so who's in the right?

N4PALM

This is all well and good all the latest posts. But what about the glaring fact that the Dog owners really doesnt give a damn wether his dog is under control or not.

Its fine to say lets all just get along and give way. Its understood that dogs can be a pain in the ass even if you are trying to keep them under control and I think everyone here understands that.

But I think the gripe in this thread is justified, there is a difference between a dog that gets carried away and cant be called in line and a dog that not being watched at all by its owner.

Kieran_Burns

Excellent post gradiric!

As to the horses - again i find the bell to VERY useful. If you ring it the first time a good distance away, and once more as you close the rider will hear you and react positively.

If that doesn't work a clear "excuse me" without shouting is good.

You REALLY don't want to startle a horse when you're right behind it! :shock:

Jen J

N4PALM wrote:

This is all well and good all the latest posts. But what about the glaring fact that the Dog owners really doesnt give a damn wether his dog is under control or not.

Its fine to say lets all just get along and give way. Its understood that dogs can be a pain in the ass even if you are trying to keep them under control and I think everyone here understands that.

But I think the gripe in this thread is justified, there is a difference between a dog that gets carried away and cant be called in line and a dog that not being watched at all by its owner.

Accepted, and my post was aimed more at later posts that took the view that 'right of way' means no need to look out for others, or treat others with consideration, or avoid accidents.

My personal opinion on the dog control issue, having had a dog for 8 years, is that they should be on a lead at all times unless in an enclosed park, away from any vehicles.

Parkey

Use the road instead?

Part of my ride to work is along a railway path, part of the sustrans national dog walker's network as I like to call it, and yes I do come across dog walkers on a regular basis.

Dogs are a complete pain in the arse, and especially with the owners whose apparent levels of intelligence, awareness and responsibility almost rival that of the dog. BUT have you ever been out with someone who's exercising their dog in a place where they regularly come across cyclists? Helps to see things from the other side.

I used to get all stressed and angry about dogs, but it really didn't change anything except my enjoyment of the ride.

My advice now? Shared path means shared path. If you see a dog slow right down, take care passing them, and speed up again once you've passed them. Be polite to the owner, because most people are considerate and polite back to people who are considerate and polite to them, and if you're commuting you're likely to see the same person again the next day. Build raport; say "good morning/evening" and "thanks". If they're firmly grounded on planet me and do nothing at all to help you pass you can always mix in a dose of sarcasm.

In the worst places for dogs, just use the road.

fonty1978

Last week i was travelling home down one of the cycle paths that is a long straight through a tunnel.

As i looked to the tunnel exit, i noticed a dog on side and an owner on the other my plan was to simply ride throught the middle of dog and companion [or so i thought] anyway as i got closer i realised that actually she had a long lead stretched right across the cycle path!! "Aaaarrrgh we both went, i anchored on stopped in time just to which her only response was "I'm so sorry, love" all i could do was smile in the end.

rhext

For me, if I want to cycle quickly shared use paths are not the place to do it. Most dog owners are fully in control of their animals - but it only takes one. If I'm not in a tearing hurry, I'll use the paths and slow down. In a way, it almost doesn't matter what the rights and wrongs of the situation are, you have no choice. Complaining that it was your right of way as you spit your teeth out and attempt to pick the bits of a yorkshire terrier from your front wheel while the owner batters you with a handbag doesn't help the situation. And the shared use paths have kids running around, people wandering around with their IPods etc etc. They're there for all 'non motorists' to move in a safe and relaxed manner from A to B, and cyclists tearing along them at more than about 10-15 MPH perhaps don't really belong.

Dedicated cycle routes are a different story, however, and it would be nice to see some better control of who wanders about all over them.

Bikerbaboon

Jen J wrote:

N4PALM wrote:

This is all well and good all the latest posts. But what about the glaring fact that the Dog owners really doesnt give a damn wether his dog is under control or not.

Its fine to say lets all just get along and give way. Its understood that dogs can be a pain in the ass even if you are trying to keep them under control and I think everyone here understands that.

