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Cyclist’s bus fury

8:45am Thursday 16th August 2007

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A CYCLIST has accused bus drivers of repeatedly pulling into cycle lanes in York, forcing him to stop and get off his bike.

Mark Whitehead, 43, from Acomb, claims the problem is becoming so common that, sooner or later, someone will be knocked off their bicycle unless drivers start obeying the cycle lane laws.

He said he had contacted The Press to complain after yet another incident on a cycle lane in Tadcaster Road, The Mount, as he was cycling into town.

He said: "I use the cycle lane going up the hill and find a lot of buses pulling into the cycle lane in front of me without indicating, forcing me to get off my bike.

"It's happening too often. If it carries on, someone is going to get knocked off."

He said he had challenged a driver this week over his driving behaviour.

"I told him to open his door. He just said: No.' He couldn't care less."

Mr Whitehead said he had noted details of the vehicle's registration number, and was prepared to pass it on to the company if it wanted.

He said buses encroaching on cycle lanes were not only a problem in The Mount; he had also encountered it near York Railway Station.

"A lot of them don't indicate; they just pull over, sometimes forcing me into the kerb."

He said he had been cycling for years and had noticed the problem more in recent times.

He said it was not the city's ftr superbuses that were primarily to blame, but ordinary buses, operated by First.

Another cyclist told The Press that she shared Mr Whitehead's concerns, having repeatedly experienced buses coming much too close to her while cycling home.

A First spokesman said today that its drivers took the utmost care on the city's roads, giving consideration for cyclists and also pedestrians and other motor vehicles.

However, the company would bring Mr Whitehead's concerns to the attention of its drivers.

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Your Say YourYork Press

Milton, York says...
8:50am Thu 16 Aug 07

Its true. I was actually hit by a bus driver the other month when I was on my bike and well within my cycle lane. The bus didnt even stop (it was a number 10 at Walmgate bar). The only thing that stopped me falling off was that I have a very good sense of balance.

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Rust_Never_Sleeps, says...
8:50am Thu 16 Aug 07

Totally agreee with the man. York's bus drivers are arrogant, incompetent and rude. They constantly break the law and get away with it.

Give them minimum wage to match their worth.

Having said that, as a personal victory, when one cut me up on Heslington Road the other day I had great pleasure overtaking him while he was at a bus stop then riding slowly in front of him all the way to the junction with Cemetary Road while he got more and more wound up. He gave me the evil eye as he overtook so I returned the favour with my middle finger.

Tossers.

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bobsmith, York says...
8:54am Thu 16 Aug 07

First bus drivers commonly speed and drive dangerously. They will kill or seriously injure a cyclist or pedestrian. Luckily cycling is often safe because most of the time the traffic in York is stationary!

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SilverSurfer, Surfing says...
8:57am Thu 16 Aug 07

First bus drivers commonly speed and drive dangerously
Sorry bob but there are different rules for bus drivers - so they are WELL within the law!

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boots2386, york says...
8:58am Thu 16 Aug 07

You could add having cups of teacoffee next to the ticket machine especially on the park & ride service no2 and having a drink when at traffic lights then not allowing passengers on with sealed cups of coffee etc talk about double standards. Typical first york. Bunch of muppets

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ouserower, york says...
8:59am Thu 16 Aug 07

This happens all the time. Cars pull up at traffic lights in the cycle area. And the bendy buses squeeze us on corners. Have lost count of the times I have had to stop and get on the pavement to escape being crushed by busses.

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Oscar, York says...
9:24am Thu 16 Aug 07

Cycling into Layerthorpe from Peaseholme Green is taking my life in my hands most days. I got hit by a First bus a while back, I was well inside the cycle lane. Luckily I managed to get on to the path.

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ohsotired, york says...
9:26am Thu 16 Aug 07

Some cyclists are not all that clever either, three young lads riding side by side the other day up heslington lane, swerving about, I was sooooooo tempted!!!!

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Phantom, York says...
9:30am Thu 16 Aug 07

So he complained to the Press before making a complaint to the company responsible for the driver? Another clown who wants to get his mug in the local rag. Looks to me like anyone at all can phone up the Press these days about any topic and get their 15 minutes of fame.

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ske1fr, Umm, York... says...
9:46am Thu 16 Aug 07

Perhaps if someone were to collect the photographic evidence? That might be more productive when presented to the company/Police...

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Jo, York says...
9:51am Thu 16 Aug 07

Doesn't the CCTV catch incidents like this?

