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How best to deal with the Taxi Driver??*

  • 18-11-2009 01:07PM
    #1
    Iron Enthusiast
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 189 ✭✭


    Everyone who cycles to work has to deal with good and bad drivers on the road. But I was just reminded of how ignorant some drivers can be this morning.

    As I cycled into work (wearing an illuminus Yellow cycling jacket, a bag with an illuminus orange bag cover and a light flashing on my bike) a Taxi drifted out of the main lane of traffic (without indicating) and began to sandwich me between the pavement and his car. My only option was to speed up and get in front of him and when I did I waved with my hand to show him I was there and pointed at his indicator to say “you never indicated”!

    Obviously this is a huge crime because the Taxi driver proceeded to slam down his horn and keep beeping at me and telling me to get into the cycle lane (I was cycling in the bus lane at the kerb side so this made no sense?).

    At the next set of lights I found myself next to the taxi and without shouting or getting upset I told him he needed to be aware of cyclists and start using his indicator or there’d be an accident.

    His reaction? “I’ve got a witness you were in the wrong!! You weren’t even in the bleedin cycling lane and I have a witness”

    I tried again to explain that whatever happens he should “use your indicator” because cyclists can’t guess what drivers are planning on doing. But to no avail, instead all I got was a bunch of expletives and wall of total ignorance.

    Generally speaking I try to avoid confrontation with all drivers, as anyone can make a mistake. Instead I go out of my way to make sure I’m visible as I just want to get to my destination in one piece.

    My question:

    As a cyclist should you leave it or say something to the driver if he almost causes an accident. Personally I’d rather have him pissed off at me and more careful in future than just letting it go??


«1

Comments

  • #2
    tunney
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,585 ✭✭✭✭tunney


    Iron Enthusiast wrote: »
    Everyone who cycles to work has to deal with good and bad drivers on the road. But I was just reminded of how ignorant some drivers can be this morning.

    As I cycled into work (wearing an illuminus Yellow cycling jacket, a bag with an illuminus orange bag cover and a light flashing on my bike) a Taxi drifted out of the main lane of traffic (without indicating) and began to sandwich me between the pavement and his car. My only option was to speed up and get in front of him and when I did I waved with my hand to show him I was there and pointed at his indicator to say “you never indicated”!

    Obviously this is a huge crime because the Taxi driver proceeded to slam down his horn and keep beeping at me and telling me to get into the cycle lane (I was cycling in the bus lane at the kerb side so this made no sense?).

    Happened to me last Friday, did a track stand in the middle of the bus lane until he stopped beeping and then politely told him to have some manners and continued on my way :)


  • #3
    dario28
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,187 ✭✭✭dario28


    They are so frustrating, I have at least one incident every week with them....angry stupid knackers driving cars that arent even taxi standard - 99% of them are fine its just are the thick ones that dont realise that the traffic is gonna be backed up another 100 mtrs down the road and try and get past ya , or ya slow as a set of lights turn red and they decide to speed up and go around ya and then just stop

    Similar issue to you , I have road bike and , between end of malahide road and fire station at annsley bridge I cycle in the bus lane, I dont like the bike lane , its always busy and the leaves and curbs are enemys of my road bike tyres , I avg about 35km's so not doddling but...the traffic is always backed up after that point , so no one should be in a hurry , yesterday had a taxi drive up my hole beeping and shoulting out the window even though there was a customer in the back and the traffic was clearlry not moving ahead - I find the following works

    1) Issue the finger then move in slow and let them pass

    2) Wait until you catch up with them in traffic and issue the w@nker sign on passing

    3) If they have really fooked you off stop in front of them and have a cycle slow for a bit

    There is no point trying to educate them as they arent driving taxis for their brain power and they own the road, its their bleedin bread and butter after all

    One of them actually told me hs is coming after me to slit my throat...so ill look forward to that another with a taxi full of lads told me I was a queer cyclist...how professional


  • #4
    gaz wac
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,333 ✭✭✭gaz wac


    I would prob just post my rant into the Cycling forum :D


  • #5
    gaz wac
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,333 ✭✭✭gaz wac


    Nope, you can hear them moaning everyday about the Motor forum :D

    http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/forumdisplay.php?f=410


  • #6
    bourne99
    Closed Accounts Posts: 162 ✭✭bourne99


    Well, as a driver, for me there is nothing more annoying than a cyclist who cycles beside the cycle lane. It's especially annoying along say the N11 where some cyclists will cycle in the middle of the bus lane causing motorists to have to slow and change lane, which has a knock-on effect. If there is a cycle lane there - then why not use it?

