So I got a bike camera

jon1981

Hi,

So I've had a rear facing camera for a number of months now for commuting daily, I never really look at the footage, never any cause to.

Today, something quite disturbing happened.

I was coming to the lights on the Clontarf road turning for the Howth along with a stream of cyclists, there was also a bus turning left onto the same road. We all turned fine with loads of room, the bus had to slow down alittle way up the road to let some cyclists pass and pull in to the stop.

I continued on and I noticed that I kept arriving at the subsequent bus stops just as this bus was getting there and he would have to slow down slightly (we are talking seconds here as I move pretty fast). Eventually he got frustrated and he pulled right in on top of me and I had to slam the side of the bus with my fist for him to stop.

I continued on and we stopped together at a set of lights. I asked him why did he try and overtake me just to pull straight in on top of me... his reply ... "well what did you do to me on the corner of the Howth road and Clontarf? "

Please keep in mind, i clearly indicated and took the cycle lane around that corner, the bus had plenty of room.

I was pretty angry! I replied "So it's ok for you to pull a 10 tonne bus in on top of me? it's the same thing?" He then resorted to name calling ...etc.

Now i come across my fair share of gob****es on the road, both cyclists and motorists and I rarely if ever stop to make a point of it. I have clear video footage and not sure if i should do anything. It's his retort is what is bothering me, in his head he is justified in doing what he did?!

TheBlaaMan

Contact his employer if you feel that it warrants a disciplinary action, as one will probably be taken against him. He sounds like he needs a bit of re-educating along the 10 tonne bus V cyclist theme

fat bloke

If in doubt. Report.

magicbastarder

I just like the idea that camera footage could start to act as a contagion. That so-called professional drivers may actually hesitate before doing something stupid because he heard of a colleague being caught out by footage.

Roadtoad

All the Dublin Bus vehicles have their own cameras, which have improved safety Hugely. The manager will have access to that too.

ED E

Roadtoad wrote: »

All the Dublin Bus vehicles have their own cameras, which have improved safety Hugely. The manager will have access to that too.

Costs like ?7 to FOIA that. Worth a punt to add to your own footage.

magicbastarder

i've heard anecdotally (i.e. on here) of several instances where that footage gets lost in the ether.

arybvtcw0eolkf

If its just the drivers retorts which are bothering you, and they're not on your footage? ~ I'd try forget about it.

In fairness most bus drivers are pretty well aware of us and take the proper precautions (in my experience), but there's always going to be assholes too. Sounds like you got a live one.

I cycle the same route and I've always thought that the last few hundred meters (from the pedestrian bridge at Josephs to the Howth Road junction) must be a nightmare for bus drivers with cyclists seemingly swarming all over the place. Doesn't help that the cycle lane runs between driving lanes and then the scramble for position between the Malahide Rd & the Howth Rd.

Its a crazy bit of road to share between buses, cyclists, taxi's and other motorists.

jon1981

I think I needed the venting!

Makikomi makes a good point, that stretch of road is horrendous for bus drivers given the amount of cyclists. I guess we can all have a bad day.

I'll let it slide, hopefully the confrontation with me is enough to cop him on. I might stick the footage up later and see what you guys think.

Eponymous

Don't delete it anyway! If you're not reporting it this time round and you have second incident, then you've plenty of footage to work with.

Samuel T. Cogley

Go the middle road. There's a cyclist joke in there somewhere. Call DB explain the situation and ask for it to be dealt with informally. Very little may come of it, or his manager might have a quiet word.

You don't get to have a bad day in a 10 ton bus. They're well paid professionals and they have to act like it.

mr spuckler

jon1981 wrote: »

I think I needed the venting!

Makikomi makes a good point, that stretch of road is horrendous for bus drivers given the amount of cyclists. I guess we can all have a bad day.

I'll let it slide, hopefully the confrontation with me is enough to cop him on. I might stick the footage up later and see what you guys think.

it is a bad stretch of road but from your description that's not where the incident happened. he should not feel entitled to vent his frustration at you later on using his bus as his weapon of choice.

Tabnabs

ED E wrote: »

Costs like ?7 to FOIA that. Worth a punt to add to your own footage.

Just to clear this issue up, FOI requests are normally free, especially the initial request.

Details here http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/government_in_ireland/national_government/standards_and_accountability/freedom_of_information.html#l62fd2

Effects

ED E wrote: »

Costs like ?7 to FOIA that. Worth a punt to add to your own footage.

Probably only lasts a week, max.

jon1981

Footage of incident with a bus that I promised to share...

