Call Sign November 2011
Page 3
from the editor's desk
an article about a burglary carried out by cretins
Menace of cyclists?
using their licensed PH car!
Call Sign has given its view on what we have
But stupidity surrounds us and while I believe
referred to as the `menace of cyclists' many times
that Boris is far from stupid, examples are always
over the years. In fact, following one instance we
reaching this office. For example, during hurri-
were actually threatened by someone claiming to
cane Irene in New York recently, although the
be a Dial-a-Cab driver who, like most bullies,
City's mass transit system was shut down taxis
refused to give his name but went into overdrive
still worked. However, the city also initiated
about his son being a cyclist and how both had
"zone fares" and allowed livery cabs equivalent
taken offence against my article. Read `Grilled' in
to our PH - to do street hails.
this issue.
Hurricanes? Olympic Games? It matters not. If
As I often say, anything written by me on this
you value the safety of private hire users, then
page is my view and has been written purely by
the only ones that the public should ever be
me. And yes, I am beginning to detest cyclists. I
allowed to use are pre-booked ones where the
detest the fact that many consider that slowing
passenger knows who is picking them up by
down is an inconvenience that they cannot afford
having the driver's name and car registration.
with that philosophy applying to traffic lights,
Even better, they should use a licensed taxi, then
pedestrian crossings and virtually any place where
they wouldn't even need that info, because as
slowing down is a prerequisite to safety.
even Boris Johnson knows, we're the safest form
That was 42 years ago and the Beatles are no
Is there one person out there reading this who
of transportation there is!
more, with George and John sadly gone, Ringo
will disagree with me when I say that at least
still trying to find out where he's going and Paul,
once a day - and often far more - that you haven't
Law Commission visit DaC
incredibly, writing ballet! But yet on a daily basis
been ready to turn left with your indicator flash-
I happened to be at DaC House recently, only to
the crossing is swamped by youngsters most
ing, when suddenly a cyclist flying along the
find that the Law Commission were visiting prior
not even born when the album was released
inside shoots through just as you were turning?
to putting into motion a consultation for next
swarming across the road in groups of four wait-
God forbid they have to stop to avoid a collision
April based on the framework that they say the
ing for a friend to take a photo.
because it will always be your fault and your ears
taxi and private hire vehicle regulations operate
Part of me finds it extremely irritating to pull
will become subject to a torrent of abuse.
under. According to the Law Commission's view,
up at a crossing only to find that those waiting
I have also reported on the tragic deaths of
current laws regarding the two sections of the
do not want to cross until the road is clear of traf-
several cyclists over the years, most having been
trade appear to be complex and outdated. That
fic, so your kindness in stopping is somewhat
killed while being on the nearside of lorries.
isn't their view, it's the views of mysterious "oth-
thrown back in your face.
Those whose deaths they were are just called
ers" a word that will be used to give some well-
On the other hand, I quite like the idea of
cyclists, but in reality they are mothers, fathers,
paid employment to several high-powered mem-
something so simple going on around us at a
sisters, brothers, sons and daughters. An acci-
bers of the establishment under the guidance of
time when doom and gloom are forever being
dental death at any time is a tragedy and of
Lord Justice Sir James Munby QC.
paraded into our faces be that wars, cabinet res-
course that doesn't mean that it wasn't the fault
The part that concerns me is where the
ignations or financial meltdowns. These people
of the lorry. But it is an undisputed fact that
Commission refer to the taxi trade as suffering
just want their photos taken crossing the road!
many cyclists not all drive in a way that is
under archaic legislation, inferring that our trade
How hard can it be to let them by not stopping!
totally unsafe and that had a taxi been spotted
hasn't changed much since Victorian times yes,
If you want to watch them doing it 24x7 - and
overtaking while speeding along the inside and
that's right, a bit like our court rooms with judges
believe me it is more entertaining than many TV
then shooting over a crossing whilst pedestrians
whose biggest addition to modernisation is to
shows - go to http://www.abbeyroad.
were on it, they would quite rightly end up in
ask who The Beatles were (that makes two men-
com/visit/. Can you believe that? A webcam for
court if spotted by a policeman. However,
tions on one page for the fab four)!
a crossing! So on second thought perhaps you
cyclists are unidentifiable so all we can do is
They then go on to say that our being stuck in
should stop just to be on the safe side whilst
curse while the cyclist in return curses any
the past makes us less capable of understanding
then watching the embarrassed faces of those
pedestrians that dare to cross the road while
modern technology such as the internet and GPS
"waiting to cross" who then have to look the
lycra lout is making his way home.
technology. Errr, excuse me Commission, but
other way! It almost takes you back to an age of
I've often wondered what cyclists waiting at
Dial-a-Cab have both and much more besides
innocence.
traffic lights think of their fellow cyclists who
and we know who The Beatles are (that makes
shoot past them without even a cursory glance to
No hurricanes and no
three)!
see if anyone is crossing or if any traffic is com-
I know not what happened whilst they were
ing from another direction?
PH plying for hire...
here as I am not privy to such meetings, howev-
Now with the added problem of the Boris
er, I was told that the Commission were
We're always hearing some wag or other suggest-
Bikes with many riders who have not a clue what
impressed by our operation. Whether that makes
ing that licensed private hire should be allowed to
road sense means, we are literally surrounded by
any difference to their future plans, I very much
ply for hire, but anyone with a modicum of com-
these two wheeled menaces with riders who
doubt. After all, it would be an awful lot of
monsense would know that for several highly
consider they can do anything they like.
spending money to lose!
important reasons - that readers of Call Sign
So perhaps it's about time that cyclists had to
know backwards - it must never happen.
ride on licensed bikes? It can't be that difficult to
LTPH PH Consultation
However, rumours have reached this office sug-
attach a number plate to the rear of the bike and
According to answers on the recent what they
gesting that if enough taxi drivers decide not to
under those circumstances, make it so much eas-
can and can't do LTPH Consultation on Private
work during next years' Olympic Games in
ier to report one when riding in a dangerous
Hire, cars can now officially be any colour so
Stratford, then Mayor Boris will be asked by a
manner? Boris bikes first???
Addison Lee are officially black cabs! Even more
group of London Assembly members to allow
worrying is that the restriction on PHV vehicles
special private hire ranks where even non-pre-
And speaking of
resembling Licensed Taxis has been scrapped.
booked fares can go to catch a minicab whose dri-
That follows on from a silly taxi campaign that
ver may or may not have a clue as to where they
crossings...
PH not be allowed to use the Vito as it could be
are or even actually be who they say they are!
The most famous of all London's crossings (a
confused with licensed taxis. Being honest, PH
It sounds ridiculous because even if the Mayor
famous crossing!!!) has to be the one in Abbey
had the car first so how could we complain? But
considered it, would anyone ever know which
Road outside of the Abbey Road studios. This is
Mr Griffin, should he decide to, can now renew
car was which? Call Sign has thanks to the
the crossing where John, George, Paul (minus
his fleet with TX4s! You were warned...
ever alert readers of this mag seen many pho-
his shoes) and Ringo were photographed cross-
tos of cars for sale in parking lots with ready
Alan Fisher
ing for the cover of the last-but-one Beatles
stuck-on PH roundels. This issue also contains
callsignmag@aol.com
album, Abbey Road.
