So everyone seems to have one, and I guess now I'm no exception. Yesterday on my commute home I was heading down the one marginally busy street in my commute when I hear the pnumatic brakes of a bus/truck/whatever behind me. I was in the far right lane slightly to the right of the passenger side tire rut in the lane. When I heard the bus (what it turned out to be) I checked the left lane and saw it was empty.

When I see a 'way around' me that doesn't involve sharing my lane I tend to be more assertive of keeping my position, when there isn't a way around me I become more flexible in my lane position (while still ensuring my own safety). Needless to say, when I determined there was plenty of room to pass me, I kept the third of the lane i was using up and continued riding. Then, despite a COMPLETELY EMPTY left lane, the public transit bus without changing lanes, without making even the slightest effort to share the road with a fellow vehicle (as CO law defines me), despite slowing down (I distinctly remembered the brake noises) and apparently oblivious to the blinky red light on the back of my messenger bag, simply drove up past me.

The bus actually came in physical contact with my left elbow and I was forced out of MY lane, in to the gutter and up on the curb (to avoid falling in the rain gutter drain slots). Whats more when I called the RTD hotline to complain about their reckless and inconsiderate driver endangering my safety I was left with the distinct impression that I'll not find much sympathy from them. Answering a dozen questions about 'why I was riding on the road', and 'didn't I know there would be a lot of traffic on that street' infuriates me and it was all I could do to keep my composure on the phone.

I am seriously considering filing an accident report with the police and reporting this as a hit and run. The bus did come in contact with me, and the driver most definitely did not stop. I've had a similar experience with a car and my immediate reaction was to slap the fender with my open palm (gets the drivers attention immediately, she even yelled at me at the next stoplight for 'hitting her car', ugh, some people). This bus however was a different story, I was terrified, and it was only through dumb luck and self control I didn't lose my balance fall under the damn thing.

I suppose that with 20mi/day 3 days/week this kind of thing is bound to happen eventually, I just hope I've reached my quota of NDE's with inattentive bus drivers.

Call your local representative-city council, town council, whatever. Actually, your state rep might be a good one to call, since public transit recieves money from the state. Document all your conversations, who you spoke with, etc. File a complaint legally. If they won't help you, suggest that you'll call the police next-that should get some action. Remember, you are up against the local bus driver's union, so expect the case to take a while.

You'll probably not have much luck with the bus company. Depending on where you are at the police might be more trouble than it is worth. Some states have proximity clauses in the transportations codes. In AZ you cannot come within three feet of a cyclist no matter what, or it is a class 3 misdemeanor. My suggestion is take issue with your local politicians and check your vehicle insurance. This is more a self preservation tactic than anything. If you don't already, carry uninsured motorist coverage on your vehicle insurance. It actually covers you in case you are involved in a hit and run (one-third of all vehicle versus cyclist). I was recently injured in a hit and run and it covered me sans the bike. Anyway be safe and ride hard.

as the title says,, i dont like it when cars, trucks and busses think bikes arnt allowed on the road. your story sounds familiar to me. its happened probly every week.

one time im in the far right lane at an intersection waiting for some cars to pass in front of me when a bus comes up behind me and takes a right turn so close. as the bus turns, it gets closer and closer until finally i get forced onto the sidewalk to avoid getting hit by the busses back tire.

ive got yelled at, aimed at by taxi drivers,

and my favorite one of all is a group of kids in a car (must have been 18 or so) yelling - "yea um... thats a pretty gay shirt your wearing" and " hey look.. that kids wearing a really gay shirt" (at the time i was wearing the 2002 usps team jersey)

and did anyone hear those radio conversations with howard stern on wbcn and some atlanta ( i think) radio station talking about hating road bikers. and all road bikers are gay. they talked about if they hit a road biker they would be glad and wouldnt stop.

grrr, it makes me angry

Bike vs. Bus...