I have taken more buses this past month than all of last year combined, and it has given me a better appreciation of the tough job of Montreal bus drivers as well as their overall excellent performance on the mean streets of the city.
Today, my bus ride gave me a chance to witness one of the silliest and riskiest moves a cyclist can make in a traffic situation. With my limited mobility, I tend to stay near the front of the bus. I was on the number 24, Sherbrooke, bus that was heading eastbound just past McGill. The bus was stopped at a bus stop at an intersection waiting for the red light to turn green. Just as the light turned green and the bus driver began to move forward into the lane of traffic, a cyclist came from the left side of the bus and then turned right directly in front of the bus in order to go up the side street.
It was only due to the quick reaction of the bus driver slamming on the brakes that he avoided hitting the blissfully oblivious young woman. Her impatience to get past the bus and save a few seconds might have cost her alot more if the driver had been looking any longer in his side mirror or been distracted the least bit.
Cyclists should treat all motorized vehicles, and especially large vehicles like buses and trucks, with a great deal of respect. Especially around intersections. Motorists expect cyclists to generally be on their right unless there is a left turn lane. If you are a cyclist and will be turning right at the next intersection, wait until you can safely get to the corner even if it means waiting behind a bus.
If you can't wait, you can always dismount your bicycle and walk it along the sidewalk to the corner and then go on your way again. It might cost you a few seconds, but it might save you alot more!
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