Oh yes, it's unmanned, I forgot.

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Rust_Never_Sleeps, says...
9:51am Thu 16 Aug 07

So you are expected to take photographs of yourself being knocked off your bike?

Erm ... Ok ...

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NoNewsInYork, York says...
9:59am Thu 16 Aug 07

On Yer Bikes the lot of you! I regularly ride to work, if you move they'll let you! A lot of cyclists ride in the gutter to let cars etc past when they have plenty of room and then they complain that they nearly got knocked off!! If your in the cycle lane if there is one, your in the right! As a driver too, if there is not enough room to overtake I don't. There are a lot of careless drivers AND cyclists about both of which have little common sense.

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Rust_Never_Sleeps, says...
10:02am Thu 16 Aug 07

I agree that riding in the gutter is silly. Make yourself clearly visible and don't be intimidated by impatient motorists.

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Dock Leaf, York says...
10:24am Thu 16 Aug 07

Tis true, I have had many close shaves, not just by buses though, cars as well, they seem to be jealous of people who cycle, probably because of the freedom we have. One thing that does irritate me is cyclists who pedal that slow, they would be quicker walking, in my irritation of not being able to get past I have shouted get a move on. ps. saw plaggy terry going into Kentucky yesterday, he looked as though he'd been tangoed with all that orange make up/false tan, whatever!

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John M, says...
10:25am Thu 16 Aug 07

One suspects that delays in the City centre encourage drivers to take measures to get back on schedule ootside the centre. I was travelling to Clifton Moor yesterday and noticed a jogger below the river bridge. She passed the bus a number of times, and I estimate that she was 1/4 mile ahead of the bus by the time it reached the Hospital.

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Minnie, York says...
10:36am Thu 16 Aug 07

I have complained before to First Bus as it happened to me and instead of dealing with the problem, passed the buck to the Council for them to deal with who as per usual were very negative with their comments.

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Cari, York says...
10:43am Thu 16 Aug 07

I want to know why he isn't wearing a helmet!

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Dock Leaf, York says...
10:46am Thu 16 Aug 07

He isn't wearing a helmet because he has a high forehead and wants to show it off.

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Rust_Never_Sleeps, says...
10:48am Thu 16 Aug 07

Cari wrote:
I want to know why he isn't wearing a helmet!
Why should he?

There is no law saying cyclist must wear one.

I don't wear one and have no intention of doing so.

Report this post »

Cari, York says...
11:00am Thu 16 Aug 07

I'm not saying there is a law Rust, but if he's so concerned about his safety then shouldn't he be wearing one as a precaution.

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marjory, york says...
11:16am Thu 16 Aug 07

Cari wrote:
I'm not saying there is a law Rust, but if he's so concerned about his safety then shouldn't he be wearing one as a precaution.
Experiments using a small camera on the bike have shown that drivers give more space to cyclists who don't wear helmets. They also give more space to women cyclists - so, put a dress on and no helmet!

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Jo, York says...
11:49am Thu 16 Aug 07

Helmets do not make you safer - precisely the opposite.

And they look silly as well.

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Dock Leaf, York says...
11:52am Thu 16 Aug 07

If you have a child on the back they give you a wider birth, I don't have any children so I put a large teddy bear on the back with a helmet on, and now I go about my cycling activities without a worry.

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Rust_Never_Sleeps, says...
11:53am Thu 16 Aug 07

Apart from the worry that people might think you are looney!

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Cari, York says...
11:53am Thu 16 Aug 07

I've seen what can happen, while I was at uni, a friend of ours fell off her bike, wasn't wearing a helmet and has suffered from fairly serious brain injusries, which she is still suffering from. The aim of a helmet is to reduce the shock/impact/force on a head hitting the ground. I wouldn't ride my horse without a hard hat for the same reasons.

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jane, york says...
11:58am Thu 16 Aug 07

I agree buses are a nuisance but im afraid cyclists are worse, they get too many priviledges, if they want more rights on the road they should pay tax like vehicle owners have to.

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Dock Leaf, York says...
11:59am Thu 16 Aug 07

I don't mind being considered as a loony, if only people could see your Y fronts with starsky and hutch printed on them, then you would look far loonier than me snort!

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Dock Leaf, York says...
12:02pm Thu 16 Aug 07

At least we are not polluting the planet Jane.

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X, At Work says...
12:13pm Thu 16 Aug 07

At least we are not polluting the planet Jane.


Come on, lets not get into a war of words with cars against bikes.