Main incident is at 8min 30s and 9min30s. You can see I was ahead of the bus first time and second time he got alot closer!

https://youtu.be/aAdpEZj77fg

ED E

Tabnabs wrote: »

Just to clear this issue up, FOI requests are normally free, especially the initial request.

Details here http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/government_in_ireland/national_government/standards_and_accountability/freedom_of_information.html#l62fd2

ED E wrote: »

Costs like ?7 to FOIA that. Worth a punt to add to your own footage.

I think I misspoke there. DB arent a true state body so dont fall under FOIA, so you submit a DPC request for CCTV pertaining to your person. A boardsie has written a guide before which I can't find. Theres a paper fee involved of a few euro.

jon1981 wrote: »

Footage of incident with a bus that I promised to share...

Main incident is at 8min 30s and 9min30s. You can see I was ahead of the bus first time and second time he got alot closer!

https://youtu.be/aAdpEZj77fg

Now thats what I call Driving without due care and attention.

ThisRegard

Second instance, what the hell was he playing at? I do think it would be worth sharing it with Dublin Bus.

jon1981

So I'm right to think this is worth reporting? I probably left it alittle late.

ThisRegard

I would, I don't think the time elapsed is an issue, it shows an example of dangerous and poor driving.

Alanstrainor

jon1981 wrote: »

Footage of incident with a bus that I promised to share...

Main incident is at 8min 30s and 9min30s. You can see I was ahead of the bus first time and second time he got alot closer!

https://youtu.be/aAdpEZj77fg

The first clip I was thinking, "ah maybe that wasn't so bad, but silly of the bus to start a pass there". The second one at 9:30 was a real WTF moment, and there's traffic there too. Definitely report that to traffic watch. I don't know if I'd bother getting in touch with Dublin Bus, they'll only try and protect their own.

EDIT: I mean you probably should not have left it this long to report, but better late than never right?

jon1981

Alanstrainor wrote: »

The first clip I was thinking, "ah maybe that wasn't so bad, but silly of the bus to start a pass there". The second one at 9:30 was a real WTF moment, and there's traffic there too. Definitely report that to traffic watch. I don't know if I'd bother getting in touch with Dublin Bus, they'll only try and protect their own.

EDIT: I mean you probably should not have left it this long to report, but better late than never right?

When I confronted the driver ( footage i left out), his retort was "well what did you do to me on the corner of the howth road".

See that incident at 5mins 40s.

jon1981

Alanstrainor wrote: »

The first clip I was thinking, "ah maybe that wasn't so bad, but silly of the bus to start a pass there". The second one at 9:30 was a real WTF moment, and there's traffic there too. Definitely report that to traffic watch. I don't know if I'd bother getting in touch with Dublin Bus, they'll only try and protect their own.

EDIT: I mean you probably should not have left it this long to report, but better late than never right?

I know, I got caught up with overseas work travel and never got back to it. :mad:

ED E

Im sure they have to keep a roster of who was driving each bus for several months. You have the time and date, registration and bus number (9009 I think). Plenty for a lookup.

A bad private driver is a medium danger <2hrs a day. A bad bus driver is a serious danger 8hrs a day. 100% report.

Danbo!

Just don't expect them to care too much - similar incident for me last week - for no reason, no way he just didn't see me - Emailed it to Dublin bus who just replied with a generic response about how their drivers take a safety course every year.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=flJ4IaBqplM

mr spuckler

jon1981 wrote: »

When I confronted the driver ( footage i left out), his retort was "well what did you do to me on the corner of the howth road".

See that incident at 5mins 40s.

so that demonstrates that he did it out of revenge? i'd 100% report it, as others have said the 2nd move in particular was extremely dangerous.

btw and 100% separate from the revenge aspect i just don't understand why you went to undertake him at that turn to the howth road. in terms of risk to your own safety why would you ever choose to be on the inside of a left turning vehicle?

Alanstrainor

jon1981 wrote: »

When I confronted the driver ( footage i left out), his retort was "well what did you do to me on the corner of the howth road".

See that incident at 5mins 40s.

I mean you maneouvre was pretty dumb. Undertaking a bus on a left hand bend? Asking to be squished.

But the bus driver doesn't get to retaliate, ever. He can't run you off the road and say "oh he did xyz to me earlier". That just doesn't work.

