Morse coaches brushes my elbow...

[Amanda P]

Linky

Dear Sirs

At 0740 this morning, as I was cycling to work, I was overtaken by one of your coaches, registered YN51 WHD. The driver passed extremely close to me, quite unnecessarily, causing me considerable distress, as you will hear if you watch and listen to the attached video clip.

I would estimate there was perhaps 6" of clearance between the coach's bodywork and my elbow. The mirror must have passed over my head. Overtaking this close, at this speed, as I am sure I need not point out, is extremely dangerous. Although the offside lane was clear ahead of the coach, you can see in the video that its nearside wheels are well over the dashed white line into the nearside lane.

I am passed by several Morse coaches most mornings, probably including this vehicle. The road is quite wide enough to pass with plenty of space, but on this occasion the driver did not do so. Your coaches are normally driven professionally and courteously; indeed I have had it in mind to write to you to praise your drivers' behaviour.

Unfortunately I have been so frightened by this encounter that instead my first letter is one of complaint.

Please remind your driver of Highway Code Rule 163:

Overtake only when it is safe and legal to do so. You should

* give motorcyclists, cyclists and horse riders at least as much room as you would when overtaking a car (see Rules 211-215)

Yours faithfully

 

[dodgy]

Where abouts is your camera positioned?

 

[Amanda P]

On the handlebar stem.

 

[dodgy]

It looks like you're almost in the centre of the road, perhaps in reality you weren't? By the way, I'm not excusing the coach driver, he was too close.
When I learned to ride a motorbike I was told to ride 'left of centre' (left of the centre of your lane).

 

[thomas]

It looks like you're almost in the centre of the road, perhaps in reality you weren't? By the way, I'm not excusing the coach driver, he was too close.
When I learned to ride a motorbike I was told to ride 'left of centre' (left of the centre of your lane).

I thought that too....it looked like there was muck on the road? I'm not sure, but it might have been something worth explaining in your letter as I am sure there was a reason for your position.

 

[Amanda P]

I am right of the centre of the left lane - because Mrs Uncle Phil is riding to my left.

No reason not to - makes us twice as visible, and the road is plenty wide enough for large vehicles to pass without hassle for us or them. Every other coach this morning, and all the coaches on every other morning, have caused no problem.

This guy was really flogging it, which added to the "distress" - he was on us very quickly. Given his speed, he probably misjudged his line around us. He is about to enter a 40 mph limit, with a junction and a lumpy level crossing, though, so should have been easing off anyway.

There is a lot of crap on the road. The Smedley brothers have been mucking one of their fields, and this road runs between the field and their yard.

 

[Amanda P]

I thought about explaining my position in the road. But it's irrelevant, and I don't want to get drawn into a discussion of it with the bus company. No matter where I was, I don't think it's appropriate to drive a large coach at that speed that close to me.

 

[dodgy]

Thanks for clarifying, I would point out you were riding with your wife to your side. Even more reason for the coach driver to have seen you and show a little more care.

 

[Sh4rkyBloke]

Thanks for clarifying, I would point out you were riding with your wife to your side. Even more reason for the coach driver to have seen you and show a little more care.

+1

 

[Crankarm]

Could add a further couple of sentences. "I trust you will give this matter your full attention, otherwise my wife, who was cycling to my left, will come down to your depot to put you and your drivers straight on road safety and manners. Believe me you don't want that!"

 

[Crankarm]

UP don't you look around when you hear a vehicle approaching? I do at least 3 times. When riding with others I find they don't bother or they know I will so they don't bother. Anyway a look or several rearward swan necks always slows them making them take more caution and giving you the opportunity to ride single file if necessary.

 

[ComedyPilot]

Uncle Phil, you must be a cat, given the number of 'lives' you seem to be using up!!!

Glad you and Mrs U.P. are ok.

 

[Arch]

UP don't you look around when you hear a vehicle approaching? I do at least 3 times. When riding with others I find they don't bother or they know I will so they don't bother. Anyway a look or several rearward swan necks always slows them making them take more caution and giving you the opportunity to ride single file if necessary.

Why do you think he didn't? The camera was on the bike, not his head.

 

[Arch]

Anyway Phil, glad you're both ok! You do seem to have had a few encounters recently... As least this one left you merely terrified...

 

[siadwell]

Road positioning quibbles aside, they can't dispute that the driver started coming back in front of you before they were properly clear.