Talk about scaring the crap out of a guy.
I was returning home from a quick ride along the coast, riding in the bike lane on eastbound San Vicente Blvd when I was Jerry Browned by a Santa Monica Big Blue Bus.
No warning.
I hear a large vehicle coming up on my left. And next thing I know, there’s a bus actually sharing the bike lane with me — without slowing down.
Not only did I not get a three-foot passing margin, thanks to our governor’s two-timing veto pen, but my position in the middle of the bike lane meant the bus passed me at less than an arm’s reach before I bailed to the right.
In a sense, I was never in any real danger; the whole thing was over and I was safe — scared to death, but safe — in less than a second, tops. But another foot or two to the right, and I might not be here now to complain about it.
And no, I haven’t filed a complaint with the bus company yet.
But trust me, I will.
Never in any real danger? You’ve got to be kidding. That was insane. That film clearly shows a violation of the VC. Please report that. I would have had a word with the driver as well. WOW!!
That was really scary! Please do report the driver to the bus company.
To add insult to injury, they usually honk their horn at me when they’re right on top of me. That sucks, 20 tons vs. 200 lbs. You showed considerable restraint by not pounding on the doors with your fists as I probably would have done.
Had the driver been looking my way, I probably would have said something. But when I passed, he was focused on a passenger standing behind him; I have a feeling he never saw me at all.
I would have gone ballistic on him, too. You most certainly were in danger, if he’d swerved anymore to the right… ayiyiyiyi.
My point was that by the time I knew I was in danger, it was all over. But if the driver had sneezed at that moment, I probably would have been, as well.
You’re a better man than me. I would have been tearing those doors open and tearing into that driver. Please report this. Glad the driver didn’t sneeze.
This is exactly why I ride in traffic with a video camera running. You may want to get a second camera to mount on your seat post and facing rearward. If anybody gets close enough to hit you, the camera will be pointing directly at their car, their license plate and their face.
Glad you’re safe! Wow, that was a little too close for comfort.
That side mirror could have killed you. What are the lane widths on San Vicente?
These are professional drivers licensed by the State of California. I do not understand how a professional driver could not be aware of his or her position on the roadway at all times.
I’ll say up front there’s no excuse for your buzzing, but generally I’ve found BBB drivers to be exceptionally aware and considerate of me when I’m riding, slowing down and waiting for a safe place to pass and not squeezing or buzzing me like you experienced in your clip.
That said, I too have had a BBB or two come closer than common sense dictates, but on the whole they do a much better job than most of the other bus agencies in my riding experience.
I’ll second that. I’ve been using BBB for the past 30 years, and they’ve always had outstanding drivers.
I have encountered two BBB drivers whose behavior was unacceptable. They weren’t working there long.
I’ve had at least one similar experience on San Vicente. It’s not isolated.