Nearly killed by a bus.

[XmisterIS]

What to do?

I have the bus's registration number and company, time and location of the incident.

I was going down a straight road with a perfect, clear view of the road ahead for at least 1/4 mile, there were no oncoming vehicles.

I hear a bus approaching, and instead of giving me the 2-3 feet that most people do, he missed me by inches.

Then he started pulling back in when my handlebars were level with his rear wheel.

Had I not slammed on the brakes so hard that I skidded to a halt (from about 20mph), I would have been dragged under the rear wheels.

Now this guy can have had no excuse that he did not see me - clear road, very few parked cars, hardly any traffic, no obstructions.

Who should I write to? I feel like writing to the MD of the company because of the fact that I was literally nearly killed.

 

[Norm]

Who should I write to? I feel like writing to the MD of the company because of the fact that I was literally nearly killed.

I would. The bus company's web site might have contact details.

 

[ComedyPilot]

Report it.

Simples

[meerkat screech]

 

[Crankarm]

Did you get a good look at the driver? Tomorrow take the bus at the same time..............

 

[PK99]

What to do?


Who should I write to? I feel like writing to the MD of the company because of the fact that I was literally nearly killed.

Are you in London?

in similar circumstances I used the TLF-buses web site customer complaint section.

a day or so later i received:

Thank you for your email where I was very concerned to learn about your experiences. You won’t be surprised to learn that the safety of our passengers, as well as that of other road users, is an issue we take extremely seriously. Our drivers receive comprehensive training to enable them to perform their duties to the highest standard. As you would expect, safety is a vital part of this training. To drive a bus as described in your email is unacceptable and I sincerely apologize for the obvious upset caused.

I’ve contacted London United, who operate route NN for us. The driver has been identified from the log card of the registration number quoted by yourself. He will be interviewed by London United’s Accident Prevention Manager and reminded of courtesy to other road users. London United have also informed that they do have a series of posters at the garage warning drivers to take extra care and caution when approaching a cyclist and this particular driver will be covertly monitored for his driving standards.

I would like to assure you that such instances are rare, and we hope this trend continues. If you have any other queries, please feel free to email me back.

Don't rant and rave, keep it simple and factual, giving date, time,location bus route number and if you can vehicle reg or id number.

 

[classic33]

Wasn't Arriva, First or National Express was it??

 

[jeltz]

Glad you're OK, I'd contact the bus company.

That driver needs some re-training and a major bollocking.

 

[Watt-O]

Some of the worse driving in South London comes from bus drivers. I would definitely report it to the company, even if it only leads to the driver getting a slap on the wrist.

 

[XmisterIS]

Wasn't Arriva, First or National Express was it??

It was a First! How did you guess??

Anyway, thanks all for the advice; this is the first time anything like this has happened to me for a long time; I live in a rural area and most drivers are very accommodating - so this little incident was very much out of the ordinary.

 

[BentMikey]

Crikey! Report it mate.

TBH most bus drives in South London I find are awesome. Then again I make an effort to let them out, thank them for good driving, etc., plus I'm on an extremely recogniseable bike so perhaps that's part of the good treatment I get?

 

[magnatom]

Report. No question.

 

[ketka82uk]

Bus driver in London did the same to me. I reported it and got the nice e-mail printed above (only with the name of the relevent bus company substituted).

I wonder how many complaints TFL get? I also wonder how many of the drivers actually do get 'interviewed'...

That said, my experience with bus drivers in London (West and Central) has almost all been positive. The amount of car drivers I see pushing past them, cyclists and scooters whipping round them, pedestrians walking straight out in front of them.... Truely, these guys must have the patience of saints!

In fact, if the Law of Sod did not dictate that I would get squished by one tomorrow, I would even go as far as to say that bus drivers are my favourite type of driver!

 

[a_n_t]

Bus driver did that to me last year. I caught him up at a roundabout and gave him a mouthfull, he just laughed so I punched him through the open window. I'm guessing he'll think twice in future.

 

[PK99]

Bus driver did that to me last year. I caught him up at a roundabout and gave him a mouthfull, he just laughed so I punched him through the open window. I'm guessing he'll think twice in future.

Do you think you actions will make that particular driver treat cyclists in general with more or less consideration?

 

[wafflycat]

It was a First! How did you guess??

Anyway, thanks all for the advice; this is the first time anything like this has happened to me for a long time; I live in a rural area and most drivers are very accommodating - so this little incident was very much out of the ordinary.

It's a special skill of First drivers... I too am in a rural area, and there is a straight stretch between me & nearest town that used to be part of a First route. I could *guarantee* that if I was on that road at the same time as the First was due, when it overtook me it was with *inches* to spare on a wide road with no oncoming traffic, and yes, the pull-in started before the bus was fully past me. Ar$3holes driving.