Thank you to the good bus drivers!

[downfader]

Southampton has many bad things about it - areas of appalling poverty, a little crime and some pretty bad road surfaces (think lunar). However I've been impressed of late by the patience of the local bus drivers, and how they've thanked me for letting them out of the stops.

A couple of times I've struggled this week with headwinds. There had been no space to overtake due to oncoming traffic and pedestrian refuge islands, but the drivers have held back. I gave them the thumbs up in thanks for being patient, or a big nod. Things like this are appreciated, as we all know.

So the question is what has been the highlight of your riding or commuting this week? Anyone you'd have liked to have thanked but didn't get the chance?

Spread the love, I suppose you might say.

 

[rowan 46]

Bloke in a white van waited at a side road for me to come past. he could have gone many drivers would have and it would not have been a paticularly hairy incident. However as I passed and gave him the thumbs up he just waved and smiled. Nothing earthshaking I know but it was one one of those "what a nice person" feelings that you get so rarely, so a thanks to him.

 

[Banjo]

Bloke in a white van waited at a side road for me to come past. he could have gone many drivers would have and it would not have been a paticularly hairy incident. However as I passed and gave him the thumbs up he just waved and smiled. Nothing earthshaking I know but it was one one of those "what a nice person" feelings that you get so rarely, so a thanks to him.

Unfortunately its the occasional idiot that sticks in your mind more than the thousands of decent people on the road.

 

[Hip Priest]

Today, I was riding down a country road with a 4x4 behind. They couldn't pass because there was a bunch of cyclists coming the other way. Then they stayed patiently behind as I negotiated a bend. I slowed and moved into a layby at the next opportunity, and they passed, giving me a thumbs up. Harmony on the roads!

 

[HJ]

Here in Edinburgh LRT have make a real effort with training they drivers to be cycle friendly and it has made a great difference, so much better when cycling around the toun...

 

[rowan 46]

Unfortunately its the occasional idiot that sticks in your mind more than the thousands of decent people on the road.

I sort of agree and disagree. To be honest if I ever hit a pothole and lose it whilst a car is passing I would guess that 60% of the time I would be under a cars wheel most cars give me a safe distance providing I don't make an error or have an accident some give me enough room for a safety margin a few nutters drive really close but at rush hour the ones that are really safe are definitely in the minority unfortunately I'm sort of used to it as I guess we all are.

 

[downfader]

Flatbed truck driver this morning. Waited patiently for me to navigate traffic islands and then moved into the right hand of the two lanes to pass me nice and wide.

Sometimes the idiots do stick in my mind, too. Perhaps a little reprogramming is in order, or else we'd all give it up.

 

[BSRU]

This morning, as I joined a main road I noticed a bus patiently driving behind a slow moving cyclist up a drag into the wind. The bus caught up with me at the next set of lights, we both turned left into road where I basically ride primary the full length because of parked cars, pinch points and it's slightly down hill so I have reasonable speed.
Having noticed the patience of the driver with the other cyclist, instead of riding in primary with the bus slightly delayed by me I decided to pull over and let the bus pass in front. I received a wave in thanks.

 

[Mullerstraße]

The past few months I have also been fairly impressed with the bus drivers in Glasgow. Seem to be patient, giving plenty of room and I generally get a thank you for allowing them move out from the bus stop. Although I have to cycle home in about 2 hours so lets hope I haven't spoke too soon.

 

[400bhp]

Today, I was riding down a country road with a 4x4 behind. They couldn't pass because there was a bunch of cyclists coming the other way. Then they stayed patiently behind as I negotiated a bend. I slowed and moved into a layby at the next opportunity, and they passed, giving me a thumbs up. Harmony on the roads!

I had to quote this.

A 4 x 4 driving courteously.

:thud:

 

[Melonfish]

Shirley you jest sir? considerate bus drivers? nevah!

i've had the occasional artic/flatbed/bin truck be polite, but never a bus, busses are without doubt round here cycle killers.

pete

 

[goo_mason]

Shirley you jest sir? considerate bus drivers? nevah!

i've had the occasional artic/flatbed/bin truck be polite, but never a bus, busses are without doubt round here cycle killers.

pete

You need to move to Edinburgh, Pete!

I can confirm that Lothian Buses drivers are absolutely superb around cyclists. Not only that, but the ones I slow to let out of stops in front of me will always give a thumbs up / wave in thanks. It's nice to regularly exchange friendly waves & thumbs-ups with bus drivers, rather than be shaking with fright after they've nearly killed you.

There are also the Chancelot Mill artic & flour tanker drivers in Edinburgh who seem to have been given the same training as LRT drivers. Knights and Ladies of the road, the lot of them.

It's a pity some of the other major companies can't train their drivers in the same way.

 

[PoliceMadAd]

I was waiting to come out of a T-Junction Monday morning rush-hour, i was expecting to be waiting ages as the road is very busy, a nice man in his car slowed and let me out. Made my day.

 

[downfader]

I was waiting to come out of a T-Junction Monday morning rush-hour, i was expecting to be waiting ages as the road is very busy, a nice man in his car slowed and let me out. Made my day.

Everyday this week a driver has stopped and flashed me (oo-er) to allow a right turn off Winchester Road. Makes up for the precarious double laning some drivers are trying to squeeze out down there by sitting in the cycle lane.