'Stop the blame game' say taxi drivers and cyclists in Cambridge after collision video sparks debateTaxi drivers in Cambridge have appealed for the blame game between motorists and cyclists to stop after a video of a collision between the two sparked a debate.
The video has gone viral on YouTube and a debate has kicked off as to who was at fault.
The cyclist is seen attempting to pass the left-turning taxi on London's Edgware Road at which point the vehicle hits the man on the side of the leg and knocks him off the bike. The cyclist then dusts himself off and shakes the driver's hand before continuing his journey.
YouTube users have been arguing over who was to blame with some saying the driver signalled late and should have checked their wing mirror.
Paul Bradley, general secretary of the Cambridge Hackney Carriage Association, which represents more than 200 cabbies, said: "I don't understand why many cyclists don't take their or others safety seriously. "Even if you don't see indicators, approaching these exits I would have thought would make you slow down and take extra care considering these junctions are probably where most cycle accidents happen.
"The car may well be wrong but you need to take double care and presume the vehicle may pull in front of you and thus at least apply brakes in case. But increasing your speed with this in mind baffles me.
"I drive presuming a vehicle or cyclist is going to do the worse thing and most times they do, be it a bus, taxi, private vehicle or bike.
"I won't keep ploughing on regardless of the consequences because it's my right of way, or lights are in my favour. If so I would have 20 car/bus collisions a day and most likely a hundred with bikes.
"We all need to calm down a bit and stop these taxi versus cyclist, bus versus taxi and bike versus buses arguments. Policing on the roads now are near nonexistent and it's a person that will be injured or killed not someone's pride or vehicle."
Mark Rushton, who lives near Royston and braves the A10 on his penny farthing for his daily commute to Cambridge, has also called for road users to stop blaming each other.
He said: "I think it would be helpful if all road users behaved whether driving or cycling. I think cyclists should try not to ride alongside large lorries as the driver, unlike in a car, may not see them. I think it would be helpful if all road users tried to be considerate and aware of others."
The rider looks to be unhurt in the film and the two parties leave with a handshake.
Read more:
http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/Stop-bl ... z3t0RMGwvL
Login
Register
FAQ
