Apalling actions from an Arriva bus driver

[Davidsw8]

Maybe the more cyclists report stuff and the more drivers know that some cyclists wear cameras, maybe people will realise there are consequences to bad behaviour and that will inform their driving choices in the future?

If someone puts me in physical danger, I have no qualms about putting their job on the line. If someone simply breaks the law, I do feel a little bad about reporting them but it's like smacking a child, do you let them carry on with bad behaviour just to avoid any unpleasantness?

 

[Matthew_T]

I understand people saying the the overtake at the crossing was a silly thing to do. However, you can see that I passed the bus after he blocked the crossing. If there had been a ped infront of him, I would have not only seen it from the other side of the bus (when I was behind him) and through the bus. The bus would also be moving off very slowly or not at all.
I then knew the bus wouldnt be accelerating up to a proper speed because of the ped at the bus stop.

In terms of cutting up the bus: I did not. You can see that clearly in the rear view. I shoulder checked to move back in when I was safely ahead of the bus.

 

[Origamist]

Ever the optimist, I hope Matthew will be a bit more circumspect when passing long vehicles when the lights are changing and at least one bus driver will benefit from a stern word/warning and receive further training/advice on how to behave around vulnerable road users.

 

[glenn forger]

"If I see that on YouTube, you won't get a car door width from me."

Scary.

Scary that he seems to be threatening something. Scary that professional drivers think cycle lanes are ,mandatory. These people are supposed to be trained, they are cluless thugs.

 

[fossyant]

Spinney, I am not saying anything of the sought. It was a non situation that was escalated for no real reason.

The driver is in the wrong, but as we all know, start confronting people and they say all sorts, some quite aggressive. Yes the driver needs a word, but there are two overtakes by Matthew that are not necessary, and the camera tapping, and then to follow the driver into the depot as well ?

Really is all this confrontation necessary? Matthews condition also causes reactions that wouldn't be seen as necessary in folk without his condition.

As someone said before Matthew does have more incidents that anyone I know added together. I also can't see the attraction of riding up and down the Rhyl Prestatyn road and through the centre of Rhyl. There are far nicer routes in the area. Anyway why is this in Commuting as its not a commuting ride.

I feel the whole thing could have been avoided by Matthew not getting worked up by it and being passive aggressive. He could have gone on and had a good ride, totally spoiled by following the bus and having a confrontation.

Close passes are a part of life, anticipate and then go on to enjoy the ride.

 

[Boris Bajic]

My youngest and my youngest nephew are a year apart and the best of friends. But when they were toddlers, they had an extraordinary disdain for one another.

On family holidays, one would find a quite valueless object (a stick or similar) and somehow parade in front of the other, muttering "I've got a stick" (with the clear implication that the other didn't have one). It was hilarious to onlookers, but pure, merciless war to the little boys. It was so utterly trivial, so terribly predictable and (like a scratched scab) so constantly noticeable.

Much as I wanted my nephew to be the instigator rather than my son, it was clear that both parties were equally to blame for the comical (and tragic) bitterness that they allowed to burn between them. Both went looking for it and both got it in spades. Each saw himself as the moral victor.

Our kids didn't have snacks between meals but our nephew did, so he'd leave his breakfast and then beg for a jam sandwich and sashay over to our boy as he ate it. He then gloated when our boy asked and was refused. Our boy did similar things with different media or some simple ball trick he'd mastered and the other hadn't.. Even who sat where in the bath was like the UNSC in hot debate.

Why do I tell this silly tale? For this reason: I find that Matthew_T's behaviour among other road users reminds me of those now-grown-up toddlers in their pomp at the age of three. The similarity in uncanny.

Matthew, there is hope. Both are now lovely boys and the best of friends. They have learned to live and let live.

 

[glenn forger]

You are not allowed to use the main road if there is a cycle lane!

Frankly that's rank idiocy and incompetence, it's like saying it's against the law to overtake blue cars. That officious little squirt wants sacking.

 

[Brandane]

I'm not sure that the whole bus depôt doesn't need retraining.

This would also be a concern of the Traffic Commissioner. If those drivers sincerely believe what they were saying about overtaking clearance distance, and cyclists using the road where there is a cycle path/lane, then it doesn't look too good for Arriva's driver training policy.

