Twatted by a bus…

Glad you're okay BDW. I think the driver had a change of heart after talking to some other bus-drivers about it, or it was a direct recommendation from her depot-supervisor. I've had some dealings with bus drivers and have found that a strong response is the only one that matters. A bus-driver was sacked after I reported him on one ocassion, and on the ocassion, the bus-driver was left in no uncertain terms that their driving was dangerous, and that cyclists aren't there to be intimidated by them.

My advice would be to take legal action. You'll get a pay-out, and the bus company will harden their procedures and maybe their training, in regards to how drivers should drive, when near cyclists...ie., politely and thoughtfully.

Don't take her offer of money please. It will make other bus-drivers think that an accident with a cyclist might be worth about 40 quid, instead of their jobs at worst, PLUS legal fees and a payout.

Report it before the CCTV gets wiped.

pm'd you with some info, glad you're ok

Most bus companies are self insuring for claims up to a certain amount ie. a huge bond is held somewhere to be used in the event of accident resulting in a claim less than the specified amount. Claims of this nature have to be reported to all regulatory bodies. Additionally, there will be a budget to 'clear up mess' when a simple pay-out will avoid any legal complications for the company. If you report this incident, the operator will more than likely use this option and your claim will be dealt with quickly and without any dispute over value. As has been said above, make sure you report it before the cctv gets wiped as this is the only way the company will be able/prepared to investigate.

Oh, and the driver will be put through the disciplinary procedures whatever method they use to pay out.

Good luck with it and I'm glad you're ok.

definitely definitely definitely report it to the police NOW!

get in the what to do in case of an accident thread and get reading!

From many painful experiences of having to drop cases because the CCTV "wasn't kept" or "the machine deleted it by mistake" or something, you need to be quite proactive about it.

Report to the police, tell them everything; time, place, bus reg, witness details, driver details etc. Maybe a little google map with drawings on it. Tell them to make sure they get the CCTV. Contact the bus company and tell them you're complaining, and you've also reported the matter to the police. Then do a decent complaint.

Get a written quote for a wheel of equivalent quality from your LBS. Get an invoice for your alignment check. If she wants to pay, then think about why that would be. Up to you, but I would stay official.

Hope you get some redress. She clearly has problems if she drives straight into the back of a well-lit cyclist and promptly refers to them as an obstruction.

glad you are OK wayne

I wouldn't report it personally, but it would probably depend on how she reacted to the situation. If she was apologetic, then don't.. as long as she's willing to pay privately to cover the damage.. be reasonable about it, everyone makes mistakes - i've found London bus drivers to be really well trained. I would say, though, if she makes any kind of fuss about the cost then you might wanna think about going through that channel.

Reporting her could make her lose her job

Your shittest post to date

Sorry to learn of your ordeal but glad that you were physically unharmed. I agree with others that you should pursue formal procedure and do so with vigour. A minority on here seem to be concerned about her losing her job, but if losing her job will spare someone from losing his/her life in the future, then the choice is really rather clear.

I'll say no more

Unacceptable ^.

That could have been a lot worse :( , she so needs educating. And the audacity of her to decide how much she should give you!
Roxy's 'What to do in case of an accident' says don't accept money if you want to pursue this so +1 on the official route. Well done for staying calm and so pleased you're ok!

Eejets!

Glad to hear you're ok Wayne, go official for sure. Even if she was apologetic and it was an 'accident' and unintentional she still fucked up.

Pleased you're still with us.

DO NOT accept a private arrangement over repair. She will not come good. They never do.

Report it to the company, if you haven't already. Report it to the Police (who won't give a fuck, but at least you;ve reported it). If you're a member of LCC or CTC, get onto the helpline. RJW solicitors are good, and will get you sorted.

Wayne - glad you're OK. I agree with the official route option. I would also keep a written record of any phone calls you receive from the driver offering to pay for a replacement wheel without going through official channels - i.e. time of call, what she said, how much she offered, your response, etc.

Do you have a copy of the CCTV or know that a copy will remain intact?

