Apalling actions from an Arriva bus driver

[Deleted member 20519]

"Professional driver"

 

[glasgowcyclist]

You don't think it's alarming that professional drivers believe cycle lanes are compulsory?

Driving a bus, a taxi, or a lorry only means you've passed a test of basic competence to handle that vehicle safely, it's not an award of an advanced driving qualification.
These people are commercial drivers and should be referred to as such. Calling them professional has the danger of bestowing on them, as most of them appear to believe, a higher status. This is wholly undeserved.

'Professional driver' is a cliche that's also fast becoming an oxymoron. I put it right up there with 'law-abiding motorists'.
Commercial driver is more apt.

 

[Spinney]

Oh come on most of us haven't a clue about road traffic law. If you asked a 100 cyclists about the only legal way to enter an ASL - how many would get it wrong? More or less than 90?

There is no requirement, worse still no encouragement, to know it beyond taking your test if you drive. We just know a bit about the bits likely to get you a fine. That level of ignorance is not afforded to pilots or train drivers. We expect them to be pretty much word perfect on the rules and regulations and adhere to them. They get fired if they don't. It is society that chooses to create an environment and appropriate checking or enforcement. We don't do it for the road. Until we do then you have to be unsurprised at people's ignorance. That includes Arriva bus drivers. And it your fault if you don't accept that unfortunate reality.

Remember its your life that's on the line here. Scream at those that can help to change society. More use than screaming and pi**ing off another driver.

A cyclist entering an ASL over a solid line isn't really comparable with a bus driver apparently thinking that he's not allowed to give more than a car door's width space to a cyclist, and thinking that cyclists are required to be in the cycle lane if there is one.

 

[StuartG]

'Professional driver' is a cliche that's also fast becoming an oxymoron. I put it right up there with 'law-abiding motorists'.

Commercial or Private drivers should both have a professional attitude to driving. Most don't because it is not an expectation. And without expectations you won't get much achievement. It should not be a cliche. It should be exactly what we should be agitating for.

You also forgot to add a smiley at the end.

 

[StuartG]

A cyclist entering an ASL over a solid line isn't really comparable with a bus driver apparently thinking that he's not allowed to give more than a car door's width space to a cyclist, and thinking that cyclists are required to be in the cycle lane if there is one.

I didn't say it was. I was just seeking to establish that we actually know very little about road traffic law even when it applies to us. Inevitably we are likely to know even less when it applies to others.

 

[Boris Bajic]

Just realised there's something interesting about people on this forum who disagree with others for confronting people and escalating issues by telling them off and getting into an argument with them ... by confronting them and escalating issues by telling them off and getting into argument with them.

I may be guilty in this matter and it is an interesting observation.

I do think the driving was poor, but I also think the cycling was poor in parts and the attitude of the OP was embarrassing.

I think his (repeated and exhaustive) seeking of confrontation in this and other threads is alarming and undignified.

My thinking that and posting it may be seen as confrontational. Maybe it is.

I am responding to a post on the internet seeking comment. I am not shouting, swearing, sounding an airhorn, gesticulating, following someone in traffic and confronting them with bizarre and unpleasant language in front of their passengers and customers.

I find it deeply troubling that this sort of behaviour is somehow encouraged and excused on these pages. My three children straddle the OP in age. I would be furious if any of them had acted as he did. All are keen cyclists. All have strong views. None is afraid of confrontation, least of all with me, sadly.

But they do not behave as the OP did and I give a little prayer of thanks to the God I don't believe in that they don't. If a child of mine rode and behaved like that, I might be on my way to an ulcer or worse.

 

[glenn forger]

(Pauses here in realising I'm committing the sin I visited on Matthew by responding in a way likely to ramp up the other person's blood pressure even more)

Look at our own posts Glen. Immediate over the top and multiple reactions casting abuse but, from this angle, lacking understanding of what was written. Is responding with 'Bum', Piffle etc rather than a reasoned response likely to engage and convince? Or will people be more likely respond with similar abuse?

If you ride with a similar attitude you are a poor cyclist. In fact a poor person. More worrying to me is that attitude is more likely to make you a dead person. Whose fault will that be?

