Ah, Twitter. Widely renowned as a place for thoughtful, considerate debate (isn’t it?), the social media platform can also – surprisingly – provide a largely anonymous refuge for the more toxic opinions of certain groups.

And so it proved, when over the weekend Jeremy Vine posted another video of his commute in London, which showed a van driver mounting the footpath to get past a taxi on what used to be the cycle lane on Kensington High Street:

One particularly unpleasant taxi driver’s response to the broadcaster’s video was, let’s say, rather blunt:

In fairness, Vine didn’t hold back either:

After a few more childish and largely meme-based taunts (I would probably avoid visiting Tom the cabbie’s profile, as it’s pretty unsavoury), one user came up with handy idea for cyclists to avoid any anti-bike taxi drivers:

This prompted some cyclists, including road.cc’s very own Simon MacMichael, to share their favourite bike-related taxi stories:

And my personal favourite, from cycling author Chris Sidwells:

Others, however, were keen to point out that Tom the cabbie certainly doesn’t represent all taxi drivers:

The last time I was in a taxi, a few weeks ago in the coastal town of Bray, just outside Dublin, we spent almost an hour chatting to our driver, a retired café owner who used to race mountain bikes, reminiscing about local cycling legends like Peter Crinnion. Thankfully he didn’t keep the meter running…

https://road.cc/content/news/cycling-live-blog-21-march-2022-291231#live-blog-item-32627

On 21/03/2022 11:19 am, swldx...@gmail.com wrote:

> Ah, Twitter. Widely renowned as a place for thoughtful, considerate debate (isn’t it?), the social media platform can also – surprisingly – provide a largely anonymous refuge for the more toxic opinions of certain groups.
> And so it proved, when over the weekend Jeremy Vine posted another video of his commute in London, which showed a van driver mounting the footpath to get past a taxi on what used to be the cycle lane on Kensington High Street:

*used* *to* *be* "the" *fairy-cycle* *lane*?

Has a London council had an attack of severe common sense and fairness,
then?

Khan won't like that!

> One particularly unpleasant taxi driver’s response to the broadcaster’s video was, let’s say, rather blunt:
> In fairness, Vine didn’t hold back either:
> After a few more childish and largely meme-based taunts (I would probably avoid visiting Tom the cabbie’s profile, as it’s pretty unsavoury), one user came up with handy idea for cyclists to avoid any anti-bike taxi drivers:
> This prompted some cyclists, including road.cc’s very own Simon MacMichael, to share their favourite bike-related taxi stories:
> And my personal favourite, from cycling author Chris Sidwells:
> Others, however, were keen to point out that Tom the cabbie certainly doesn’t represent all taxi drivers:
> The last time I was in a taxi, a few weeks ago in the coastal town of Bray, just outside Dublin,

I know Bray. Haven't been there in a long time, but it's a pretty place.

> we spent almost an hour chatting to our driver, a retired café owner who used to race mountain bikes, reminiscing about local cycling legends like Peter Crinnion.

Oh... that sounds *really* interesting, doesn't it?

<FX: eyes cast up to Heaven>

> Thankfully he didn’t keep the meter running…

One thing you can always count on: fairy-cyclists are - always and
everywhere - keen not to spend a penny more than is absolutely necessary
and of course, they always prefer to get someone else to pay if it can
be arranged.

> https://road.cc/content/news/cycling-live-blog-21-march-2022-291231#live-blog-item-32627

On 21/03/2022 11:26, JNugent wrote:

> One thing you can always count on: cyclists are - always and
> everywhere - keen not to spend a penny more than is absolutely
> necessary and of course, they always prefer to get someone else to
> pay if it can be arranged.

Go on then, give some examples of what they expect to have but not pay for.

On 21/03/2022 11:29 am, swldx...@gmail.com wrote:

> On Monday, March 21, 2022 at 11:19:38 AM UTC, swldx...@gmail.com wrote:

> Had a great conversation with a taxi driver on the way home one night about the Bianchi he was about to buy.

>> https://road.cc/content/news/cycling-live-blog-21-march-2022-291231#live-blog-item-32627

It sounds absolutely fascinating!

