Dolce and Banana in Hout Bay has grave issues. Read about the problem here…Please use #handsoffdolceandbanana in your tweets!
Bus almost takes out cyclist on Chapmans Peak, Hout Bay. Is there a solution to this ongoing problem?
Just sent this e-mail complaining about a bus disregarding me on Chapmans Peak. Does anyone else have a gripe with the coach companies in case they actually respond to this?
I was nearly squeezed off the road and into a stone gutter yesterday by the above mentioned bus while riding on my bicycle from Hout Bay up to Chapman’s Peak. While I ride up this road often and have generally been given plenty of space by buses, the driver of this bus was particularly aggressive and showed no regard for my safety on a bicycle.
The incident occurred about 1km before the toll gate heading up Chapman’s Peak. I was already riding close to the gutter on the left hand side of the road, which is probably why the driver decided to pass me. He did not slow down at all after coming round a corner behind me and continued to accelerate past me, leaving me about half a meter of room between the gutter and the bus coupled with the gust of a passing bus to deal with. Thankfully I managed to regain my balance. Had I been less competent at handling a bicycle I would definitely have fallen in the gutter and possibly been clipped by the bus. Let’s not consider what would have happened if the rear wheels of the bus had come near me.
After the first bus had passed I moved out into the middle of the left hand lane to prevent another vehicle passing me. Despite this and to my surprise another of your coaches immediately passed me in the next few metres in a parking area before a blind corner!
I confronted the driver of the first bus at the toll booth but was too incensed to reason with him. He was indignant and in no way remorseful for any wrongdoing. This is extremely concerning as he is piloting an extremely large and heavy vehicle with no concern for other road users.
The attached photo of the first bus was taken at the toll booth on the way up. I would appreciate feedback on the measures taken to prevent anything similar happening in the future.