Undertaker Cabbie - Why?
- Thread starter TrafficDroid
- Start date
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TrafficDroid
Guest
RWright
Guru
- Location
- North Carolina
Bad driving by the cab, he was and should have been called out on it. Maybe he will think about it next time he considers trying something like that . Glad you didn't get hurt.
Bad driving by the cab, he was and should have been called out on it. Maybe he will think about it next time he considers trying something like that. Glad you didn't get hurt.
From my point of view the cabbie wrongly estimated the width of the gap and there is a fair chance he learned something from it, as we all do from our close calls. At the end of the day nobody wants to cause an accident or consciously injure someone in traffic, even if our impulsive decisions sometimes can have lead to a different result than we expected. As for undertaking like that, in London it is just as "justifiable" as cyclist running red lights, undertaking at high speeds, cycling in blind spots or without consideration for other road users, not ideal situations but part of the reality to which everyone needs (and will) adapt.
Chasing and confronting people like that (like in some of the other clips) in a vigilante style IMO is futile. It has absolutely no effect on reality, other that creating more conflict and tension between road users.
mebbe, but if Droid had been paying attention to the traffic around him, rather than directing traffic ahead of him (as shown in his video) the situation would not have developed.
I often read here frustrations that motorists sometimes cause problems for cyclists by random non-approved signals to other motorists: In this case Droid did that for himself.
Similarly, in the full version of Droid's video from the Road Wars programme, he was essentially splitting the lanes rather than being in a strong position in one of them.
Ditto, in the concurrent thread, his outrageous undertake of the cyclist was indefensible.
For all his criticism of poor driving, his videos sometimes show some pretty poor cycling by him.
fossyant
Ride It Like You Stole It!
- Location
- South Manchester
Does Traffic Droid sleep, that is the question ? Must have been charging the Go-Pro's
3:40 to 4:00am. I've heard of the early bird, but blimey.
3:40 to 4:00am. I've heard of the early bird, but blimey.
glenn forger
Guest
I hope I'm wrong. I'd be amazed if they did anything.
Radchenister
Veteran
- Location
- Avon
Putting it another way, what do you want them to do?
I see an everyday mishap, human errors on both sides - two interesting characters on either side of media and environment fueled polar stances and a no win situation in umpiring / chosing a winner of the contest / argument; a good Police officer would likely ask them both to be more considerate of each other's position and ponder the words of those wise young dudes Bill and Ted ...
I see an everyday mishap, human errors on both sides - two interesting characters on either side of media and environment fueled polar stances and a no win situation in umpiring / chosing a winner of the contest / argument; a good Police officer would likely ask them both to be more considerate of each other's position and ponder the words of those wise young dudes Bill and Ted ...
TrafficDroid
Guest
Traffic Droid has Power Naps and works extremely hard contrary to what people believe. My ex GF called me Half Internet, Half Man..LOL!!!
TrafficDroid
Guest
watch this space. I will update you all
Radchenister
Veteran
- Location
- Avon
TrafficDroid, now this thread has settled a bit I'm going to be a bit more serious - I am left genuinely concerned over a few issues with your safety.
Please can I try and offer some helpful advice? I don't want to come over as condescending, please don't take it that way.
The impression I'm left with is a feeling that you might benefit from assessing some of your own road technique and particularly life saver observations.
I don't claim to be an expert but I have had some advanced training in cars via previous employers and on motorcycles under my own steam.
I too spent a few years travelling for work through London (and other cities for work purposes, both in the UK and abroad). I've done this in cars, on motorcycles and whilst cycling. Landing in Rome and getting through the city late on a Friday night, on a motorbike or LHD car, being typical scenarios; thankfully these days I don't have to do it and if I can avoid rush hour(s) traffic, I'll engineer my trips accordingly.
The advanced motorcycle training was most useful, it was a long time ago admittedly (at the turn of the century) and things might have changed slightly but I imagine that some of the key drills are still going to be the same.
Defensive driving was key to this training - developing a mindset of avoiding putting yourself in a scenario as much as possible is the aim here.
One of the key factors in this approach is the over shoulder check; this gets drilled into you to such an extent it becomes engrained so that you do them when using all vehicles.
It is very useful for blind spot safety on motorways, junctions and roundabouts; it also applies to multi and single lane traffic use and is chiefly about avoiding being caught out by under-swipes (just like the one you have shown in your video) - it helps in many scenarios.
