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I recently came across a video on Reddit showing a cyclist getting squeezed by a bus.
The video sparked intense debate (to say the least!), highlighting the ongoing tension between cyclists and motor vehicles on our roads.
✖️ These sort of videos always make me squirm, and I imagine the cyclist had their heart rate rise a bit afterwards!
What Happened?
The video is from a cyclist in Moldova, who is wearing a camera on what appears to be their chest.
They are riding on a very busy road in what looks to be peak hour traffic
The video starts off with the cyclist fairly close to the curb and is not riding erratically. Then we see the bus appear from the left as it’s overtaking the cyclist.
It looks like as the bus first overtakes it is reasonably close to the cyclist (measuring actual distances using video evidence can be tricky!).
So, at the start of the manoeuvre, it looks like the driver may have given enough room.
However, as the bus continues to overtake, it looks like the bus draws closer the the cyclist with the rider left with no place to go.
Is there a sufficient gap between the bus and cyclist in the still image above? 🤔
What makes it worse is that it is an articulated bus, and at one stage it almost clips the cyclist.
No doubt the cyclist was shaken by it all. Hence the thread with the comment “How do you handle situations like that?”
There was plenty of debate (to put it mildly).
The Pro-Cyclist Camp: Safety First
Most of the comments were in defense of the cyclist, which is to be expected on a cycling forum. But it wasn’t all that way as we’ll see a bit later!
Several Redditors jumped in to support the cyclist, offering practical advice and calls for action.
Southern_Planner suggested a preventative approach:
“Take the center of the lane so they can’t squeeze you.”
Taking a more aggressive stance, one user urged:
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A detailed response came in the form of a three-point plan:
However, this comment sparked further debate about safety tactics.
Affectionate_Lynx510 challenged the braking advice: “Braking will cause him to wobble and increase his chances of getting pulled under. Why advise such a thing?”
The Professional Perspective
Perhaps the most compelling input came from an actual bus operator.
They shared:
Another user added an important point about consequences:
“The record of the offense can have an impact on a bus driver license, or even employment if they don’t stop it. A clean driving record is a big deal when you earn a living hauling passengers around.”
The Other Side: Pro-Bus Arguments
Not everyone sympathized with the cyclist.
Some comments revealed the frustration many motorists feel about sharing the road.
LegerDeCharlemagne didn’t mince words:
“Happy to be muted and banned for saying this, but who in their effing minds thinks that the solution to our traffic issues involves a single bicycle holding up a bus with 40 people on it? You people are messed in the head with this approach. Selfish, selfish, selfish.”
Another suggested an alternative:
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Taking a particularly strong stance, Hrevak argued:
“Cyclists and buses do not belong on the same lane. He’s on a schedule and he’s got nowhere to move. Get out of the f***ing way, you’re not the center of the universe.”
Final Thoughts
As someone who regularly cycles in urban environments, these discussions highlight the ongoing challenges we face in sharing our roads safely.
While opinions differ dramatically, one thing is clear: we need better infrastructure and understanding between all road users to prevent such dangerous situations.
Remember, whether you’re on two wheels or behind a steering wheel, safety should always come first.
Let’s keep the conversation going, but let’s also work toward practical solutions that benefit everyone.
Drop a comment below and let us know your thought
One of the comments, from ” Hrevak”, clearly illustrates one of the most significant problems. The comment says, ” Cyclists and buses do not belong on the same lane.” This comment points out an obvious fact: the lack of adequate infrastructure for both users of the road will invite dangerous interactions. In fact, the conclusion naturally is, cyclists should stay off the road. But, this reasoning leaves out a significant fact: there should be safe infrastructure for both road users. The cyclist shouldn’t have to risk his life and the bus driver shouldn’t be forced to make dangerous manoevers. A separate cycle infrastructure should be available; a separate pedestrian infrastructure should be available.
It’s interesting, because for many years now many cities allow bicycles to share bus lanes with buses!
I don’t think it’s a bus lane in the video and is just a normal road.
But yeah, interesting comment!
I dont know what the big deal is, he didnt get hit, its a third world country so I bet they have little respect for bike riders. I have 150,000 miles on the road, I have close calls all the time. Goes with the territory