Originally Posted by
slagjumper
I accelerated over the 200 foot long blocks at pretty much the same speed as the empty bus ...
How do you know that? Were you riding alongside or behind, or were you in front? If you're in front,
of course the bus will "accelerate at the same speed", or else it'll run you over.
Buses normally don't change lanes unless they're going to turn left. By staying to the right, they're keeping drivers from occupying the lane on their right and can easily make the stops.
You should either --
Go fast enough that you decisively leave the bus behind -- like, a whole block or more. This is when crossing on red comes in handy. That gives the driver no reason at all to complain about you.
Go behind the bus, suffer for a bit in the exhaust, and as it pulls away since you're slower, you'll be back in (relatively) clear air.