Why can't we work together to work against First York. The bus drivers are a liability both to other road users (cars & Bikes) and pedestrians.

Yes there are bad drivers and bad cyclists but there aren't many good bus drivers!!!

Before anybody jumps on my back, I drive a car, and i will only cycle on ctcle paths off the road or at places like dalby. this is because of the age of my children, one is big enough to be in a cycle seat but not to be on a bike of his own, and one is too small for a cycle seat and i will not have one of the bike trailers on the road, i have one but they are too low to be seen especially from a bus of van, not much protection for the little one.

Lets work together. force Farce York to buck their ideas up. Everytime someone is hit by a bus they should stop the bus and call the police, see what the delays do for the bus company.

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Mike C, york says...
12:56pm Thu 16 Aug 07

Rust, re your response to the bus driver: please, consider how that driver's now likely to treat me - you won't have improved his temper!

No, the best response has already been suggested: report identifying details to First. However, I'd be interested to know if anyone's had any success reporting the bus company's lack of response to the Traffic Commissioners who license public transport and HGVs?

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aunties, York says...
1:06pm Thu 16 Aug 07

I cycle regularly into York and must agree with the coments about the bad driving of buses, I'm lucky, there aren't that many buses on the route I cycle. I do have to cope with the Monks X park & ride and that is very scary, don't think the drivers are even aware that there is a cycle lane along heworth green! Even more scary when they are on their mobile phones and steering with one hand as the driver I saw the other day was doing.

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jane, york says...
1:14pm Thu 16 Aug 07

I cant argue with that dockleaf, but cyclists can be a bloody nuisance, im not saying all of them are, but a lot of them think they own the road.

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Rust_Never_Sleeps, says...
1:26pm Thu 16 Aug 07

Like drivers then?

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jane, york says...
1:36pm Thu 16 Aug 07

Again i cant argue with that a lot of car and bus drivers are a***holes, and do think they own the road, but cyclists are just as bad.

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Rust_Never_Sleeps, says...
1:41pm Thu 16 Aug 07

The only cyclists I regularly see being reckless are the same people who are the bane of most peoples lives in many other ways...

The Chav! italic

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John M, says...
1:42pm Thu 16 Aug 07

I have just read on the First Group plc Corporate Website that the company is about to rebuild its HQ in Aberdeen into a "Green Global Headquarters" set to be among the "greenest in the UK". Each member of staff will be provided with a green travel plan detailing walking/cycling distances from their home. They will also be given free travel passes to discourage use of a car.

The statement also states that the company is the leader in providing safe,innovative, reliable and sustainable transport services. The whole document is well worth a read.

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viper, says...
2:05pm Thu 16 Aug 07

I wouldn't complain to the company in question. Report it to the police - they are obliged to follow it up and will do.
After they start getting a few dozen from different people, they will start to see the true picture, the company would more likely just bury it.

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David, York says...
2:27pm Thu 16 Aug 07

The policy and the council do nothing to tackle the poor driving by bus drivers. They speed, ignore regulations and are a real danger to others. Again, private companies walk all over our elected officials and representatives.

And dont even get me started on how dangerous those FTR buses are - the ones we didnt want and cost us millions to subsidise just for the benefit of Mr Galloway.

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anon, york says...
2:44pm Thu 16 Aug 07

Cyclists who are, or have been, motorists tend to be better because they (hopefully) know the highway code and how to use the road. However, some cyclists have no idea at all and those are the ones who annoy me as a driver. As a sometimes cyclist I try to be considerate but some of them just pootle along, no lights, no signals, no visibility, wobble all over the road, overtake on the inside, need I go on?

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No News Is Good News, York says...
3:00pm Thu 16 Aug 07

Dock Leaf wrote:
If you have a child on the back they give you a wider birth, I don't have any children so I put a large teddy bear on the back with a helmet on, and now I go about my cycling activities without a worry.
You will be getting a name for yourself if you carry on like that.

LOL

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Cynic, York says...
3:01pm Thu 16 Aug 07

Yes, it's certainly a fair point. I live on Tadcaster Road, and them big purple monsters are the most significant hazard for cyclists in this area. They often pull in and out over cycle lanes regardless of any cyclists who might be around. I've also been narrowly missed by them when waiting in the cycle box at the end of Blossom Street, heading for Mickelgate - the purple monsters swing right out as they go round the corner towards the station, and I've nearly been hit by one several times. They are simply too big for the roads they are operating on - if we have to have them (and I am far from convinced that we do) they would be better on the park and ride routes, where they just go in and out again with few stops on the way.

p.s. What are the odds on Mike Usherwood responding to this letter before the end of the week?

