What happened to them in the 5 months I was off the road?. While they had over the last couple of years at least learned to grudgingly respect cyclists, now they are outright polite!.
1. Going down Essex Road, a 38 (Bendy) is starting to pull out as I'm about to go past. I had already started slowing down, but the driver spots me (I'm still behind the bus), sticks his hand out and waves me past.
2. Going down Essex Road (again) and I need to turn right onto Cross St. Traffic is pretty heavy, but again, a bendy bus coming the opposite direction flashes his lights, slows and let me cross. (There's no cars behind me)
3. Roseberry Avenue. Me and 2 other cyclists end up in the inside of a bendy at the lights and with the road narrowing, I either have to wait or get in front when the lights change. I have decided to wait, but bus driver waits until we take off.
4. Again today, one patiently waits behind me approaching a stop (he *could* have made the overtake if he wanted), another pulls slight left to give me space as I filter through the jammed traffic.
Currently the biggest hazards in the 4 days since I got my bike on the road again, have been other cyclists.