Metro Drivers, tell me about it
Thread started by
elemunjeli at 02.2.09 - 11:04 pm
Hi this is Ele Munjeli of bikexdatabase.com. Following the submission of a Metro driver to the database I contacted Metro and will be sitting down face to face for a meeting to discuss bike/bus incidents on the road. Lynne Goldsmith the Metro Bike Planning Manager mentioned Metro wants to do a driver training module on driving with bikes. What are your experiences with Metro drivers? What do you think specifically we want them to address in terms of driving issues?
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if we are traveling at a reasonable speed, do not try to pass us from the left. you are too fucking big and scary. besides you're going to end up stopping at a red or a bus stop in 2-3 blocks.
_iJunes02.2.09 - 11:09 pm
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No kidding! The pass me, pass you, you pass me, I pass you is pain in the butt. So is constantly getting cut off. Another thing I hate hearing is not being allowed on the best cause the racks are filled and the bus is empty. How bout being more flexible?
We had a letter write in campaign not too long ago. So they do have some submissions. Good luck with the meeting. Great you are doing this.
User102.2.09 - 11:42 pm
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I get squeezed into the curb by a bus every time I ride on a bus route. Every time. I mean WTF, don't pass me 20 yards before your stop, just slow down and pull in to it behind me. Common sense, right?
toweliesbong02.2.09 - 11:53 pm
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By the way, I'll be at the BAC ride tonight with a shirt or sign that says Bikex, anyone can talk to me there as well...
elemunjeli02.3.09 - 9:37 am
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Don't speed up and cut us off so you can get to your stop. Just a few days ago I almost slammed into the side of a bus because the driver cut me off without even putting distance between us.
Gav02.3.09 - 10:18 am
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more of the same. im riding along, a bus passes me, then immediately cuts me off, forcing me to ride straight into a pothole, parked car, aforementioned bus.
tortuga_veloce02.3.09 - 10:21 am
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The old right hook. Bus drivers here love it. Speed past, bear right toward the bus stop, slam on the brakes, force cyclist into the curb (or the side of the bus). Happens so often you would swear they've been taught it.
And being told to 'get on the sidewalk'. A first step would be telling the drivers that bikes indeed do belong in the street.
bike punk02.3.09 - 11:03 am
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"The old right hook. Bus drivers here love it. Speed past, bear right toward the bus stop, slam on the brakes, force cyclist into the curb (or the side of the bus). Happens so often you would swear they've been taught it."
Clearly a theme here. It seems to happen to everyone on a bike.
toweliesbong02.3.09 - 12:43 pm
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yeah, speeding up and cutting you off is the number one issue for me. or tailgating you and honking
Roadblock02.3.09 - 1:43 pm
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Yeah, I have that problem almost every time I go down Ventura. The bus driver will be rumbling along next to me just fine, but when we get near a stop, they just pull in as if I wasn't there at all! It scared me shitless before I put a brake on my bike.
danya02.3.09 - 1:49 pm
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personally, I also hate when I'm trying to pass on the left and they pull out and I'm sandwiched with the bus on my right and an SUV pulling up on the left. No visibility, no space..I ride to work on Olympic during rush hour and the traffic is fast, the road surface sucks.
elemunjeli02.3.09 - 3:39 pm
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turning when it is there chance to.
this is a pedestrian complain since I was still riding on the cross walk. but ya it turned way before I was even close to the curb forcing me to jump off my bike which it ran over....batches!
aksendz02.3.09 - 3:49 pm
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Problem is (as I see it) is two very different kinds of vehicles with different speeds and abilities competing for the same space. The bicycle is small, nimble and in relatively continuous motion while the bus is large, fast at times, but must stop every few blocks regardless of traffic signals to take on or discharge passengers.
I've experienced both ends of the spectrum when it comes to the behavior of bus drivers. Like everyone else here, I've been cut off, squeezed into the curb, or forced into traffic. I've filed a complaint over one particularly egregious incident. But I'd also like to state that there are many times where bus drivers have treated me with courtesy and when they do so I try to reinforce their good behavior by acknowledging it.
I often feel like progress has been made over the last few years. We're out there on our bikes and we're not going to disappear, but we need to continue the effort to educate drivers of buses and cars.
mr rollers02.3.09 - 3:56 pm
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well said Mr. Rollers
it's give and take...
it's not a competition...
you might be able to average out to the same speed overall at the end...but remember they're letting passengers on and off...
unless you're going 40 miles an hour, the bus will have the advantage in the speed game...
adrian02.3.09 - 5:30 pm
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Ridazz Roulette!
