Vicious Bus Driver

[classic33]

Its an ex First Bus vehicle, repainted in the new colours. Based on the registration number.

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

To be fair, @gbb you've said it in the best possible way. Yes, I hold my hands up, afterwards I went into a red mist and did make a few mistakes.

And a note of caution: I went over the bonnet of an oncoming car earlier this year because I'd got too fixated on the driver of a mini who had just pulled out on me without indicating from the other side of the road while drinking a can of fizzy drink. And, worryingly perhaps, I'm 59 and by nature not an aggressive rider.

 

[Whiskey88]

I will learn from it, @deptfordmarmoset - at the time I didn't really realise what I was doing until I watched the video back after getting (safely) back to halls.

I'm talking with a couple of people about this on Twitter atm (inc Traffic Droid) and the response is reassuring - good to see they see the bus driver's driving as badly as I do, but really their red mists have descended too. It was a crazy day today as it was...

 

[User6179]

Forget the cycling , is that bus not driving like the road is empty?

 

[Gravity Aided]

I should say. If I drove like that today, I would not be driving to morrow. Vicious, I do not know. Careless, bordering on the reckless. If this driver has a history of this, he should get the sack, or go drive a train or something that cannot weave about and crush people. Also, Red Mist and Whiskey do not go well together. Be safe out there.

 

[paul04]

In my opinion, when the bus passed you the first time, that was very bad driving by the bus driver.
But then you seem to go looking for trouble, passing in between the buses when they was stopped at the traffic lights, which was a tight gap to say the least.
I think you was a little wound up.

The driver does need reporting to the police for bad driving.

 

[Hip Priest]

The initial pass from the bus driver was terrible.

If this sort of thing happens again, just remember that you've got a camera, so you can report the driver via the proper channels, and try to remain calm. Confronting drivers is never a good idea, and nor is cycling recklessly in a rage. Not judging you though, as I've done it myself.

 

[buggi]

In other circumstances, people have recommended that you make a written complaint (email will do) first, without mentioning the video. Then when the bus driver has lied to his boss, you then send the video and take it from there.

I also think it might be worth getting on your bike with your camera on and 'calibrating' the distance - e.g. get a tape measure and put your bike 20 cm from a fence or something, film straight ahead and then down to show what the tape measure is reading, repeat at different distances. You could send that as well as the video of the bus to help to demonstrate that it really was a close pass.

that's a really good idea. my video shows stuff further away than it is. it's a bit frustrating.

 

[buggi]

that red mist always makes things worse Sometimes its just best to let the video tell the story and not to "add to it".

Can't see the video, just going on what the others say. i find my video cam calms me down a bit, coz i know i "got the bastards". i then just ride up and point to my camera.

 

[MrDampy]

You could also give us the Youtube link and Road Safe it! have you got the form and adress for Road Safe.

 

[Whiskey88]

I've submitted a complaint to Roadsafe and they sent me an email this morning saying it had been passed on to TfL's "specialist team" that looks into these sorts of complaints.

As for the youtube link, I wasn't aware that it wasn't working. I'll have a look and see if I've pulled the wrong lever somewhere on youtube.

 

[michaelcycle]

The approach to Holland Park Roundabout is always a bit hideous - maybe everyone is just really keen to get to Westfield or something.

The driving was terrible - that's the primary consideration. You haven't helped your cause but that is a mitigating circumstance.

 

[PocketFrog]

I've submitted a complaint to Roadsafe and they sent me an email this morning saying it had been passed on to TfL's "specialist team" that looks into these sorts of complaints.

As for the youtube link, I wasn't aware that it wasn't working. I'll have a look and see if I've pulled the wrong lever somewhere on youtube.

It is working, it's just embedding that isn't enabled - if you click 'watch on youtube' it can be seen fine.

WRT the video/incident - just glad you're ok, some terrible driving there and I can totally sympathise with the red mist, it happens to the best of us but it's something we need to try and tune out of our roadcraft - it'll end up getting us hurt. Like has been said, try to think..."Got that on camera, i'll sort it out later" and try your best to resume enjoying your ride.

 

[paul04]

Like has been said, try to think..."Got that on camera, i'll sort it out later" and try your best to resume enjoying your ride.

Well said

 

[gbb]

Just in case you're beating yourself up about it Whiskey...don't. We have probably ALL lost it at some time, its part of lifes rich tapestry, an incident one day will have you shugging your shoulders...and spitting fire the next.
Each day is a lesson ..hopefully the driver will think back and learn...hopefully.