Clapham Common incident (London)

Totalnewbie

Just to warn anyone who might use the Common as I know loads of cyclists do.

I saw my mate last night who is a newbie cyclist. She told me a few weeks ago she was going along the Common's cycle path when a dog (pit-bull/staffy muscly type) shot out of her blind spot at speed and cut in front of her, knocking her off.

She was cut and bruised, dripping blood, but got up to see if the dog was ok (like me, she's a bit of an animal lover). The guy said 'Yeah no thanks to you' and she apologised (even though IMO as a dog owner myself he should have had the dog under better control), and the guy screamed at her quite aggressively that she should not have been cycling on the common. She pointed out that she was on the cycle path and he shouted at her some more before storming off, she was in shock so said nothing which was just as well as he sounds like a nutter.

The cyclist who stopped to help her told her to report him to the police for being so intimidating (he was massive and there's not much of her, there was no need) so she did, and apparently there's been quite a few incidences of 'intimidation of cyclists' from people who believe they have no place on the common and for that reason they have begun patrolling the common.

When she got her bike back from the shop they told her that the 'car' she'd hit had buckled her wheel so that was one well-built dog!

BentMikey

Oooh, sympathies to your friend. That sucks.

I once had a dog run into me, it was a greyhound. I'm glad I was on the 'bent, because the crash only hurt the dog. Unfortunately my mate, who was cycling next to me, and didn't stop quite as quickly as I did, had his rear wheel buckled by the dog crashing into it as well. Recumbent brakes are usually very powerful!!!

star_rover

I thought those types of dogs were meant to be muzzled, never mind be allowed to run around off a leash?
I don't know why they bother with cycle paths through parks/commons. It inevitably leads to problems with pedestrians, dogs, kids or other cyclists (ie the ones who seem to forget, as soon as they are on a shared path, that we ride on the left in this country).

Totalnewbie

If it was a pitbull, then it was a banned breed and legally shouldn't have been about at all, otherwise there are no general muzzling laws as far as I know. I think Staffy is more likely, there are lots of big gangsta style blokes walking about with them in the Stockwell/Clapham area.

Not that the problem was the dog was being aggressive (just stupid for running in front of her), it was the owner's verbal attack that shook her up more I think.

I do avoid parks in general, sometimes use Hyde Park but you have to have your wits about you. But there are huge areas of grass on the Common, it's massive and there really is no need for a dog to be exercised anywhere near the cycle path. If it was me I would make sure my dog was well away from anywhere he could cause mischief before I let him off lead, as I'd be mortified if he caused an accident.

And to be honest, someone like my friend would not have even started cycle commuting were it not for the fact that she could do a large chunk of her journey through the common, this made a difference. I am proud that once she and her bike were sorted she carried on cycle commuting regardless.

She said the way the dog reacted (didn't miss a beat and just carried on running around happily) it seemed like he was well used to being hit.

HJ1976

Surely as dog insurance includes cover for accidents caused by your dog if it runs into traffic etc, EVERY dog owner is responsible for the actions of their dog.
I have owned several dogs in my life and cannot believe the attitudes of some owners!

adifiddler

Dogs are a menace to cyclists, i am sure they cause many more accidents with injuries or damage than gets reported. I have more near misses or forced to stop by dogs than i have with vehicles on the road.

I had a dog run into my path the other day, i slammed on the brakes and actually lifted the back wheel of the ground an inch or to. the woman who's dog it was laughed saying he is always doing that. She was met with a very curt reply of "well you wouldn't be laughing if i had hit your dog and i hope your dog never does it to a child and causes injuries" she just laughed again, i saw red and gave her a look that told her i was not joking and left it at that.