'Vigilante' cycle gang attack taxi in bus lane Driver claims bike riders surrounded his cab before ripping off wing mirror - in front of police 
Cyclists surround the taxi Cyclists surround the taxi
A Birmingham cabbie claims ‘‘vigilante’’ cyclists surrounded and attacked his taxi in a bus lane bust-up – in front of watching cops.
Police are investigating allegations one rider ripped off Abid Hussain’s wing mirror after officers were called out to the ugly confrontation by his frightened passenger.
The taxi driver’s onboard camera had recorded the extraordinary moment up to 15 cyclists blocked his path at the junction of Gooch Street and Belgrave Middleway on Monday evening.
It is understood the group had met in a prearranged “bus lane enforcement exercise” to block cars and cabs from using the cycle-friendly lanes.
Mr Hussain, 42, says he was unaware of the restrictions because the city council allows black cabs to use many other bus lanes.
The stand-off only ended when his passenger called police. Yet the cabbie claims as the group dispersed one of them ripped off his wing mirror, causing £200 of damage.
Mr Hussain, from Ward End, said: “They were a law unto themselves. I couldn’t move anywhere because of the sheer numbers.
‘‘These people on two wheels, who don’t even pay road tax, were acting like vigilantes.’’
He explained how the drama had unfolded. ‘‘I’d picked up a lecturer from Aston University and was taking her to Kings Heath,’’ said the dad-of-five.
“I could see a gathering of cyclists in the road. They just blocked me off and said I couldn’t pass because it was for buses.
“I had nowhere to go and they were becoming increasingly aggressive. I was concerned that one of them would jump in front of the taxi and get hurt, so I stopped.
“My passenger told me not to speak to them and she was the one who called police.
“The police arrived and it all seemed calm. I tried to move around them but, as I was crawling along, one of them blocked me again and another came up the side and ripped off the wing mirror.’’
He added: “We are a public service. We are here to serve the community but we are being attacked.
‘‘Part of the problem is the city council and the inconsistency in road signage and rules for lanes. The council needs to decide whether Hackney Carriage drivers are included in public transport networks.’’
A spokeswoman for West Midlands Police said officers were called to the altercation at around 6.40pm.
She added: “Three police officers and a police community support officer responded to reports that a group of cyclists were blocking the path of a black cab driver.
“They were under the impression that he was not allowed to use the lane and the driver was saying that he could.
“Officers advised the group that they were causing an obstruction on the highway.
“The situation seemed to have been resolved, when one cyclist rode into the path of the driver who was moving away. A second cyclist broke off a wing mirror and rode off.
“The group refused to give details to officers at the scene.
“Officers are investigating a report of criminal damage and are examining CCTV.”
Nazan Fennell contacted the Mail and said she had taken part in the ‘Flash Ride’ to improve cycle safety. It is understood that other action days are planned by bike campaigners.
Her daughter Hope, 13, was tragically killed in Kings Heath in November 2011 when she was hit by a HGV as she cycled across a crossing.
Nazan did not discuss the allegation of criminal damage, but said: “This crossing is a vital link across the ring road for cyclists, but those cyclists’ lives are put at risk by other vehicles abusing this lane.
“The flash ride received strong support from passing pedestrians, cyclists and law-abiding motorists.
“Unfortunately a single taxi driver chose to block the entrance to the bus lane leading out of the city centre for over 30 minutes, and argued that he had the right to use the bus lane.
“Push Bikes is very disappointed that the first police officer to speak to this taxi driver was uncertain about the meaning of the clear signs at this crossing, and did not persuade the taxi driver to take the legal route out and argued that he had the right to use the bus lane.”
She added: ‘‘The message from Monday night is clear - our streets are made dangerous by a minority of bad drivers, and it is vitally important for the police and local authorities to punish drivers who think they are above the rules of the road.
‘‘Proper enforcement of regulations on highway infrastructure is vital to the success of Birmingham’s cycle revolution.’’
A spokeswoman for Birmingham City Council confirmed the Gooch Street area was a bus and cycle route only and added that hackney carriages were banned from the lane. But she added that the city council ‘did not condone’ the action of the cyclists.
* Anyone who witnessed the alleged incident of criminal damage can call police 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
source:
http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/lo ... ck-6197136
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