Bullied by a bus, complaint logged, see if they do anything...

[TonyEnjoyD]

Posted this on the Arriva Customer Service website tonight....

"Today at approx 16:10pm I was cycling away from Newcastle Great Park east down Brunton Lane, when the X40 bus (last 3 letters of registration = XBM) was less than 2 bike lengths behind me doing around 20mph downhill which on what is a narrow single lane road.
This was also in the dark and icy conditions which was very dangerous from my relatively vulnerable perspective.
There were cars coming up the opposite way so the driver could not overtake as I had taken a safe road position to stop a close pass until the road widened. The driver crept even closer which I found very disconcerting so gestured over my shoulder for the bus to back off. I didn't use any aggressive or offensive gestures.
When no other cars were approaching he overtook me blowing his horn (illegal?) and gesturing for me to get over out of his way.
Once he passed me he had to slow as he was approaching the traffic light controlled junction so put me in a very dangerous position for no gain.

I am sure you will agree that neither you nor I would have wanted he possible outcome and hope that you are in a position to have a chat with the driver to ask him to not put others in such a dangerous position and intimidate them.

Many thanks for your time
TonyEnjoyD"


Just a case of wait n see if/what they come back with.
The cycle lane on that road is actually dangerous as it suddenly jinks left to push you the other side of a hedge on almost a shared path which isn't gritted so at the point of aggression/pass, there is no actual cycle lane so I kept primary
Bloody driver was a complete eejit

 

[BentMikey]

Good on you for reporting it. Unacceptable driving, from your description.

 

[screenman]

Write the letter properly, put it in an envelope addressed to the chairman personally and send it recorded delivery, then wait for a proper responce.

 

[Hip Priest]

Good man. I know exactly where you mean. I find a lot of motorists don't realise how vulnerable a cyclist is in such conditions.

 

[TonyEnjoyD]

Chee

Good man. I know exactly where you mean. I find a lot of motorists don't realise how vulnerable a cyclist is in such conditions.

Cheers Hip Priest.

I'm not exactly a shrinking violet on the commute but this was very stupid driving from the bus driver and needed reporting

No response as yet

 

[mr_cellophane]

Should have included a link to the report of the cyclist who was doored, but killed by the bus behind who must have been too close as well.

 

[jarlrmai]

no camera its your word versus his, hence why cameras.

 

[BSRU]

no camera its your word versus his, hence why cameras.

Many buses these days are fitted with cameras, to prevent spurious claims.

 

[jarlrmai]

And many such as the old as the hills school buses around here are not.

 

[annedonnelly]

It takes a while but I've always had good responses from Arriva NE - not cycling related, but I've reported drivers reading while driving and using mobile phones. In each case I've been satisfied with the response I've received.

I've also sent compliments when I've seen good driving - regarding cyclists - and have been told that the praise will be passed on to the driver.

 

[MarkF]

Twice I've nearly been hit by buses, well, 3 times really because one bus nearly hit me twice in 200m.

I reported both drivers using the reg numbers and I received pretty much generic "sorry" letters from the bus company. As polite as they were, no information was given about what the subsequent promised action would be and no way for me to check that it had been carried out.

 

[Matthew_T]

Some quotes from the actual material Arriva use to learn about cyclists:

OVERTAKE CAREFULLY
· Stay back, do not travel too close when following a cyclist – even experienced cyclists may not hear rear-engine buses approaching.
· Anticipate the elements! - Hearing senses are of crucial importance to ‘reading the road’ so the wind, rain and traffic noise makes it difficult for cyclists to hear, reducing their awareness of dangers from behind. Cyclists pressing against a headwind are even more vulnerable.
· Give cyclists plenty of room (at least a car’s width) – they may need to manoeuvre around potholes, drain covers, debris, to be seen more easily and discourage vehicles squeezing past them, especially when moving off.
· It may sometimes be safer not to overtake at all (busy traffic or approaching a bus stop) – if in doubt, hang back.
· Buses displace a lot of air. Be aware that turbulence can cause cyclists to wobble - especially with side winds.

DEVELOP GOOD HABITS
· Observe speed limits. They are a limit, not a target.
· Slow down in built up areas – there may be children on their bicycles in the area, particularly in school holidays.
· Watch out for cyclists wearing I-pods or similar devices – they may not be able to hear your vehicle approaching.
· Know the HIGHWAY CODE – Look out for cyclist information and warning signs in your area.
· Avoid driving in cycle lanes
· Plan ahead – keep your distance from vehicles in front – a sudden braking manoeuvre will put those at the rear of your bus at risk
· Observe traffic signals – driving through red lights puts cyclists at risk
· It is impossible to predict the ability of other road users, there may be cyclists sharing your road space who are new to the roads, allow for mistakes and show courtesy to cyclists – avoid unnecessary use of the horn, or any other action that may intimidate cyclists.

 

[Markymark]

no camera its your word versus his, hence why cameras.

Not true, the bus will have cameras.

I would get in contact formally with the bus company and ask for it to be investigated. They will pull the buses camera footage.

 

[Miquel In De Rain]

Bullied by a BMW,so what's new,blud?

 

[Cycling Dan]

good on reporting but its your word vs drivers.... unless the bus has installed external cameras, if thats not the case i wouldnt get your hopes up.