The London Cabbie

[jollyrog]

They are each individuals, responsible only for their own driving and shouldn't be judged en-masse.

To do so is no better than the pages of "all cyclists jump red lights" comments that follow any cycling story on the web and drive us nuts.

 

[glenn forger]

I've had a black cabbie drive at me on purpose. I'd done nothing, never seen him before, and he went to overtake then swerved sideways, I yelled and jumped on the pavement and he drove off. I've had a black cabbie throw a coffee cup at me as I overtook on City Road, again no previous. The PCO don't even collate complaints about cabbies, they refuse unless you were the fare. Then there was this charming cabbie:

http://road.cc/content/news/25146-london-cyclist-strangled-taxi-driver-cleared-assault

A bike rider charged with assaulting a taxi driver in an incident which left the cyclist himself unconscious after the cabbie apparently strangled him with his own scarf has walked free from court after magistrates said the driver’s evidence was “not credible.”
As reported on road.cc in June, Jared Kelly, aged 39, issued an appeal via the London Cyclist blog for witnesses to the incident, which took place in March this year on London’s Oxford Street, to help him in his defence. Word of his predicament quickly spread via cycling websites and Twitter, and was also picked up by the Evening Standard.
Mr Kelly had been riding along Oxford Street, close to the junction with Dean Street, when a black cab cut in front of him, making him collide with the rear of the taxi and causing him to fall of his bike.
In the subsequent heated exchange between the cyclist and the taxi driver, the latter took hold of Mr Kelly’s scarf and strangled him, causing him to lose consciousness and leaving red marks around his neck.
According to one eyewitness, it had been Mr Kelly who had attacked the cab driver, but that witness was unable to attend the hearing at South Western Magistrates’ Court due to being out of the country, and attempts by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) to have the case adjourned were rejected.
Instead, the Evening Standard reports, Mr Kelly produced two witnesses, Lee Sattaur, manager at H&M in Oxford Street and Matthew Gowan, a student at Westminster University, who supported his version of events, who were described as “Good Samaritans" for having stepped forward.
"What has finally happened has been utterly remarkable," Mr Kelly told the newspaper. "It’s been fantastic. I couldn’t have done this a year ago or 18 months ago. Everything fell into place."
He described his ordeal as a "Kafka-esque nightmare," saying, "It was all completely surreal. I was strangled until I was unconscious on Oxford Street and the result was I was handcuffed and arrested."
Mr Gowan had been sent away by a policeman as he sought to speak to Mr Kelly following the incident, with the cyclist saying: "He was so moved by what he saw on the day that he got on a bus and wrote pages and pages of notes to remind him," Mr Kelly said.
"Then the following day he went into the police station in Regent Street and reported it. The judge made a special mention about his extraordinary public service."
A CPS spokeswoman admitted to the Evening Standard that the court "didn’t find the victim’s evidence credible".

 

[Sara_H]

Same up here in Sunny Sheffield. The train station is a particular problem with here with taxi drivers behaving aggressively towards other station users. Taxis are routinely driven along the pavement, the pull into traffic and accross junctions without any indication or recognition of priority. They continuolusly park on a cycling contraflow and block the entrance to the undertakers next to the station.
I've seen them crash into other vehicles, then a gang of them will all say it was the victims fault. I've seen them verbally abuse other station users.

Essentially, they're a gang of lawless thugs.

I was involved in a particularly nasty incident the train station where a big gang of them surrounded me and threatened me. Since then every time I witness any untoward behaviour at the station I repert it to the police, quelle surprise, nothing ever happens.

The police and the lisencing authority always say that when they turn up around there the drivers drive off, or behave impeccibly. I can't understand why they haven't got CCTV monitoring the actions of the taxi drivers.

 

[glenn forger]

Seen this Sara?

For the past 15 years this cycle lane has been plagued by Hackney Carriage drivers parking illegally on this cycle lane, blocking cyclists access and forcing them into oncoming traffic. This has been the case for over a decade.
There is a taxi rank on the pavement side of the cycle lane, taxis often fill up this rank and overflow, parking in the cycle lane, blocking the way for cyclists.

I have taken hundreds of photos, some discretely, some openly and some in the face of agression from angry taxi drivers. I have been threatened, the police called, called a racist, I’m just doing this for kicks, to get a buzz, invasion of privacy and have been openly intimidated by large groups of taxi drivers. I have now taken to taking photo’s very discretely, after being driven at by one of the drivers last week (the police refused to take a statement and referred me to the taxi licensing office), I avoid being seen at all costs.
I have reported 145 instances to the local council Taxi Licensing office. They only accept reports in writing so I am unable to phone, I report all of the taxis I see parking illegally via email to taxi.licensing@sheffield.gov.uk individually. I attach a couple of photo’s and give the number plate and license number of the vehicle.