    Now, I was in a cycling club for ten years as a youngster and I've gone all over Ireland. I gave up after my umpteenth mishap, the final straw being when I was run off the road in Wicklow by a BMW. The simple fact is that Ireland is not catered to cyclists despite the Micky-Mouse cycle paths etc. I love cycling, but I just won't do it here. It's too dangerous and unfortunately I know too many people who have been knocked down.

    I think you're all very brave. But can I just pleed with you on one thing: Don't just go on indicators. Watch the wheels of a car. This isn't a game or anything like it, and if you end up having an accident someday and are left injured, it'll be no use to you saying 'But he didn't have his indicator on...' It's your life, and you're putting it in the trust of the driver - who is in a car weighing 1.5 tonnes, and is often driving with the radio on, whilst texting in one hand, with a cigarette in the other. Of course they shouldn't be doing those things, but the truth is that they are - so until they stop all of that - I'll take my chances in a Volvo before a bike!

    But getting back to your original comment, yeah I agree people who don't indicate are annoying for everyone.


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  • #7
    tunney
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,585 ✭✭✭✭tunney


    bourne99 wrote: »
    Well, as a driver, for me there is nothing more annoying than a cyclist who cycles beside the cycle lane. It's especially annoying along say the N11 where some cyclists will cycle in the middle of the bus lane causing motorists to have to slow and change lane, which has a knock-on effect. If there is a cycle lane there - then why not use it?

    It this specific case because it is not a usable bike lane.
    Its unsafe and dangerous.
    See your below point on "Micky-Mouse cycle paths".
    bourne99 wrote: »
    Now, I was in a cycling club for ten years as a youngster and I've gone all over Ireland. I gave up after my umpteenth mishap, the final straw being when I was run off the road in Wicklow by a BMW. The simple fact is that Ireland is not catered to cyclists despite the Micky-Mouse cycle paths etc. I love cycling, but I just won't do it here. It's too dangerous and unfortunately I know too many people who have been knocked down.

    I think you're all very brave. But can I just pleed with you on one thing: Don't just go on indicators. Watch the wheels of a car. This isn't a game or anything like it, and if you end up having an accident someday and are left injured, it'll be no use to you saying 'But he didn't have his indicator on...' It's your life, and you're putting it in the trust of the driver - who is in a car weighing 1.5 tonnes, and is often driving with the radio on, whilst texting in one hand, with a cigarette in the other. Of course they shouldn't be doing those things, but the truth is that they are - so until they stop all of that - I'll take my chances in a Volvo before a bike!

    But getting back to your original comment, yeah I agree people who don't indicate are annoying for everyone.

    MODS PLEASE MOVE THIS.


  • #8
    robinph
    Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 24,146 Mod ✭✭✭✭robinph


    bourne99 wrote: »
    Well, as a driver, for me there is nothing more annoying than a cyclist who cycles beside the cycle lane. It's especially annoying along say the N11 where some cyclists will cycle in the middle of the bus lane causing motorists to have to slow and change lane, which has a knock-on effect.

    Which motorists, surely the only ones that will be effected are buses and taxis? Buses will be stopping every few hundred meters so may well not be going the same speed as the bike anyway and the taxi can either overtake or will just get stuck behind the next bus anyway if the regular lanes are going slow with the rest of the traffic.


  • #9
    dario28
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,187 ✭✭✭dario28


    bourne99 wrote: »
    Well, as a driver, for me there is nothing more annoying than a cyclist who cycles beside the cycle lane. It's especially annoying along say the N11 where some cyclists will cycle in the middle of the bus lane causing motorists to have to slow and change lane, which has a knock-on effect. If there is a cycle lane there - then why not use it?

    . The simple fact is that Ireland is not catered to cyclists despite the Micky-Mouse cycle paths etc.

