Friday afternoon, heading home around 16.45 on an unlit cycle path.
Noticed a woman ahead with a dog on a lead, then at the last minute noticed another dog about 15m ahead of her offlead.
Turns out she was walking three dogs, one on lead and two offlead. The ones offlead were black or brown, so not easily picked out in the dark.....
So irresponsible.
You may not have gotten a response, as it's quite possible you came off a little swivel-eyed and intimdating to a female walking after dark! Walkers are perfectly entitled to have their dogs off-lead, day or night, providing they are not deemed dangerously out of control, crossing your path does not qualify as danegrously out of control. Last I checked, there were no laws about dogs having to be on leads or to have lights on after dusk for the benefit of cyclists who want to travel quickly on shared paths. If anything, you as the mounted rider were quite possibly in the wrong if you were unable to spot the animals with your own front light as you approach at speed. Surely if you were travelling slowly, this would have been a non-event. Of course, context is everything, I'm not saying she was not at all in the wrong. I wasn't there.
Yet, nearly losing control on wet leaves is not the walker or dogs fault, it is actually indicative of failure to adjust your pace to the conditions, i.e. dark environment with possibility of slippery surfaces and unexpected interruptions! Always expect the unexpected, if there are loose leaves, slow right down. I travel on a unlit NCN path after dark and always assume the possibility of off lead dogs every time I see another human. Even leashed dogs or humans could get spooked and jump into your path so care is always warranted when passing anyone.
If it means everyone is a bit safer, it doesn't matter too much about slightly slower progress. Shared paths should be shared after all, and that means respecting everyone's rights and being courteous. Proceed with care and respect. You don't have a divine right to travel at speed uninterrupted, nor do dogs have to be leashed at all times, unless there is a specific bylaw in place, but that's quite unlikely, given that you are also permitted to cycle there. From the perspective of a dog walker, who knows dogs just don't enjoy walking on leash as much as being free, they simply don't get the same stimulation from leashed walks, it's important that they are permitted off lead by owners, and whilst as an owner, I put the welfare of my dog before being free to roam, I also expect cyclists to proceed with caution, so it's not unreasonable to leave dogs off leash on shared paths (I trust my dog not to get freaked out). I would implore that you think a little more careful about how you interact with others on shared paths.
Bike ok except for a snapped toe clip and my jacket has ventilation holes in it now !
