bus drafting isn't bad at all, even with the diesel fumes.
I do it often enough during non-rush hour frequent stop times.

but usually once I pass a bus, I won't have to worry about it for a long time.

you can stay a good 5m behind the thing and still get a decent draft at 40km/h+

Most of the cycle commuters I know are faster than the buses, so we overtake them. But sometimes you get passengers waiting at the stops who jump out in front of you when they see a bus is coming. They are supposed to wait until the bus is stopped and its doors are open, but following such a complex sequence is beyond the ability of some bus users, I hazard it's one reason many of them are waiting for a bus and have not taken a bicycle. If there is a bunch of cyclists setting off from a red light for example most bus drivers will wait for the faster cyclists to pass the next stop before indicating they're going to pick up passengers. Which is real nice of them. Like everywhere there are the odd drivers though that like the confrontations they can cause by flooring it, and opening the doors as they brake suddenly for the stop, cutting up the cyclists in the process. But recently a lady lost her footing and pram out the door and other passengers were injured in such an incident so it has dropped off somewhat.

You'll quite often see fixie guys scitching off the side of a bus here. woof.

Generally, you only get a couple of blocks worth of draft off buses in NYC.

Not really all that useful.

I've done that only a few times behind big farmers trailers. I was way behind those things and if they'd tried to make a full stop I don't think I would have come close to them. Judging the way they braked going downhill they must have had bad brakes What is still useful drafting distance? 5m goes. 10 meters must be too far away already at cycling speeds. If I assume the burble has a spearheaded shape there could be a on some roads a good place on the side where distance and ability to turn right is optimal.

I'l try to see how far away the burble is still good. I've kept my distance from city buses because they stop way too often. As a short scientific experiment the risk is acceptable for me. 3m is not enough distance for me. Buses stop slow but what about if they make an emergency stop? How fast can a bus stop?

Its fun at the time but I always regret it once they finally pull away and my lungs/legs are killing me.

Buses almost always go slower than me... and when they're not I wouldn't want to draft one, dangerous as hell.

In years past, I would draft city transit from time to time. This was on well known roads with no potholes, not much debris & infrequent bus stops. Sometimes the prevailing winds made it possible to ride to the right rear side of the bus & still get draft while maintaining forward visibility. As I grew older, I must have gained some wisdom, since I haven't done this for many years!

I draft busses because it's fun. Except for one time... it was raining heavily and I followed the bus straight into about six inches of filthy floodwater. I got to spend that weekend learning how to strip down, clean and re-grease a three speed hub.

Hmm, I love to draft but it's not the wisest thing to do. I drafted a car one day and much to my surprise I found out that it can stop faster than I can from 40 mph. I just managed to stop but still hit the rear bumper of the car (and my rear wheel lifted before hitting the bumper). No damage done and the auto driver never noticed (it was a big 1980's car, a Delta 88).

Another time I drafted a stake truck and discovered that it lacked rear lights but I manage to back off before incident. I was doing around 45 mph. Last I drafted off a farm tractor with a trailer full of hay bails. Hay was everywhere. I've since tried to avoid drafting as my friends have become scared and don't want to confront my wife on my untimely demise.

While I'm really good at drafting it really is dangerous.

I drafts vehicles over a bridge on the way home given the opputunity, I can hold 30+ over the 1/3 mile bridge.

I am new to commuting and the small county I live in doesn't have city busses. Last week on the way home from work I had timed a light perfectly and as a large garbage truck took off from the light I got on his right rear corner and could instantly feel the draft. What I failed to think about beforehand was what it would smell like. I thought I was going to lose my lunch right there on my bike. I might try it again sometime with another type vehicle.