No camera, can I still report?

[johnnyh]

OK, so first up I dont use a helmet cam and have never really need until my ride home tonight.

Heading up the Wellsway out of Bath, travelling approx 12-14 mph. This is two lanes, but the inside lane has pull ins and parked cars, so all traffic goes in the right hand lane.

http://www.google.co.uk/maps?q=wellsway+bath&hl=en&ll=51.3676,-2.366166&spn=0.000714,0.002064&sll=53.800651,-4.064941&sspn=22.244994,67.631836&t=h&layer=c&cbll=51.367499,-2.366195&panoid=LcphIFqVLsWsx_Xsn5n9yg&cbp=12,19.29,,0,35.44&z=20

that link probably explains it better.....

Anyhow, in the drizzle I am about 2 foot inside the right hand lane as I pass parked cars. I get a honk from a vehicle as I approach a 5 car gap on the left, so once clear of the cars on my left I pull over about 3 foot into the left lane... it is then that the vehicle behind me, a double decker park and ride bus, passes me ... nowt too bad about that you say, but he was at least 2 foot straddled across the white line of the two lanes, and passed about 6 to 10 inches off my shoulder... once past he pulled back into the right hand lane and carried on up the hill!

I rode on up to the park and ride car park, and there was the bus, outside of it the driver.
I asked him if he thought the manoeuvre was at all safe, and pointed out he needs to give room to cyclists, and not bully them over.

His response "you were holding me up, you are a right pain"

I was gob smacked!

He wouldnt give his name, but I took his pic on my phone, and one of the bus number plate and VED disc.

I told him he I thought he was shocking, and that I would report the incident... as I cycled off he shouted out a driver number, but to be honest I couldnt give a fart about that.

So can I report this lunatic? And if so, what is the best method?

Cheers peeps, hope for better tomorrow

 

[downfader]

OK, so first up I dont use a helmet cam and have never really need until my ride home tonight.

Heading up the Wellsway out of Bath, travelling approx 12-14 mph. This is two lanes, but the inside lane has pull ins and parked cars, so all traffic goes in the right hand lane.

http://www.google.co.uk/maps?q=wellsway+bath&hl=en&ll=51.3676,-2.366166&spn=0.000714,0.002064&sll=53.800651,-4.064941&sspn=22.244994,67.631836&t=h&layer=c&cbll=51.367499,-2.366195&panoid=LcphIFqVLsWsx_Xsn5n9yg&cbp=12,19.29,,0,35.44&z=20

that link probably explains it better.....

Anyhow, in the drizzle I am about 2 foot inside the right hand lane as I pass parked cars. I get a honk from a vehicle as I approach a 5 car gap on the left, so once clear of the cars on my left I pull over about 3 foot into the left lane... it is then that the vehicle behind me, a double decker park and ride bus, passes me ... nowt too bad about that you say, but he was at least 2 foot straddled across the white line of the two lanes, and passed about 6 to 10 inches off my shoulder... once past he pulled back into the right hand lane and carried on up the hill!

I rode on up to the park and ride car park, and there was the bus, outside of it the driver.
I asked him if he thought the manoeuvre was at all safe, and pointed out he needs to give room to cyclists, and not bully them over.

His response "you were holding me up, you are a right pain"

I was gob smacked!

He wouldnt give his name, but I took his pic on my phone, and one of the bus number plate and VED disc.

I told him he I thought he was shocking, and that I would report the incident... as I cycled off he shouted out a driver number, but to be honest I couldnt give a fart about that.

So can I report this lunatic? And if so, what is the best method?

Cheers peeps, hope for better tomorrow

A polite letter to the company would probably work best. You need to include:

- description of the events
- reasons for your positioning and why the overtake was unsafe (key in the IAM guidence on 3 feet, and the picture of rule 163 of the Highway code, reference rule 167 about waiting until its safe)
- if you ride the buses then stating that you're often a customer can help. If this is unusual for their drivers state that you feel saddened that this should happen.

You could say that you feel his driving was deliberately aggressive considering that you'd moved over for him (not an obligation on your part).

 

[Jezston]

Worth adding you are considering whether you should be reporting the incident to the police. Two times I reported an incident with a bus driver to Arriva, the second time I suggested doing so and they were VERY quick to respond in a very helpful fashion.

 

[recumbentpanda]

Knowing this hill well as a local I would say hats off to you for maintaining 12-14mph up it - its a long cruel drag! It also has a 30 limit which drivers constantly flout, at the same time getting impatient with any kind of vehicle that has the temerity to observe the limit.