The checks apply to both shoulders when taught on a motor bike and can be transferred well onto other vehicles with a little thought, it's a practice that has saved me more than once whilst driving at home and abroad as it is so transferable - if I can suggest that you take away one thing from this thread, it is to find out about the technique and try and apply it to your cycling? If I push my luck and ask for one more thing, can I also ask you to do some further research into road positioning?
This will get you started:
http://www.begin-motorcycling.co.uk/elc3.htm
Please can I try and offer some helpful advice? I don't want to come over as condescending, please don't take it that way.
The impression I'm left with is a feeling that you might benefit from assessing some of your own road technique and particularly life saver observations.
I don't claim to be an expert but I have had some advanced training in cars via previous employers and on motorcycles under my own steam.
I too spent a few years travelling for work through London (and other cities for work purposes, both in the UK and abroad). I've done this in cars, on motorcycles and whilst cycling. Landing in Rome and getting through the city late on a Friday night, on a motorbike or LHD car, being typical scenarios; thankfully these days I don't have to do it and if I can avoid rush hour(s) traffic, I'll engineer my trips accordingly.
The advanced motorcycle training was most useful, it was a long time ago admittedly (at the turn of the century) and things might have changed slightly but I imagine that some of the key drills are still going to be the same.
Defensive driving was key to this training - developing a mindset of avoiding putting yourself in a scenario as much as possible is the aim here.
One of the key factors in this approach is the over shoulder check; this gets drilled into you to such an extent it becomes engrained so that you do them when using all vehicles.
It is very useful for blind spot safety on motorways, junctions and roundabouts; it also applies to multi and single lane traffic use and is chiefly about avoiding being caught out by under-swipes (just like the one you have shown in your video) - it helps in many scenarios.
The checks apply to both shoulders when taught on a motor bike and can be transferred well onto other vehicles with a little thought, it's a practice that has saved me more than once whilst driving at home and abroad as it is so transferable - if I can suggest that you take away one thing from this thread, it is to find out about the technique and try and apply it to your cycling? If I push my luck and ask for one more thing, can I also ask you to do some further research into road positioning?
This will get you started:
http://www.begin-motorcycling.co.uk/elc3.htm
I do agree with the points above.
1) Consider your road position in relation to your speed.
Yes the cab driver undertook you and yes the road has no markings so it technically only 1 lane there. But it is one of those roads which is easily wide enough to have 2 lanes and drivers will treat it as such. Your positioning basically left you straddling the lanes which is frankly no-man's land if you are only bimbling at 12-15mph. You either need to cycle faster, or adopt a position more appropriate to your speed.
2) Shoulder check before drifting back to the left.
Yes the cab driver undertook you. But he probably expected you to hold your line or turn right as you didn't cut back left after overtaking the bus. If you leave a gap big enough to be undertaken then you need to do a shoulder check before drifting left. Personally I would have got back into the left lane immediately after overtaking the bus because it is usually safe to do so
3) WTH is that gesture you were doing?
Stick to right and left turn signals only, motorists won't have a clue what any others mean.
1) Consider your road position in relation to your speed.
Yes the cab driver undertook you and yes the road has no markings so it technically only 1 lane there. But it is one of those roads which is easily wide enough to have 2 lanes and drivers will treat it as such. Your positioning basically left you straddling the lanes which is frankly no-man's land if you are only bimbling at 12-15mph. You either need to cycle faster, or adopt a position more appropriate to your speed.
2) Shoulder check before drifting back to the left.
Yes the cab driver undertook you. But he probably expected you to hold your line or turn right as you didn't cut back left after overtaking the bus. If you leave a gap big enough to be undertaken then you need to do a shoulder check before drifting left. Personally I would have got back into the left lane immediately after overtaking the bus because it is usually safe to do so
3) WTH is that gesture you were doing?
Stick to right and left turn signals only, motorists won't have a clue what any others mean.
stowie
Legendary Member
I can only apologise if my level and quantity of entertainment isn't meeting your standard. Frankly, when I signed up to this forum, I had no idea about the high expectations that would placed upon me. I am feeling the pressure. You may need to go it alone. Don't worry about me; some are destined for great things, others to simply sit on the sidelines and admire.
fossyant
Ride It Like You Stole It!
- Location
- South Manchester
What's with the third person act ? Fossydroid takes no prisoners in SCR, burn and die you slow humans 
Uncle Garmin says go faster ! 
Uncle Garmin says go faster !