CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Infrastructure

Taxis - Taking a bike aboard

(17 posts)

  1. Tulyar
    Member

    A survey of London cyclists and non-cyclists threw up some interesting detail.

    19% of cyclists in London had taken their bikes in taxis for various reason (breakdowns, getting home after late night etc).

    They had a 75% success rate when they tried to do this.

    After the survey 63% of those surveyed said they would use taxis if they needed a way to complete a journey or get home/to a bike shop.

    19% of a general survey, who did not cycle at present would ride if they could use a taxi for the problem part of the journey.

    A substantial number of cyclists, female especially, said they would use a taxi to make a return journey with a bike if the cycling conditions for a return journey were unpleasant or currently prevented them making the journey by bike.

    Do forum members use taxis? Is there any problem with getting a bike in a cab in Edinburgh? Would a positive measure (like the Danish legal requirement to carry bikes in/on a taxi) be useful?

    My experience (including a taxi from Glasgow to Gartmore with John Grimshaw and 2 bikes - and in Glasgow Smiles Better livery) is that up to 2 solo bikes plus riders and luggage will fit but some form of wrapping and securing is needed.

    Any tales of woe or wonder?

    Posted 13 years ago #

  2. gembo
    Member

    Taken my bike in a taxi twice. Once as broken down and once as over the legal alcohol limit. On the latter occasion I also had my espresso machine with me as I was at a fancy dress party where you had to go as your initials, so I went as Machiatto Guy. At least one other member of this forum also present.

    When you phone for the cab you just say you are looking for a driver who will take a bike and a coffee machine in the pannier. has worked for me without any issue, twice.

    Posted 13 years ago #

  3. Kirst
    Member

    I did once, when I had a breakdown that prevented me wheeling the bike home.

    Posted 13 years ago #

  4. Instography
    Member

    Done it a few times taking bike to shop and never had a problem. I get the impression taxi drivers like the challenge and enjoy demonstrating just how versatile those vehicles are.

    Posted 13 years ago #

  5. Min
    Member

    Done it three times, twice after unexpected mechanicals and once when I picked up something large from a shop with my folder. No problem at all and the drivers only asked that I hold the bike tightly away from the upholstery.

    Posted 13 years ago #

  6. custard
    Member

    twice.
    1st was a broken spoke that tore the tune& spare(before i realised what the cause was)
    2nd was after a crash and needed the bike home and then to hospital
    both times the drivers were fine. if they fold the smaller rear bench part down,you can slot the front wheel in easily

    Posted 13 years ago #

  7. Tom
    Member

    Once. Cut a tyre on broken glass at a bike breakfast about twelve years ago. Had to get a taxi to the Bike Co-op for a new one.

    Posted 13 years ago #

  8. Tulyar
    Member

    London cabs still required to be able to carry 2 bales of hay (for the horse), but interesting to hear how Eurocabs and Vitos working.

    So far a relatively small sample but all reporting 100% success rate. Is it that pragmatic crofter culture of Scotland.. job needs to be done, so let's see how to do it, with the resources available.

    I've moved 90 sq m of laminate flooring in a single trip and sundry other d-i-y purchases. Effective use of taxis is a clear route to reducing car ownership and dependence. But back on topic, is this worth a wider survey?

    Posted 13 years ago #

  9. chdot
    Admin

    I think Edinburgh cabs have to take bikes.

    Posted 13 years ago #

  10. Tulyar
    Member

    Is that on tariff or licencing conditions chdot?

    Posted 13 years ago #

  11. chdot
    Admin

    On tariff so probably 'required'.

    Posted 13 years ago #

  12. ARobComp
    Member

    More times than I can remember I've shoved my bike in the back of the cab when a little worse for wear/on my way somewhere with colleagues. So Long as you hold away from seats they're fine with it!

    Posted 13 years ago #

  13. Tubbydru
    Member

    I have taken a bike in a taxi thrice. First time after a mechanical. It was a wet morning and the wheels on my bike were manky but the driver was happy enough about this. The floor of the taxi has a rubber covering so it Is cleaned up. I kept the bike clear of the seats. I had tried to get the bike on the LRT no 5 for a couple of stops but the bus driver was having none of it. The next taxi trip my bike was wrapped up in a plastic bag, including the front wheel This made the bike tricky to manoeuvre and the bike had to go at a slightly odd angle to fit in. The third time was in a private hire people carrier type cab, again the bike in a plastic bag and there was no problem.

    Posted 13 years ago #

  14. wee folding bike
    Member

    Haven't used a taxi in 20 years and never used one on my own but I did like this:

    [+] Embed the video | Video DownloadGet the Video Player

    and they way it didn't make stars of Jeff Conaway and Judd Hirsch but did make stars of Danny DeVito and Chris Lloyd.

    Posted 13 years ago #

  15. Bhachgen
    Member

    I've only done it once after back wheel collapsed due to an Edinburgh pothole. Was dark and damp and I was still about 4 miles from home. Flagged a taxi expecting to have to grovel but he was absolutely fine with it.

    Posted 13 years ago #

  16. Tulyar
    Member

    Nothing on Edinburgh Taxi Tariff listing or City Cabs/Comcab websites. So where have you seen it chdot?

    Posted 13 years ago #

  17. fimm
    Member

    I've only ever put bikes in boxes in taxis to go to/from the airport. So not really what you are asking, but it gives me the chance to tell the story of the time we put Mr fimm's bike in its box in the back of a cab and one of the other taxi drivers wondered if it was his mother-in-law in there!!! (Which is doubly amusing because my mother is probably small enough (but probably not flexible enough) to go in a bike box...) oh and you can get two bike boxes in the back of a black cab but there isn't much space for people as well...

    Posted 13 years ago #

RSS feed for this topic

Reply

You must log in to post.


Video embedded using Easy Video Embed plugin