    Ya just contradicted yourself there - The whole reason I'd avoid certain stretches of cycle lanes is because of mickey mouse cycle paths and who cares if ya have to change lane hardly that much of an inconvinence...


  • #10
    Iron Enthusiast
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 189 ✭✭Iron Enthusiast


    Just to clarify, there was no cycle lane where I was cyclling. There was only the bus lane which as a cyclist i'm entitled to use! (hence my confusion over the Taxi drivers comments?)


  • #11
    nerraw1111
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,818 ✭✭✭nerraw1111


    The cycle lanes in Dublin are a joke. Sometimes it's safer avoid them altogether.

    I encountered an idiot taxi driver a few weeks ago. A calmly delivered finger usually works for me. Not big or clever but it's not like anything I'll say is going to change their minds.

    Bourne99: You outlined precisely the reasons why some cyclists don't use cycle lanes.


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  • #12
    bourne99
    Closed Accounts Posts: 162 ✭✭bourne99


    ah well, makes no odds to me. Whatever about latching on to the cycle lane bit, I was trying to relay some advice which was given to me some years back and that is you're trusting the drivers. I don't trust drivers. Sure just the other day 4 'lads' in a Hyundai Coupe jumped the gun at the lights and careered into another car right on front of me. Maybe I'm still annoyed by the cyclist who called me a 'f***ing sp*' some weeks back. And I was on foot. I'll be on my way...


  • #13
    nerraw1111
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,818 ✭✭✭nerraw1111


    Completely agree that you should never trust drivers, pedestrians or cyclists

    Basically there are many idiots on the roads using various modes of transport.


  • #14
    --amadeus--
    Closed Accounts Posts: 5,095 ✭✭✭--amadeus--


    tunney wrote: »
    MODS PLEASE MOVE THIS.

    Reporting the post normally works better than a CAPS LOCK demand ;)

    Moved from A/R/T...


  • #15
    tomasrojo
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 12,049 ✭✭✭✭tomasrojo


    bourne99 wrote: »
    If there is a cycle lane there - then why not use it?

    Because they're mostly unusable.
    bourne99 wrote: »
    It's too dangerous.

    No, it isn't.
    bourne99 wrote: »
    I think you're all very brave.

    No, we're not. Well, I certainly am not.
    bourne99 wrote: »
    But can I just plead with you on one thing: Don't just go on indicators. Watch the wheels of a car.

    That's excellent advice. I do that myself, but it bears repeating. Thanks for that.


  • #16
    Surveyor11
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,036 ✭✭✭Surveyor11


    Haven recently graduated from 4 to 2 wheels, I can say that taxi drivers are by far the most ignorant and inconsiderate road users. Well, I figured this while driving so I always give them a wide berth and try and expect the worse.

    Had one pull out right in front of me on a roundabout yesterday morning, cats-eyes lights and high vis on. Ignoramus.


  • #17
    Jip
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,418 ✭✭✭Jip


    You should have realise that while you were still on 4 wheels Surveyor ! I think some of them think the yellow plate on their roof is a flashing blue light that gives them carte blanche to do whatever they want on the road.


  • #18
    eggie
    Closed Accounts Posts: 880 ✭✭✭eggie


    I normally beckon them out of the car so I can kick **** out of them but none has jumped out yet unfortunately. I punch their windows on driver side if its a really close call and they are wrong.:mad:


  • #19
    fletch
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,499 ✭✭✭fletch


    This didn't happen on Thomas Street this morning did it?


  • #20
    Iron Enthusiast
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 189 ✭✭Iron Enthusiast


    Nope it happened between the Burlington and lesson street bridge on the way into town!


  • #21
    RacoonQueen
    Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 20,369 Mod ✭✭✭✭RacoonQueen


    I find ignoring them annoys them a lot more than a flick of the finger. They start driving alongside me then looking at me and beeping their horn waiting for acknowledgment. There's one bus lane on my way home where taxis aren't allowed it's strictly buses and bikes only so I like to cycle SLOWLY right up the middle of the lane if there is a car/taxi behind me. :pac:


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  • #22
    buffalo
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,229 ✭✭✭buffalo


    RacoonQueen wrote: »
    I find ignoring them annoys them a lot more than a flick of the finger. They start driving alongside me then looking at me and beeping their horn waiting for acknowledgment. There's one bus lane on my way home where taxis aren't allowed it's strictly buses and bikes only so I like to cycle SLOWLY right up the middle of the lane if there is a car/taxi behind me. :pac:

    Stephen's Green East? :)


  • #23
    Greenman
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,963 ✭✭✭Greenman


    tunney wrote: »
    It this specific case because it is not a usable bike lane.
    Its unsafe and dangerous.
    See your below point on "Micky-Mouse cycle paths".

