Bus depot visit

[Cyclopathic]

I seem to have very little problem with busses. In general I feel safer having to deal with busses than cars and vans. For the most part I find them extremely competent and aware of the road. I think it is because they are trained and also their entire livelihood is dependent on not having accidents so I think this focuses their mind to the job at hand.
I have a similar experience with taxis as well both private hire and hackney. I know from first hand experience that the last thing a taxi driver wants is an accident, least of all one where they are at fault. This has as much to do with enlightened self interest as it does consideration but the results are the same.
It is just my experience and just in Leicester but I find professional drivers are in the main a lot less problematic than other drivers whose mind and attention may be on a million and one things. I cant remember having sen a taxi driver on a mobile (not saying it doesn't happen) for instance.

 

[Matthew_T]

Well I have received a response from the Arriva bus group.

Hi Mathew,

Thank you for contacting us in relation to cycling / buses. I would be more than happy to meet with you at one of our depots in the New Year if this is agreeable with you. We have depots in Chester , Rhyl, Wrexham and Bangor and I would be more than willing to meet at the depot which is most convenient for yourself.

We have done work with a number of cycling organisations this year, where we agreed a new warning vinyl for the articulated (bendy) buses which we started operating early in the year. This was such a success that we launched it across the whole of the fleet upon the request of the cycling representatives we are working closely with. We also produced some guidance which we issued to our drivers in September – this was produced in consultation with the cycling representatives so that we understood the issues in full.

We recognise that there are blind spots on all vehicle types, and buses are no exception – we cover this topic regularly through various safety campaigns and they are an integral part of our driving assessment / improvement training regimes.

If you are happy to meet at one of our depots please do not hesitate to contact me. Both myself and a representative from the relevant depot road safety group would welcome the opportunity to go over the issues that you have raised.

I look forward to hearing from you,

Regards,

I have sent them a reply agreeing that I would like a meet. The purpose of me wanting to go to the depot is that I have had a mixture of passes from Arriva buses and I would like to see exactly where the blind spots are so that I can put myself in clear view of the drivers mirror.

 

[Boris Bajic]

Did you ask them why the majority of drivers overtake a cyclist almost at a bus stop and then become complete knobs by pulling in to said stop rather than waiting behind for five seconds? Really grinds my gears, this one!

That's an unusual one. I wonder if that is the experience of most cyclist.

That has happened to me perhaps four or five times in many decades of cycling - with many (but not all) of those years being multi-thousand-milers both in London and out in The Sticks.

I'm truly shocked if is the majority of bus drivers. I'd be shocked if it happened to a regular commuter more than ten or so times a year.

As I said above, it hasn't happened to me half a dozen times in my life. Galling when it does, but it is so rare it doen't really register on my Garmin Give-A-Fakkometer.

Even including car and van drivers who overtake and then brake to turn left, my lifetime total isn't very high.

 

[DCLane]

@Leodis and @Leedsbusdriver - First buses seem to be OK, apart from one or two, but Arriva can be really bad. I ride on the route for the 202 and 203 from Leeds-Huddersfield and they seem to like close passes.

 

[glasgowcyclist]

Did you ask them why the majority of drivers overtake a cyclist almost at a bus stop and then become complete knobs by pulling in to said stop rather than waiting behind for five seconds? Really grinds my gears, this one!

That's not my experience here in Glasgow. Most drivers are pretty good and it's only the odd one who spoils that record.

Your observation sounds rather like that of people who view most cyclists as knobs based on the sins of a few.

GC

 

[Sheepy1209]

Good to see a constructive attitude all round; other comments reflect my experience with bus drivers here in Blackpool, that they're generally pretty considerate. When I started using a mirror my perception was changed significantly; I've had ONE incident with a bus driver in three years but even that one I could have avoided if I hadn't been so bloody-minded. But I see buses wait behind me every day.

Correction; I had an incident where a bus passed me then turned left. He was cutting it fine but would have been OK if he hadn't encountered a parked car in the side road which prevented him from completing his turn. I waited behind and stopped in view of his mirror. What pleased me was that when he was clear to move again he made a point of acknowledging that he'd seen me wait. He made a mistake, granted, but realised what he'd done and handled it well.

 

[Matthew_T]

Correction; I had an incident where a bus passed me then turned left. He was cutting it fine but would have been OK if he hadn't encountered a parked car in the side road which prevented him from completing his turn. I waited behind and stopped in view of his mirror. What pleased me was that when he was clear to move again he made a point of acknowledging that he'd seen me wait. He made a mistake, granted, but realised what he'd done and handled it well.

More than most do.

 

[buggi]

that is brilliant. i'm going to use this for cycle safety at work, if you don't mind.

 

[Matthew_T]

that is brilliant. i'm going to use this for cycle safety at work, if you don't mind.

No problem.

 

[Markymark]

No problem.

Erm, it is 'no problem' but not sure it's up to you to agree to that on my behalf?

 

[Matthew_T]

Erm, it is 'no problem' but not sure it's up to you to agree to that on my behalf?

Oh, I thought he was talking about all of the comments about this topic in general. I couldnt work out if he was directing it at one person.

 

[Davywalnuts]

Just to hi-jack this thread, I have just had an email come back this morning from Abellio, whom I've had incidents before with and found to be useless and this time, from an incident 6 weeks ago, I really went to town with it. The response is below below and I am half happy with it, but I will be following up with it.

Staines High St. recently had a bus parked in it with a load of various bus company reps outside wanting feedback. I had words with them and cyclist safety does seem to be a buzz point at the moment. I did welcome a lot of the changes many have done and overall the standard of driving and awareness has improved massively. Unfortunately, no amount of training, in any field can irradiate individualism in errors or attitude, but at least with modern technology, the truth can be showed. We can all do our own part.

Dear Mr. ******,
Thank You for your recent correspondence and rather disturbing complaint. Firstly may I apologise for the tardy and rather unsatisfactory nature in which we have communicated the progress of our investigations into this matter. We are currently undergoing a complete operational restructuring at Abellio Surrey and hope that this will eradicate any future problems occurring with customer service.
I am please to be able confirm that we have identified, interviewed and disciplined the driver implicated in your unfortunate incident. For your information Surrey police have also been involved.
May I take this opportunity in confirming our complete commitment to ensuring the safety of not only our passengers and drivers but also of all road users affected by our operations. Thank You for your feedback and accurate information that enabled us to bring this matter to a close.
Yours faithfully,
***********.
SQS Abellio Surrey.


* edited to protect names.

 

[billy1561]

I had a close pass from an arriva driver about 2 months ago where he overtook me as i was passing parked cars. as he was approximately half way past he veered inwards due to oncoming traffic the driver had misjudged(?) so close he caught my handlebar grip. Really scary situation at the time. He just continued his route as though he hadnt seen me which seems hard to believe as he was overtaking me. I never complained because i thought it would be pointless. After reaading the OP comments if i am unfortunate enough to have another incident i will happily report it.
Interesting thread.

 

[Andrew_Culture]

This is nice!

In Ipswich there seems to be about five bus companies and I treat buses like I treat horses - they're bigger than me and might be a bit blinkered.

 

[Matthew_T]

Had a reply from Arriva and have organised a visit to the local depot with the Depot Manager and Risk Manager on the 16th Jan.