I'd actually be removing that part of the video if you were submitting it. It should have no bearing on what happened later.

jon1981

mr spuckler wrote: »

so that demonstrates that he did it out of revenge? i'd 100% report it, as others have said the 2nd move in particular was extremely dangerous.

btw and 100% separate from the revenge aspect i just don't understand why you went to undertake him at that turn to the howth road. in terms of risk to your own safety why would you ever choose to be on the inside of a left turning vehicle?

I guess, it's hard to tell because of the lack of front footage, but it's actually a wide turn and the cycle lane (faded) continues around the corner. Also (can't be seen) there were 2 cyclists parallel to the bus at the same turn. But point taken.

jon1981

Alanstrainor wrote: »

I'd actually be removing that part of the video if you were submitting it. It should have no bearing on what happened later.

I guess it might have a bearing because the driver referenced it, but agree it's no excuse.

Moflojo

Danbo! wrote: »

Just don't expect them to care too much - similar incident for me last week - for no reason, no way he just didn't see me - Emailed it to Dublin bus who just replied with a generic response about how their drivers take a safety course every year.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=flJ4IaBqplM

The council's latest design for the Amiens Street/North Strand cycle route will have every bus stop intersecting with the cycle lane just like in this video, i.e. the cycle lane ends at the bus stop and you have to figure it out yourself.

Inquitus

I was cycling along the longmile road on Saturday playing a similar game of leapfrog with a Bus, as he stopped I'd pass etc. Anyways after a while he started trying to pass me as close as possible, did it 3 or 4 times only inches from my shoulder with the left side of his bus, clearly these drivers have no cop on or common sense / decency, its unnecessary and outright dangerous should he miscalculate slightly.

mr spuckler

jon1981 wrote: »

I guess, it's hard to tell because of the lack of front footage, but it's actually a wide turn and the cycle lane (faded) continues around the corner. Also (can't be seen) there were 2 cyclists parallel to the bus at the same turn. But point taken.

i know the turn well, it was on my commute for a long time and still is from time to time. the other things you mentioned don't matter, you simply shouldn't be there.

but i don't want to sidetrack too much, it's such an unbelievable dick move from the driver compounded by his acknowledgement that he did it for punishment. please do report it and let us know how that goes.

mr spuckler

Inquitus wrote: »

I was cycling along the longmile road on Saturday playing a similar game of leapfrog with a Bus, as he stopped I'd pass etc. Anyways after a while he started trying to pass me as close as possible, did it 3 or 4 times only inches from my shoulder with the left side of his bus, clearly these drivers have no cop on or common sense / decency, its unnecessary and outright dangerous should he miscalculate slightly.

or should you need to adjust your position in the lane at all due to broken surface / drain cover / gust of wind. these are the things that people who have cameras really need to be reporting on a regular basis.

Pawwed Rig

I have reported bus drivers a couple of times in the past and neither were followed up by the company. A report to the Gardai would be better imo but be prepared for them to do nothing either.

AndrewJRenko

Definitely report it - and/or push it out a bit on social media and see what happens.

Danbo!

Moflojo wrote: »

The council's latest design for the Amiens Street/North Strand cycle route will have every bus stop intersecting with the cycle lane just like in this video, i.e. the cycle lane ends at the bus stop and you have to figure it out yourself.

To be honest, I really like this design - hear me out - It's off road and separated from the path. It doesnt stay off-road at bus stops, meaning no random yield sign before the bus stop, and you don't have peds standing around on the track while waiting for the bus. I've passed this, and the other stop on the same stretch, thousands of times in the last few years and that's been my first issue.

The driver didn't indicate until he was half way past me, and I stupidly assumed he wasn't stopping because I thought "why would he try and pass me?" given 99% of drivers in that situation would have just waited behind. I guess he gambled that he could get by and it didn't work out.

thejaguar

The second one is ridiculous - extremely dangerous in my view.

m5ex9oqjawdg2i

Why are DB and the Gardai not taking these reports seriously?

How do we change this?

Driver swerved for me as he didn't agree with cyclists being on the road, according to him, they belong on the foot path. Reported it to the Gardai and the reply I received was "Sure he didn't hit you, did he?". At that point I thought to myself "if that's the support I get from our law enforcement, i'll take matters into my own hands the next time"...

What the hell are we expected to do with this absolute rash thinking towards us?

Alanstrainor

Paisley Tangy Villain wrote: »

Why are DB and the Gardai not taking these reports seriously?

How do we change this?

Driver swerved for me as he didn't agree with cyclists being on the road, according to him, they belong on the foot path. Reported it to the Gardai and the reply I received was "Sure he didn't hit you, did he?"...