    I have to say the cyclepaths in Dublin are not great and badly thought out.
    I always said a Dutchman/Cyclist with years of experience should be doing the designing.
    IMHO it was better not to have cyclepaths in many cases, those ones where you just go up and down the footpath plus you have to stop everytime you cross a minor road.

    A good cyclepath should be well maintained/cleaned.
    Give you lots of priority.
    Pedestrian free.
    And as you zoom along, the motorist stuck in heavy thinks to themselves "thats a better way to travel".

    Everyday as I cycle to work I feel blessed that I live here http://www.360cities.net/image/albertkanaal-brug-zandstraat-kwaadmechelen-ham-limburg-belgie :):):)


  • #24
    kona
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,522 ✭✭✭kona


    There is one reason that cycle lanes are insane, and badly thought out. :

    To get funding for "cycling":rolleyes: from the EU the government needed X amount of cycle lanes.

    Where the money went , I have no Idea but it didnt go where it was ment to.


  • #25
    Condo131
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,442 ✭✭✭Condo131


    Irrespective of who is right and who is wrong, heed the saying "there's no point in being dead right if you end up just as dead as if you were wrong"

    and btw...imho... hackney drivers have, in general, the worst attitude to other road users inc cyclists, pedestrians and other motorists!


  • #26
    SerialComplaint
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,644 ✭✭✭SerialComplaint


    Iron Enthusiast wrote: »
    As I cycled into work (wearing an illuminus Yellow cycling jacket, a bag with an illuminus orange bag cover and a light flashing on my bike) a Taxi drifted out of the main lane of traffic (without indicating) and began to sandwich me between the pavement and his car. My only option was to speed up and get in front of him and when I did I waved with my hand to show him I was there and pointed at his indicator to say “you never indicated”!

    Obviously this is a huge crime because the Taxi driver proceeded to slam down his horn and keep beeping at me and telling me to get into the cycle lane (I was cycling in the bus lane at the kerb side so this made no sense?).


    See http://www.taxiregulator.ie/consumer/complaints-and-lost-property/making-a-complaint.html


  • #27
    dario28
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,187 ✭✭✭dario28


    SerialComplaint wrote: »
    See http://www.taxiregulator.ie/consumer/complaints-and-lost-property/making-a-complaint.html


    All well and good but I can see this resolution coming back

    The complaint may be concluded in one of four ways. These are:
    • No further action


  • #28
    Jumpy
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,606 ✭✭✭Jumpy


    glove.jpg


  • #29
    Hermy
    Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 11,806 Mod ✭✭✭✭Hermy


    RacoonQueen wrote: »
    There's one bus lane on my way home where taxis aren't allowed it's strictly buses and bikes only so I like to cycle SLOWLY right up the middle of the lane if there is a car/taxi behind me. :pac:
    Hi RQ,
    Just curious - where is this bus lane?

    Genealogy Forum Mod



  • #30
    Garlic Suplmnt
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 141 ✭✭Garlic Suplmnt


    I'm back cycling since June having not been on a bike in over 10 years. The first couple of months I used to lock horns with anything that put me in danger when cycling. I found this used to just put me in bad humour for a short while, so I just try glide above it nowadays and not react. It's normally an 'after the event' phenomonon which in the face of the prevailing attitude of motorists who have created a dangerous situation, has limited overall use I think.


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  • #31
    RacoonQueen
    Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 20,369 Mod ✭✭✭✭RacoonQueen


    Hermy wrote: »
    Hi RQ,
    Just curious - where is this bus lane?

    In Inchicore, coming off Tyrconell road onto the Sarsfield road by the 'model school'

    *hopes Hermy isn't a taxi driver that I've gotten in the way of in the past*


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