Black cab bully

[BentMikey]

I rarely get taxis or motorcycles whizzing close past me in bus lanes, mostly because I take the entire bus lane up, and often dodge around road imperfections (of course I've checked there's space first). They don't usually dare come close after seeing that.

 

[Twenty Inch]

The PCO won't give a rat's spit about your complaint, don't waste your time.

I've experienced this a lot from cabbies. However I haven't been cycling in central London for a couple of years, and now find myself cycling between Cannon Street and King's Cross a couple of times a week. The cabbies' attitude to cyclists has improved beyond recognition, in my experience. I am pleasantly surprised.

 

[classic33]

Did he have a passenger?

If I was a passenger in such a cab I would certainly report that kind of behaviour to the police and/or the taxi company/authority.

As well as telling him to stop so I could get out now...

Done that once. No response from the driver, so I opened the door to get out. Number taken, but it had also been pe-booked with the company. They got a short phonecall from me later the same day, after I'd spoken to the licencing authority over his style of driving & how the damage, front passenger side, had actually been done to his vehicle.

 

[jmaccyd]

The PCO are still in denial that black cabs in bus lanes present a risk to cyclists if they choose to use them like a parallel rat-run in order to avoid queues.

Thankfully, TFL have mooted the idea of increased training for black cab drivers with respect to bus lane operation and best practice.

Oh OK, have you got the figures to back that up? The last figures, actually the only stats I have seen in eighteen years of driving a Taxi, stated that London Taxis are involved in less than 1% of 'accidents' in London. So of course a 'threat' maybe, but not much of one. What have I seen almost universally unhorse cyclists - vans! What have I come across that kills cyclist - lorries and buses. In all my years I have only seen one cyclist responsable for his own collision (backs up the report today)

Not sure what the thinking behind parallel rat runs is about since most bus lanes are on main roads. Personally speaking the route taken will be influenced by the availability of an operating bus lane, so is built into route planning

 

[jmaccyd]

Driving a cab in London is pretty awful. There really is only two ways to cope. Be philosophical (and share the philosophy with your fare), relaxed and professional. Or get a high on the confrontation, getting one over on the other guy. In other words pointless aggression.

And both will behave with impeccable decorum when being tested so I guess getting rid of the maniacs is not easy. I mean even they are professional enough to know how to avoid getting points on their licences.

I feel sorry for the good taxi guys/esses who have to watch and be screwed by the lunatic fringe everyday.

Yes a zen like calm is the best way (only way?) Having said that you know the deal with traffic when you take the Kings shilling. Simple deal I had with myself, anytime I was feeling stressed or wound up I was to head home and go for a swim/ride/run - done it about five times in eighteen years

 

[Origamist]

Oh OK, have you got the figures to back that up? The last figures, actually the only stats I have seen in eighteen years of driving a Taxi, stated that London Taxis are involved in less than 1% of 'accidents' in London. So of course a 'threat' maybe, but not much of one. What have I seen almost universally unhorse cyclists - vans! What have I come across that kills cyclist - lorries and buses. In all my years I have only seen one cyclist responsable for his own collision (backs up the report today)

Back what up? TFL and the mayor have mooted that more needs to be done with cab driving standards (I would hazard due to the increasing number of complaints, like those outlined by the OP) - hence the forthcoming consultation on cabbie training and vulnerable road users. In addition, it's not just about collision stats - subjective safety needs to be considered and that's why boorish/intimidatory driving needs to be stamped out in bus lanes.

If you want some stats (from the PCO no less):

Cyclist casualties: London 2002-2006

27% of casualties were on the the TLRN; 4.2% of these collisions involved taxis. This is slightly higher than the overall figure of 3.5% of collisions involving taxis, but is not considered disproportionate to taxi usage of the TLRN.

FYI, I had to threaten the PCO with the Information Commissioner to get a response (6 months later).

Not sure what the thinking behind parallel rat runs is about since most bus lanes are on main roads. Personally speaking the route taken will be influenced by the availability of an operating bus lane, so is built into route planning

I meant a bus lane and a traffic lane in parallel - using "rat-run" in my ealier post was unclear. What I was trying to get across is that it is normal for cabs to undertake stationary or slow moving vehicles in the traffic lane by using the bus lane - this is where I notice conflict between cyclists and black cabs - mainly due to driver impatience.

 

[hackbike 666]

High Holborn last night at approx 11pm.

Cycling up to taxi stopped at traffic lights and see a lot of fidgeting from passenger in cab so I get a bad feeling about it,so I hang behind.Suddenly passenger door flies open and passenger gets out and door is blocking cycle lane.

I say to passenger "lucky im physic".Suit looks at me and that's it.