Who was the initiator of the conversation?

On the face of it, it sounds an unlikely discussion to be started up
late at night.

But perhaps you were wearing your Captain marvel glasses and your cycle
clips.

On 21/03/2022 12:40 pm, TMS320 wrote:

> On 21/03/2022 11:26, JNugent wrote:

>> One thing you can always count on: cyclists are - always and
>> everywhere - keen not to spend a penny more than is absolutely
>> necessary and of course, they always prefer to get someone else to
>> pay if it can be arranged.

> Go on then, give some examples of what they expect to have but not pay for.

I can certainly give you one you notable example which you will remember.

You will no doubt recall that Mason (this so typical of him!) once swore
to report a café owner for declining to give him a free drink of water
when he was out cycling on a warm day, citing an ancient law which
(apparently) provides that customers must be provided with tap-water,
free, on demand.

His resolve lasted until it was pointed out to him (by The Medway
Handyman, God rest his soul) that a freeloader isn't a customer (at
least, not in the English language).

One marvels that Mason hadn't remembered that he could have *bought* a
cold drink from the café (with... er... money) and that is indeed what
cafés are *for*.

But...

On 21/03/2022 13:04, JNugent wrote:
> On 21/03/2022 12:40 pm, TMS320 wrote:
>> On 21/03/2022 11:26, JNugent wrote:
>
>>> One thing you can always count on: cyclists are - always and
>>> everywhere - keen not to spend a penny more than is absolutely
>>> necessary and of course, they always prefer to get someone else
>>> to pay if it can be arranged.
>
>> Go on then, give some examples of what they expect to have but not
>> pay for.
>
> I can certainly give you one you notable example which you will
> remember.
>
> You will no doubt recall that Mason (this so typical of him!) once
> swore to report a café owner for declining to give him a free drink
> of water when he was out cycling on a warm day, citing an ancient law
> which (apparently) provides that customers must be provided with
> tap-water, free, on demand.

Wow, that's a real slam dunk. Shrug.

On 21/03/2022 02:35 pm, TMS320 wrote:

> On 21/03/2022 13:04, JNugent wrote:
>> On 21/03/2022 12:40 pm, TMS320 wrote:
>>> On 21/03/2022 11:26, JNugent wrote:
>>
>>>> One thing you can always count on: cyclists are - always and
>>>> everywhere - keen not to spend a penny more than is absolutely
>>>> necessary and of course, they always prefer to get someone else to
>>>> pay if it can be arranged.
>>
>>> Go on then, give some examples of what they expect to have but not
>>>  pay for.
>>
>> I can certainly give you one you notable example which you will remember.
>>
>> You will no doubt recall that Mason (this so typical of him!) once
>> swore to report a café owner for declining to give him a free drink of
>> water when he was out cycling on a warm day, citing an ancient law
>> which (apparently) provides that customers must be provided with
>> tap-water, free, on demand.
>
> Wow, that's a real slam dunk. Shrug.

Why did you delete the denouement?

Did you think you were being "clever"?

Let's just reinstate the rest(or the whole) of the post...

YOU asked: "Go on then, give some examples of what they expect to have
but not pay for".

MY response:
I can certainly give you one you notable example which you will remember.

You will no doubt recall that Mason (this so typical of him!) once swore
to report a café owner for declining to give him a free drink of water
when he was out cycling on a warm day, citing an ancient law which
(apparently) provides that customers must be provided with tap-water,
free, on demand.

His resolve lasted until it was pointed out to him (by The Medway
Handyman, God rest his soul) that a freeloader isn't a customer (at
least, not in the English language).

One marvels that Mason hadn't remembered that he could have *bought* a
cold drink from the café (with... er... money) and that is indeed what
cafés are *for*.

But...

On 21/03/2022 12:40, TMS320 wrote:
> On 21/03/2022 11:26, JNugent wrote:

>> One thing you can always count on: cyclists are - always and
>> everywhere - keen not to spend a penny more than is absolutely
>> necessary and of course, they always prefer to get someone else to
>> pay if it can be arranged.

