Swerved to avoid private hire

[Schneil]

Hi all

Whilst commuting to work this morning I was cycling down a side road with cars parked on the opposite side.
A private hire minibus is coming up behind me quite quickly, but I can see a car approaching in the other direction so I put my hand out to signal "slow"
The minibus doesn't slow and barges past me anyway, I have to swerve towards the kerb to avoid the minubus as I was sure it would clip me.

I'd like some advice. Do you think I should have rode further out and been in primary to prevent the overtake (brave move), or should I have been closer to the kerb? My line down the road was a bit wobbly due to the high wind!

I'm in Manchester, we don't have a roadsafe scheme here. I'm wondering if its worth writing to the private hire company. The trouble is I can see the reg easy, but I'm having a bit of trouble seeing the name of the company. I think its "wythenshawe cars" but I'm not sure. Any Manchester people help me with this one?

youtube link
View: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eFOl1Pv8QqU

 

[slowmotion]

I'm sorry to read of this. When something like that happens, it can dent your confidence a bit, but do not worry. I'm not a particularly assertive rider, but I do block any traffic behind me if it looks like they might overtake and squeeze me into parked cars or the gutter when some restriction appears ahead and when the traffic is heavy. I think that most drivers in London know why you do it and do not get angry. I'm sorry to say that if you ride in the gutter, you really do get pissed on. Out on the open road, I go out of my way to let cars pass without holding them up.

 

[dawesome]

Ronin is playing in his head. Completely unnecessary and bullying.

 

[gaz]

You can do either.
- A strong road position to deter them from overtaking when they can't see when it is safe to do so.
- Your standard road position BUT move to the left when you are being overtaken to give your self that extra space.

From the way you posted, I take it you are looking for advice.
I would suggest looking behind a lot more frequently, if you know what is coming behind you way before it is breathing down your neck, then you have time to plan. Be that change position, increase or decrease speed or just getting out of the way.

 

[slowmotion]

I would suggest looking behind a lot more frequently, if you know what is coming behind you way before it is breathing down your neck, then you have time to plan. Be that change position, increase or decrease speed or just getting out of the way.

Oh yes. Excellent advice. As well as looking over your shoulder, get into the habit of listening to traffic from behind. It doesn't take long to develop a sense of impending danger. The stupidly revving vans, the sound of a skip lorry driven in a hurry and impatiently. It all helps.

 

[CopperCyclist]

Oh yes. Excellent advice. As well as looking over your shoulder, get into the habit of listening to traffic from behind. It doesn't take long to develop a sense of impending danger. The stupidly revving vans, the sound of a skip lorry driven in a hurry and impatiently. It all helps.

Ahh, the distinctive rattle of chains on a skip lorry behind you. Its the opposite of contentment.

 

[slowmotion]

Ahh, the distinctive rattle of chains on a skip lorry behind you. Its the opposite of contentment.

Oh yes....nappy time....

 

[growingvegetables]

I'm fine with all the suggestions above - but it's not just about your cycling. That driver was being a selfish, unprofessional, and thoroughly dangerous pillock.

And it's down to the Council Licensing Unit to

ensure the taxi and private hire trade in Manchester is operated in a professional manner and that the correct standards of safety and comfort are satisfied by all drivers, vehicles and operators.

Since I've started filming numpties, I've only had one taxi be such a complete pillock. I complained to the Licensing Unit in Leeds, and was well satisfied with their response and action (the driver? perhaps less happy ....... aye, but I suspect he's a damned sight more careful now ).

For taxis and private hires .... their livelihood depends on observing the conditions of their licence - driving professionally and safely; complain to the Licensing Unit?

 

[mr_cellophane]

Where did that can come from ? Was it that windy to blow an empty can around the road ?

 

[Schneil]

The wind was really strong, it was coming from around 2 o'clock and kept blowing me over towards the left.
I usually do the trick of listening out for engines (especially when revved) but I think the wind meant I didn't hear the minibus until it was almost on top of me!
Thinking about my riding, I should look behind a bit more often. If I'd looked behind a bit more, I'd have had more time to block the minibus. I didn't so had to do plan B, the emergency swerve.
I'm glad in any case you're all thinking along the same lines as me. I wasn't too far out from the kerb and if anything, should have adopted a primary position much earlier.

I have tried reporting a taxi (hackney carriage) to Manchester PCO, but they wrote back to me stating that if I wasn't the passenger then a driving complaint should be directed towards the police (youtube link
View: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oj38KqdqLqU
).

I'd like to write a complaint to the company. But id'ing the company is difficult, it's not come out too clear in my copy of the video. I could upload part of the original .avi of the 2-3 seconds of footage of the overtake and see if anyone would like to try and enhance the minibuses details?

 

[Mad at urage]

You were in the right position (anyone who might start second-guessing you from repeated viewing of the video and hindsight is just ant-f@\#ing). Sometimes drivers are just arses, that driver certainly was. Even on a normal day that would be a stupid overtake; in the wind conditions evident from the vid, it was downright dangerous, At least you had planB .

 

[BSRU]

I say Manchester PCO are wrong, they licence the driver and the driver is supposed to drive to a certain, higher than a normal motorist, standard. Sounds like they cannot be arsed.

 

[tightwad]

FWIW I don't think it is Wythy Cars although I can understand why you may think that because of the yellow strips all over the minibus. I think they may say private hire. There is a green oval sticker on side which is unfamiliar to me and I ride through Wythy twice a day and have done so for 20 years.


Driver was a spanner but in this case I would suggest dropping it.

 

[tightwad]

I have an update on this; amazing what you notice when you are looking for something. On commute this morning through Wythenshawe I was noticed that Wythenshawe Cars do have green stickers on side but they're rectangular; however some of the cars also have an oval sticker on which reads Club Cars.
I also saw the minibus that appears on your video. If you do wish to pursue this rather than post details of where and when I saw him I would be happy to pm the details if that facility is available on this website. I did get a glimpse of the driver, but it was brief as I was focussing more on the reg. and trying to remember it.

 

[Schneil]

I have an update on this; amazing what you notice when you are looking for something. On commute this morning through Wythenshawe I was noticed that Wythenshawe Cars do have green stickers on side but they're rectangular; however some of the cars also have an oval sticker on which reads Club Cars.
I also saw the minibus that appears on your video. If you do wish to pursue this rather than post details of where and when I saw him I would be happy to pm the details if that facility is available on this website. I did get a glimpse of the driver, but it was brief as I was focussing more on the reg. and trying to remember it.

Cool, PM sent