[mavpsa]

Dude, i commute into lower Manhattan Mon-Fri for work. I live in the UWS. It's really not that bad at all. Just something you really need to get accustomed too. Don't ride faster than 30MPH and ALWAYS cover the clutch and brake. Despite what you may think, the cabbies will try their hardest to avoid hitting you, no matter how close they actually get. Just relax and stay alert.

I think you friend just freaked out and lost control. I've had cabbies pull out like that all the time, i just honk my horn and keep on trecking. Trust me, they really don't want to hit you.