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Beck Taxi in the Bike Lane
Observed by vic on Thu, Sep 13 2007
Don't usually see this many cabs in the bike lane on Harbord. The cabs are usually too busy blocking up College St...
Anyway, this one pulled up in front of me to pick up a passenger. The passenger seemed apologetic for getting a taxi to drive in the bike lane.
Anyway....why don't they convert some of the on-street parking to taxi stands and delivery areas? Less bike lane parking needed then.
4 Comments
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Posted on Sat, Sep 15 2007 at 11:05 AM
Taxis pose quite a dilemma because there are only two options.
1. Pull into the bike lane and force bikes into the traffic .
2. Stop in the main lane, which means the bike lane is in the door zone of the passenger side.
Neither are good for cyclists.
Posted on Sun, Sep 16 2007 at 08:46 PM
There's a third option too, but it's less convenient for the cabbies and passengers: Pull into place where it's legal to drive and stop a cab (e.g. a space with nobody parked, or a no-parking or no-standing zone).
I'd rather have more designated areas for set aside for un/loading passengers and cargo, rather than being filled up with unused "parked" cars.
Posted on Fri, Sep 21 2007 at 09:29 PM
I'm actually really upset with cabs because I was doored yesterday morning just before 9 at Bay and Richmond.
I was slowing down to turn right and there were 2 cars stopped. The second was a cab. The passenger was in the back and he whipped open the door. I had absolutely no time to react. The passenger was a total Asshat and ran off. He didn't even ask me how I was. The cabbie didn't get out of his car for a long time or ask me if I was OK or if he could do anything. I was crying uncontrollably and clutching my crotch area. Praise the Lord I never hit the door with my face or lost any teeth or was thrown completely off my bike. I just slid forward into the handlebars. I'm totally bruised but so far so good.
I'm REALLY angry though that the Cabbie didn't pull to the right or signal or anything. According to the cop he is SUPPOSED to pull completely over so that I can pass him on the left. I'm really skittish on my bike now and violently angry when cars pass too close or pull stupid crap. Don't know how to get over that but I hope it'll help if they catch the cabbie. They've got the license plate # so it shouldn't be too bad.
Long story short. In the case of taxis I'd much prefer it if they'd pull into the bike lane. Going around them isn't very safe but getting doored REALLY sucks. I'm just so grateful that I'm not more hurt or dead.
Posted on Tue, May 05 2009 at 08:22 AM
Chercher, a trick I used when I was a messenger is every time I thought about getting doored, just say to yourself, "take the door off", and imagine using a car door as a crash pad. Seemed to work for me, I'm 2 for 2. Doored twice, rode away both times, and neither door would close. Very satisfying feeling.