close call with a taxi

[BikersPOV]

Link to original page on YouTube.

I remember this feeling when I could not believe I am still vertical.

[Jiggles]

Saw that one coming

[Fly'in Ninja]

Careful out there...ride safe all

[lgk]

would have switched lanes if the option was available.

[alex.s]

Originally Posted by Jiggles

Saw that one coming

he even had a turn signal on.

[subxero]

Link to original page on YouTube.

[dfox]

not surprised, but that was quite an abrupt turn into the lane, it's apparent the driver didn't see you at all and was only waiting to avoid the car that was in front of you. Lucky he didn't have a heavier foot, or you'd be testing out whatever you wear on your feet.

[Motofool]

Originally Posted by BikersPOV

......I remember this feeling when I could not believe I am still vertical.

Seiken,

Glad you missed that car.

Heavier vehicles (about everyone else on the road) may not have the right of way, but they have impunity of way, ...... don't collide with that.

[Panda]

You should the green bullseye writing to "slightly dangerous cab". Just kidding.

Kudos for not punching the cabbie in the face when he made what sounded to be smart ass comments to you.

In the video it looks like you had an opportunity to recognize the idiot when he was trying to get to the right.

[BikersPOV]

When you watch the vid and expect what will happen than it may look obvious what will happen. With all the traffic on the road it wasn't. I was aware of him but he was just changing lanes. He did the las maneuver very sharply. If you watch it closely he gets into lane to the left and seems to be stopping - wheels straight - than he suddenly makes the move to my lane. People change lanes next to me dozens of times during my daily commute - cannot treat everyone as an emergency assuming they will go through 3 lanes without looking...

[Kokosun]

It certainly looks like an easily avoidable situation, but I'm guessing that it developed so quickly that it wasn't quite so obvious for BikersPOV. Riding in London requires high concentration, and it just isn't possible to watch EVERY car (and pedestrian). Black cabs and scooters are the two vehicles that I monitor the most, because their road manoeuvres tend to be more unpredictable than everybody else.

[Motofool]

Originally Posted by BikersPOV

.......... - cannot treat everyone as an emergency assuming they will go through 3 lanes without looking...

I believe that you should.
I have seen some quickly diving through six lanes of highway in front of my old eyes: they are called dive bombers.
Some drivers do whatever it takes not to miss their exit (maybe a passenger in the case of your taxi cab).

The reason is simple: as they are capable of doing it, some eventually will do it; you are doing no wrong, they are, but you are the one to get hurt, ........... or worse, ............it may take only one event.

Moral of the story: only you can save your bacon.
If you happen to be in their way, they will likely sweep you and your bike.
Hence, treat everyone (by constantly scanning and adjusting your relative position and speed) as a potential emergency generator.

If you are incapable or unwilling of adopting that mental frame, considering a four-wheel transportation may be recommendable.

Please take no offense on my friendly advice: city traffic is neither fair nor merciful.

[alex.s]

^^ amen

[dfox]

I half agree with Motofool and half with POV. Sure you're the only one who can save yourself, but sometimes being too cautious, especially in city traffic, can be more dangerous than helpful.

it was a very abrupt erratic move. To the eye not waiting for an accident, it looks like the cabbie is simply trying to get into the right hand lane (of the ones going straight), probably because he needs to turn right at the next intersection. This happens all the time in city traffic, you can't be slamming on your brakes all the time for little things like this, or you'll get rammed from behind by that guy texting or looking at his GPS, expecting you to travel with the flow of traffic.

Personally I think in that situation you need to modify your lane position, and just be at the ready. I will move myself to the opposite side of the lane, just in case something like this were to happen. I'd likely have been exactly where you were after you took evasive action, and have glanced to my lane to the right to see if I had room to move over without hitting someone if needed.

[Jiggles]

Brakes are bad mkay?

[alex.s]

9 out of 10 times when i avoid a collision, my response is WOT with a steering adjustment.... several seconds before it becomes an issue.

what myself and jiggles are trying to say is that as soon as that cab started to get over, the correct position is far right of your lane, increasing speed so you wont have to deal with him coming over. surprised that the cab continues? not an issue, you have already accounted for it.

[JohnnyBravo]

Yikes... Yes hindsight as well as video riders vision is 20/20