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Thread started by SoapBoxLA at 05.26.09 - 12:31 pm
This past Monday, Enci and I were riding south on Vermont, a couple of hundreds yards north of Prospect.
We were riding southbound on Vermont in lane #2 alongside parked cars at approximately 3:25 pm in light traffic. I was in the lead, Enci was in second position and the bus was in third. I heard Enci scream, I looked back and saw a bus behind me but not Enci. I pulled over and the bus passed me, pulling to the curb just yards further on. Then I saw my wife riding down Vermont.
Bus Operator #25119 had just "asserted" himself into the #2 lane at the expense of my wife's position and in doing so, forced my wife to choose between the side of the bus, the parked cars or simply braking to avoid getting hit by the bus as it came from behind alongside her and then simply merged right toward her.
Tough choices!
This incident drew a Metro Supervisor, two Sheriff's Deputies, an LASD Supervisor, LAPD officers from both Hollywood (4) and NorthEast (2) and an LAPD Supervisor. Quite a significant show of force!
The Bus Operator was long gone when the first LAPD officers responded to my call. As we stood on Hollywood Blvd. talking to the officers, Operator #25119 came back on his return route, graciously slowing down and waving, apparently enjoying the spectacle. Imagine his shock when Officer Lee WALKED off in pursuit and pulled the bus over.
Through it all, we still experience the cloud of jurisdictional confusion over who takes the report and we still experience the confusion over whether or not it's a crime to run a cyclist off the road.
We're going to the Metro Board on Thursday to address 1) this incident 2) the issue of training and oversight of bus operators on safe interaction with cyclists on the road 3) feedback opportunities for the metro on weekends and holidays.
If you can join us, Great! if not, give us your experiences on the road with Metro Operators so we can take them with us.
Here's my experience: Metro operators frequently pass way too close, and change lanes in front of or into cyclists. Most drivers on venice (33 and 333) also have a habit of cutting off cyclists, then blocking the bike lane when loading or unloading passengers.
They just dont consider cyclists or they dont care.
Ive been lucky to have been able to avoid them for the most part. Post the details and I'll do my best to come represent.
Similar instances have happened to me on Sunset blvd near Alvarado. And once on Hollywood Blvd.
The bus rode around me as I approached near to the intersection and started pulling me into the cub all the way. The driver couldn't wait for me to pass and wanted to get to the bus stop before me and forced me off the road and up onto the sidewalk. The same thing happened to me again but this time I shouted at the driver and then he started getting all aggro back at me. I was too pissed and shaken to get the bus numbers at the time.
Now, If a Metro is behind me, I make sure I'm not close to a bus stop; But if I am, I just pull over rather than risking that happening to me again.
I don't think I can make Thursday, but I will try.
Thursday, May 28, 2009 @ 9:30 A.M.
One Gateway Plaza
3rd Floor Board Room
We will speak at the public comment, which might be a couple hours after the meeting starts, depending on how long their agenda and discussion is. So if you can make it at 10 or 10:30, come.
I had this happen by two metro rapid busses on Santa Monica about a month back. I was heading west on Santa Monica just past Supulveda and one Rapid pasted me at a highspeed and then started to pull over blocking the bike lane ahead, then his buddy in a rapid maybe 10 feet behind him that was next to me just started to move over into me. It was not only shocking but made me very angry.
When somebody is driving a train on Santa Monica you just cant fight them. I just stopped in the middle of the intersection and let them pass. Then had to once again pass them to continue on my way. having to cross outside the bike lane and the first lane cause the busses were stopped over all of that space.
These bus drivers really have little respect for human life.
Id really like to carry a big magnum marker in my pocket and when they get to close, put it out and stripe the buss.
On Santa Monica and Overland, going east, there is a bus lane to the right of the bike lane.
http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&ll=34.051253,-118.43292&spn=0.000536,0.001207&t=h&z=20
Once at that intersection a Metro driver began to honk at me, even though the light was red and I was standing in the bike lane, to move out of his way. At the moment I was confused about what he wanted, so I didn't move since I was in the bike lane and felt no reason to move for anybody. Once the light turned green he drove into the bike lane, forcing me to pull myself left into the car lane or get hit by his bus. I didn't get the number because I was confused plus he got far ahead of me and was going fast.
This has happened to me on Venice Blvd heading west before the 405. The driver failed to wait for me to clear the bike lane before stopping at a bus stop. Wilshire Blvd heading west, again a bus driver merges over forcing me to brake so it can get to a stop. And on Long Beach Blvd in LB bus driver merges over to right to stop at a bus stop forcing me to brake or have an accident with her.
All three incidents it seems that I'm just a nuisance on the road and they feel that once the bus is ahead of me, in the LB case just the front, they have a right to come over and force me to brake and take drastic maneuvers to avoid an accident.
BTW, I'm really impressed you got all those people to show up in your incident! Would be nice for everyone to know what to do in these incidents on the road. I'm sure this is something that happens to alot of ridazz.
