[Malaconotus]

This kind of discussion of how cyclists are ‘fair game’ and ‘want knocking off’ is all too common. What makes this one special and terrifying is that the discussion is between Leeds bus drivers, including an instructor.

http://forum.ctc.org.uk/download/file.php?id=37882&mode=view

Topic

[classic33]

Malaconotus wrote:

Peowpeowpeowlasers wrote:

I don’t mean to sound negative but why should I take it for granted that the image posted is a genuine conversation?

A little googling will show the people concerned are employed by First Bus. The original source is concerned about recriminations which may account for the lack of publicity so far. First Bus and other relevant authorities are now aware.

One of those who comments on this, works for the Royal Mail. The rest were describing themselves as working for first buses bramley, which doesn’t exist. One claims to be a conductor on single crewed services.

Missing from the top of that are three photo’s of a cyclist(taking the buses details) at the junction of Armley Road & Canal Street, headed into Leeds. Armley Road crossing in front of a lay-by where the pictures were taken, from the cab of the bus. Steering wheel visible rules out any CCTV link. Also the name of the person who’s making the first comment shown

First Leeds do have a depot/garage in Bramley.

First Leeds are aware of the pieces posted, and have issued warnings to all managers over the wording used. They may be wanting to prevent any publicity, but what about us as cyclists putting the matter into the public domain?

[Malaconotus]

Peowpeowpeowlasers wrote:

I don’t mean to sound negative but why should I take it for granted that the image posted is a genuine conversation?

A little googling will show the people concerned are employed by First Bus. The original source is concerned about recriminations which may account for the lack of publicity so far. First Bus and other relevant authorities are now aware.

[Accessibility for all]

I don’t mean to sound

I don’t mean to sound negative but why should I take it for granted that the image posted is a genuine conversation?

[ironmancole]

In any other realm this would

In any other realm this would surely be evidence of planned intentions to cause harm or death, or attempted/achieved murder.

If this was instead an online forum discussing leaving an explosive device in a shopping centre you’d have counter terrorism agencies putting your door through.

If police and the bus company itself are refusing to engage it becomes a matter for the MP to investigate under demand of serious concern for public safety, fitness to operate public service vehicles and police refusing to do what the publuc pay them to do, namely keep people safe and uphold the law.

Why is such a story not aggressively pursued rather than being on here?!

[BikeBud]

Ah, those “professional”

Ah, those “professional” drivers.  

[severs1966]

Massive hostility, bordering

Massive hostility, bordering on homicidal, from bus drivers directed towards bike riders in Leeds?

This will come as no surprise at all to anyone who rides a bike in Leeds. The bus companies frequently receive reports of very dangerous behaviour, and occasional attack runs, by their drivers. They always state that the bus driver has been “spoken to” about it; in other words, they refuse to do anything.

The police refuse to intervene because doing so would be “a violation of the data protection act”. This is normal too, as it is well known that Leeds cops will do anything in their power to deny the protection of the law to bike riders; for decades there has been systematic hatred of bike riders by Leeds cops.

Sorry, but this just isn’t news. The news is merely that they have been caught red-handed discussing their preferred approach to killing people on bikes.

Nothing will be done about it; neither the bus company nor the police are interested. They never were; they never will be. This is part of the reason why cycling in Leeds is so terrifying and therefore bikes feature so low in the modal share.

[Yorkshie Whippet]

And your point is?

And your point is?

I’ve had First Busses mount the pavement to “beat” me.  Contact First and their stock response is ” as a cyclist I can imagine how….. Our drivers are trained to the highest standards.” Apparently highest standards don’t in involve hazard perception, safety of other road users or appropriate  use of the brake.

[Author]

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