I must admit I was not impressed with either the cab driver or the passenger.Lucky someone else takes some sort of responsibility.

Unfortunately this sort of thing is common + idiot season double whammy.

 

[StuartG]

H-666 - reminds me of an incident many years ago when I was floored by a door-opener whilst filtering through traffic light lanes. He bu**ered off to leave a taxi cab honking his horn/gesticulating because my body/bike was obstructing his passage.

A helping hand would have been a bit nicer.

 

[hackbike 666]

They bloody closed off Chancery Lane so I tried Fetter Lane with it's pinch points and a road I didn't know at all.Moton passed close and I caught up with him at the lights and shouted "Give me some effing room next time".Managed to get across to where I wanted but as I don't know the right turn and it looks a bit complicated I played it safe.Then saw my mate in his car and he waved so I stuck two fingers up at him.Looking back at it now I must say im not proud of what I did there.

Then witihn a few minutes two peds crossing from the middle of the road (I saw them this time) it's a weird layout there,there was a sort of island or something.So I blew the horn to warn them and they went oooooooh in a sort of pisstake sort of way so I told them to F-Off.I know they hadn't seen me because I know for a fact they hadn't looked.Those horns are fitted to stop them actually walking into me for when they don't bother looking.

Im disappointed I lost my rag twice but I managed to calm myself down after that.

Fetter Lane is crap I will have to watch that in future.

Cab drivers have generally been fine today.

 

[BentMikey]

It can be very frustrating when other road users blame their mistakes on you!

 

[ufkacbln]

Sounds like a perfect opportunity to slow to a stop, and then to turn around to ask what the problem is. Some rather longwinded explanation of why you are there should then be undertaken so as to clarify things for them... not that I'd condone slowing such a fool down more than you would have done simply by you being there, oh no, not I.

Especially if it recorded on a helmet cam!

 

[ufkacbln]

I have stopped a Taxi for this reason.

I was the fare in a taxi organised by the employer to go to a meeting.

The driver pulled a similar stunt, pulled into a cycle lane, started tooting a cyclist and then told him he shouldn't have been in his way.

Told the driver to pull out and then informed him that
1.I was appalled by his attitude and driving - I would be going no further
2. I was going to inform the Licensing Office that I felt his driving was sufficiently unsafe that I could not continue the journey
3, I would be informing my employer of the danger they were putting their staff in by using their firm.

He was very unhappy, even more so when the Licensing Office put penalty points on his "Hackney License" and the final straw was when our HR people wrote asking for an explanation and refusing to pay the fare - some extremely grovelling apologies from the Company desperate to keep the contract

 

[BentMikey]

That's proper turning the screw that is! Well done, I'll bet he and the other drivers were a *lot* more careful about cyclists after that. Very effective bit of campaigning.

 

[Origamist]

I have stopped a Taxi for this reason.

I was the fare in a taxi organised by the employer to go to a meeting.

The driver pulled a similar stunt, pulled into a cycle lane, started tooting a cyclist and then told him he shouldn't have been in his way.

Told the driver to pull out and then informed him that
1.I was appalled by his attitude and driving - I would be going no further
2. I was going to inform the Licensing Office that I felt his driving was sufficiently unsafe that I could not continue the journey
3, I would be informing my employer of the danger they were putting their staff in by using their firm.

He was very unhappy, even more so when the Licensing Office put penalty points on his "Hackney License" and the final straw was when our HR people wrote asking for an explanation and refusing to pay the fare - some extremely grovelling apologies from the Company desperate to keep the contract

Good on you. It's a powerful way to drive the message home to one driver and his company.

For a couple of years I've been badgering the PCO and TFL about cab driving standards and vulnerable road users. The mayor's recent statements make me think that they are listening.

Improving awareness of vulnerable road users and better training will hopefully make a difference. I believe it has had a positive effect on bus driver behaviour (although I think the increasing number of cyclists was also responsible) and I'm hoping if it is taken forward, cyclists and taxis will be able to cooperate and coexist more comfortably than they do at present.

 

[Muddyfox]

He was very unhappy, even more so when the Licensing Office put penalty points on his "Hackney License"

He would've got 4 points for this "unsatisfactory behavour or conduct on the road or wearing a football shirt"

I'm a Taxi operator in Devon and although i cant speak for the London cabbies if you think reporting the license No displayed on the rear of the vehicle is a waste of time "Then Dont" the licensing authoritys take these reports very seriously and quite often you will have your Hackney License suspended until you have been up in front of the committee to explain your side of the complaint which can take upt to 3 weeks

The licensing office will always keep you up to speed on what is happening

Simon