Passing articulated buses

[PamNY]

Does anyone deal with the extra long articulated buses? They really scare me -- well, all buses do. I've googled and read about blind spots. I keep finding the advice (re trucks) that if you can't see the driver's face in the mirror, the driver can't see you. But I still don't have a feel for what I should do for safety.

Last weekend I actually ran a red light to get ahead of the bus -- not a smart idea given the current attitudes about cyclists in NYC. But there wasn't much traffic, and it worked.

I'm assuming the driver will see me more easily if I swing as far as I can away from the bus while passing. If anyone has a bus strategy (that works in a very crowded city), I'd love to hear it.

[rebeccaC]

We have 65 ft'ers in areas here but i usually find routes around those bus routes. If I’m behind any bus coming up to a light I either stay there or if safe I’ll pass on the left and pull ahead enough to make contact with the driver. Because of blind spots and the pulling over to the curb frequently I’ll only pass on the left and only if I have a safe distance between the bus and other traffic. I can just be patient enough to ride behind if needed and pass when the bus pulls over for a bus stop. I'll just assume whoever is driving the bus is a bad driver so I'll be more cautious....I figure that's best for both the driver and me

On crowded city streets running front and back lights during the day and wearing something very visible so all drivers will have more visible info about where a bicyclist is are good ideas

[lph]

With all buses I play the Super Visible game, because I figure they have so many other things to think about. I stay well back so that I can see the side mirror, plant myself in the middle of the lane, and don't pass until I know I have enough space and speed to do so quickly. Then plant myself very visibly in the middle of the lane again. If the bus needs to pass me I will move over, but I try to avoid getting into situations where that's necessary. Here riding on the sidewlak is legal, so in a pinch I can usually jump up there if I'm feeling threatened or am obviously in the way. But mainly I think visibility and good speed control is the key.

[PamNY]

A class is a good idea. I haven't found one that suits my skill level, or one that focuses on traffic, but if something turns up I will look into it. Love the term "visible game." I don't normally use lights in the daytime but I should.

I found a discussion in Bike Forums that was NYC-specific. One poster's detailed description of how he handles multiple leapfrogging buses made me realize that avoidance is the answer for me. Less crowded situations with just one bus I can handle with improved skill. Crowded situations near where I live? I'm going to avoid them. There are plenty of cyclists zipping happily along, but I just don't want to take the chance and I've decided to be okay with that choice.

I happened to get a photo of worst case traffic yesterday. The bus that's trying to make a right turn is on the street with a bike lane. If I were cycling home, I'd be to the right of the bus trying to make that same turn. For anyone who knows NYC, this is the intersection of Warren St. and Broadway, right by City Hall. The bus situation is made much worse as proximity to the World Trade Center brings lots of tour buses.

[PamNY]

Maybe you should get a hover board?

Are you the one that posted that video of a NYC intersection with all the bikes, pedestrians, and cars barreling though like they were alone in the middle of the Sierra Desert?

Scary.

A hover board would be very useful at times.

I think I know the video you mentioned -- I didn't post it, but I did see it. NYC does get a bit crazy at times.