To: taxi.licensing@sheffield.gov.uk
Taxi Parked on Castle Street – 27/11/2012 approximately 13:08, [SK03 BWE - 974]
Dear Taxi Licensing,
I wish to report a hackney carriage parked on an area of road designated as a mandatory cycle lane and marked with double yellow lines.
The attached photo’s show vehicle SK03 BWE – 974 parked on Castle Street illegally. They were taken at approximately 13:08 on 27/11/2012.I would like this investigated and am happy to be asked to provide a statement if required.
Kind regards,
Matt Turner​

SF51 LCC – 621 (2) – 27 Nov 2012
Of my 145 reports I have received 4 acknowledgements, they are all the same and use the exact same wording.

From: Matthew.Proctor@sheffield.gov.uk
Taxi Parked on Castle Street
Thank you for your e-mail regarding the above.
The licensee will be contacted and appropriate disciplinary action considered.
Regards​

The Licensing Service

http://greatgasbeetle.com/the-ongoing-saga-of-sheffields-castle-street-cycle-lane/

 

[jonny jeez]

cabbies earning their 12 grand PA.

What?...and the rest. I know Cabbies who take the equivalent of £60k home. Althought they may indeed declare £12k, who knows.

Cabbies are people who chose to work in a confined, private environment that requires no interaction with work colleagues, management, or other peoples private space or personalities.

Ever wonder why?

*Edit*...oops I've just spotted the irony in your initial post regards earnings...Doh, still my point on social skills remains

 

[jonny jeez]

They are each individuals, responsible only for their own driving and shouldn't be judged en-masse.

To do so is no better than the pages of "all cyclists jump red lights" comments that follow any cycling story on the web and drive us nuts.

Fair point. actually I'd go a step further the other way and say, "see, this is why its so important for us to get our own house in order"

 

[Sara_H]

Seen this Sara?

http://greatgasbeetle.com/the-ongoing-saga-of-sheffields-castle-street-cycle-lane/

Similar experience to mine. I stopped to photograph the taxi's parked on the contraflow at the station and within seconds they surrounded me and were threatening me with violence. My OH has witnessed them threatening two other women also.
I've made complaints to the taxi lisencing and they've completely ignored me.

 

[glenn forger]

I'd set my phone on Record and do the same, but then I'm a six foot chap, they probably only threaten lone women.

 

[Davidsw8]

They are each individuals, responsible only for their own driving and shouldn't be judged en-masse.

To do so is no better than the pages of "all cyclists jump red lights" comments that follow any cycling story on the web and drive us nuts.

Completely agree with you JR and as I mentioned, I have a good friend who's been a working cabbie for 40 years.

This is generalising but my experience cycling in London over the last year has shown that cabbies are pretty aggressive drivers who really have a problem with cyclists.

I regard myself as a very responsible cyclist but I know there are tons who aren't so I totally see your point about one group generalising another.

I guess we all have to lead by example and help change the perception of our own groups.

 

[Brains]

overall I find the London cabbies are at least aware of cyclists, if they cut you up, it's deliberate. ive not had an incident with them where they were not aware of your presence.

having said which, the two worst examples of driving in London that I have ever seen against cyclist were both by London black cabs, both on the Lower Road in Southwark one about 10 years ago and the other about 5 years ago, I don't think it was the same cabbie though

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

London cabbies are their own worst enema!

 

[Dan B]

overall I find the London cabbies are at least aware of cyclists, if they cut you up, it's deliberate. ive not had an incident with them where they were not aware of your presence.

I have. I was knocked off by a U-turning taxi driver who I thought was trying to bully me out of my lane, but turned out genuinely not to have seen me in it (god only knows how). To say I was surprised is an extreme understatement. Had I known he was actually blind I'd have backed off when he started to swerve at me instead of holding my line and mentally calling him a cock

 

[Jezston]

They are each individuals, responsible only for their own driving and shouldn't be judged en-masse.

To do so is no better than the pages of "all cyclists jump red lights" comments that follow any cycling story on the web and drive us nuts.

You make a fair point, although cyclists are all entirely independent individuals. Black cab drivers in London are part of a single organisation with a licensing authority that they are responsible to - it seems this authority is unwilling to do anything about enforcing standards.

 

[glenn forger]

The authority don't even keep records of complaints. They couldn't care less.

 

[Mallory]

Why is it that cabbies only account for 1% off all journeys in London but are treated like royalty?? U-Turn where they like, suddenly stop to pick up a fare and allowed in bus lanes??

IMO as long as they continue to charge an "idle" charge they cannot be considered public transport!! Does a bus charge you extra for sitting in traffic??

Don't get me wrong black cabs have their place and can be useful but the TDA needs to be relinquished of its stranglehold of Londons roads. They make the RMT & Bob Crowe look like Snow White and the 7 dwarfs