He says the incident is a symptom of a new attitude taking root in Bermuda -- that visitors are in the way.

Mr. McNie, 74, has been to the Island about 25 times. He and his wife Bernice rent pedal cycles every time.

But he says Bermuda's special qualities of friendliness and good service are at risk. Mr. McNie said he had a near miss with the bus at lunchtime earlier this week in Dockyard, when it turned a corner and its rear end swung dangerously close to him.

The second time he and his wife were riding on the narrow road near the new prison, minutes later.

"The same bus approached behind me and there was a truck coming the other way. Instead of waiting for the truck to pass, the bus sped up to get by me.

He swung back in again, forgetting how long his bus was.

"The back end of the bus hit and slightly grazed my right handlebar and forced me into the wall.

"There was nothing I could do, I was defenceless.'' Mr. McNie said he agreed with Monday's Royal Gazette editorial that called on Bermudians to remember the value of service.

He said he recalled the way the Island was when most people used pedal cycles for transport.

"We have lost more than the push-bike,'' he said.

"I like Bermuda and I like the people. I've got know a lot of them.

There's something very precious about this Island. The people are wonderful.

"All bus drivers are not that way and all truck drivers are not that way. But some of them are bullies.

"We're in the way for a lot of these people. They don't understand that in the service business we're customers. It's a good question whether we will come back.'' Mr. McNie, a former Ontario government minister and advertising agency president, said he had noticed similar trends in North America.

He said he was "steady'' on the road -- he was a regular cyclist at home and was climbing mountains until last year. Public Transportation director Mr.

Herman Basden said bus drivers were often experienced with large vehicles before they started their training, which was high-quality.

They were well-used to driving within inches of walls and poles.

Someone not familiar with their skill could mistake it for dangerous driving, he said.

Mr. McNie could make an official complaint, he said. Suggestions were welcomed for the staff newsletter.