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Perhaps people who are able to do so will realise a bicycle is a good option compared to the bus with windows open, because the exercise generates body heat.
Which in turn will hopefully knock on the head the idea that bike travel is inherently unpleasant in the winter.
Perhaps people who are able to do so will realise a bicycle is a good option compared to the bus with windows open, because the exercise generates body heat.
Which in turn will hopefully knock on the head the idea that bike travel is inherently unpleasant in the winter.
A bicycle is even colder in winter, last time I went on my bike in winter I lost use of my fingers through the cold temporarily and couldn’t pull the break handles!
You really do need to cover the extremities - hands, feet and also glasses to keep cold airstream off the eyes, but once you address that you will find it warmer - even in comparatively normal weight clothes - than sitting passively in a vehicle open to the elements.
Maybe current bus riders can take a lesson from what motorcyclists who ride year round wear in winter, crash helmet notwithstanding.
A bicycle is even colder in winter, last time I went on my bike in winter I lost use of my fingers through the cold temporarily and couldn’t pull the break handles!
But when cycling you aren't sitting still, which is when the cold is really noticeable. You also don't expect to have to wear full waerproofs to sit on a bus!
You really do need to cover the extremities - hands, feet and also glasses to keep cold airstream off the eyes, but once you address that you will find it warmer - even in comparatively normal weight clothes - than sitting passively in a vehicle open to the elements.
Maybe current bus riders can take a lesson from what motorcyclists who ride year round wear in winter, crash helmet notwithstanding.
Regarding cycling, it depends how fit you are. If you are very fit then cycling can be cold as it does not really raise the pulse rate compared to say running and very fit people do not have much body fat which keeps you warm.
I have heard mention of an operator in Yorkshire who will fit blocks in the mechanism so that the window can be ‘shut’ but it will not seal and allow some air in. Not sure how it’ll work in practice or if/when the changes will be made. It may be a good compromise, though I guess time will tell
Most of the buses I have travelled on recently have had no windows open
I have heard mention of an operator in Yorkshire who will fit blocks in the mechanism so that the window can be ‘shut’ but it will not seal and allow some air in. Not sure how it’ll work in practice or if/when the changes will be made. It may be a good compromise, though I guess time will tell
Most of the buses I have travelled on recently have had no windows open
Regarding cycling, it depends how fit you are. If you are very fit then cycling can be cold as it does not really raise the pulse rate compared to say running and very fit people do not have much body fat which keeps you warm.
I have not encountered such a line of reasoning, and suspect you might be mistaken. I can assure you that you can thrash your cardiovascular system right to the limits on a bike. There is a reason that the professional bike racing scene was one of the first sports to suffer doping!
I don not disagree with you that different people have different metabolisms, and there are some who will ride around in shorts long after other bike riders have switched to long tights and jerseys! However efficient the metabolism of professional cyclists might be, the (quite literally in this case) average person on the clapham omnibus will not be so athletic and thus according to your own logic be warmer on a bike than a bus whose passenger saloon is open to the elements.
This sounds like the false choice we have been offered over lots of restrictions this year - you have to have either this crap option, or that slightly less crap option. They try to give the impression that 'neither' cannot be an acceptable answer!
This sounds like the false choice we have been offered over lots of restrictions this year - you have to have either this crap option, or that slightly less crap option. They try to give the impression that 'neither' cannot be an acceptable answer!
Not specifically on topic for this thread - but sometimes the options available to someone are just that. Crap and slightly less crap. Just because that is the case doesn't make it a "false choice". The real world often does have a lot of those choices where you have to choose the least worst option - hell for a lot of people voting in general elections is exactly that kind of choice! To try to suggest that is unique to this year isn't accurate at all.
To a certain extent yes, because not every day is going to be hovering just below freezing. But in my example the other morning I was well wrapped up and it was quite sufficient when being outside. On the bus that wasn't the case as freezing air was channelled into the bus, it was bitter. We can't expect people to kit themselves out for an arctic expedition when taking the bus to town for the pension.
It's staggering to think how far as a country we have fallen in sensibility in just a matter of months. Avoid Covid at all costs but in doing so risk cold or flu with the potential of causing pneumonia or some other serious respiratory illness that can be even more dangerous.
But sometimes the options available to someone are just that. Crap and slightly less crap. Just because that is the case doesn't make it a "false choice". The real world often does have a lot of those choices where you have to choose the least worst option - hell for a lot of people voting in general elections is exactly that kind of choice! To try to suggest that is unique to this year isn't accurate at all.
Yes, sometimes - but this year we've been repeatedly told the options are this or that, when in reality it's not a binary choice at all. This is another example.
I have not encountered such a line of reasoning, and suspect you might be mistaken. I can assure you that you can thrash your cardiovascular system right to the limits on a bike. There is a reason that the professional bike racing scene was one of the first sports to suffer doping!
I don not disagree with you that different people have different metabolisms, and there are some who will ride around in shorts long after other bike riders have switched to long tights and jerseys! However efficient the metabolism of professional cyclists might be, the (quite literally in this case) average person on the clapham omnibus will not be so athletic and thus according to your own logic be warmer on a bike than a bus whose passenger saloon is open to the elements.
