it 'OK' to do.

mtnwalker

I completely understand that we need to be treated fairly in the streets as vehicles. But when it comes to this kind of things then I will take advantage of my "choice" of transportation. When I was in the military I noticed that pedestrians did not have this moral dillema to deal with. They still get ID'd anyway whether there is a line of cars or not. If you don't want to feel rude then filter to about 5 yards away, get off your bike and walk it in. That's what I'd do anyway. In fact thats what I still do now.

sumguy

what is JAM?

jamesdenver

JAM = Jass ass motorists.

I would filter. I don't make a point of filtering, but if I'm waiting for more than one light cycle I'll definitely scoot to the front, especially with ONE lane where folks are making LEFT turns, (causing multi light cycle backups)

Avoiding these traffic jams is one reason I ride a bike.

Spreggy

If your ID has to be checked, then it is unfair to budge.

One thing I realized the hard and embarrassing way, is that we the cyclist can sometimes fail to see the car's right turn signal, and can filter ourselves right into a dangerous situation.

Take it easy at the busy intersections, folks. The best compliment to cycling with authority is to cycle courteously.

StrangeWill

If it's waiting for ID check, I'd wait in line just as a courtesy and to be fair to others. How much time does it really take from me?

If it was waiting for something that doesn't need you to stop and hold everyone else up, zip up ahead.

bmclaughlin807

In this case you're not likely to have anyone suddenly try to turn right... most likely there's no place for them to go but straight ahead through the gate.

I would (And did, while I was in the Navy) ride past the traffic jam.

flipped4bikes

Sorry to hijack, but taking the CAT Ferry from Maine to Nova Scotia, we didn't filter, and ended up waiting in customs for over an hour. Coming back, we "filtered" while still on the ferry, to the front of the line of cars waiting for the disembarking ramp to go down. Needless to say, we breezed through customs in less than 10 minutes.

Thinking about it later, I felt more moronic standing in line with motor vehicles, rather than just taking advantage of a bike's mobility in small quarters...

noisebeam

If the gate check delay for motorists is notably longer vs. what is is for you on a bicycle (such as a vehicle inspection), I'd feel OK about filtering.

If the delay is equal (just an ID check) I'd stay in line.

The feeling you have about the other cycle commuters cutting is the same feeling all the other drivers have.

What happens if you arrive 10-15min early? Do you avoid the 'just in time arrival' congestion?

Al

I_bRAD

Is there a pedestrian line? Perhaps you could go through that one.

I'm all for filtering, but in this case I think you're more cutting in line than filtering.

lil brown bat

I don't do anything that might piss off the MPs.

Leiniesred

Depends on your rank.

maddyfish

Pass them all, they'd pass you given the chance.

Allister

If drivers think it's somehow unfair that cyclists filter ahead of the traffic and that it's 'cheating', my usual response is that no-one is stopping them from doing exactly the same thing. It's their own choice to sit in traffic. Besides, filtering is no more 'cheating' than them using an internal combustion engine to haul their flabby carcasses around.

jbarros

I'd pass them all then walk up to the Office of the Day and get my credentials checked like a ped.

That way I'm not cutting in front of the cars nor am I waiting for them

-- James

aMull

Exactly. I always filter, would be pointless not to. I don't care at all what a some driver thinks or doesn't think. I am not harming anyone in any way so why should they care that i take advantage of my bike?

ks1g

Short answer - in the OPs particular situation, I would not filter. (Intersections, stop lights, other situations of random traffic congestion are a different matter if I can do so safely). One public-relations reason - his boss, customer (if the OP is a contractor and not active duty) or the spouse or child of the base commander might be in the car behind him and not appreciate the OP's contribution to keeping traffic moving.

If parking is as congested as it is on many bases, and the bike rack or a suitable parking area is near his work location entrance, the OP is likely to arrive at his job sooner than the drivers who have to park and walk!

JeffS

I have no problems with passing cars on the right from time to time, depending on the situation and my mood.

In this situation, I wouldn't pass the cars. A line has formed that is different from normal traffic.

Jarery

Your not waiting at a light, your in line to have id checked toll booth, etc, thats a que, and filtering up might be get run over later on.

noisebeam

The difference is it is not traffic, not a traffic jam, not motorist vs. cyclist, not lazy vs. motivated - instead its a queue of people, co-workers, all equally waiting to get into the workplace who just happen to be arriving via different transport modes.

Al

Allister

True. To be honest, I'm not sure what I'd do in that situation. I'd probably filter ahead once or twice, to get a feel for any reactions, both from people in the queue, and from coworkers during the day. If I copped flak for it from management, I'd probably stop, but if I get no reaction, I'd keep doing it until I'm told to stop.