Saved by the Airzound

[Trickedem]

A few minutes into my commute home last night and I very nearly got knocked off by a Stagecoach Bus. I still can't understand why he cut me up so badly. I also think he realised he had done it because he kept behind me for the next 300 yards until I turned off. It all happened a bit quickly, so not sure what I could have done better, other than slam my brakes on. I am pretty convinced that the Airzound helped, because he pulled out a bit after I sounded it. I haven't reported this yet, but I am considering it in the hope it will make the driver more aware.

 

[BlackPanther]

Airzounds are the most effective defensive weapon in our arsenal. Mine has saved me on a few similar occasions. If only the tubing was more robust, as they're not the most reliable in the long term.
That was a close call. Glad you're o.k.

 

[jim55]

yeah id report it to the bus company ,they dont like bad press about intimidating behaviour blah blah.blah ,at the very least they should have a word ,maybe a diff att towards bikes ,he def drove as if u werent there

 

[HLaB]

IMO you'd have been better to drop back, unfortunately there's no right in being right when you are dead but I'm glad to see you aren't; safe cycling

 

[400bhp]

Airzounds are the most effective defensive weapon in our arsenal. Mine has saved me on a few similar occasions. If only the tubing was more robust, as they're not the most reliable in the long term.
That was a close call. Glad you're o.k.

No

 

[Glow worm]

IMO you'd have been better to drop back, unfortunately there's no right in being right when you are dead but I'm glad to see you aren't; safe cycling

Deffo what I'd have done - always better to have the idiots in front of you rather than behind.

 

[ufkacbln]

To Paraphrase Monty Python....


Our chief weapon is the Airzound...The AirZound and the Primary road position...the Primary road position and the AirZound.... Our two weapons are the Primary road position and the AirZound...and defensive cycling.... Our *three* weapons are the Primary road position, the AirZound, and defensive cycling...and an almost fanatical devotion to CycleCraft.... Our *four*...no... *Amongst* our weapons.... Amongst our weaponry...are such elements as the Primary road position, the AirZound.... I'll come in again.

 

[steveoo]

I would report it.
I had a very lucky escape last december with a first bus which came over to my side of the road whilst overtaking a car i had to veer off up someones drive.but rather than kick off i wrote to the bus company with details of the incident.i received a reply two days later with an apology and the promise of an investigation.Two weeks after another letter said that they had taken disciplinary action with the driver and spoken to all their drivers on due care with cyclists.
I was satisfied with the outcome.

 

[fossyant]

No

Double NO

 

[Jezston]

Compelling arguments there.

 

[hinsbluck]

thank you,Deffo what I'd have done - always better to have the idiots in front of you rather than behind.good info,

 

[BlackPanther]

Airzounds are the most effective defensive weapon in our arsenal. Mine has saved me on a few similar occasions. If only the tubing was more robust, as they're not the most reliable in the long term.
That was a close call. Glad you're o.k.

No

Double NO

No to what?

To clarify, and without wanting to get into the whole hiviz debate, and not including primary positioning, and general all round safe riding practices.....what I mean is that if all else fails, and a driver has just completely failed to see you, a blast from an airzound can make them aware of you presence in a way that shouting "NO!", or pinging a bell could, and can save you from a nasty collision. Yes?

 

[jonny jeez]

Compelling arguments there.

Airzounds are the most effective defensive weapon in our arsenal.

I suspect the brevity of response is down to the fact that we' ve had this discussion many times.

What the hell though, i'll bite.

If you have time to hit a horn you have time to take evasive action, which is a more effective response than simply making a big noise in many peoples opinions. Problem is taking evasive action feels to some like "giving in" as if its some sort of game to win or battle to conquer.

In fact BP using terms such as "arsenal" seems to confirm this standpoint.

Ride how you want, with whatever approach and attitude makes it enjoyable but for me, i don't want a battle, i just want to get there in one lump and have fun doing it.

PS. I also felt that the OP could have gotten out of the blind spot rather than hanging there, thats not to say the bus driver wasn't at fault, they clearly were but my spidey senses would have kicked in a while before he cut the corner.

Personally i think the brakes would have worked as well as the air zound but i'm glad you had something that worked for you.

Ride safe

 

[BlackPanther]

I fully agree with most points, but one occasion in particular springs to mind. Going round a busy roundabout, just about to come off at my exit. 3 lanes of traffic to my left, with all 3 lanes stopped and waiting for me to pass. As I'm just about to pass by, I notice a motorcycle filtering between the lanes, he's coming at a fair speed, and he's going to hit me, no doubt. I was already covering the horn (just in case on of the 3 front cars started to pull out) so I gave it a good blast. The motorcycle braked hard, and just missed my rear wheel.

Yes, maybe 90% of close calls can be avoided with me using avoiding tactics, and I do 'give way' when possible to drivers who make mistakes, but I'm glad that for the 1 in a 10 scenario when this is not possible that I have the 'Zound.

And of course the absolute guaranteed way to drastically cut down near passes/near misses is to ride a recumbent. I've gone from 1 or 2 bad/dangerous passes on a df to maybe 1 a month, but that's a different story (don't bite )

 

[Trickedem]

Thanks for the feedback everyone. I always try to learn from things that happen. A bit more braking would have been good, but I still find the airzound very useful.