> Go on then, give some examples of what they expect to have but not pay for.

"Representatives from the four main political parties contesting the
upcoming local elections were invited to attend and asked to sign
Citizens Somerset's 'Safe Cycling Pledge' calling on candidates to
"promote cycling as a means of sustainable transport across the county".

It also asks candidates to agree to "support substantial investment in
Somerset’s cycling infrastructure so that our county becomes a leader in
sustainable transport as well as tackling climate change" and
"prioritise the Wellington to Taunton cycle route along the A38 as a
first step, aiming to start construction by 2025".

<https://road.cc/content/news/more-250-cyclists-attend-protest-ride-291243>

No mention of payments...

Glasgow are squandering half-a-million bucks providing on-street bicycle
shelters.

No mention of payments...

--
Spike

On 21/03/2022 14:48, JNugent wrote:
> On 21/03/2022 02:35 pm, TMS320 wrote:
>> On 21/03/2022 13:04, JNugent wrote:
>>> On 21/03/2022 12:40 pm, TMS320 wrote:
>>>> On 21/03/2022 11:26, JNugent wrote:
>>>
>>>>> One thing you can always count on: cyclists are - always and
>>>>> everywhere - keen not to spend a penny more than is absolutely
>>>>> necessary and of course, they always prefer to get someone else to
>>>>> pay if it can be arranged.
>>>
>>>> Go on then, give some examples of what they expect to have but not
>>>>  pay for.
>>>
>>> I can certainly give you one you notable example which you will
>>> remember.
>>>
>>> You will no doubt recall that Mason (this so typical of him!) once
>>> swore to report a café owner for declining to give him a free drink
>>> of water when he was out cycling on a warm day, citing an ancient law
>>> which (apparently) provides that customers must be provided with
>>> tap-water, free, on demand.
>>
>> Wow, that's a real slam dunk. Shrug.
>
> Why did you delete the denouement?

Your example is completely ridiculous.

> Did you think you were being "clever"?

If you want to see someone that thinks they are clever, look in a mirror.

On 21/03/2022 08:32 pm, TMS320 wrote:

> On 21/03/2022 14:48, JNugent wrote:
>> On 21/03/2022 02:35 pm, TMS320 wrote:
>>> On 21/03/2022 13:04, JNugent wrote:
>>>> On 21/03/2022 12:40 pm, TMS320 wrote:
>>>>> On 21/03/2022 11:26, JNugent wrote:
>
>>>>>> One thing you can always count on: cyclists are - always and
>>>>>> everywhere - keen not to spend a penny more than is absolutely
>>>>>> necessary and of course, they always prefer to get someone else to
>>>>>> pay if it can be arranged.
>
>>>>> Go on then, give some examples of what they expect to have but not
>>>>>  pay for.
>
>>>> I can certainly give you one you notable example which you will
>>>> remember.

Wait for it...

>>>> You will no doubt recall that Mason (this so typical of him!) once
>>>> swore to report a café owner for declining to give him a free drink
>>>> of water when he was out cycling on a warm day, citing an ancient law
>>>> which (apparently) provides that customers must be provided with
>>>> tap-water, free, on demand.
>
>>> Wow, that's a real slam dunk. Shrug.
>
>> Why did you delete the denouement?
>
> Your example is completely ridiculous.

Don't be ridiculous.

You asked for examples of fairy-cyclists expecting things to be handed
to them at the expense of others and when given such an example, threw a
hissy strop.

>> Did you think you were being "clever"?

> If you want to see someone that thinks they are clever, look in a mirror.

You're the one who finds it necessary to delete things about
fairy-cyclists, the reason being that they are true.

On Monday, March 21, 2022 at 8:32:28 PM UTC, TMS320 wrote:

> If you want to see someone that thinks they are clever, look in a mirror.

