As if he didn't ruin your day already by buzzing you, he has to add insult to injury by displaying mind-numbing ignorance of 2 weheeled vehicles' rights. You may have more luck with the city's equivalent of insurance loss prevention officer than the police, the people concerned about limiting the city's liability...after all it could get expensive to run over people that have a right to the road! Maybe they could make the transit dept. send all the drivers back to school for extra training on bike issues.
I take my bike on the bus rack & the drivers are generally very nice whether I'm on the bus or they are passing me. I did get a wake up call last week though - I was still on the bus, it was snowing, and a guy HAD to get into his parked car that second while the bus was going by - we all, including the driver, commented on his DODO move. Then she said she worries about her mirrors hitting someone because they are big & stick out - "especially cyclists" she added, as I pictured the mirror smacking a biker in the back of the head - Yikes!
A good easy reading source for how cars & buses should be treating us in in your state's DMV drivers' manual. I expected just a couple lines on bicycles but got all this & more in VT:
Sharing the Road with Bicyclists
The number of bicycles on streets and highways is growing daily, both for exercise and transportation use. In summer, large groups of bicyclists present a special hazard for motorists. Under state law bicyclists have the right to operate on all roads, unless they are specially prohibited, such as on limited- access highways like the Interstate.
The same traffic rules and regulations for vehicle drivers apply to bicyclists. Bicycles, however, are quieter and less visible than other vehicles, especially at night. As a motorist you should drive defensively around a bicyclist because the slightest mistake could cause serious injury or death. When you approach a bicyclist, keep on the lookout and slow down. Give them plenty of room when passing and be prepared to stop suddenly. Do not honk at a bicyclist unless you have good cause to warn them. The loud noise could startle the rider and cause them to lose control. It is important to remember that bicyclists have the same rights and duties as motor vehicle operators. To avoid conflict, drivers of motor vehicles need to know the rules:
Driver Responsibilities
Share the road with bicyclists; they have a legal right to ride on the road. Drivers must be courteous and cautious even if it takes a little longer.
Be aware that bicyclists should ride with traffic as far to the right as practical or safe.
In some instances it is safest for a bicyclist to “command the lane” by riding toward the center of the lane. There may be reasons for the bicyclist to be riding in the travel lane, such as roadway hazards not visible to motorists, or to position themselves correctly in the proper travel lane.
Learn to recognize situations and obstacles which may be hazardous to cyclists, such as potholes, drain grates and narrow bridges or roadways. Give them adequate space to maneuver.
Be aware that when a bicyclist is making a left turn, the cyclist should signal and move to the left side of the lane or into the turning lane. This is the proper maneuver and the cyclist should be allowed to safely complete the turn before being overtaken by motor vehicle traffic.
Leave at least four feet of passing space between the right side of your vehicle and a bicyclist. If the road is too narrow for motor vehicles and bicycles to ride safely side by side, wait until it is safe to pass the bicyclist without forcing them off the side of the road.
Be aware that two bicyclists may legally ride side by side. Slow down until it is safe to pass, or give them time to adjust their position. Even then, do not pass the bicyclists until it is safe.
When turning left at an intersection, yield to oncoming bicyclists just as you would yield to oncoming motorists. Bicyclists may be traveling faster than you realize, so give them adequate space.
Common Vehicle-caused Collisions with Bicycles
Four common errors could cause you to strike a bicyclist:
1. Turning left without noticing/yielding to an oncoming bicyclist.
2. Turning right at an intersection or driveway without checking for a bicyclist on the right who is continuing straight ahead or coming off a sidewalk.
3. Entering or crossing a street without checking for a bicyclist in the street or on the sidewalk.
4. Opening a vehicle door into the path of a bicyclist
Bicyclists Responsibilities
Bicyclists are valid road users and have all the rights and responsibilities of other vehicle drivers. Although a license isn’t required to drive a bicycle, bicyclists must obey all the rules of the road. Bicycles are allowed to ride two abreast so long as they do not impede the normal and reasonable flow of traffic. Obey the following rules for a safe and legal cycling experience:
Obey all traffic signals and signs. If you break any traffic laws, you are subject to a ticket and fines.
Ride with traffic. Always ride with through traffic on the right side of the road, not on the sidewalk. If you approach a right turn lane and intend to go straight, do not enter the right turn lane
Ride in a predictable manner. Always ride straight and be predictable. If the road is too narrow for a bicycle and a vehicle to travel side by side, the bicyclist should occupy the lane until it is safe to move back to the right. Check over your shoulder before changing your lane position and do not weave between parked vehicles.
Signaling turns. You must always signal your intent to turn, using the proper hand signals. Look to make sure lanes are clear of traffic before you make a lane change or turn.
Bicycle Hand Signal