The other possibility is of course that the drivers are well aware of the highway code, and were just at the wind-up or trying in vain to defend the original driver's actions.

 

[glasgowcyclist]

For those who want to see the 'highway code' part, it is at about 6:00.

If I may make a few points:
The overtake on the pelican crossing approach was dangerous, unneccessary and plain daft.
His pass was closer than it should have been.
Pointing at the driver then to your head was a waste of time as he'd be unlikely to realise you were conveying a message that he was being filmed. He might have mistaken it for an insult on your part and repaid in kind.

His offer of a slap at the depot was unacceptable, as was the comment by the other employee who, in my view, was threatening you with a punishment pass if he ever saw you on the road. For these comments alone their boss should be having a strong word with them.

Some are saying you initiated the chain of events, and it's true that had you held back at the pelican crossing the confrontation might never have happened. However, you have highlighted that there are at least three employees of that company who need to be retrained on their awareness of the HC and how to pass cyclists safely. If you hadn't brought this to the company's attention they'd still be out there behaving like dicks. (Producing the Highway Code was priceless!)

Now you just need to re-evaluate your own approach to overtaking on a bike. Urgently.

GC

 

[endoman]

Link?

Sorry , should have been in purple font. Just meant that today the bus drivers will be talking about a cyclist who blew his horn at them, and then started gesticulating and followed him to the depot. Not condoning the bus driver at all.

 

[Spinney]

Spinney, I am not saying anything of the sought. It was a non situation that was escalated for no real reason.

The driver is in the wrong, but as we all know, start confronting people and they say all sorts, some quite aggressive. Yes the driver needs a word, but there are two overtakes by Matthew that are not necessary, and the camera tapping, and then to follow the driver into the depot as well ?

Really is all this confrontation necessary? Matthews condition also causes reactions that wouldn't be seen as necessary in folk without his condition.

As someone said before Matthew does have more incidents that anyone I know added together. I also can't see the attraction of riding up and down the Rhyl Prestatyn road and through the centre of Rhyl. There are far nicer routes in the area. Anyway why is this in Commuting as its not a commuting ride.

I feel the whole thing could have been avoided by Matthew not getting worked up by it and being passive aggressive. He could have gone on and had a good ride, totally spoiled by following the bus and having a confrontation.

Close passes are a part of life, anticipate and then go on to enjoy the ride.

Sorry - probably reacting to having seen too many 'but he/she might lose his job' reasons for not complaining.

As someone else has pointed out, there are apparently 3 drivers who do not know the highway code, so on balance the confrontation may have achieved something if the depot manager is as sensible as Matthew seems to think he is.

 

[Hip Priest]

Yet another completely avoidable flare-up that'll achieve nothing other than to cause all parties a load of unnecessary bother and stress.

 

[Jezston]

Close passes are a part of life, anticipate and then go on to enjoy the ride.

I think the general ignorance highlighted by the Highway Code bit show that close passes shouldn't just be 'a part of life'.

 

[Jezston]

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.

 

[StuartG]

Yet another completely avoidable flare-up that'll achieve nothing other than to cause all parties a load of unnecessary bother and stress.

Yes. I just read page 1 and then skipped to page 5. Sorry if I missed anything vital but I have a life too ...

The OP account was just like watching a train crash is slow motion. A little perturbation leading to reaction which led to another reaction which led to yet another. I suppose its good the OP is just a cyclist and not a military dictator. People get killed if flares ups are not contained and decontaminated.

I'm sorry the fact the bus driver is wrong is almost irrelevant here. Next time remember what your objectives are: Reasonable ones are:

* Making the driver aware there was an issue but you have forgiven him (just a smile is enough)
* Sending a polite note to Arriva (with DVD) wondering if it would help improve their driver's training and behaviour
* Send a stiff note (with DVD) asking Arriva to investigate the incident and report back (and say you prefer doing this informally rather going to the police which wastes everybody's time)
* Go to the police

Which in the ascending scale is appropriate has to be judged by the seriousness of the incident and evidence available. Looks like one of the first two to me. All the OP did was to make a pig's ear of the whole incident. Nothing good was ever going to come from it. Just a load of aggravated people - including me. When you pi** off your own side there is a lesson to be learnt.