Dublin Bus driver just threw a punch at a cyclist in Rathgar

142055

Not sure if this is the right place to post this but I was at the Rathgar Cross at around 20:55 stopped at the red, and a cyclist was leading the moving flow of traffic with a Dublin Bus behind him (it was coming from Terenure so it was either the 65b or one of the 15's).

The cyclist (granted) was cycling on the right side of the lane, but it was obvious that he intended to turn right past the cross, so he wasn't breaking any rules. Anyway he was merrily cycling along when the bus driver matched him on the road, rolled down his window and tried to sock him one in the head! It was extremely dangerous and had he hit him he could have sent the cyclist straight into the oncoming traffic.

The cyclist ended up not taking his turn and instead hammered it after the bus where I'm sure he caught up and the two expressed some very serious and comprehensible words.

Anyway the point of me posting this is if the cyclist happens to see this and for whatever reason needs a witness to this cretin throwing a punch at him, just PM me.

Fiskar

142055 wrote: »

Not sure if this is the right place to post this but I was at the Rathgar Cross at around 20:55 stopped at the red, and a cyclist was leading the moving flow of traffic with a Dublin Bus behind him (it was coming from Terenure so it was either the 65b or one of the 15's).

The cyclist (granted) was cycling on the wrong side of the road, but it was obvious that he intended to turn right past the cross, so he wasn't breaking any rules. Anyway he was merrily cycling along when the bus driver matched him on the road, rolled down his window and tried to sock him one in the head! It was extremely dangerous and had he hit him he could have sent the cyclist straight into the oncoming traffic.

The cyclist ended up not taking his turn and instead hammered it after the bus where I'm sure he caught up and two expressed some very serious and comprehensible words.

Anyway the point of me posting this is if the cyclist happens to see this and for whatever reason needs a witness to this cretin throwing a punch at him, just PM me.

As a witness, did you get the bus registration and route number?

As you say, the cyclist was clearly on the wrong side of the road.

Were any words expressed between both parties prior to the alleged punch?

The bus driver may have been antagonised previously and prior to the incident in question. He would have CCTV on board to prove his case.

endacl

I know that junction well. If I read the description correctly, he wasn't in the wrong lane. He was in the right-turning lane, in order to make the perfectly legal right turn just beyond the cross.

142055

Fiskar wrote: »

As a witness, did you get the bus registration and route number?

As you say, the cyclist was clearly on the wrong side of the road.

Were any words expressed between both parties prior to the alleged punch?

The bus driver may have been antagonised previously and prior to the incident in question. He would have CCTV on board to prove his case.

Like I said I only know that it was either the 65b or the 15 route that goes by Terenure. After I saw the punch being thrown I was looking at the cyclist to see if he got hit or not and when I saw him tear it after the bus it was too late to catch the number.

There's a case to be made about them possibly having an exchange beforehand, I've got no idea. I could understand that the driver would be peeved that he's cycling on the other side of the road and possibly holding him up a bit but when he's making a right hand turn up ahead you should just wait, not try batter him one.

142055

endacl wrote: »

I know that junction well. If I read the description correctly, he wasn't in the wrong lane. He was in the right-turning lane, in order to make the perfectly legal right turn just beyond the cross.

He was approaching it, yeah.

endacl

142055 wrote: »

Like I said I only know that it was either the 65b or the 15 route that goes by Terenure. After I saw the punch being thrown I was looking at the cyclist to see if he got hit or not and when I saw him tear it after the bus it was too late to catch the number.

There's a case to be made about them possibly having an exchange beforehand, I've got no idea. I could understand that the driver would be peeved that he's cycling on the other side of the road and possibly holding him up a bit but when he's making a right hand turn up ahead you should just wait, not try batter him one.

No, every bus there should be in the left hand lane. Buses don't turn right at that point.

142055

endacl wrote: »

No, every bus there should be in the left hand lane. Buses don't turn right at that point.

