Thanks, Chris. It's a good point that bikes sometimes cause hazards, as do car
drivers (such as the woman on the cell phone who blew a red this morning,
nearly hitting both bikes and other cars, at Monroe and Regent). In my opinion,
traffic laws should be better enforced on all vehicles, including bikes,
particularly when some violation, like speeding or running a light, puts others
at risk.
But the guidance you are giving drivers on Charter is probably illegal, at
least during times when the traffic is heavy. The bike lane is a travel lane
like any others, and buses shouldn't block it when they are idling at a place
where there is no stop. When traffic is backed up there is plenty of time for
drivers to make a right signal at the stop, let any bikes clear out of the
blind spot and then pull over. (Some drivers do do this, and it's appreciated.)
Same goes for right-turning on University Avenue. When buses and cars waiting
to turn right all hug the curb, the bike lane ends up being an illegal right
turn lane.
When traffic is not backed up, hugging the curb before making the stop might
make sense, as the buses are moving and not blocking bike traffic in that lane.
Eric
From: "Olson, Chris" <[email protected]>
To: 'Eric Sundquist' <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, August 8, 2011 11:53 AM
Subject: RE: [Bikies] Buzzed by Metro bus
Eric,
Drivers are trained to protect their right side of the bus that’s why they’re
in the bike lane on Charter. This keeps bikes, mopes and pedestrians from
getting in between bus and the curb. Buses either go straight on Charter or
turn right onto University by hugging the curb they keep other vehicles out of
their blind spots on the right side. Eric you must ride your bike a lot and
after having a Madison Police Officer review the video from the incident on
Fair Oaks Ave. She stated bikes are consider a vehicle and are to adhere to the
same traffic laws as any other vehicle. This is a issue that Metro drivers and
Road Supervisors bring up to me and after being a road supervisor for several
years it ‘s a valid one. Before we had video customer complaints were the
customers word against the drivers word which made it hard to discipline
drivers. Since all buses have video now we can look at each situation and
validate the concerns of both parties. We
take a proactive stance with regards to all safety issues with our drivers
when a customer, pedestrian, biker or citizen makes a complaint, this can be
from retraining to disciplinarian action by Metro. The question I get from
drivers is what is being done to bicyclists who don’t follow the same traffic
laws as any other vehicle on the streets of Madison.
Chris Olson
Metro transit
General Operations Supervisor
608-267-8762
colson@cityof madison.com
From:Eric Sundquist [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Monday, August 08, 2011 10:26 AM
To: Jay Ferm; [email protected]
Cc: Olson, Chris
Subject: Re: [Bikies] Buzzed by Metro bus
Mostly I find Metro drivers to be courteous. The one place I run into routine
disrespect for bikes is on southbound Charter Street between Linden and
University. There's a midblock stop on Charter, which means the buses have to
pull into the bike lane. Frequently, rather than pulling over at the stop,
buses turning from Linden will travel much of the block along the curb in the
bike lane. At times when traffic backs up at University, this means they are
blocking the bike lane through several light cycles.
This bike lane idling is unnecessary for the buses and holds up bike traffic,
some of which diverts to the crowded sidewalk or to the left side of the
bus, creating a bit of a hazard. The issue is less the danger, though, than
holding up people traveling by bike for no good reason.
Eric Sundquist
From:Jay Ferm <[email protected]>
To: [email protected]
Cc: "Olson, Chris" <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, August 7, 2011 9:37 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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