The cyclist was squeezed between these two buses in Dublin; one moving and one parked. His complaint has turned into something of an example to all.
Cyclist gets Dublin Bus's video of scary incident he was in
A Dublin cyclist has achieved a surprising result after complaining to Dublin Bus about a driver squeezing him in heavy traffic.
Ciaran O Conluain, a member of UCD Cycling Club, secured an apology and a video of the incident, which was recorded from the bus involved.
The case is perhaps a lesson to others to pursue their complaints rather than simply venting their annoyance on social media.
Dublin Bus not only took action; it dealt with him in a way you'd hope will become the norm.
O Conluain was riding in city traffic, on Nassau St in the south inner city last month, when a bus veered left into his path.
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And with a line of parked buses to O Conluain’s left, the situation got very tight. He banged on the side of the moving bus, which was inches from him and getting closer before it stopped.
He filled out an online complaints form, which can be accessed on the Dublin Bus website. In reply, he secured an immediate apology for any inconvenience or distress.
Dublin Bus informed him the matter had been taken up with management at the company’s Phibsboro Depot.
It said management there would be in contact with him. O Conluain was also informed he could get a video of the incident.
Furthermore, Dublin Bus supplied him with the email address to send his video request to.
“I was then contacted by data protection from Dublin Bus who were very efficient. They sent me a USB with film within the legal one-month deadline,” he told stickybottle.
“You have to request the footage, I believe, within four days of the incident; before it is wiped.”
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Senior staff at Phibsboro very soon contacted him to say the driver in question had been identified.
The company say the driver had reported the incident to the inspector at the depot on the evening in question.
And Dublin Bus assured O Conluain it would cooperate in any way it could in the event it goes further.
“I found the process to be very efficient from Dublin Bus's point of view,” Ciaran O Conluain said.
He added he posted the video on Twitter (below) to encourage others to report their complaints just as he had.
“Many online have said that they didn’t get the same service. But I felt Dublin Bus did what they promised," he said.
"I asked had any action been taken against the driver and I haven't yet heard back."
His advice to others who may have future cause to complain about driving in the city?
“Instead of complaining online about driving, cyclists can use FOI requests to companies like Dublin Bus. And maybe have an actual impact on driver behaviour,” he said.
“I feel better on the road now knowing I can do that. And I'll probably be getting a bike camera for Christmas!
"The complaint took me about the same amount of time as putting a post online. Many people were surprised you could do it.”
Here is the film from my first complaint against Dublin Bus. I found the process very good. The form takes 2 mins. I got a response saying driver would be spoken to and I received the footage by post within 4 weeks. Everyone should do this. I had maybe 6" either side @IBIKEDublin pic.twitter.com/HpyTPnG2JS
— Ciaran O Conluain (@LoveCycling) September 19, 2018
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