The bus wasn't turning right. The cyclist was.

dd972

There's bad apples in every barrel, was told to 'f**k off' and called a 'pr!ck' on separate occasions while getting off a bus in Dublin. Was minding my own business both times and wasn't drunk or anything, there's nothing eccentric about my dress sense or anything like that either.

Let both incidents go, as far as I'm concerned those types of individuals deserve the sh!te job that being a Dublin Bus driver is.

Conversely,there's a lady who drives the 140 to and from town who's an absolute doll and surely gets chocolates at xmas such is her rapport and demeanor with the passengers.

loveta

Cyclist!!!!!!! enough said...

endacl

And it begins....

jack presley

142055 wrote: »

The cyclist (granted) was cycling on the wrong side of the road, but it was obvious that he intended to turn right past the cross, so he wasn't breaking any rules.

Cycling on the wrong side of the road is breaking the rules the last time I checked

Victor

Folks, on-topic and constructive posts only, please

Moderator

142055

jack presley wrote: »

Cycling on the wrong side of the road is breaking the rules the last time I checked

Maybe it's not worded correctly. Cyclists normally keep to the left of their lane, but the cyclist in this instance was turning right, so he was hugging the right side of his lane to make the turn. That's the rules of the road. The cyclist wasn't in the wrong.

Hope that makes it a bit more clear.

Jack Kyle

So the cyclist was set to turn right down Highfield Road (which is perfectly fine)?

Hard to see why that would elicit such a reaction. There are always nutters around but my gut feeling is that something else happened.

patrickbrophy18

Regardless of whether or not the cyclist was breaking the rules of the road, the bus driver was completely in the wrong not to mention, unprofessional assaulting the cyclist. Also, it's illegal to assault someone unless it's in self defense which it clearly isn't in this case. Never-mind the fact that the bus driver punched the cyclist in the head which could have caused a concussion or worse. That bus driver should be fired and possibly imprisoned.

the boss of me

Calling bull**** on this thread... Anyone who has sat behind the wheel of a Dublin Bus can tell you its almost physically impossible to throw a punch outthe window.. given this.is the op's.first post and he claims to have witnessed this incident but was unable to see the number on the bus, it all seems a bit fishy to me.

anncoates

Must have been a previous altercation before this happened. Why the driver do that for no reason?

turbot

I suggest - Report the full incident to Dublin Bus. I think most buses at this time have GPS locators so they should be able to figure out who the driver was based upon the time and route - and at least investigate.

142055

the boss of me wrote: »

Calling bull**** on this thread... Anyone who has sat behind the wheel of a Dublin Bus can tell you its almost physically impossible to throw a punch outthe window.. given this.is the op's.first post and he claims to have witnessed this incident but was unable to see the number on the bus, it all seems a bit fishy to me.

Why would I lie about something so insignificant? I created this account just to post what I saw should the cyclist need a witness, and I already mentioned in a reply why I didn't catch the number.

Cookie_Monster

Fiskar wrote: »

As you say, the cyclist was clearly on the wrong side of the road.

Explain how/why.

the boss of me

142055 wrote: »

Why would I lie about something so insignificant? ber.

If its so "insignificant" why would you create an account and start this thread.. its also pretty unbelievable that a driver would commit an assault when there is not one but two cameras focused on his every move..

142055

the boss of me wrote: »

If its so "insignificant" why would you create an account and start this thread.. its also pretty unbelievable that a driver would commit an assault when there is not one but two cameras focused on his every move..

Because it was an attempted assault that endangered someones health. I called it insignificant as (luckily) nothing happened, therefore it would be a stupid lie to make up. And I agree about the cameras recording the drivers every move, but he's not accused of being clever is he?

the boss of me

142055 wrote: »

Because it was an attempted assault that endangered someones health. I called it insignificant as (luckily) nothing happened, therefore it would be a stupid lie to make up. And I agree about the cameras recording the drivers every move, but he's not accused of being clever is he?