But I think the gripe in this thread is justified, there is a difference between a dog that gets carried away and cant be called in line and a dog that not being watched at all by its owner.

Accepted, and my post was aimed more at later posts that took the view that 'right of way' means no need to look out for others, or treat others with consideration, or avoid accidents.

My personal opinion on the dog control issue, having had a dog for 8 years, is that they should be on a lead at all times unless in an enclosed park, away from any vehicles.

I have learnt the hard way that right of way only matters on paper and not in the real world.

had a car pull out on me while i was on my motorbike...... i had the right of way.... i also had the 2 broken feet and 2 months off work.

TheHatter

I had a very similar incident this morning on a cycle path on the way to work. In this case it was three dogs playing excitedly on the path off the lead. I slowed but had to brake to a halt when one dog jumped directly in my path.

I have no problem with dog walkers but in my view dogs should be on a lead while on a cycle path. Why should a cyclist be impeded just to please a dog?

As for comparing this with how a motorist views a cyclist? Are you really saying that a dogs right to run free on a path is equal to a cyclist right to ride on the road? That is absurd.

trevtherev

On the issue of the bike bell, i have noticed that whils't some people appreciate that you are giving them fair warning of your approach, others seem to take "the hump" that you have the audacity to ring your bell at them.....even though you may be saving/warning them of impending/approaching danger......I don't know the human race are a funny lot :? :?

gabriel959

TheHatter wrote:

As for comparing this with how a motorist views a cyclist? Are you really saying that a dogs right to run free on a path is equal to a cyclist right to ride on the road? That is absurd.

Completely agree with you. I mean I have plenty of consideration to dog owners that call their dogs and take notice of other users of the path, and to be honest that seems to be the case 75% of the time. It is just the inconsiderate idiots that don't give a damn when, excuse me, you are walking your dog on a cycle path (and I say that as a user of the Sustrans route 51)

gabriel959

trevtherev wrote:

On the issue of the bike bell, i have noticed that whils't some people appreciate that you are giving them fair warning of your approach, others seem to take "the hump" that you have the audacity to ring your bell at them.....even though you may be saving/warning them of impending/approaching danger......I don't know the human race are a funny lot :? :?

I think that is just silly, people have always got something to complain about. This is an example, I was yesterday leaving from work to home when another guy came also was leaving with his bike. He had a front light hidden under the handle bars and he said to me (with my Blackburn Quadrant light) that I should be more considerate and aim it at the floor as with that cars will be dazzled and he knows that because he also rides a car (well, so do i tbh!) ... well, I kind of agree, but the bloody point of that light is other road/cycle path users is for them to see me.

About the bell three quarters of the same story, a fellow cyclist at work said to me I shouldnt use the bell as it is rude!!!! he said I should shout, but, really who gives a penny!!???!?! If you get a hunch because someone uses their bell you really need to get a grip.

Kieran_Burns

I was thinking about this thread on the way home last night...

Going down the bridleway it was pretty 'busy' and i needed the bell a few times to warn dog owners, walkers, runners and one cyclist of my approach.

In EVERY case, I got a smile, and quite a few thank yous. ALL the dog owners held their dogs (Oh, bar one... and that's a well behaved pooch)

I guess it's 'cos I give a friendly sounding 'ting ting' on my approach, and not a rapid staccato repeated go at people. I always guard the brakes and slow down, and ALWAYS say thanks.

The path clears of people once clear of the last suburb it runs past and I can start to wind the speed up, I just know i need to be patient at the start.

prj45

Bikerbaboon wrote:

If you were going full speed down hill you would be lucky to see the owners in time, and i think the dogs would be mush in your spokes b4 you would see them.

Well then, anybody going full speed down that hill would be thunking full time c**t on a cycle.

Same as if I'm driving my car round a corner at such a speed that if there's something around it (say a cyclist) then I'll have no chance seeing it in time to stop.

MoonCircuit

I always slow to a crawl when riding past dogs because they are stupid, especially puppies.