A good response from First Bus
- Thread starter MrHappyCyclist
- Start date
Page may contain affiliate links. Please see terms for details.
OP
OP
MrHappyCyclist
Riding the Devil's HIghway
- Location
- Bolton, England
It's just the shortest. quickest route. I have tried some others. For example. I tried using NCR6 up to Radcliffe and then cut off towards Bolton, but there's a part of the NCR6 that is really only suitable for mountain bikes; it also took nearly twice as long. I might try NCR55 and come in through Trafford Park, but it is rather a long way round and has some of the problems of NCR6 - 15mph average speed is not really an option on those routes. I wouldn't want to use either of those in the dark anyway. The route via Bury New Road is just as busy as the A666, and to go across town and use the A6 would probably be equally as bad (and would bring me to Pendlebury roundabout anyway). Options are quite limited because the M60 is a barrier I try to avoid the back streets because they aren't very good, I'm likely to get (more) punctures, and I just don't feel safe.
I appreciate the suggestion, but my motivation for cycling is to get exercise in the time it would take me to travel to work anyway. Whilst I enjoy cycling, I'm not what you would call "a keen cyclist". Anything that causes my journey to take much longer than it would in the car makes it less attractive.
As an aside, I'm originally from Swinton and my dad still lives there. Where do you work? (appreciate you might not want to give that info out on a public forum)
You've probably heard of my extended family too
I won't explicitly say where I work but let's say it's probably the largest employer in Salford...
Next meeting of the Salford cycle forum is tomorrow folk so if you want to have a say in the future of Salford's cycle facilities, get your arses along:
http://www.salford.gov.uk/cycle-forum.htm
http://www.salford.gov.uk/cycle-forum.htm
OP
OP
MrHappyCyclist
Riding the Devil's HIghway
- Location
- Bolton, England
Sorry, I wasn't able to get to that. I have started to go to the Bolton Cycle Forum meetings, though, and starting to get involved in Greater Manchester Cycling Campaign.
I take the same route as you MrH and have seen you a couple of times, as you might remember. I was cycling behind you when you had a go at a bus driver a few months ago. You were shouting at the driver at the lights and asked me if his pass was too close. I felt bad because I just said I didn't know but I actually thought it was OK, until I got home and watched the clip. He overtook me safely but then cut in too soon when passing you but I didn't notice that at the time. I think the driver on that occasion just misjudged your speed and the oncoming traffic as he did at least make the effort. As opposed to this horrible driving which was just plain dangerous - glad to see you have got a good result.
I have to say I rarely have a problem with First bus drivers and don't really have that much of a problem on that road. It is narrow and during rush hour I get a few close passes but bus drivers on that route tend to be pretty good and usually wait behind until they can pass safely. I do have to slow right down when a load of students have just got off the bus but it's not as bad the city centre for pedestrians walking out without looking.
The only time I have had cause to complain about a bus driver was when I was actually a passenger on the bus and the driver was bullying a cyclist when it was snowing, tailgating and overtaking ridiculously close. When the cyclist was turning right and moved out into the road signalling, she overtook him again, cutting in quickly to avoid an oncoming car. I was so annoyed that I got up and confronted her and she said if I didn't like her driving I could get off the bus. She also said that the cyclist shouldn't be on the road anyway and should be on the pavement.
I went home and wrote a letter of complaint - I just received the standard reply. I wonder if it is the same woman as in your clip....
I have to say I rarely have a problem with First bus drivers and don't really have that much of a problem on that road. It is narrow and during rush hour I get a few close passes but bus drivers on that route tend to be pretty good and usually wait behind until they can pass safely. I do have to slow right down when a load of students have just got off the bus but it's not as bad the city centre for pedestrians walking out without looking.
The only time I have had cause to complain about a bus driver was when I was actually a passenger on the bus and the driver was bullying a cyclist when it was snowing, tailgating and overtaking ridiculously close. When the cyclist was turning right and moved out into the road signalling, she overtook him again, cutting in quickly to avoid an oncoming car. I was so annoyed that I got up and confronted her and she said if I didn't like her driving I could get off the bus. She also said that the cyclist shouldn't be on the road anyway and should be on the pavement.
I went home and wrote a letter of complaint - I just received the standard reply. I wonder if it is the same woman as in your clip....As an aside, I'm originally from Swinton and my dad still lives there. Where do you work? (appreciate you might not want to give that info out on a public forum)
You've probably heard of my extended family too
I'm from Swinton - I probably know them. :-)
tbh I think a problem is that bolton rd is a good cut thru, so whilst 20 might help, it's still a rat-run road with that mentality....
When going into manchester, do you go straight on for the mental 'shared use' stuff under the roundabout , past the police station ? or just go right on the roundabout ? I tried both, neither I really liked.. the shared use annoyed me because it proves there's space for a nice cycle lane to avoid some junctions, but that it has barriers at some points
Sorry to barge in on your conversation but I too, am originally from that area and am very familiar with that road. When heading to Manchester I turn right, go all the way down the hill to Langworthy then left onto Liverpool St, then just stay on that road; it takes you right up to the edge of the city center.
Hmmm I've never thought of going that way - I just take a left at Eccles Old Road and go round the roundabout. I might try the Liverpool St way - what's that road like to cycle on? Which way do you go when you get to Oldfield Road?
It is fine to cycle on, it is a dead straight wide road with a cycle lane in each direction (if you use the cycle lane I would advise moving out into primary at the traffic light controlled junctions), and is not that busy, at least whenever I have used it. At Oldfield Road go straight on, keep going straight on until you get to the junction with Trinity Way. From here it is a T-junction for motorists but there is a cycle lane that goes straight across the junction and gives access to another cycle lane which takes you up to the end of a cul-de-sac. From here go straight down the road, turn right then first left and again just continue down the road to the end then you end up right beneath the Hilton Hotel (aka Beetham tower). From there it depends which part of the city center you are heading for. If I am heading for the Arndale I will turn left here into Deansgate.
OP
OP
MrHappyCyclist
Riding the Devil's HIghway
- Location
- Bolton, England
Hi Tubbs. I do remember chatting to you before, of course. I also remember this incident, but I didn't realise it was you at the time. Don't feel bad; eyewitness testimony is notoriously unreliable, so it's not surprising, and no shame, that you didn't notice. The annoying thing about that driver was that he was using the classic ploy of trying to blame the cycle cammers for all the bad driving that is captured on video.
You are right that most of the First drivers are not too bad; it's just that I encounter a lot of First buses on my commutes.
I didn't realise it was you either at the time until I found the clip on YouTube and I had no idea what he had said to you until I saw it either. If I'd seen what happened properly I would have backed you up.
Don't get me wrong, I have had my fair share of idiot bus drivers too but I think it's got better over the years. Either that or I've become so used to it that I don't notice it as much any more.
I'll be sure to say hi if I see you again.