I had fantasies of punching him, d-locking the cab etc. etc. but this is not the answer. All that would happen is that the situation would escalate - cyclists and cabbies alike would anticipate violence and prepare themselves accordingly (viz. a different, rather worrying thread on this forum).
As RPM pointed out, the situation on the roads has already escalated way out of proportion. Using a vehicle as a battering ram to defend perceived rights is homicidal. And as Vee Vee says, the cabbie's unfit for purpose - needs a holiday, councilling, 5 days commuting on a bike, a big bifter - whatever required to get him out of his current mental state. I wouldn't get into a cab with him driving and his passengers didn't looks too happy about it...
In retrospect, the best thing to have done would have been to very calmly and not abusively got his details, asked the passengers for their details (to be witnesses - they seemed up for it) and report the incident to his professional body and the police. I think this would put the shits up him more than resorting to abuse or violence. It would have shown him that he'd transgressed, was in the wrong and that I had the power (intellectual & legal) over him: to lose him his job, make mortgage repayments very difficult, give him an awkward conversations with family & friends. Even if it went no further, it'd make him think twice. The moment he saw DB taking pictures of his cab he wound his neck in pretty sharpish.
If I can get the details (can't believe between us DB & I couldn't even get the cab's plates), this is still the route I will pursue. I was the victim and he was the transgressor. I have the moral high ground and need to maintain it rather than reduce myself to his level.
I had fantasies of punching him, d-locking the cab etc. etc. but this is not the answer. All that would happen is that the situation would escalate - cyclists and cabbies alike would anticipate violence and prepare themselves accordingly (viz. a different, rather worrying thread on this forum).
As RPM pointed out, the situation on the roads has already escalated way out of proportion. Using a vehicle as a battering ram to defend perceived rights is homicidal. And as Vee Vee says, the cabbie's unfit for purpose - needs a holiday, councilling, 5 days commuting on a bike, a big bifter - whatever required to get him out of his current mental state. I wouldn't get into a cab with him driving and his passengers didn't looks too happy about it...
In retrospect, the best thing to have done would have been to very calmly and not abusively got his details, asked the passengers for their details (to be witnesses - they seemed up for it) and report the incident to his professional body and the police. I think this would put the shits up him more than resorting to abuse or violence. It would have shown him that he'd transgressed, was in the wrong and that I had the power (intellectual & legal) over him: to lose him his job, make mortgage repayments very difficult, give him an awkward conversations with family & friends. Even if it went no further, it'd make him think twice. The moment he saw DB taking pictures of his cab he wound his neck in pretty sharpish.
If I can get the details (can't believe between us DB & I couldn't even get the cab's plates), this is still the route I will pursue. I was the victim and he was the transgressor. I have the moral high ground and need to maintain it rather than reduce myself to his level.
Less hate, more understanding people.