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Bemused, says...
3:39pm Thu 16 Aug 07

However, some cyclists have no idea at all and those are the ones who annoy me as a driver. As a sometimes cyclist I try to be considerate but some of them just pootle along, no lights, no signals, no visibility, wobble all over the road, overtake on the inside, need I go on?

Agreed, but let's unite against those bloody awful purple slugs that endanger the lives and limbs of every road and footpath user. They are a menace.

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anon, york says...
3:45pm Thu 16 Aug 07

those bloody awful purple slugs that endanger the lives and limbs of every road and footpath user. They are a menace


Oh don't get me started on those purple things! I can't stand them! Buses in general annoy me, even as a frequent passenger on one! The drivers seem to think that it's fine to regularly pass certain stops a good 10 minutes early as long as they sit and wait in town for 20 minutes to make up for it later! This leaves people standing at bus stops at the allocated time and no bus comes! The number 10 is the worst for (not) being on time! The drivers don't let you get on and sat down before they set off, making it dangerous for elderly or disabled people and they regularly pack the buses full to the brim so people standing can't even find anything to hold onto! Grrr!

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Cari, York says...
3:52pm Thu 16 Aug 07

end of Blossom Street, heading for Mickelgate - the purple monsters swing right out as they go round the corner towards the station,
and along Tadcaster Road.

Isn't that part of the route for the White Line Park and Ride anyway, so it wouldn't change anything in that respect. They'd still be on the same bit of road.

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Rust_Never_Sleeps, says...
4:25pm Thu 16 Aug 07

Very true.

However they are totally unsuitable for Heslington Road and the city centre.

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tricky ricky, malton says...
4:26pm Thu 16 Aug 07

SilverSurfer wrote:
First bus drivers commonly speed and drive dangerously
Sorry bob but there are different rules for bus drivers - so they are WELL within the law!
What? including speeding. Ignoring red lights. Lack of indicator use.

You twit!

I can't remeber the number of times a bus has nearly cut short my life. They seem to think York's roads are just for their use.

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Frankie, York says...
4:30pm Thu 16 Aug 07

Yeah - you twit SilverSurfer! Don't you realise some people don't get sarcasm? ;o)

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tricky ricky, malton says...
5:01pm Thu 16 Aug 07

oops sorry was that sarcasm? sorry.

Still...don't you just hate buses

man i feel silly now

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Cynic, York says...
5:57pm Thu 16 Aug 07

Cari wrote:
end of Blossom Street, heading for Mickelgate - the purple monsters swing right out as they go round the corner towards the station,
and along Tadcaster Road. Isn't that part of the route for the White Line Park and Ride anyway, so it wouldn't change anything in that respect. They'd still be on the same bit of road.
True - better to just get rid of them altogether, or put them on the Grimston Bar park & ride where there are fewer sharp corners.

They're a menace on other parts of the route, anyway. When I lived off Heslington Road, it was always amusing to see two of them stuck nose-to-nose because there were cars parked on both sides of the road by the Spar shop - I saw it happen a few times!

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Badger, York says...
7:06pm Thu 16 Aug 07

Cari wrote:
I've seen what can happen, while I was at uni, a friend of ours fell off her bike, wasn't wearing a helmet and has suffered from fairly serious brain injusries, which she is still suffering from. The aim of a helmet is to reduce the shock/impact/force on a head hitting the ground. I wouldn't ride my horse without a hard hat for the same reasons.
It's probably 50:50. There are situations where having a helmet on would be beneficial and there are others where they can cause more severe injuries or cause drivers subconsciously to drive closer to you.

As for horses - wouldn't ride one without a suit of armour, never mind a hat! Big, bitey things - far worse than a purple people eater.

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Nonsense, York says...
7:24pm Thu 16 Aug 07

On Heslington Rd there has been at least one hit and run involving an FTR and a cyclist and I've heard stories of their being others.

I'd have thought people are probably better off complaining to the police, First just aren't interested and have too many chums in high places on the council.

The FTRs don't just annoy and intimidate cyclists, I've even seen firefighters mightily cheesed off at the driving ability of a particular FTR driver.

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bjb, York says...
7:48pm Thu 16 Aug 07

They creep up the inside at traffic lights sometimes scratch your paintwork.

Cut in front of you without any warning.

Often in a poor state of repair.

Ignore traffic lights when on red and fail to use any signals whatsoever.

