I cycle in traffic all year long, daily. So far hit 4 times by cars - always 100% their fault by the law, but 3 out of four times - my better caution and judgement could have avoided the accident. The way I look at the world: say I support Milwall FC. Should I be able to freely go around the country with a Milwall scarf? Definitely. If I wear it to a Chelsea fans club, are they allowed to beat me up? No. But is it my fault if I do that and get the beating? IMO - definitely.
Now, for the video. Cyclist made 2 mistakes.
1) When the traffic is flowing, be happy you're not stationary. Filtering along moving vehicles increases the danger. Filtering near the intersection - even worse. Filtering on the "near" side near the intersection - how many drivers check that blind spot? Had he passed on the right, then perhaps he could have expected to be expected.
But on that side... The taxi driver should have signaled earlier and checked the mirror - but graveyards are full of (motor)cyclists that had the right of way.
2) He's riding a "fixie". Latest hipster craze. No front brake. You don't filter, nor ride in traffic without a good front brake - whether on a bicycle, or a motorcycle. Even when filtering along stationary vehicles, you need to be able to stop in your tracks when you see people turning the steering wheel (front wheels moving), or reaching for the doors to open them.
The cyclist has learned a lesson rather cheaply - no injury or damage from what I could tell. Hope he doesn't filter that way in the future, for both his and the drivers' sake.
P.S. Love the way they handled the situation - like real gentlemen:
