London cyclist in "not a total arse" shocker
Discussion
Tired, getting out of a black cab today at a red light, I didn't look and popped the suicide door open blocking the nearside completely. Next thing I know a cyclist is in the cab with me. He couldn't have been nicer about it, even apologised to me despite the fact that I came within a gnat's pube of causing quite a nasty accident. He'd managed to stop before bending his bike or himself fortunately. Obviously I apologised a lot too but I was mostly surprised he wasn't kicking off.
So, anyway, they're not all maniacal twunts fueled by lentils and jealousy, some of them are decent human beings who recognise a mistake and accept an apology. His painted on lycra and 'extreeeeemeeee' sunglasses marked him out as having an advanced case of cycletosis too.
So, anyway, they're not all maniacal twunts fueled by lentils and jealousy, some of them are decent human beings who recognise a mistake and accept an apology. His painted on lycra and 'extreeeeemeeee' sunglasses marked him out as having an advanced case of cycletosis too.
Reminds me of a few years ago. Me and a few mates were leaving the pub, and went to get a cab along bishopsgate to move to another pub to watch England play. Anyway, we cross the road, but one of my mates didn't look properly and a cyclist rode straight into him, at a reasonable speed. They both hit the floor, and the cyclist is fuming....absolutely mad. We all apologise and help him up, whist accepting all the abuse beng hurled at my mate. We then flag a cab, and jump in, passing said cyclist again. A few minutes later we get to our destination, and open the door....... I sh!t you not, straight into the same cyclist. He was trying to fly up the inside of the cab, not realising we were getting out. He hit the floor again! Not really hurt, but this time we had no sympathy!
So, cyclist does not look ahead and see taxi at the curb getting ready to allow a passenger alight. Said cyclist then cyles directly in to opening door instead of passing on the outside of the taxi cab.
SO said cyclist luck not suffer severe injury due to his own lack of spatial awareness, road positioning and overall lack of care.
SO said cyclist luck not suffer severe injury due to his own lack of spatial awareness, road positioning and overall lack of care.
SLCZ3 said:
So, cyclist does not look ahead and see taxi at the curb getting ready to allow a passenger alight. Said cyclist then cyles directly in to opening door instead of passing on the outside of the taxi cab.
SO said cyclist luck not suffer severe injury due to his own lack of spatial awareness, road positioning and overall lack of care.
SO said cyclist luck not suffer severe injury due to his own lack of spatial awareness, road positioning and overall lack of care.
He won't last long riding like that in a busy city.
It's not about cyclist v driver. It's more about a perception of rightness.
Couple of keen cycling mates in London, one with a Legacy B4, another with a 944. Pedalling these days is another modish activity to go with the kite-surfing, skiing and nice car. The combination isn't rare.
What is rare is finding someone who understands the human condition enough to realise that the natural reaction in danger situations is to cast yourself as the wronged party. So rather than kick off, they exhibit an understanding of all our frailties and react in a more sympathetic way, like your inadvertent taxi passenger. Very rare, and refreshing when you find one.
Me, I think London 4x4 drivers are all c*nts.
Couple of keen cycling mates in London, one with a Legacy B4, another with a 944. Pedalling these days is another modish activity to go with the kite-surfing, skiing and nice car. The combination isn't rare.
What is rare is finding someone who understands the human condition enough to realise that the natural reaction in danger situations is to cast yourself as the wronged party. So rather than kick off, they exhibit an understanding of all our frailties and react in a more sympathetic way, like your inadvertent taxi passenger. Very rare, and refreshing when you find one.
Me, I think London 4x4 drivers are all c*nts.
Of course, the cab was stopped at red lights and the cyclist must've thought he had enough room to get up the inside, both of which imply the cab wasn't positioned as if they were about to drop a fare off at the pavement. And then some plonker opened the door into the cyclist's face without looking. So, for me, the cyclist isn't at fault at all 
stuthemong said:
The taxi driver is also at fault here. If you are getting out the nearside he should check his mirror and shout if lycra is nearby.
I'm confused, car pulled up at kerb has to watch out for cyclists coming up the inside? Shouldn't the cyclist go round the outside of the car?bigandclever said:
Of course, the cab was stopped at red lights and the cyclist must've thought he had enough room to get up the inside, both of which imply the cab wasn't positioned as if they were about to drop a fare off at the pavement. And then some plonker opened the door into the cyclist's face without looking. So, for me, the cyclist isn't at fault at all
There is no way that this was the cyclist's "fault", contrary to what some here have suggested. In town, I try never to open a door on either side of a car without first checking for a cyclist coming from behind.Nonetheless, on a pushbike you have to look out for yourself. It's obvious that the door of any stopped taxi could potentially pop open without warning, so the cyclist has a responsibility to check whether there's a passenger inside and, if there is, to take care.
In this case, even if the passenger decided to alight only after the cab had stopped at the lights, and thus the driver had no opportunity to go near to the kerb, it would have helped if the driver had put on his hazards or left indicator.
robsti said:
stuthemong said:
The taxi driver is also at fault here. If you are getting out the nearside he should check his mirror and shout if lycra is nearby.
Not if he is indicating and is stopped!We don't know whether his indicator was on.
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