Please report dangerous drivers to the police - Roadsafe. Report to plod, not just whinge here.

Quite pleased with the speedy response I got from Stagecoach this morning following an incident yesterday in Cambridge...

Cambridge is a tough nut to crack in terms of traffic and animosity to/from cyclists. The main perpetrators are bus drivers and taxi drivers who have to watch tourist nodders wobbling through every red light and zebra crossing with no lights, shopping bags on both ends of their handlebars and often a basically flat tyre. Quite often, in fact, I share an eye-roll with these drivers while I'm stopped waiting for the light/infant/elderly person to cross. This is not to say I'm some high and mighty individual who has never jumped a red or made other naughty moves on the road, but I'll be fucked if I'm going to let a taxi/bus driver see me do it because I know it'll come round to bite me in the arse one day - especially in a city small enough to see the same drivers regularly.

This was the first time I've experienced this kind of behaviour from a bus, from time to time people pass too close or pull in front of me and other minor(ish) infraction, but this was more than a little unnerving - particularly the attempted overtake as we turned a corner! My account or what happened is in the email quoted at the bottom of the post, for anyone interested, and their reply in the email above.

Dear Mr R Hurst,

                            Thank you for your e-mail below. 

All of our drivers are expected to drive in a safe, professional manner giving due respect to all other road users at all times especially cyclists.

The standards of our employees driving is a matter we take extremely seriously and is one we are keen to constantly monitor and improve on where necessary. Any reports of dangerous or inconsiderate driving are viewed as serious incidents that could well warrant disciplinary action.

From the information you have very kindly provided I have been able to identify the driver in question. I have requested the CCTV data from the vehicle in question. Once I have followed company procedures and if the driver is found to have acted in the manner in which you have mentioned he will attend an interview with the Operations Manager who will deal with them appropriately in accordance with our operating procedures. This may include further internal training or lead to disciplinary action.

Due to employment law in this country which states that matters relating to employer/employee relationships are confidential. This confidentiality extends to disciplinary matters following any misconduct or poor performance; therefore I am sure you will fully understand that I am unable to discuss this matter with your good self.

I sincerely apologise that you have had to raise such matters but would like to thank you for taking the time in doing so as it is only with such feedback can we take the appropriate action.

Yours Sincerely
Name removed
Head of Customer Services
Stagecoach Cambridge
100 Cowley Road
Cambridge
CB4 0DN

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To: cambridge.enquiries@stagecoachbus.com

Hello,

I am writing with regard to an incident with one of your drivers approximately 2 and half hours ago on Park Street and Jesus Lane in Cambridge city centre. The bus in question was a number 2 bus with the registration AE13 DZS.

The incident occurred at approximately 1:15 this afternoon and went as follows:

I was waiting in traffic behind a bus at a red traffic light at the T-junction where Park Street meets Jesus Lane when the driver of the bus in the attached photo pulled up very close to me and 'kangaroo-jumped' forwards' to within approximately 1 foot of my rear tire. The speed at which the driver stopped and the 'bounce' the bus made suggested to me that the driver had put his brakes on hard and late.

When the light turned green I was close to the pavement on the left hand side and proceeded to make the left turn when the driver started pulling alongside me on my right hand side. At first I thought he was making a right hand turn but he proceeded to come around on my right and turn in towards me as I made the corner. At this point I raised my arm to ensure the driver had seen me and show that I was not comfortable with how close he was driving to me. I'm not 100% convinced that I saw this, but I believe the driver saw me, shrugged and then looked away, back to the road.

As I turned the corner I accelerated out from alongside the bus so I could stay safe and avoid being driven into the pavement but the driver continued to try and pass me as the road narrowed again for a second set of traffic lights a few yards later. On approach to these lights the driver slowed slightly to let me through but once I had made it through the lights, he immediately drove right alongside me, passing far too close and coming within approximately 1.5 feet of my elbow. He immediately caught the second bus, which was now a few metres ahead of me. This caused him to apply his brakes, again very sharply as the bus 'bounced' under braking and he came within approximately 1 metre of hitting the bus in front. At the same time this happened the bus had boxed me in tightly to the pavement which caused me to have to brake sharply to avoid being pushed into a row of parked cars.

Fortunately I am a confident cyclist and was able to drop back quickly and avoid any further issue but if I was a less confident rider, or if there had been a pothole or debris I had to ride around whilst I was being boxed in, there could have been a very serious accident. approximately 200 metres further along the road the driver indicated late and then suddenly swerved into a bus stop where I was able to take this photo of the bus attached.

The driver was male and what I would describe as early middle aged with, I believe brown hair with some grey. He was wearing the fleece jacket that makes up part of the uniform and had at least several passengers on the bus.

Please acknowledge receipt of this email and confirm what actions you propose to take in response to the situation. I also intend to report this incident to the police as an act of dangerous driving.

Regards,

Robert Hurst