Cyclist knocked off bike in collision with taxi driver after row

A CYCLIST had a lucky escape from serious injury after a taxi driver collided with him on a busy Dublin road.

The incident, which was recorded by the cyclist, happened at around 6am yesterday on the North Strand Road in Dublin 1.

The video clip, which lasts around two minutes, shows the taxi colliding with the cyclist who was using a bus lane.

A Garda spokesman confirmed that an investigation into the road traffic collision is under way and are appealing for anyone with information to contact them.

“Gardaí are aware of a traffic incident that occurred on North Strand Road at approximately 6am on September 20.

“This incident is under investigation. Anyone with information about the incident should contact gardaí,” the spokesman said.

It is understood that the taxi driver involved in the incident has contacted gardaí, which resulted in officers being made aware of the incident.

No arrests have been made in relation to the incident.

A video of the incident has been widely shared on social media and shows the cyclist and taxi driver engage in an argument in the lead-up to the collision.

Further down the road the driver pulls in front of the bicycle, knocking the cyclist to the ground.

The entire incident was recorded on two cameras, positioned on the front and the rear of the bike.

Earlier this year, the Road Safety Authority launched a campaign to highlight the need to give cyclists space on Irish roads.

The appeal was made after an increase in cyclist fatalities in the first six month of the year compared to 2017.

Moyagh Murdock, chief executive of the Road Safety Authority, asked motorists to pass cyclists at a safe distance and said that they were investing in safe cycling training.

In 2017, the RSA invested €353,885 in cyclist safety awareness campaigns and cycling training nationwide.

So far this year seven cyclists have died on Irish roads, with 110 road traffic fatalities in total in 2018.