CX61CDV - Bus drivers gang up on cyclist

Описание: The initial close pass wasnt the worst I have had, but the fact that the driver gave me the middle finger is what prompted me to confront him.
When I did so, he said that he would "Give me a slap" and told me to "Piss off". Such a pleasant way for a representative of a bus company to act.

The second driver threatened to knock me off after I made him look like a fool, and all three of the drivers that i spoke too seemed to believe that if a cycle lane is there, then I LEGALLY HAVE TO USE IT.
What utter bullshit. The drivers were just talking out of their arses.

I have seen the training that the drivers get and nowhere does it say "Leave a cyclist ONLY a car door width".

Highway code rule 163:
163

Overtake only when it is safe and legal to do so. You should:
-not get too close to the vehicle you intend to overtake
-use your mirrors, signal when it is safe to do so, take a quick sideways glance if necessary into the blind spot area and then start to move out
-not assume that you can simply follow a vehicle ahead which is overtaking; there may only be enough room for one vehicle
-move quickly past the vehicle you are overtaking, once you have started to overtake. Allow plenty of room. Move back to the left as soon as you can but do not cut in
-take extra care at night and in poor visibility when it is harder to judge speed and distance
-give way to oncoming vehicles before passing parked vehicles or other obstructions on your side of the road
-only overtake on the left if the vehicle in front is signalling to turn right, and there is room to do so
-stay in your lane if traffic is moving slowly in queues. If the queue on your right is moving more slowly than you are, you may pass on the left
-give motorcyclists, cyclists and horse riders at least as much room as you would when overtaking a car (see Rules 211 to 213 and 214 to 215).

Remember: Mirrors -- Signal -- Manoeuvre

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The response from the bus company:

Thank you for bringing to my attention the incident which occurred on Thursday 22nd August 2013 at approximately 15.20, concerning one of our drivers performing a rude gesture to you whilst overtaking you.

Arriva prides itself on the training that each driver undertakes to ensure that he / she provides a safe journey experience to their passengers and other road users, on this occasion we fell short of this standard. The driver should not have reacted in this way and will be seen in line with the company disciplinary procedures.

However, regarding the bus overtaking too close, It is difficult to determine from either your video footage or the CCTV on the bus whether there was insufficient room when the bus overtook, so I intend to take no formal action regarding this matter but will monitor the driver using the company's covert driving instructors sometime in the near future.

I would ask that if you have any further issues with our vehicles that you do not approach the driver concerned as this usually only makes matters worse I would ask that you contact the Arriva Customer Service by telephone or online, details as above.

Yours sincerely

Len Cater
General Manager

I am not happy with this and will be responding.