To get the police to show up, INSIST! I use the phone numbers to the local stations and bypass 911 whenever possible. I ask for the Watch Commander. I ask for a supervisor and I repeat over and over my request for a criminal complaint, even when they say they saw nothing and it's not a crime.
LAPD Hollywood called in LAPD NE who called in Sheriff's who called in Metro. Nobody wants the hassle but you must INSIST and ask for the Supervisor to be sent to the scene. Don't argue, just ask a supervisor.
Get names, badge numbers, file numbers, license numbers, bus numbers, line numbers, operator numbers.
Write it all down and photograph everything and everybody and get witnesses.
or just take it and ride away.
I'm beyond the hassle factor and I'm gonna follow this one all the way to the finish line!
It would be nice to see a map of the different police jurisdictions that we roll through. See who's in charge of where. This way we can make a note of it and start getting the numbers of the areas we ride at the most.
User1 responding to a comment by HappyLand
05.26.09 - 2:34 pm
Buses are some of the worst offenders on the road. When you're riding along a bus route, constantly passing eachother and trading places, the bus driver is presented with multiple occasions to politely and courteously share the road with you, but when they're dickhead drivers they're dickheads AT EVERY OCCASION. This is important to note because it proves that their dangerous road relations are not accidents, it's simply their style, a style that they should be fired for.
Coming up Los Feliz from the fountain headed west, I get passed by a bus and it's way too close. It's so close that I yell at the driver as he passes me. Further up the hill I catch him and pass him, only to be passed at the next block; this time it's dangerously close, so close that I yell and pound on the bus as he passes me. I got out of the saddle and started to sprint after him, but he actually comes to a stop, opens his door and says "what's your problem?!"
To which I pant out "WHY THE FUCK ARE YOU PASSING SO CLOSE TO ME!?" "YOU ALMOST HIT ME!"
He mumbles something and pretends not to hear or understand me, then he drives off.
Nothing ever came of it because I mistakenly wrote down the route number, not the bus / operator number. Balls!!
I had to laugh at your description, Eric because Stephen told me that once he hit the bus with his fist as well and it ended up only hurting him and the bus driver didn't even notice. You described you experience well. Hahaha!
The bus drivers have their number written on their right shirt sleeve and sometimes the number is also written on the electric scrolling message above the driver. So keep an eye out for it.
Even if you don't get the number of the driver, you can report them with the bus route number, direction of bus, time of day, bus number and description of the driver. If you report them, please also cc us at metro@illuminatela.com so we can keep track of these incidents and show the letters to the Metro board. Thanks!
Seems kinda foolish to put yourself on high traffic streets,
and then to battle it out with a bus.
Cyclist may have the right of way, but your still fighting a losing battle.
I will always put myself on high traffic streets, Dedicated818!
Low traffic streets are badly lit, badly maintained and are not direct routes. I like riding on busy streets because if anything happens to me, be it an accident, be it harassment, be it whatever, I will have witnesses. I won't have that when something happens to me on a dark street.
Another reason why I like to be on the big street is because I belong there! I'm not going to let drivers and politicians push me aside to some streets and paths where they won't take responsibility for my safety.
I have the right to be on every street and I have the right to be protected. I'm not going to succumb to terrorist drivers. That's like telling a woman after she's been harassed that it was foolish to dress up nice, trying to battle it out with the guys.
these people are city employees. the fact that they are acting like this is ridiculous. the fact that the metro board doesnt care is insane. this organization is responsible for the public safety and well-being and we pay them to do what they do.
fighting is always dangerous, but if you're fighting against injustice, or fighting for cyclists' rights, youre fighting for something bigger than your commute: you're fighting for the people who are too afraid to get on their bikes.
from the conversations ive had, the greatest barriers preventing people from riding more arent the lack of bike lanes, sharrows, or even the fucked up roads: it's psychotic drivers, city employees, cops and bus drivers who apply their aggressive driving habits to cyclists.
i'll never forget within the first month of cycling, being attacked, yelled at and forced into the center lane by a psychotic parking enforcement officer. (while on the city's recommended "bike route") im sure that would have discouraged someone else, but i did something. i spoke to his supervisor and she was shocked, and promised me to get the message out to all her employees.
i still ride that street every day, and i can only hope that that parking enforcement officer isnt out there attacking people. i'd like to think that by riding in the road and having conversations with drivers, i am teaching people that bikes belong in the road.
well, wish me luck in court tomorrow. i have to teach another police officer that bikes belong in the road. let's hope i get my message across.
Not sure if anyone saw this tonite on channel 7 regarding the treatment of handicap people on the MTA. Needless to say, it doesn't make them look very good. Part two will be shown tomorrow.
I hate the buses downtown. They are worse than any other type of traffic. They pass too close and force the right (wrong) of way far too often with cyclists.
