Sodding dogs!!

[sidevalve]

I've used a busy shared path twice a day for over 4 years and I've never had a problem with dogs. I just ride slowly and prepare to stop. That's the nature of shared paths It makes me cringe when I see cyclists bombing along on shared paths.

Funny how some can and some can't. Just as a point try running into a small child [after all they are equally unpredictable] and see just how much sympathy you get. But of course it wouldn't be you fault would it - I mean you ride a bicycle.

 

[vickster]

Kids, pets and old people should pretty much always be on a leash when outside their own home.

And inconsiderate sociopathic cyclists who don't understand that peds have priority over them on shared paths

 

[Postmanhat]

I've used a busy shared path twice a day for over 4 years and I've never had a problem with dogs. I just ride slowly and prepare to stop. That's the nature of shared paths It makes me cringe when I see cyclists bombing along on shared paths.

One of my regular postal rounds goes along a shared path (houses to one side). Have had loads of close misses on it with bike berks. All the kitted-up commuters ride on the road as it's completely impractical if you want to go at any sort of speed. You're approach is the only way to ride safely on them, which is why I don't use them anymore

 

[Tin Pot]

One of my regular postal rounds goes along a shared path (houses to one side). Have had loads of close misses on it with bike berks. All the kitted-up commuters ride on the road as it's completely impractical if you want to go at any sort of speed. You're approach is the only way to ride safely on them, which is why I don't use them anymore

A postie, on a dog thread...come on, you've got better stories than that!

 

[guitarpete247]

I think a lot of conflict between dog/owner and other users is because most dog owners do not understand two basic fact about their dogs:

1. Dogs are scent hunters and their vision and ability to notice and track moving objects is often pretty poor. Most owners seem to think Towser has the same vision as they have. As Towser gets advanced in years it's vision is likely to deteriorate even further.

2. Dogs are pack animals. To the oft repeated phrase 'don't worry he/she won't bite' I reply, "I'll be the judge of that!". Unless Towser has some serious mental defect, it will not bite owner, because owner is part of pack. Any randomly met person on road is not part of pack, and Towser makes a new decision with every encounter. Sooner or later, even the apparently sweetest-natured Towser meets someone who, for some reason unfathomable to humans, it decides is a threat to the pack. At that point all the nice doggie stuff goes out of the window and Towser gets the knives out. Owner also needs to look out for the day when Towser decides the new (human) puppy is a threat to Towser's place in the pack heirarchy. That's the day your baby gets its face chewed off.

For these and other reasons I regard all dogs as potential attackers.

I put like to this but don't really like but totally agree with.

 

[Postmanhat]

A postie, on a dog thread...come on, you've got better stories than that!

Most recent from New Years Eve. Was delivering to a permanent travellers site (I know), when a pack of little yappers surrounded me. Got the 'They won't bite yer', as one of them was nipping my calf. Reluctantly, the owner comes out and bellows 'Away now, yer dirty little bagels!' Bagels? I like it a lot and am going to start using it.

Her other bit of advice was to 'Give it a good kick', which she tried a couple of times and they got the message. Reminded me of simpler times *sigh*

 

[recumbentpanda]

Ah - cod psychology and Internet 'science'...

Ah - name-calling and insult without explanation or argument . . .

 

[Deleted member 26715]

Our visitors went home this morning and as it is a nice day, for a change, with no rain, I decided to take the Cube for a ride. I was riding nicely on the pedestrian/cycle path when I noticed those two dogs running after each other. Of course I slowed down and kept my eyes on the animals, hoping they would run past me.
Oh no! Suddenly, one of them turned and run straight into my path. The cycle path was a bit muddy so I hit the dog with my front wheel and fell on the ground. A passer by helped me up after a while and we both told off the woman off who owned the dogs. "Bloody dogs should be on a lead" I told her in no uncertain manners. She never asked how I was. All she said was: " You should use your bell" . Use my bell when two dogs are running towards you? Stupid bitch, what planet does she live on? Anyway, I got back on my bike, covered with mud, including my new Cube, and turned back home. The woman had gone by then but I saw her again a few hundred metres on my way back. I gave her a good reminder as I went past.
As for damages, a few scratches on my left leg, sore knees , very muddy clothes and dirty bike. When I got home, I gave the bike a good clean, had a shower and will now spend the evening in front of the box.

Your fault, you saw them coming, you were travelling too fast, learn from it, get over it.

 

[gavroche]

Your fault, you saw them coming, you were travelling too fast, learn from it, get over it.

I beg to differ. I slowed right down and going very slow. The fault is solely on the dog's owner. I will also remind you that I was on a dedicated cycle lane. Dogs should be on a lead at all times in public places. I take it you are a dog lover and dogs are always right. What a shame, get over it .

 

[vickster]

I don't think there is such a thing as a dedicated cycling lane, except those on the road with a solid white line. They are shared use, where pedestrians have priority over cyclists. It sucks of course but if you want to avoid dogs, kids, old people, nuns etc ride on the road Get some legal cover and if a car runs into you, you can claim against them (unlike 2 or 4 legged beings on a shared path, well I guess you could take them to court for having a hound out of control - there's no law says they have to be on a lead - but I doubt you'd win unless they attack you)

 

[phil-b]

I beg to differ. I slowed right down and going very slow. The fault is solely on the dog's owner. I will also remind you that I was on a dedicated cycle lane. Dogs should be on a lead at all times in public places. I take it you are a dog lover and dogs are always right. What a shame, get over it .

it is upsetting when you come off especially if you get hurt. but apportioning blame can often be a futile exercise. if it had been a sheep or wild animal it would not be as easy to point the blame. Dogs should be kept under control there is no argument with that. But you can not control others behaviour not even when they are in the wrong all you can do is ride in a manner to protect yourself

 

[gavroche]

My little accident is a thing of the past now as I wasn't hurt and the bike is not hurt either. Those things happen unfortunately and it just shows how easy it is to fall off through no fault of your own. It will not stop me from riding , but I am fully aware that at the age of 65, bouncing off doesn't get easier.

 

[glenn forger]

I guess you could take them to court for having a hound out of control

You could, but you wouldn't win a lot.

You could off cats though. I'm sure I read this somewhere, cats and dogs are treated differently by the law. Can't claim off dogs but cats are ok I think. I would have thought cats would get done for contempt of court but there we are.

 

[Spoked Wheels]

I treat all dogs like horses when I am riding. I talk to them. I often stop and talk to them

I'm sure they must have told you some funny tails

 

[Brandane]

all you can do is ride in a manor to protect yourself

That would be a bit restrictive, and anyway most of us can only afford to live in a normal wee house .