Joburg cyclist killed by taxi

[Scott2luvit]

Just read the article on News 24

 

http://news.iafrica.com/sa/810355.html

 

my condolences to the family

[divernick]

How the hell do we get rid of these lawless taxi bastards? I'm reaching the end of my patience....

[Scott2luvit]

they found him in a ditch, taxi propably drove away without notifying anyone

[Greg29]

This is the main reason I refuse to ride a road bike. What a waste!!! I'm willing to bet that taxi animal would do it again without a second thought.

[Mark_48]

Hi, I am new to forum & I ride a road bike!!, I wonder if there is a way of holding the Taxi Associations, various traffic dept's & the Minister of transport liable for these buggers.

[TNT1]

Hoenstly. I feel for the family and friends of the victim, but I don't understand this vilifying of taxis. I don't see anyone obeying the rules of the road when I am out riding, and if you look at the deaths of cyclists on our roads, most are not by taxi. Seems daft to set a scapegoat when it would be so much easier to set an example.

[Garfield2010]

Hi, I am new to forum & I ride a road bike!!, I wonder if there is a way of holding the Taxi Associations, various traffic dept's & the Minister of transport liable for these buggers.

 

Get out while you still can man!!!

[Mark_48]

Seriously looking into getting a MTB

[Stretch]

Hoenstly. I feel for the family and friends of the victim, but I don't understand this vilifying of taxis. I don't see anyone obeying the rules of the road when I am out riding, and if you look at the deaths of cyclists on our roads, most are not by taxi. Seems daft to set a scapegoat when it would be so much easier to set an example.

agreed - but they are seen disobeying laws regularly - and the fact that they are part of a body should mean their actions should be scrutinised a lot more intensly than they are. agree that the collective "we" are just as bad

 

My condolences

[Wil6]

Hoenstly. I feel for the family and friends of the victim, but I don't understand this vilifying of taxis. I don't see anyone obeying the rules of the road when I am out riding, and if you look at the deaths of cyclists on our roads, most are not by taxi. Seems daft to set a scapegoat when it would be so much easier to set an example.

Must I record a video for you of how they drive?There is a difference driving 10km/h over the speed limit, and stopping wherever you please blocking a whole lane of a busy road.That's not even the beginning of all the violations.Have you ever had a taxi riding past you and then suddenly just pulls of the road right in front of you to drop someone of?

[Garfield2010]

deaths of cyclists on our roads, most are not by taxi. .

 

Do you have the statistics to back this statement up? I am sure if you look at it proporsionally thentaxis cause the most of everyting that is bad on the roads

 

From a logical point of view myself as a cyclist are a lot more afraid of a taxi as I know they dont give a **** regardless.

 

I almost got run over by a taxi in the cradle last week as the idiot ignored those safety plastic thingys and decided to stop right in front of me.

[Vetseun]

This is the main reason I refuse to ride a road bike. What a waste!!! I'm willing to bet that taxi animal would do it again without a second thought.

Jip it is bad that it is so dangerous to ride a RB. We also need to accept that the term cyclist also refers to a poor guy living in a squatter camp that needs to ride his bike to his job every day to make money to feed his family. For him there is no choice unlike us lucky few. RIP CYCLIST FRIEND.

[Greg29]

Jip it is bad that it is so dangerous to ride a RB. We also need to accept that the term cyclist also refers to a poor guy living in a squatter camp that needs to ride his bike to his job every day to make money to feed his family. For him there is no choice unlike us lucky few. RIP CYCLIST FRIEND.

 

Agreed, I also feel for the thousands of commuters who have no choice but to catch a taxi and risk their lives daily.

[Seeker911]

As runner, cyclist (MTB and roadie), motorcyclist etc I always try to be careful and watchful on the road. The other day I decided to go to work by car which does not happen very often. I managed to reverse into an old dude on a scooter who was behind me while trying to go around a taxi who decided it was a great idea to drop off passengers in the middle of William Nicol road. Must admit I felt like a real CHOP. Fortunately the old dude and his scooter sustained only minor scratches. My advice when out on the road is too wear bright clearly visible clothing, make sure your lights are ON, eyes and ears are OPEN and tantrums and middle finger tucked away !! Now where is that bloody taxi I am gonna murder that ....

[Sharkie 2]

Sad news condolences to the family, I can't see how a MTB will totally take out the risk, minimize it yes but not nullify it ....not cycling will but the minute you get on your bike you are at risk

[GrumpyOldGuy]

Agreed, I also feel for the thousands of commuters who have no choice but to catch a taxi and risk their lives daily.

 

Yeah, and in the majority of cases there's actually no recourse in the event of an accident. Unlike say in NY or London where Taxi's are regulated and controlled business's which are run with all required insurance's, safety checks on vehicles etc, the general informal Taxi industry complies with none of that, and there's no, or at best minimal recourse in the event of dissatisfaction or an accident.

 

Our caretaker here at the complex had his brother injured in a taxi crash about two weeks ago whilst travelling to work, the ambulance took him to JHB General Hospital where they just "lost" him for two days because he was in and out of consciousness and they kept moving him between wards, but thats another story, the issue is he has absolutely no recourse, he cant claim anything from the taxi owner / company because he doesn't even know who the owner / company is, and anyway its doubtful he / they have the necessary third party commuter insurance's he could claim against, and anyway, the driver has disappeared, so although he is in a public hospital and his costs are low, there are still costs, and he has to cover them himself with no hope of any claim for injury, loss of income, nothing, and he just loses his wages because he cant work.

 

In my opinion the informal taxi industry here are just a lawless band unto themselves, they live with impunity outside most rules of the road and think none apply to them. Furthermore, they couldn't actually care less about their customer, because, truth be told, there's thousands more needing them as a mode of transport daily, so customer service / safety / comfort / insurance / recourse, is very far from their minds, and it shows,... daily.!

Edited August 10, 2012 by GrumpyOldGuy