Love your bike - bus survey - RESULTS AVAILABLE

Comments we have received from cyclists and non-cyclists alike indicate a perception that buses make the roads more dangerous for cycling. We are concerned about the risks to the cycling community, and the potential for others to be put off cycling at all because they perceive the roads to be too dangerous because of the behaviour of other road users.

This survey was designed to get a feel for the seriousness of this issue and to get a sense of what type of behaviour is the most problematic. Alongside this survey we are talking to bus drivers to learn about their perceptions of cyclists, since we need to accept that the cycling community could often do better too.

We intend this survey to be the start of a dialogue with bus companies and local transport authorities to make the roads safer for cyclists, to make cycling in Greater Manchester a more attractive prospect, and ultimately to get more people cycling more often.

Results for the survey are as follows:

Over 700 people responded to the survey which was really great. The top three bus driver behaviours that caused concerns for all the cyclists who responded, whether they cycle occasionally or everyday, were (figures expressed as percentages of respondents that selected the behaviour):

1) ‘Passing too close to you’ (76%)

2) ‘Pulling out from bus stops without looking and signalling’ (60%)

3) ‘Overtaking when not necessary (in busy traffic or approaching a bus stop)’ (43%)

In Greater Manchester there are very few cyclist fatalities or serious injuries from incidents between buses and bicycles. However, poor or thoughtless bus driver behaviours can deter people from cycling. Love Your Bike campaigners regularly talk to people about cycling, and buses are a common cause of concern for those considering cycling more often.

This survey has identified some positive actions that can be taken to make cycling a more attractive option and the Love Your Bike campaign will be sharing the results with the Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority/Executive, bus operators and other public bodies who want to increase cycling levels in Greater Manchester to get a better understanding of how to reduce the barriers to cycling and make the roads more cycling-friendly.

Love Your Bike are also currently asking bus operators and bus drivers to identify the common cyclist behaviors that cause concern to them and will publish these results later this year.  

Copies of the ‘Survey of Experiences Cycling when Sharing the Road with Buses in Greater Manchester’ report are available from www.manchesterfoe.org.uk/lyb/pdf/busbikesurveyresults.pdf

Thank you for taking the time to participate in the survey. 

Best wishes and happy cycling.

Love Your Bike Campaign