McGill's Madness (**Response Received**)
**UPDATE 27/02/2014**
Well, surprisingly I've had a response from Mr Roberts, the MD of McGill's. It seems this driving is just fine because the driver did not encroach on the ASL feeder and there are issues with the 'available road space'. :-/
These would be the same issues with 'available road space' faced by this driver on the same day, on the same road? Spot the difference? • Cyclilsts and Buses - we can get along jus...
The text of the email can be seen here: http://joesoap76.blogspot.com/2014/02...
********
Email to McGills. CC'd to SPT, Govan Police, Scottish Traffic Commissioner & Frank McAveety:
Dear Sir/Madam,
Cycling home from work today I was involved in an incident involving one of your buses: SJ57 DDZ / J2403. As I approached a set of traffic lights on Paisley Road West the driver of your bus drew level with me and needlessly moved into my lane forcing me into the gutter against a metal barrier. When I asked if he couldn't have simply held back rather than pull alongside the driver pointed to the narrow strip of paint which leads to the advanced stop line and told me that was the cycle lane I should be using.
A video of this incident is available to view here: • McGill's Madness (**Response Received**)
I wonder if you could please tell me whether this driving meets the standards which you require from your drivers. In particular, do you believe that this meets the requirements of Rule 163 of the Highway Code which states that drivers should "give vulnerable road users at least as much space as you would a car" and is the driver's understanding of Rule 63 correct? I would also be interested to know your reaction to the clear 'punishment pass' the driver made once the traffic lights had changed to green, where he overtook me in such a way as to come within only a foot or so of the back of my bicycle whilst accelerating past me.
If you do not believe this driver met the standards you expect, can I presume you will be taking action to ensure that he, and all of your drivers, are clear that this kind of dangerous driving will not be tolerated?
I would also like to draw your attention to the driver's reaction when I took note of his number plate. I am sorry to say that this is not the first incident of dangerous driving by one of your drivers which I have encountered and I am also sorry to say that the reactions of your drivers has, rightly or wrongly, given me the impression that such behaviour is institutional at McGill's. Having your driver laugh and offer me his pencil to write down his details today has only served to reinforce this opinion.
I commute to work by bicycle on a daily basis. As you can imagine, having somebody put me in danger like this is not something I am willing to simply ignore. I am therefore copying in several other individuals and organisations with this email who I believe will have an interest in knowing that you take seriously your responsibility to the safety of vulnerable road users who come in contact with your buses.
Yours faithfully,
Joe
----
There was simply no need to squeeze me into the gutter here. What's worse, the driver thinks he's absolutely justified... and seems very (very) confident that his employer will agree with him.
25/02/2014 @ 17:01
Paisley Road West, Glasgow,
McGill's Buses
SJ57 DDZ
SJ57DDZ
J2403