Why thank you! :-)

On 22/03/2022 00:57, JNugent wrote:
> On 21/03/2022 08:32 pm, TMS320 wrote:
>> On 21/03/2022 14:48, JNugent wrote:
>>> On 21/03/2022 02:35 pm, TMS320 wrote:
>>>> On 21/03/2022 13:04, JNugent wrote:
>>>>> On 21/03/2022 12:40 pm, TMS320 wrote:
>>>>>> On 21/03/2022 11:26, JNugent wrote:
>>
>>>>>>> One thing you can always count on: cyclists are - always
>>>>>>> and everywhere - keen not to spend a penny more than is
>>>>>>> absolutely necessary and of course, they always prefer to
>>>>>>> get someone else to pay if it can be arranged.
>>
>>>>>> Go on then, give some examples of what they expect to have
>>>>>> but not pay for.
>>
>>>>> I can certainly give you one you notable example which you
>>>>> will remember.
>
> Wait for it...

.... and waiting...

> You asked for examples of cyclists expecting things to be handed to
> them at the expense of others

I did.

I have just looked up "car thefts Liverpool". Guess what? Liverpuddlians
expect to have free cars. Presumably, your view is that a cyclist asking
for a glass of water is a much greater national scandal?

> and when given such an example, threw a hissy strop.
>
>>> Did you think you were being "clever"?
>
>> If you want to see someone that thinks they are clever, look in a
>> mirror.
>
> You're the one who finds it necessary to delete things about
> cyclists, the reason being that they are true.

I'm the one throwing hissy strops...?

On 23/03/2022 08:07 pm, TMS320 wrote:

> On 22/03/2022 00:57, JNugent wrote:
>> On 21/03/2022 08:32 pm, TMS320 wrote:
>>> On 21/03/2022 14:48, JNugent wrote:
>>>> On 21/03/2022 02:35 pm, TMS320 wrote:
>>>>> On 21/03/2022 13:04, JNugent wrote:
>>>>>> On 21/03/2022 12:40 pm, TMS320 wrote:
>>>>>>> On 21/03/2022 11:26, JNugent wrote:
>
>>>>>>>> One thing you can always count on: cyclists are - always
>>>>>>>> and everywhere - keen not to spend a penny more than is
>>>>>>>> absolutely necessary and of course, they always prefer to
>>>>>>>> get someone else to pay if it can be arranged.
>
>>>>>>> Go on then, give some examples of what they expect to have
>>>>>>> but not pay for.
>
>>>>>> I can certainly give you one you notable example which you
>>>>>> will remember.
>
>> Wait for it...
>
> ... and waiting...
>
>> You asked for examples of cyclists expecting things to be handed to
>> them at the expense of others
>
> I did.

And one was provided, though you did not like it and rejected it,
despite it being a wonderful example that we both already *knew* was
factual.

> I have just looked up "car thefts Liverpool". Guess what? Liverpuddlians
> expect to have free cars. Presumably, your view is that a cyclist asking
> for a glass of water is a much greater national scandal?

What ARE you talking about?

What a totally ridiculous thing to say.

You are clearly desperate.

>> and when given such an example, threw a hissy strop.
>
>>>> Did you think you were being "clever"?
>
>>> If you want to see someone that thinks they are clever, look in a
>>> mirror.
>
>> You're the one who finds it necessary to delete things about cyclists,
>> the reason being that they are true.
>
> I'm the one throwing hissy strops...?

That's right. You are.

On 23/03/2022 20:36, JNugent wrote:
> On 23/03/2022 08:07 pm, TMS320 wrote:

>
>> I have just looked up "car thefts Liverpool". Guess what?
>> Liverpuddlians expect to have free cars. Presumably, your view is that
>> a cyclist asking for a glass of water is a much greater national scandal?
>
> What ARE you talking about?

It's a response to your drivel.

On 24/03/2022 09:53 am, TMS320 wrote:

> On 23/03/2022 20:36, JNugent wrote:
>> On 23/03/2022 08:07 pm, TMS320 wrote:

>>> I have just looked up "car thefts Liverpool". Guess what?
>>> Liverpuddlians expect to have free cars. Presumably, your view is
>>> that a cyclist asking for a glass of water is a much greater national
>>> scandal?

>> What ARE you talking about?
>
> It's a response to your drivel.