First Bus provide the vehicles and drivers but the service is a Council funded operation, so a letter to both would seem in order.


Also, the local paper's letters editor loves controversy -as long as its under 300 words . . .

This sounds like a shocking piece of irresponsibility with several tons of bus.

 

[numbnuts]

Just put it down to experience and get on with your life, life is too short to be worrying about knob heads like him

 

[johnnyh]

Knowing this hill well as a local I would say hats off to you for maintaining 12-14mph up it - its a long cruel drag! It also has a 30 limit which drivers constantly flout, at the same time getting impatient with any kind of vehicle that has the temerity to observe the limit.

First Bus provide the vehicles and drivers but the service is a Council funded operation, so a letter to both would seem in order.


Also, the local paper's letters editor loves controversy -as long as its under 300 words . . .

This sounds like a shocking piece of irresponsibility with several tons of bus.

yep, tis a long drag, but the more I do it the quicker I get

I was gobsmacked at the manoeuvre and his justification for his driving.

I reckon a letter to First Bus and the Council is spot on, cheers

 

[johnnyh]

Just put it down to experience and get on with your life, life is too short to be worrying about knob heads like him

Life will be a lot shorter for some poor soul if his lethal driving style isn't pulled into check!

 

[StuartG]

Just put it down to experience and get on with your life, life is too short to be worrying about knob heads like him

Don't worry? But the guy is in all likelihood going to do it again to somebody else. A nice polite letter might find a good manager and a driver in need of avoiding nasty shifts. Problem solved. OK it might not but nothing lost beyond a stamp and a few minutes. Must be worth a try.

Personally I would leave out the fuzz bit. Never threaten unless you are going to carry it through. And if the police don't deliver as it likely where there is no independent evidence and its going to make the driver feel impervious to such threats.

Smile for doing a bit for the rest of us ...

 

[Gandalf]

Just put it down to experience and get on with your life, life is too short to be worrying about knob heads like him

I'm afraid I disagree. Life is indeed short and doesn't need shortening or compromising by incompetent and bullying drivers. The next vulnerable road user might not be so lucky.

From the driver's response this sounds like a punishment pass. How dare he. Definitely needs reporting.

 

[BSRU]

If you don't complain definitely nothing will change, if you do complain something might change for the better.

It's good to have video evidence but not normally essential, especially if someone has complained about the driver before.

 

[Jezston]

Just put it down to experience and get on with your life, life is too short to be worrying about knob heads like him

What exactly would you say the OP gains in experience from such an incident?

Please don't deliberately dissuade people from standing up for themselves.

 

[StuartG]

It's good to have video evidence but not normally essential, especially if someone has complained about the driver before.

Yes, yes exactly the point. Unless it was an aberration (and we all have those) this chap will have form. Important to document. If this guy actually injures someone then the stuff on file is going to make the manager/company liable. This is where the H&S culture really kicks in to our advantage. So nothing might happen in this instance but you are helping to mark this guy out.

Don't do nuffin'

 

[pshore]

Driving a bus with one foot of a cyclist can never be justified. I would not want somebody with that mindset driving around our loved ones like that and that is why I report drivers like this, especially when it is part of their job.

I would definitely report to the police. They will probably do nothing, but if you do not report incidents like this they will keep saying that there is not a problem and not fix the problem.

If there are no witnesses the police typically say they cannot do anything but there could be cctv on board, cctv in the local area etc.

Once you have an incident number, you can then go to their employer and get resolution there. Make sure you give them the incident number. At the very least word will get to the driver that you reported them to the police and they will think twice next time.

In all honesty, your lane choice caused this issue, but the response was disproportionate. Safe riding is not always about road positioning, you also have to balance current attitudes towards you as a cyclist and the potential for conflict.

 

[jugglingphil]

I think a letter to bus company is in order. Driver is a bully and needs to adjust his attitude.

I also think the council should be informed that their stupid road layout puts you in danger by aggravated motorists. The central reservation makes it impossible for cars/buses/trucks to pass cyclists. I'm guessing that it was put in to stop motorists from overtaking/speeding and to protect pedestrians, but no thought is given to cyclists. Personally I'd choose a different route.
My point of view is based on the street-view link.

 

[SavageHoutkop]

Report the incident to the bus company; with reminders that while you are an experienced cyclist and therefore managed to keep upright despite the guy giving you a fright; a beginner cyclist might not be so lucky - and you might want to tell them why you weren't cycling an inch from the parked cars to start off with in case the manager isn't a cyclist either.

I've had a good bus company reply before without any footage (but did give time and bus route number); as you have a shot of the guy identification should be easier.