Saying bum and piffle is a way of pointing out the paucity of your argument, they are attacking your argument, not you personally, you delicate flower. Tell you what, when you go back to work, take a huge dump on the photocopier then draw a huge spaffing cock on your boss's desk. At the disciplinary meeting, blame society.

Let us know how you get on.

 

[Matthew_T]

I went to the depot today to hand in the video and show it to the manager. Conveniently the manager wasnt in, so i just handed them the CD. If I dont hear anything in a week then I will pass it onto the Arriva complaints department to try and get some kind of response.

 

[glenn forger]

If you ride with a similar attitude you are a poor cyclist. In fact a poor person. More worrying to me is that attitude is more likely to make you a dead person. Whose fault will that be?

SOCIETY'S!!!

I can pretty much guarantee I've cycled a lot more miles than you, through dodgy areas of London. Describing your lame argument as bum gravy no more reflects on how I cycle than it does on the way I vote, you're scrabbling around for reasons to attack me personally when all I've done is highlight how poor your argument is. And, ducky, posting fantasies about people dying is pretty sick, have a word with yourself.

 

[glenn forger]

Interesting reading... the amount of buses I've had right up my proverbial and I've often wondered 'if I hit a pothole now, I'm under that bus...'

It's pretty clear cut, whoever that sunglasses-wearing bod was he hasn't got a clue about road traffic law, he's forgotten his training and he says the Highway Code is "wrong". These aren't minor aberrations, they demonstrate he's not fit to hold his position.

 

[glasgowcyclist]

You also forgot to add a smiley at the end.

To indicate what?

GC

 

[glenn forger]

Just realised there's something interesting about people on this forum who disagree with others for confronting people and escalating issues by telling them off and getting into an argument with them ... by confronting them and escalating issues by telling them off and getting into argument with them.

Or posting lurid fantasies about their death. That's reasoned debate right there.

 

[Matthew_T]

I may be guilty in this matter and it is an interesting observation.

I do think the driving was poor, but I also think the cycling was poor in parts and the attitude of the OP was embarrassing.

I think his (repeated and exhaustive) seeking of confrontation in this and other threads is alarming and undignified.

My thinking that and posting it may be seen as confrontational. Maybe it is.

I am responding to a post on the internet seeking comment. I am not shouting, swearing, sounding an airhorn, gesticulating, following someone in traffic and confronting them with bizarre and unpleasant language in front of their passengers and customers.

I find it deeply troubling that this sort of behaviour is somehow encouraged and excused on these pages. My three children straddle the OP in age. I would be furious if any of them had acted as he did. All are keen cyclists. All have strong views. None is afraid of confrontation, least of all with me, sadly.

But they do not behave as the OP did and I give a little prayer of thanks to the God I don't believe in that they don't. If a child of mine rode and behaved like that, I might be on my way to an ulcer or worse.

I understand your opinion but my cycling was far from the worst. The overtake at the crossing was the only bad thing, but it didnt deserve to be treated in such a way that put me in danger.
With regards to the confronting, I do tend to let my feelings get the better of me. But I think that is true of anyone who is of my age and cycles. I have a lot to learn and I am not afraid to admit that, however when I feel that something is wrong (I have black and white views) then i am not afraid to raise peoples awareness to the dangers that they pose against a cyclist.
I could have been a bit more assertive and less confrontational when I spoke with the guy but having seen the training that the drivers get, I was more shocked that appalled at his driving and attitude.

My cycling was far from perfect but it did not cause the problem.

 

[cd365]

That was quality bringing out the Highway Code. He needs to go read it himself properly.
There are quite a few incidents here that Arriva needs to be looking at.

 

[StuartG]

Saying bum and piffle is a way of pointing out the paucity of your argument, they are attacking your argument, not you personally, you delicate flower. Tell you what, when you go back to work, take a huge dump on the photocopier then draw a huge spaffing cock on your boss's desk. At the disciplinary meeting, blame society.

Let us know how you get on.

Clearly we will continue to differ on whether this attitude is helpful to your cycling, family, career ... life. I wish you a good afternoon.
(I'm really a petunia in case you were confused).