Metro Board meeting starts at 9:30 am. I'll be tweeting updates @SoapBoxLA. There is a bunch of items on the agenda and public comment comes at the end of the meeting. Plan to hit it at 12 noon.
Tell'em who you are and where you're from.
Tell 'em you're a cyclist and you ride the streets of LA County and you're a transportation solution.
Tell 'em your story. Be honest and be real. Be you!
Tell 'em what you want. Respect and equality and the right to ride the streets of LA County without having your life threatened by a Bus Operator.
Always finish strong with an "ASK" and look Villaraigosa in the eye as you tell him you expect him to make the streets safe for EVERYBODY!
Text me @ 323-864-7586. If you can make it, great! If not, email us your story Stephen@ThirdEyeCreative.net
Central Community Police Station
251 East Sixth Street
Los Angeles, CA 90014
213-485-3294
Devonshire Community Police Station
10250 Etiwanda Avenue
Northridge, CA 91325
818-832-0633
Foothill Community Police Station
12760 Osborne
Pacoima, CA 91331
818-756-8861
Harbor Community Police Station
221 North Bay View Avenue
Wilmington, CA 90744-5345
310-513-7017
Hollenbeck Community Police Station
1936 E. First Street
Los Angeles, CA 90033
323-266-5964
Hollywood Community Police Station
1358 N. Wilcox
Hollywood, CA 90028
213-972-2971
Mission Community Police Station
11121 Sepulveda Blvd
Mission Hills, CA 91345
818-838-9800
Newton Community Police Station
3400 Central Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90011
323-846-6547
North Hollywood Community Police Station
11640 Burbank Boulevard
North Hollywood, CA 91601
818-623-4016
Northeast Community Police Station
3353 San Fernando Road
Los Angeles, CA 90065
213-485-2563
Pacific Community Police Station
12312 Culver Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90066
310-482-6334
Rampart Community Police Station
2710 W. Temple Street
Los Angeles, CA 90026
213-485-4061
77th Community Police Station
7600 Broadway
Los Angeles, CA 90003
213-485-4164
Southeast Community Police Station
145 W. 108th Street
Los Angeles, CA 90061
213-972-7828
Southwest Community Police Station
1546 West Martin Luther King Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90062
213-485-2582
Van Nuys Community Police Station
6240 Sylmar Avenue
Van Nuys, CA 91401
818-374-9500
West Los Angeles Community Police Station
1663 Butler Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90025
310-444-0701
West Valley Community Police Station
19020 Vanowen Street
Reseda, CA 91335
818-374-7611
Wilshire Community Police Station
4861 West Venice Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90019
213-473-0476
I just got done watching all three videos. That representative for MTA really makes me ill. I must admit he is pretty skilled at deflecting criticism and softening the blow. I hate people that can't take responsibility for their actions!
Anyways in the video they mention that the Federal Transit Administration (www.fta.dot.gov) is responsible for making sure rules are followed when it comes to dealing with disabled people on the buses. I fired off an email to see if they also are responsible for how the buses used on the roads.
I unearthed this thread because I have a metro driver to make a complaint about. If you leave, or the bus leaves the scene of any incident, then apparently the police can't do anything about it. I called my local station to inquire.
I am trying to file a complaint with metro directly, as the driver in this case pulled into and stopped short in the bike lane right in front of me, without signalling, to make an UNDESIGNATED STOP.
It seems this thread doesn't contain that contact info...maybe I'm frazzled and missed it, but here's what I've found:
Local Management
Management of Metro Bus service is organized into five geographic regions. Each region has its own general manager, concentrating exclusively on bus service in their area.
Metro San Fernando Valley 818.701.2800
Metro Westside/Central 213.922.1200
Metro South Bay 310.225.6000
Metro Gateway Cities 562.658.0200
Metro San Gabriel Valley 626.454.2800
There is this disclaimer, though, and ALL the phone numbers apparently only work from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Note: Please use this form only to report your actual experiences using Metro's services. If you have a suggestion, opinion or other comments, or want to request timetables, maps or brochures, e-mail us at customerRelations@metro.net.
If your comments are lengthy or complex, we urge you to use e-mail rather than this form or to contact a Metro Passenger Relations Representative at 213.922.6235 or 1.800.464.2111
I hope you get justice. I had an incident similar when I was doing the Park(ing) day. I was going down 3rd street, taking the lane. This bus driver tooted his horn once or twice, I don't remember which. Then he rolled next to me in the fast lane. He started merging into my lane, to the point where I could touch the side of the bus. We both rode up on a red light and I started pounding on his door. I told him to watch where the fuck he was going and he told me the same, all through a closed door. Next time that happens I'm smashing the window of the door and deal with it that way.
User1 responding to a comment by kryxtanicole
10.6.09 - 10:32 pm
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Ridazz Roulette!
This past Monday, Enci and I were riding south on Vermont, a couple of hundreds yards north of Prospect.
Similar instances have happened to me on Sunset blvd near Alvarado. And once on Hollywood Blvd.