Dear Cyclists in the Leeds area

[nethalus]

Could you please stop hiding behind buses and then moving round them as the bus is about to pull away, forcing the driver to have to stop again. It would be greatly appreciated if you want to pass if you could make yourself visable in good time, ie move towards the centre of the road so the driver can see you and know not to pull out until you have passed. Hiding behind the bus is silly and potentially dangerous and can cause both you and the bus to get into a pickle!
Three times yesterday I had cyclists who'd hidden themselves in my blind spot directly behind the bus and decided to pull round just as I am pulling out, meaning that I had to stop again. Now if you use the primary position further back I can see you in my mirror and know to wait, unless you wave me out (which is also very much appreciated).

Thank you

A Bus driver

 

[yello]

It would be greatly appreciated if you want to pass if you could make yourself visable in good time, ie move towards the centre of the road so the driver can see you and know not to pull out until you have passed

Fair point, well made.

My only comment is that it applies to all cyclists and not just the ones in Leeds!

 

[John the Monkey]

Nethalus, does your company do those "Cyclists and Buses" leaflets some of the ones 'round here do? They make a lot of good points about avoiding blind spots etc - might be worth mentioning to your managers and dropping a few at local bike shops, universities etc, as well as drawing the attention of your colleagues to it.

Here's the one Warrington Cycle Campaign did in conjunction with local bus companies;
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/pete.meg/wcc/report/WBT-bus-cycle.pdf

 

[Arch]

Nethalus, does your company do those "Cyclists and Buses" leaflets some of the ones 'round here do? They make a lot of good points about avoiding blind spots etc - might be worth mentioning to your managers and dropping a few at local bike shops, universities etc, as well as drawing the attention of your colleagues to it.

Here's the one Warrington Cycle Campaign did in conjunction with local bus companies;
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/pete.meg/wcc/report/WBT-bus-cycle.pdf

Good idea. It's amazing just how clueless some people can be about blind spots and so on.

Some of course, are just wallies anyway and will never learn, but in some cases I think it is down to a lack of understanding. Maybe buses also need those "If you can't see my mirrors..." stickers you see on trucks.

 

[mickle]

Nethalus, a good point well made but I suspect you're preaching to the converted here. This is a forum whose members are predominantly cycling enthusiasts and who I suspect have a fairly good grasp of how to behave around buses. If you can find a forum which is populated by idiot cyclists I suggest you post your gripe there.

 

[domtyler]

Nethalus, a good point well made but I suspect you're preaching to the converted here. This is a forum whose members are predominantly cycling enthusiasts and who I suspect have a fairly good grasp of how to behave around buses. If you can find a forum which is populated by idiot cyclists I suggest you post your gripe there.

Maybe try -

www.bikeradar.com/forums ?

 

[biking_fox]

Dear Manchester bus drivers,

please can you indicate before starting to pull out. Not once you have already started moving, not even as you start moving, but before. That way as a cyclist (or motorist) I know that it is no longer advisable to overtake, and to slow down and to give you room to pull out.

Most days I approach a bus which appears to be still loading passengers only to find as I pass the rear wheels that it is pulling away, then the indicators come on to let me know! it is unnerving for me, and I'm sure annoying for the driver, but with a moment of forethought could have been prevented.

Thanks.
A cyclist.

- which is to say that the original point above about not lurking in a blind spot is still very valid.

 

[Cab]

- which is to say that the original point above about not lurking in a blind spot is still very valid.

Very valid indeed. Although I also frequently encounter large vehicles practicing 'signoevre', where the driver just seems to catch the indicator with the wrist while already turning or pulling out.

And really what bothers me about both is that neither party has to do anything TOO complicated here; get out of the blind spot, signal before pulling out, ain't rocket science is it?

That said, we've got some new bus stops in Cambridge where the front of the us is pointing at about 12 degrees away from the road, making the blind spot a mile wide. Its a right pain getting out of THOSE blind spots

 

[Maz]

Nethalus, a good point well made but I suspect you're preaching to the converted here. This is a forum whose members are predominantly cycling enthusiasts and who I suspect have a fairly good grasp of how to behave around buses. If you can find a forum which is populated by idiot cyclists I suggest you post your gripe there.

I think Nethalus makes a valid point and your comment comes across as condescending.

There, I've said it.

 

[fossyant]

One word....students....blooming nightmare on Oxford Road.....the Staff Bike User Group are thinking along the lines of getting leaflets to students about cycling - just general advice.....it's needed !

 

[mickle]

One word....students....blooming nightmare on Oxford Road.....the Staff Bike User Group are thinking along the lines of getting leaflets to students about cycling - just general advice.....it's needed !

That was more than one word.

 

[LLB]

I think that Nethalus has made a good point regarding blind spots as lets face it, a bus is so big and heavy, I doubt the driver would even know if someone went under their wheels.

I think that bus passengers should also take a bit more responsibility for their actions as the amount of close calls i've had passing buses where people have just stepped out from the front of them into my path (a good tip is if you are riding down a high street, glance in the shop windows on the right hand side as you approach the bus as you can usually see peoples reflection on the other side of the road).

 

[gazzaputt]

It would be greatly appreciated if you want to pass if you could make yourself visible in good time, ie move towards the centre of the road so the driver can see you and know not to pull out until you have passed.

If only London bus drivers would do this.

 

[andyfromotley]

i'll cough two of those neth, sorry will try harder.

andy

 

[jely]

It would be greatly appreciated if you want to pass if you could make yourself visible in good time, ie move towards the centre of the road so the driver can see you and know not to pull out until you have passed.

If only London bus drivers would do this.

To be honest, I've never had any trouble with the bus drivers here in London... as a matter of fact, the majority have waited before pulling out and yesterday evening, one was kind enough to wait and let me pass before him in a traffic queue so as not to hold me up. very nice man!