Sometimes don't display any light during the hours of darkness.

Often seen mounting the curn forcing pedestrians to scatter.

NO, NOT BUSES - CYCLISTS. They are their own worst enemy. The dark mornings and evening are coming. If the police want to help protect cyclists from danger, they should stop and prosecute all those riding without lights.

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bjb, York says...
7:50pm Thu 16 Aug 07

For 'curn' read 'curb'

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Nonsense, York says...
8:07pm Thu 16 Aug 07

BJB apart from creeping up on the inside all of your other comments are true of the worst car drivers with no insurance, no MOT and no licence which people trendily like to refer to as "chavs" thesedays.

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bjb, York says...
9:24pm Thu 16 Aug 07

I thought 'trendy chavs' prefered bikes. They can wreak more havoc on them.

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ChrisGS1982, York says...
9:36pm Thu 16 Aug 07

I agree that buses can be a menace on the road but the ftr buses are too big for york roads and thats one reason for the problem.

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No News Is Good News, York says...
12:21am Fri 17 Aug 07

FTR = Fill The Road

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ChrisGS1982, York says...
12:54am Fri 17 Aug 07

No News Is Good News wrote:
FTR = Fill The Road
lol very good

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bernard briggs, says...
3:02am Fri 17 Aug 07

why is he riding so close to the line instead of the middle stuff him I say thers more people on the bus and they are paying to go where they og not like that freeloader that hasnt paid a penny to get his bike lane

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TooRad, york says...
7:53am Fri 17 Aug 07

When these incidents happen what you need to do is take note of the street, the exact time, the service number and the bus number. Then report it. If we all report every incident First will be inundated and will be forced to act.

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FruitBat, Yorkshire says...
9:04am Fri 17 Aug 07

jane wrote:
I agree buses are a nuisance but im afraid cyclists are worse, they get too many priviledges, if they want more rights on the road they should pay tax like vehicle owners have to.
Couple of points:

Cycles are "vehicles".

Cyclists pay tax - council tax, income tax, VAT, etc etc etc etc

I would hardly call not wanting to be crushed by a bus a "priviledge" .

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busmanonabike, york says...
7:28pm Wed 5 Mar 08

ouserower wrote:
This happens all the time. Cars pull up at traffic lights in the cycle area. And the bendy buses squeeze us on corners. Have lost count of the times I have had to stop and get on the pavement to escape being crushed by busses.
why are you passes a artic bus ( bendi) on the N/s when is is clear its going to turn left,!!!!
you are putting your self in clear danger!!!

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busmanonabike, york says...
7:35pm Wed 5 Mar 08

The problem with york is, cycle lanes are not wide enough, and who ever thought of putting cycles in bus lanes needs shooting,
the MAJORITY of cylcist break the law,
ride without light, thru red lights on the path, turn right/left where it is prohibited!! ( post workers are the main offender for the latter, at the juntoion of leeman rd station ave)
cyclist that do not use the cycle safety lane on the mount outbound, and a keen cyclist and professional driver I see bad in all, but cyclist are many a time to blame

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busmanonabike, york says...
7:37pm Wed 5 Mar 08

ChrisGS1982 wrote:
I agree that buses can be a menace on the road but the ftr buses are too big for york roads and thats one reason for the problem.
Too Big ? only slightly longer than a P&R bendi, there are far bigger vehicle running around the city
Class one LGVs,
but all you bus hates do bother to rant about them

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busmanonabike, york says...
7:40pm Sat 19 Apr 08

Cynic wrote:
Yes, it's certainly a fair point. I live on Tadcaster Road, and them big purple monsters are the most significant hazard for cyclists in this area. They often pull in and out over cycle lanes regardless of any cyclists who might be around. I've also been narrowly missed by them when waiting in the cycle box at the end of Blossom Street, heading for Mickelgate - the purple monsters swing right out as they go round the corner towards the station, and I've nearly been hit by one several times. They are simply too big for the roads they are operating on - if we have to have them (and I am far from convinced that we do) they would be better on the park and ride routes, where they just go in and out again with few stops on the way. p.s. What are the odds on Mike Usherwood responding to this letter before the end of the week?
Swing OUT !! well cause they do, read the highway code, that tells you to take care and concideration around Large Vehicles.
Oh but there again your a cyclist you dont take note of the highway code (((DOOH ))

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Comments are closed on this article.

Mark Whitehead Mark on his bike in Station Avenue, York.

Mark Whitehead

Mark on his bike in Station Avenue, York.



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