Filtering is one of the other things a bike does that makes them a pleasure to ride and better than cars! The other is that they lean over – just in case you were wondering.

Unlike all those car drivers when we want to get somewhere we can take advantage of the narrowness of the bike and the acceleration it can achieve.

However, it can be one of the most hazardous manoeuvres we can perform on the roads and without recognising the dangers we could be in trouble very quickly.

The biggest dangers occur when gaps appear in either lane. Someone will try and make that dive across to try and get in the ‘faster’ lane. Watch for it.

This is most likely to occur when the traffic first starts to slow. It’s the time when car drivers are willing to dive across one or two lanes in a bid to get into the ‘fastest’ queue. We all know this means they only get two feet further ahead in their quest to make up time but a car driver will take whatever lane is moving, regardless of other road users. They’re a massively unpredictable missile looking (or not as the case actually is) to take you out.

Keep looking ahead for signs of movement from cars and lorries. Look at the wheels. Are they steering to change lanes? Look at the drivers. Are they looking in their mirrors? Are they turning their heads? Look out for indicators – a lot of drivers seem to think they only have to turn their indicators on to have the right of way.

When this danger zone appears make life easier for you. Sit up a little more to improve your vision ahead. Grip the fuel tank with your knees so you can keep your upper body relaxed. It will need to be if you are going to have to react to one of these prats with a clean and effective steering action. When we start to filter one of the survival reactions is too start to tense up and this reduces your ability to turn quickly.

One thing I have used over the years that seems to heighten the awareness of the car drivers is to ‘pulse’ your headlights. As you enter the jam and start to filter then keep flicking your pass button on and off on and off. The flashing makes you easier to detect in a driver’s mirror.

Filtering is illegal in some countries. Here the police tend to accept it if you are going no more than 4-5mph more than the flow of traffic. To whip through lanes of parked cars at 40mph over the odds and you will need the reactions of a Ninja to stay alive. It’s very easy to get carried away but keep it in check so you have the time to react. We want to make progress but not at the cost of a new bike and a hospital visit!

Finally, check your mirrors moment by moment for signs of Couriers even more impatient than you!