I got forced into the parking lane last year by a Metro driver last year who
switched into my lane too quickly on Wilson, coming down from the Capitol. I
complained to Metro and at first the response was that their camera showed she
did not almost hit me. I explaned that the reason she did not almost hit me is
because I am trained in defensive bicycling and knew how to get out of the way,
but that many other bicyclists would not know how to do the same. We talked a
bit about their training (described in another email by Robbie). I would like
drivers to be required as part of their training to get not just the
intellectual knowledge about bike safety, but to bike next to a moving Metro
bus; I think it would definitely improve the driving of the few drivers who
seem
clueless.
Kathryn Kingsbury
www.kathrynkingsbury.com
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/kathrynkingsbury
Skype: kathryn.kingsbury
________________________________
From: Jay Ferm <[email protected]>
To: [email protected]
Cc: "Olson, Chris" <[email protected]>
Sent: Sun, August 7, 2011 9:37:15 PM
Subject: [Bikies] Buzzed by Metro bus
Hi folks,
I figured I'd share my report of a Metro bus buzzing incident and Metro's
response. Aside from contaminating my name, I am satisfied enough with the
response, such as it is. But the incident got me wondering...
What is the view among bicyclists of how Metro bus drivers interact with
bicyclists in general? I would like to hear from the list if you feel there are
issues regarding how Metro drivers interact with bicyclists.
Have any LCIs, transportation or family cyclists from the bicycling community
reviewed Metro's training protocol regarding bicyclists? It might be
interesting
to assess their training against best practices.
(I have cc:ed Chris Olson, a Metro General Operations Supervisor. If you have
anything to report, please cc: him, too.)
Thanks,
Jay Ferm
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Olson, Chris <[email protected]>
Date: Wed, Aug 3, 2011 at 10:13 AM
Subject: Your Feedback Received on 8/2/2011 - #31933
To: "[email protected]" <[email protected]>
Mr. Germ
I reviewed the video from bus 947 to investigate your safety concern. It showed
you making a left turn and the bus moving over to the right to go around you
and
your children. The video recorded the bus going the posted speed limited. I did
talk to the driver and felt he should've slowed his bus when approaching
bicyclist from behind. I truly believe you and your children were not in danger
from the driver's maneuver to pass you. I apologize if this incident made you
feel threatened by our bus. We do take safety very seriously at Metro and
continue to train our driver's with refresher training every year. We also use
the video as a tool to show drivers how to handle situations on the road and
change driving habits. If you've any questions please feel free to contact me.
Chris Olson
Metro transit
General Operations Supervisor
608-267-8762
colson@cityof madison.com
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Your Feedback:
Dear Metro,
I write to tell you of a dangerous driving on Sunday, July 31 involving a Metro
bus. My family were riding our bikes on the eastside. I was pulling a bike
trailer with our two toddlers. We had turned right from Ivy St. onto S. Fair
Oaks Ave. northbound. Preparing to turn left onto Thorp St. we positioned
ourselves in the left lane and signaled our turn. As we waited for southbound
traffic to pass I noted a Metro bus approaching us from the south. As the bus
approached it did not slow down to a safe passing speed. With oncoming traffic
and the load of the trailer and kids I could not get out of the bus' way. It
passed us going much too fast and much too close. I sensed, but cannot confirm
(since my attention was split between front and back), that the driver swerved
the bus around us. It was not clear to me that we were safe and that the driver
was aware of our presence prior to passing.
I am very angry about what happened. The driver put me and my children at risk.
The number on the bus was 947 and it occurred at about 5:38pm.
I would like to...request the incident be investigated.
Best,
Jay Ferm
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