Go as official as you can. Report to Police as you might need a Police report number if any insurance companies get involved.

This^

Sounds like the driver is aware that they screwed up. Also sounds more like a momentary glip in attention, than reckless driving. But still deserves reporting. Best check that frame alignment is properly fecked before filling out the insurance claim ;)

Glad you're ok sir, never nice to hear but nice one for keeping your cool.

Go official, asap.

Glad you're OK Wayne. And well done for staying cool...

Wayne, glad you're ok first of all. From my similar incident a couple of months ago, I would advise REPORT IT TO THE POLICE within 24/48hrs (sorry I can't remember which). If you don't, you will have a tough time getting any insurance payout. It doesn't mean you're taking them to the cleaners, it just means you're getting the incident logged

I didn't do this (because I felt bad and he seemed like a decent guy) and it gave me a lot of stress because I was then relying on the guy who hit me to be honest and come meet me with the money for my damaged derailleur. Which he did, but if he hadn't I would have had no further routes to take because I hadn't reported it. I know you've got a witness & CCTV etc but still, cover your own back.

What a bunch of muppets there are on the roads.

I wouldn't report it personally,..
Reporting her could make her lose her job

I think the accident could just as easily have happened to a child in a pram, or to a wheelchair user.
So I'm afraid I disagree with you....quite a lot as it happens.

Please specify the accident situation in more detail.

Were you stopped for red light in the traffic lane holding your stopped position constantly and predictably, or was there filtering/undertaking/ASL/etc involved?

IMO that is an important distinction, because the former means the bus driver's showed a level of negligence that should take her out of the driver pool RIGHT NOW, and the latter means that the accident was mostly society's fault for making the flawed facility/not teaching you better.

BDW, that £1200 Powertap wheel of mine you were testing out - can I have that back?

Please specify the accident situation in more detail.

Did you read the OP?

BDW, that £1200 Powertap wheel of mine you were testing out - can I have that back?

I have it on good authority that BDW only runs Reynolds RZR's.

£4k a pair, but probably not availible at halfords.

glad your alright wayne

Good you're not hurt Wayne. I had a really nice back wheel handbuilt by Alasdair Gow at wheelcraft in Scotland tacoed by a moving bus that came out of a side road and sort of scooped me up with its front bumper, dont know how I kept it upright until the driver eventually noticed me and stopped. He thought I'd gone under but I was running round the back to hammer on his door pumped with adrenalin.

I was OK, but I could easily have been killed so refused an off the record settlement on principal ..i figured if the guy had hit cyclists before maybe he should find another job. had the LBS replace with a similar factory built wheel that wasnt as good and didnt last very long. I always regretted not getting another handbuilt wheel and not getting my frame checked and trued at the same time by a good framebuilder & restorer like Mercian etc.

Shit news but glad you're OK, mate. Be thankful she realised you were there before going any further forward. All I can do is echo the above about getting it reported. I was almost in a very similar situation to you recently so I know the feeling of disbelief when they just don't stop the vehicle.

Glad you're ok Wayne, hope it all gets sorted without any hassle. x

It's all going through the official channels

I really can't comprehend how a professional driver is unaware of two cyclists in front of her vehicle at a set of red lights. My suspicion is that she was looking at the bus stop that was 50 yards down the road rather than at the traffic situation but that is no excuse for something that may have had very different consequences.

The bus company have been very helpful and played it all with a very straight bat - the impression I get is they know they are very liable if the CCTV substantiates my version of events [I was told that there was a 10% chance of there being no footage but there were made very aware that I had independent witnesses]

going to fill in a po-po report this arvo just so it's all watertight

As a little aside - the driver contacted me after I'd made the report and any initial misgivings I had about maybe putting her livelihood in jeapordy were quickly dissipated when she told me she'd been involved in another incident where a female cyclist had 'lost control of her bike and ridden into the bus'

as always a big thanks for the pm's and the advice from them and also the important 'what to do in case of an accident thread' - it seems getting independent witnesses has put me in a very strong position…