I wonder if escalation to their superiors, or requesting that in writing is the next step? When I submitted my bike cam footage to the gardai the gard I dealt with was very sympathetic, but it just so happened that he was a cyclist and could relate. He ended up calling to the house of the driver that night and showing him the footage and asking for a comment.

(For clarity, I went through Traffic Watch, which I believe changes things a bit as it is now on the system as an incident requiring follow up.)

Danbo!

Paisley Tangy Villain wrote: »

Why are DB and the Gardai not taking these reports seriously?

How do we change this?

Driver swerved for me as he didn't agree with cyclists being on the road, according to him, they belong on the foot path. Reported it to the Gardai and the reply I received was "Sure he didn't hit you, did he?". At that point I thought to myself "if that's the support I get from our law enforcement, i'll take matters into my own hands the next time"...

What the hell are we expected to do with this absolute rash thinking towards us?

Yeah I'm having a hard time with this. I got the brush off too and it really left a sour taste in my mouth with regards to the gardai. In my case I was hit, while the driver was making an illegal turn, and I had footage. The response was very much "But you're not injured, so we can't do anything "

It sucks to now just accept these close passes and dangerous treatment from motorists as part of everyday commuting, sure the gardai wouldn't do anything when I was hit, why would they bother when I wasn't.

Had a BMW tailgate me right down the bus lane of the quays this morning. Two gardai on foot patrol strolling along and my first thought was "Ah whats the point". Not great.

conkennedy

Danbo! wrote: »

Just don't expect them to care too much - similar incident for me last week - for no reason, no way he just didn't see me - Emailed it to Dublin bus who just replied with a generic response about how their drivers take a safety course every year.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=flJ4IaBqplM

I had a similar incident last year, but at least the driver pulled in 'slightly' ahead - only by 4 or 5 seconds or so.

I made a complaint to Dublin Bus, they phoned me to discuss. They gave me the spiel about their busses having cameras too (in a passive aggressive way) and that their drivers have to deal with all sorts of traffic daily.

To which I interrupted and said that I too am a driver (full clean licence for over 25 years), and (at the time) I had a 190km commute to and from work daily. Meaning I also have to deal with all sorts of traffic and all sorts or roads.

I made my complaint in a reasonable manner with a calm tone of voice, saying I didn't want the driver to get into trouble (which I didn't) it was all about respect on the road and awareness of other road users. I kept emphasising the nature of the close pass (on a single white line) and pulling into a stop immediately after - what was to be gained by a couple of seconds. Also, by pulling into the stop meant I had to overtake the stationary bus, adding further risk.

I was then told that the driver would have to attend a mandatory safety course (i.e. the manager had watched the video and agreed the close pass and pulling in warranted further training).

I said, well if that's your policy I suggest bringing your driver to Connolly Station. 'What?' he said. Ask your driver to stand on the platform, between the edge and the yellow line, with his back to the oncoming train. Wait for an express train to pass. That's what it feels like to have a close pass.

He took my point.

check_six

Danbo! wrote: »

Yeah I'm having a hard time with this. I got the brush off too and it really left a sour taste in my mouth with regards to the gardai. In my case I was hit, while the driver was making an illegal turn, and I had footage. The response was very much "But you're not injured, so we can't do anything "

And yet when the driver does go on to hurt someone it's an 'accident', and they have a 'clean record'. :mad:

conkennedy wrote: »

I said, well if that's your policy I suggest bringing your driver to Connolly Station. 'What?' he said. Ask your driver to stand on the platform, between the edge and the yellow line, with his back to the oncoming train. Wait for an express train to pass. That's what it feels like to have a close pass.

He took my point.

To hell with standing on the platform, try getting them to cycle along the lip of the platform as the train is blasting past. That's a more accurate controlled situation close pass.

conkennedy

check_six wrote: »

To hell with standing on the platform, try getting them to cycle along the lip of the platform as the train is blasting past. That's a more accurate controlled situation close pass.

Danbo!

conkennedy wrote: »

...and that their drivers have to deal with all sorts of traffic daily...

You mean like, your, uh, job? :rolleyes:

De Bhál

jon1981 wrote: »

Footage of incident with a bus that I promised to share...

Main incident is at 8min 30s and 9min30s. You can see I was ahead of the bus first time and second time he got alot closer!

https://youtu.be/aAdpEZj77fg

I'd be reporting that alright,
Driver was right though, your move up the inside of the left turning bus onto the Howth Road was ridiculous. Why would you even try that?? You're going to get yourself killed at that stuff.