Black cab, close pass, mobile phone

[Rochenko]

It's all there in the title...

Was cycling north here about an hour ago alongside a line of parked cars, in a strong secondary position, with a stream of oncoming traffic in the other direction (and avoiding the potholes for which this bit of Park Place is justly reknowned locally), when a black cab driver decided to overtake anyway, leaving about 8 inches between his passenger door and my handlebars.

All the while nattering away on his mobile (in his left hand, so presumably changing gears telekinetically...!). Caught up with him at the lights and got him to wind his window down, and informed him I'd be onto the PCO about his crap driving and phone use, as I had his cab number. His response: abuse.

Any point complaining to the PCO about this (in Cardiff, I hear the London version's not much cop....)? No witnesses, of course.

 

[david1701]

guess if a few people do he'll get in trouble (remembered no swear filter this time ), so you could be helping cumulatively

 

[upsidedown]

Isn't the traditional response to abuse from a black cab to open the rear passenger door so they have to haul themselves out of the cab to close it again ?

 

[Jezston]

Whatever happens, it'll be infinitely more than if you do nothing. Report it.

 

[Jezston]

Isn't the traditional response to abuse from a black cab to open the rear passenger door so they have to haul themselves out of the cab to close it again ?

They generally auto lock unless the driver unlocks them these days I believe.

 

[Rochenko]

Job done.

Generally find that cab drivers hereabouts are very good - with just two egregious exceptions so far. Today's example, and last year when a private hire overtook me while I was crossing a junction and left-hooked me.

 

[upsidedown]

<br /><br />
<br />
They generally auto lock unless the driver unlocks them these days I believe.<br />

<br /><br /><br />
Given the state of the black cabs around here I very much doubt that.

 

[XmisterIS]

Isn't the traditional response to abuse from a black cab to open the rear passenger door so they have to haul themselves out of the cab to close it again ?

I've done that to a chavmobile that deliberately swerved at me. He wasn't laughing as I cycled off!

 

[Black Sheep]

It's all there in the title...

Was cycling north here about an hour ago alongside a line of parked cars, in a strong secondary position, with a stream of oncoming traffic in the other direction (and avoiding the potholes for which this bit of Park Place is justly reknowned locally), when a black cab driver decided to overtake anyway, leaving about 8 inches between his passenger door and my handlebars.

All the while nattering away on his mobile (in his left hand, so presumably changing gears telekinetically...!). Caught up with him at the lights and got him to wind his window down, and informed him I'd be onto the PCO about his crap driving and phone use, as I had his cab number. His response: abuse.

Any point complaining to the PCO about this (in Cardiff, I hear the London version's not much cop....)? No witnesses, of course.

The purpose built taxi's (LTI carbodies ltd) tend to have automatic gear boxes (a friend had one as his first car just to be different)

They generally auto lock unless the driver unlocks them these days I believe.

lock above 5mph, normally unlock again when stopped, think it's linked to the brakes or something.

 

[Tynan]

deliberately provking a driver and then riding away in front of it?

 

[Foghorn_leghorn]

The purpose built taxi's (LTI carbodies ltd) tend to have automatic gear boxes

Course they do. Got to leave a hand free for holding the phone/ radio, rolling a fag, 2 finger salutes at angry cyclists etc.

 

[jmaccyd]

The purpose built taxi's (LTI carbodies ltd) tend to have automatic gear boxes (a friend had one as his first car just to be different)



lock above 5mph, normally unlock again when stopped, think it's linked to the brakes or something.

Yes mostly autos for obvious reasons, and a central locking system that unlocks when the handbrake is applied and foot is off the footbrake.

 

[Rochenko]

Christ, I thought that would have been it for today.

But the ride home tonight was mental, as if the promise of lighter evenings had sent everyone dizzy. More close passes - from WVM and BMWM, plus complete and heartstopping failure on the part of a woman in a people carrier to understand the meaning of a "priority to oncoming traffic" sign, and a sudden lane change (without mirrors or indication) into a bus lane from a young woman in a fiesta. I was seriously glad to get home in one piece...

 

[Jezston]

[insert joke about the Welsh]

[insert retort implying those drivers are English]

 

[Rochenko]

[insert joke about the Welsh]

[insert retort implying those drivers are English]

A hypothesis: (based on driving regular trips to visit family at the other end of the M4) the incidence of really idiotic tailgating increases significantly once you return across the Severn Bridge from the Lost Lands.