Is there any point at all in ever expecting a common sense contribution
from you?

Every time you lose (that's every time, of course), you turn nasty.

Meanwhile, let's remind ourselves of the fact that fairy-cyclists DO
expect everything free, at the expense of others.

As had already been said, I can certainly give you one you notable
example which you will remember.

You will no doubt recall that Mason (this so typical of him!) once swore
to report a café owner for declining to give him a free drink of water
when he was out cycling on a warm day, citing an ancient law which
(apparently) provides that customers must be provided with tap-water,
free, on demand.

His resolve lasted until it was pointed out to him (by The Medway
Handyman, God rest his soul) that a freeloader isn't a customer (at
least, not in the English language).

One marvels that Mason hadn't remembered that he could have *bought* a
cold drink from the café (with... er... money) and that is indeed what
cafés are *for*.

But...

On 24/03/2022 14:53, JNugent wrote:
> On 24/03/2022 09:53 am, TMS320 wrote:
>> On 23/03/2022 20:36, JNugent wrote:
>>> On 23/03/2022 08:07 pm, TMS320 wrote:
>
>>>> I have just looked up "car thefts Liverpool". Guess what?
>>>> Liverpuddlians expect to have free cars. Presumably, your view is
>>>> that a cyclist asking for a glass of water is a much greater
>>>> national scandal?
>
>>> What ARE you talking about?
>>
>> It's a response to your drivel.
>
> Is there any point at all in ever expecting a common sense contribution
> from you?

Will your willy drop off if you don't get the last word?

On 25/03/2022 12:13 am, TMS320 wrote:

> On 24/03/2022 14:53, JNugent wrote:
>> On 24/03/2022 09:53 am, TMS320 wrote:
>>> On 23/03/2022 20:36, JNugent wrote:
>>>> On 23/03/2022 08:07 pm, TMS320 wrote:
>
>>>>> I have just looked up "car thefts Liverpool". Guess what?
>>>>> Liverpuddlians expect to have free cars. Presumably, your view is
>>>>> that a cyclist asking for a glass of water is a much greater
>>>>> national scandal?
>
>>>> What ARE you talking about?
>
>>> It's a response to your drivel.
>
>> Is there any point at all in ever expecting a common sense
>> contribution from you?
>
> Will your willy drop off if you don't get the last word?

You regard a question as "the last word", do you?

Is English a second language for you?

On 21/03/2022 16:10, Spike wrote:
> On 21/03/2022 12:40, TMS320 wrote:
>> On 21/03/2022 11:26, JNugent wrote:
>
>>> One thing you can always count on: cyclists are - always and
>>> everywhere - keen not to spend a penny more than is absolutely
>>> necessary and of course, they always prefer to get someone else
>>> to pay if it can be arranged.
>
>> Go on then, give some examples of what they expect to have but not
>> pay for.
>
> "Representatives from the four main political parties contesting the
> upcoming local elections were invited to attend and asked to sign
> Citizens Somerset's 'Safe Cycling Pledge' calling on candidates to
> "promote cycling as a means of sustainable transport across the
> county".
>
> It also asks candidates to agree to "support substantial investment
> in Somerset’s cycling infrastructure so that our county becomes a
> leader in sustainable transport as well as tackling climate change"
> and "prioritise the Wellington to Taunton cycle route along the A38
> as a first step, aiming to start construction by 2025".
>
> <https://road.cc/content/news/more-250-cyclists-attend-protest-ride-291243>
>
> No mention of payments...

It's called council tax. The same tax that is used to meet the
expectation from motorists that the potholes they make are repaired.

And to pay for the increase in motor vehicle capacity at the Armley
Gyratory.

> Glasgow are squandering half-a-million bucks providing on-street
> bicycle shelters.

I doubt Glasgow spends US Dollars.

> No mention of payments...

From what I can find about them, these shelters are pay to use.

Contrast to the many motorists that expect to leave their vehicle for
nothing on space intended as carriageway. To cause inconvenience, noise
and pollution as other vehicles are forced to stop and give way on roads
that have effectively been turned into single tracks.