And as a concerned and responsible citizen your first response is not to go to the Gardai or to Dublin bus but to register an account and start a board's thread ???

142055

the boss of me wrote: »

And as a concerned and responsible citizen your first response is not to go to the Gardai or to Dublin bus but to register an account and start a board's thread ???

Yes.

coylemj

Is this a new trend of lawlessness among cyclists?

I recently drove in on the N11 from Foxrock Church to to White's Cross only to find a cyclist in the righthand (outer) lane and cycling on the right side of the lane i.e. hugging the median. Considering that there is a cycle lane on the N11 which would take him all the way to Donnybrook and beyond, it was a pretty silly part of the road to be cycling on.

It's about time there was some 'zero tolerance' shown to cyclists who behave with impunity on the roads by barging through red lights and pedestrian crossing, in some cases by aping bicycle couriers and physically pushing pedestrians out of the way while they ignore basic traffic regulations..

Tickityboo

coylemj wrote: »

Is this a new trend of lawlessness among cyclists?

I recently drove in on the N11 from Foxrock Church to to White's Cross only to find a cyclist in the righthand (outer) lane and cycling on the right side of the lane i.e. hugging the median. Considering that there is a cycle lane on the N11 which would take him all the way to Donnybrook and beyond, it was a pretty silly part of the road to be cycling on.

It's about time there was some 'zero tolerance' shown to cyclists who behave with impunity on the roads by barging through red lights and pedestrian crossing, in some cases by aping bicycle couriers and physically pushing pedestrians out of the way while they ignore basic traffic regulations..

I've witnessed two incidents this week of law breaking by cyclists.
First on Sunday at Whites Cross he went straight trough red light and ploughed a poor dog out of it being walked accross the road on a leash by it's owner.

Second was this morning on Nassau St.
again straight through a red pedestrian light and ploughed into a tourist crossing.
Both times cyclist was unsighted by my bus to the people crossing.

Because they both decided to fly up the nearside of it and just straight through without a bit of forward tought to the pedestrian crossing.
It is a very rare occasion to witness correct cyclist behavior at junctions and traffic lights.

bk

coylemj wrote: »

Is this a new trend of lawlessness among cyclists?

What the hell, how have we gotten from a report of someone being almost assaulted to this!!

Let me be very clear, punching someone for any reason other then defending yourself is assault, case close.

It doesn't matter if the person had been a cyclist, pedestrian, motorists or a pink dinosaur. It also doesn't matter what the person had been doing previously, even if they had been breaking the law, it is irrelevant, it is still assault and a particularly dangerous type.

This sort of demonishing of cyclists that seems to become popular over the last few months is truly horrifying and dangerous.

bk

Tickityboo wrote: »

I've witnessed two incidents this week of law breaking by cyclists.

Today I witnessed five acts of law breaking by motorists:

- Two cars drive through a red light
- One car clearly speeding in a 30km/h street
- Two cars stopped too forward of the traffic lights in the cycle section.

So what exactly is your point?

Tickityboo

bk wrote: »

What the hell, how have we gotten from a report of someone being almost assaulted to this!!

Let me be very clear, punching someone for any reason other then defending yourself is assault, case close.

It doesn't matter if the person had been a cyclist, pedestrian, motorists or a pink dinosaur. It also doesn't matter what the person had been doing previously, even if they had been breaking the law, it is irrelevant, it is still assault and a particularly dangerous type.

This sort of demonishing of cyclists that seems to become popular over the last few months is truly horrifying and dangerous.

Because they are being demonised means there's obviously cause too!!!

