After a gap of more than a year, I had three uncomfortable encounters in one <20 minute ride in this morning.
The first was a 93 coming down panther hollow in the left lane not staying in that lane, wheels overlapping the right lane by 2-3 feet around the interchange. Wouldn't have merited a post on its own, but yes, it was a < 4ft. and probably <3 ft. pass.
The second I didn't see but from the side that was desperate to pass me coming down 5th from Craft before the light and started cutting over into my lane. I yelled "what are you doing man!" and the driver eased off and tucked in behind.
Probably that same driver but can't be sure laid on the horn coming back up the little rise on 5th just before Seneca. 71C, 3111, vicinity 8:35pm, driver had long red curly hair. What's the least useless way to report that these days?
byogman
2015-02-26 09:05:02
That's the jillion dollar question: What's the least useless way to report that these days?
I wish there was a way to communicate with the drivers - without immediately engaging the Labor-Management interface, the defend-against-discipline response, and be able to talk cyclists to bus drivers.
I think they have a hard job, are under a lot of schedule/metric pressure, and get shit all day from everybody. I think bus drivers do a good job.
Like any group, there's 5% or 10% that are on a different page and that threatens our safety/existence. But the great majority are facing the same issues cyclists face: weather, traffic, road surface, texting drivers, outdated street design. Bus drivers are more my ally than my enemy.
I don't want to get any of them fired or disciplined. I just want to change the street behavior of the 5% and I'm eager to have some process other than "calling their boss".
vannever
2015-02-26 09:31:26
This applies widely, but unions need to absorb and practice the concept that, when they without question defend the 5% in their fields who are obviously miscreants, they erode the legitimacy of the 95% who practice their professions responsibly. Not to mention the legitimacy of union representation in general.
edmonds59
2015-02-26 10:26:49
Call the Port Authority Police. Do not talk to the dispatcher, ask specifically for the officer on duty. Have the bus number.
This came directly from the Chief of Police and the CEO of the Port Authority in January, after I went to court.
You can also e-mail them if you want. PM me and I'll dig up the e-mail addresses.
Finally, I am looking to get placed on the PA Board meeting agenda in March to speak about drivers and cyclists. Again, PM if you'd like to join me.
ajbooth
2015-02-26 14:50:21