Personally I push the pedals round as fast as I can until I see a reason to slow down. I'm rarely out of breath but I'm definitely nice and warm when I get to work.
Had a horrible driver on a Stoke First Potteries bus the other night, no one on the bus, all 4 windows open. I got on and shut them all. the driver shouted back to me that they all need to stay open. I said "it's cold and there's no one else on". She then got out of the cabin and shut them all, and rudely said "and where's your mask" to which I'd told her I was exempt, she then said "who says?". I was Gobsmacked with her attitude. I've had a few like that with that company. D+G bus is better overall, windows are usually all shut. Drivers are generally more relaxed.
Had a horrible driver on a Stoke First Potteries bus the other night, no one on the bus, all 4 windows open. I got on and shut them all. the driver shouted back to me that they all need to stay open. I said "it's cold and there's no one else on". She then got out of the cabin and shut them all, and rudely said "and where's your mask" to which I'd told her I was exempt, she then said "who says?". I was Gobsmacked with her attitude. I've had a few like that with that company. D+G bus is better overall, windows are usually all shut. Drivers are generally more relaxed.
Had a horrible driver on a Stoke First Potteries bus the other night, no one on the bus, all 4 windows open. I got on and shut them all. the driver shouted back to me that they all need to stay open. I said "it's cold and there's no one else on". She then got out of the cabin and shut them all, and rudely said "and where's your mask" to which I'd told her I was exempt, she then said "who says?". I was Gobsmacked with her attitude. I've had a few like that with that company. D+G bus is better overall, windows are usually all shut. Drivers are generally more relaxed.
It's clear to me the main complaint is about being challenged about not wearing a mask. But yes, i'd be complaining about the windows as well, it's beyond stupidity.
It's clear to me the main complaint is about being challenged about not wearing a mask. But yes, i'd be complaining about the windows as well, it's beyond stupidity.
He states both he and the driver shut the windows. Following govt. guidelines isn't beyond stupidity, especially if you are in a group of workers which is amongst the hardest hit by covid. I would say putting your own comfort before the lives of others is beyond selfishness.
If the driver did shout at him she will be in trouble, all on cctv these days so easy to follow up. One good thing about cctv is it has reduced the number of delusional complaints about drivers.
Following govt. guidelines isn't beyond stupidity, especially if you are in a group of workers which is amongst the hardest hit by covid. I would say putting your own comfort before the lives of others is beyond selfishness.
You have falled into the government trap of assuming that the 'something must be done' (in this case leaving windows open) actually makes any difference - for which there appears to be no evidence.
I’m not convinced it has. Couple of times been made aware of fictional complaint, asked questions then later told cctv shows the incident never occurred.
my other favourite is “you left early”. But on my contract run I’m on tacho... nope I left x mins late according to my tacho and the bus tracking.
You have falled into the government trap of assuming that the 'something must be done' (in this case leaving windows open) actually makes any difference - for which there appears to be no evidence.
I haven't fallen into any trap, like most of us I am just trying to do the best in difficult circumstances. Given the choice of spending hour after hour in a metal box with people who have a reasonable chance of carrying a virus which you have good reason to be scared of ( public transport workers have been hit harder than most) which would you choose,
A. Well ventilated or B. poorly ventilated?
It's interesting that boyaloud hasn't returned to explain who closed or opened what. Bus drivers are vulnerable lone workers, female ones even more so. She shouldn't have questioned his mask status, drivers have been told not to as they cannot know an individual's circumstances. Which is why I mentioned CCTV, I assume he meant she opened the windows after he had closed them.
Mind, I have seen people with masks round their necks claiming to be exempt, then you have numerous people who board masked up then take it off. The great British public, most of them are canny, a small but significant number are just awful.
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I’m not convinced it has. Couple of times been made aware of fictional complaint, asked questions then later told cctv shows the incident never occurred.
my other favourite is “you left early”. But on my contract run I’m on tacho... nope I left x mins late according to my tacho and the bus tracking.
I once had passenger complain I had left them at the stop and had given them all pound coins as change for a 20 quid note. Ha'way mate, one or the other.
Passengers do have a habit of over egging the pudding thinking it will help their case. I record all contentious interactions now as company video has a habit of going MIA when it suits.
Perhaps people who are able to do so will realise a bicycle is a good option compared to the bus with windows open, because the exercise generates body heat.
Which in turn will hopefully knock on the head the idea that bike travel is inherently unpleasant in the winter.I used to ride a bike as a lot of folk did once but as one gets older various ailments arrive which scupper such ideas.
I once had passenger complain I had left them at the stop and had given them all pound coins as change for a 20 quid note. Ha'way mate, one or the other.
Passengers do have a habit of over egging the pudding thinking it will help their case. I record all contentious interactions now as company video has a habit of going MIA when it suits.
On Supertram yesterday there was a crew change at Castle Square. I was the only passenger in the central section leaving there. The 'new' conductress came through opening half the windows (they were all previously closed) and then sat down in the nearest bay of seats to me i.e. less than 2m away.
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