FirstinLastout

I saw two motorists break Red Lights this evening in Galway while I drove to work.
Earlier today whilst driving both to & from Oughterard I was held up by drivers ambling along slowly yet refusing to pull over and let others past:mad::mad::mad:

Clearly ALL MOTORISTS are villianous scum!!:rolleyes:

Cookie_Monster

coylemj wrote: »

Is this a new trend of lawlessness among cyclists?

no, there's always a few though, like motorists of pedestrians or whoever

coylemj wrote: »

I recently drove in on the N11 from Foxrock Church to to White's Cross only to find a cyclist in the righthand (outer) lane and cycling on the right side of the lane i.e. hugging the median. Considering that there is a cycle lane on the N11 which would take him all the way to Donnybrook and beyond, it was a pretty silly part of the road to be cycling on.

maybe he was turning right at the next junction?

coylemj wrote: »

It's about time there was some 'zero tolerance' shown to cyclists who behave with impunity on the roads by barging through red lights and pedestrian crossing, in some cases by aping bicycle couriers and physically pushing pedestrians out of the way while they ignore basic traffic regulations..

that's up to AGS to enforce, but they don't bother enforcing anything apart from speeding on the roads in general.

Tickityboo

bk wrote: »

Today I witnessed five acts of law breaking by motorists:

- Two cars drive through a red light
- One car clearly speeding in a 30km/h street
- Two cars stopped too forward of the traffic lights in the cycle section.

So what exactly is your point?

My point is as a city bus driver if I didn't drive defenceivly every second I'm out there.
I could easily kill at least ten cyclists a day because of their ignorance and blatent disregard for the law and rules of the road.

Cookie_Monster

Tickityboo wrote: »

My point is as a city bus driver if I didn't drive defenceivly every second I'm out there.
I could easily kill at least ten cyclists a day because of their ignorance and blatent disregard for the law and rules of the road.

And I on a bike could equally be killed 5-10 times a day by stupid inatentive motorists doing illegal things. Maybe the tarring brush would cushion the blow though...

Tickityboo

@firstinlastout and bk

But did they hit a pedestrian at a crossing and then just carry on with a nod and a halfhearted sorry?
Guess not because if they did they would get a nice fine and a ban and if driving for a living lose their job.

(These cyclists actually hit people and defencless animals.)

Tickityboo

Cookie_Monster wrote: »

And I on a bike could equally be killed 5-10 times a day by stupid inatentive motorists doing illegal things. Maybe the tarring brush would cushion the blow though...

Not if you're cycling defensively and thinking ahead!!

M.T. Cranium

Thus endeth the red-green alliance.

Cookie_Monster

Tickityboo wrote: »

Not if you're cycling defensively and thinking ahead!!

same reason you don't run over so many cyclists...

Jawgap

Tickityboo wrote: »

Not if you're cycling defensively and thinking ahead!!

That assumes that all the road users you can see are going to behave rationally and predictably - in my experience it's the road users (including drivers, cyclists and pedestrians) who behave irrationally and selfishly who are the most unpredictable and dangerous.

To deal with those you need to be clairvoyant rather than simply thinking ahead.

To wobble back towards the topic, the original incident should be reported to DB and the Guards, if it happened.

Dravokivich

the boss of me wrote: »

Calling bull**** on this thread... Anyone who has sat behind the wheel of a Dublin Bus can tell you its almost physically impossible to throw a punch outthe window.. given this.is the op's.first post and he claims to have witnessed this incident but was unable to see the number on the bus, it all seems a bit fishy to me.

There is a side of the bus where the route number isn't visible from.

hardCopy

coylemj wrote: »

Is this a new trend of lawlessness among cyclists?

I recently drove in on the N11 from Foxrock Church to to White's Cross only to find a cyclist in the righthand (outer) lane and cycling on the right side of the lane i.e. hugging the median. Considering that there is a cycle lane on the N11 which would take him all the way to Donnybrook and beyond, it was a pretty silly part of the road to be cycling on.

It's about time there was some 'zero tolerance' shown to cyclists who behave with impunity on the roads by barging through red lights and pedestrian crossing, in some cases by aping bicycle couriers and physically pushing pedestrians out of the way while they ignore basic traffic regulations..

There is nothing lawless about choosing not to use a cycle lane.

smackyB

hardCopy wrote: »

There is nothing lawless about choosing not to use a cycle lane.

