Bus driver cited in March 12 crash with bicyclist

Acton Police have issued a written warning to a school bus driver following an investigation of a March 12 incident in which the bus struck a bike rider on Route 62. 

Police Capt. Brian Goldman said the warning falls under an April 2023 law requiring motorists to leave “at least four feet” when passing “vulnerable road users” such as cyclists, pedestrians, and road workers. 

According to police reports, the cyclist was riding near 2182 Main Street when he was hit by a school bus traveling in the same direction. He was taken to Lahey Hospital and Medical Center by ambulance.

The driver told police she was headed back to the bus depot when the accident occurred. According to the report, she said she had slowed down, turned on her flashers, and then attempted to go around the cyclist, “giving four feet.” When she saw cars coming in the opposite direction, she moved back into her lane and “must have collided with the cyclist,” according to the report.

Police reviewed the bus camera footage on April 1 and said the cyclist was riding about a foot to the right of the fog line. Though the crash itself was not shown on video, “clearly part of the bus was over the fog line to impact” the rider, police said.