Video of bike being forced off the road by bus

Bassjunkieuk

antikythera wrote:

It's really worrying to read all the MTFU comments...

As "at risk" soft road users we have a need (more than a responsibility) to take account of and respond to stupid antics of other road users. Its called self preservation.

But (it sounds like to me) to suggest that the preferred response is negotiate around the problem and simply accept unacceptable behaviour on the road - that sounds like <expletive>.

Kudos to the OP for challenging this sort of behaviour irrespective of whether people on this forum try to dimish the event.

I don't think we are trying to dismiss or in any way excuse the poor driving of the bus driver. In the first incident I described in one of my previous posts (the quick overtake then sudden pull in) I made a mental note of the bus details - reg plate and bus no. I was literally a minute away from my house!. I wrote them down as soon as I got in and then sent a complaint e-mail off. I got a fairly standard "the driver will be dealt with etc........" response back within a week or so and can only hope that it *may* help the driver see the error in his ways.

Unfortunately regardless of how you decide to navigate our road system you are always going to encounter pr!cks who dis-regard your safety/right of way and the majority of those people are in private vehicles so you have no comeback and confronting them can very easily get out of hand......

antikythera

Ok, my bad...

It did sound (TO ME) that folks were saying MTFU. If that's not the case then I recant.

I've had multiple instances (with Clarkes busses esp.) where they race to cut me off and then push me into the curb. They love doing this at Trafalga Way round about (the other entrance/exit to Canary wharf). I'd love to have video evdience to confront the company!

They (Clarkes drivers) literally race from behind into a pinch point where we are both side-by-side and then move across. There's no exit other than to hop the curb. I can't predict a situation and respond to if I can't see until it's being done!

MonkeyMonster

antikythera wrote:

Ok, my bad...

It did sound (TO ME) that folks were saying MTFU. If that's not the case the I recant.

I've had multiple instances (with Clarkes busses esp.) where they race to cut me off and then push me into the curb. They love doing this at Trafalga Way round about (the other entrance/exit to Canary wharf). I'd love to have video evdience to confront the company!

Sounds like you need to search for the cheap helmet cam threads!

kelsen

No one here is condoning the actions of the bus driver, in fact, most are in agreement that it was piss poor driving and would support any form of action that makes him more aware of cyclists. The point I was making is that cyclists also have a responsibility for their own safety, and the actions they take can greatly influence the gravity of a situation. In this example, a bit of awareness and defensive riding would have meant not having to end up on the pavement to avoid getting squished.

Zen Cyclist wrote:

As well as teaching others to be better drivers, we can teach ourselves to be better cyclists...ommmmmm...

lost_in_thought

The point I was making is that the paper in question was massively over-dramatizing a pretty minor incident.

Clarion

It was a fairly typical incident, and one that we're probably all used to. But I'm pleased that action is being taken. We should be changing the culture.

I have to say that I get very few incidents involving buses...

Skippy2309

My Missus thought i was making up stories when I told her about bad driving, etc. till she cycled in and a bus clipped her bars!!!!! luckily she had space to go.

I nearly got crushed by a bendy bus, had another guy behind me all I remember is a bus passing close then seeing the wheels getting closer and closer then locking up both wheels and praying that I stopped before I was under the wheels, the bus ended up about 2" from the kerb! had no intention of stopping either. Me and the other guy gave him loads of abuse as we passed him later on tho :twisted:

notsoblue

I don't know if I'm just too tolerant, but this didn't seem like a particularly dangerous or uncommon event to me :S I've experienced much worse, and seen far more serious helmet cam footage. I really wonder why Docklands24 picked out this video. Perhaps it was just because it was clearly marked as being filmed at Canary Wharf?

Generally I don't find bus drivers inconsiderate or dangerous. But then I do tend to give them a very wide berth. Especially bendy buses. Most near misses/road rage are with delivery vans...

chuckcork

Compared to being overtaken by a bus while I was doing 22mph and the bus then cut in while only half way past and nearly crushed me into a line of parked cars...you got off lightly.

the_hundredth_idiot

Here's my contribution to the occasionally some bus drivers might be gits but the vast majority are kind, considerate, warm human beings, in fact even when the occasional one is being a bit of a git it is probably due to personal circumstances about which we know nothing and the important thing is that we don't judge them and certainly don't pander to any stereotypes thread:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x634t-obiws

EDIT: Revised given prj45's feedback.

prj45

The Hundredth Idiot wrote:

bus drivers are gits

But they're not though.

Some of them might be at certain times, but I actually find buses are more often than not driven with care and consideration.

FrankM

The Hundredth Idiot wrote:

when the occasional one is being a bit of a git it is probably due to personal circumstances about which we know nothing

Quite. Like passangers on the bus pressing the alight button at the last second.

Which is why when I hear/see a bus near me and there's a bus stop coming up, I expect the unexepected.

BentMikey

prj45 wrote:

The Hundredth Idiot wrote:

bus drivers are gits

But they're not though.

Some of them might be at certain times, but I actually find buses are more often than not driven with care and consideration.

+1

Most bus drivers are really excellent, and the average standard is far above car drivers. Doesn't stop the bad apples from making us think they're all evil though.

Haven't done it for a while now as I'm a slacker, but I've taken choco and letters of thanks to several of the bus garages in my area because of the excellent bus driving on my commute.

mroli

Re the vid posted by Kurako - where he correctly stops at a red light, there is also a cyclist skipping through an amber and "brushing" a ped....

El Diego

Do people with helmet cams intentionally avoid taking evasive action in order to make a point? A vast majority of clips displaying bad driving seem like the incidents could be avoided, with a bit of anticipation. I'm not denying that the driving is bad, however cars are large, potentially lethal and frequently piloted by idiots, so avoidance should take priority over making an example of bad driving.

the_hundredth_idiot

FrankM wrote:

The Hundredth Idiot wrote:

when the occasional one is being a bit of a git it is probably due to personal circumstances about which we know nothing

Quite. Like passangers on the bus pressing the alight button at the last second.

Which is why when I hear/see a bus near me and there's a bus stop coming up, I expect the unexepected.

Can I just check if anyone has actually clicked through to the video link I posted and considered how likely it is that, for example, this particular coach driver made such a daft manoeuvre because a passenger had pressed the alight button at the last second?