Actually it's entirely legal for a cyclist to use the road rather than a cycle lane - the law that covered this was altered last October.

papu

smackyB wrote: »

Actually it's entirely legal for a cyclist to use the road rather than a cycle lane - the law that covered this was altered last October.

Been Beeped at, Shouted at and dangerously tailgated for cycling in the right hand side of the left lane when I want to make a right turn and not cut across 2 lanes of traffic to do so. Coming out of junctions can also force the cyclist to be stuck in the right hand side of the left lane if traffic is heavy. Some drivers are just bullys & some cyclists are eejits. But from what the OP has said it sounds the bus driver lost the plot.

seamus

Having to share half of the 15's route on my commute, there are one or two drivers on that route who are exceptionally inconsiderate and dangerous, usually tailgating and overtaking too close.

They seem to be assholes on the road in general though, it's not restricted to their attitude towards cyclists.

There are other drivers on the route who are exceptionally decent.

It's a long route, maybe the assholes are old-school union heads who resent having longer periods between breaks and so are always in a foul mood.

mitosis

hardCopy wrote: »

There is nothing lawless about choosing not to use a cycle lane.

No, but ironically I witnessed a motorist getting abuse from a cyclist yesterday for being too close to the kerb, while a cycle track ran alongside unused.

mitosis

papu wrote: »

Been Beeped at, Shouted at and dangerously tailgated for cycling in the right hand side of the left lane when I want to make a right turn and not cut across 2 lanes of traffic to do so. Coming out of junctions can also force the cyclist to be stuck in the right hand side of the left lane if traffic is heavy. Some drivers are just bullys & some cyclists are eejits. But from what the OP has said it sounds the bus driver lost the plot.

Some form of hand signal would eliminate a lot of this

cython

Fiskar wrote: »

As a witness, did you get the bus registration and route number?

As you say, the cyclist was clearly on the wrong side of the road.

Were any words expressed between both parties prior to the alleged punch?

The bus driver may have been antagonised previously and prior to the incident in question. He would have CCTV on board to prove his case.

Short of the cyclist boarding the bus, decking the driver, and then being in the process of escaping on his bike (or similar far-fetched circumstances), having been "antagonised" is no excuse for the driver of one of the largest types of vehicle on the road to intimidate and even attempt to assault one of the most vulnerable road users. Sure you might as well suggest they clip passengers who may have caused trouble on their bus with the wingmirror after they disembark while you're at it!

Spook_ie

papu wrote: »

Been Beeped at, Shouted at and dangerously tailgated for cycling in the right hand side of the left lane when I want to make a right turn and not cut across 2 lanes of traffic to do so. Coming out of junctions can also force the cyclist to be stuck in the right hand side of the left lane if traffic is heavy. Some drivers are just bullys & some cyclists are eejits. But from what the OP has said it sounds the bus driver lost the plot.

Unless the lane you are in is for right turning traffic then you are in the wrong lane, if it is for right turning traffic then the use of correct hand signals would probably alleviate the situation

Zebra3

Tickityboo wrote: »

(These cyclists actually hit people and defencless animals.)

A new low on here for the war on cyclists. :rolleyes:

I see plenty of roadkill when I'm out cycling and it sure as hell isn't cyclists that are doing the damage.

cbl593h

As happened here there was probably a pair of them in it............:eek:

Tickityboo

Zebra3 wrote: »

A new low on here for the war on cyclists. :rolleyes:

I see plenty of roadkill when I'm out cycling and it sure as hell isn't cyclists that are doing the damage.

There's a major difference to being hit while crossig a pedestrian crossing and an animal running out on the road in front of a vehicle.
Stop talking nonsense!!

Spook_ie

Just as a point of interest, anyone able to find an image of a cyclist by the side of a bus, I'm finding it difficult to decide if a driver of a bus would be at the right height to whack a cyclist anyway?