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May 2016
12:26pm, 26 May 2016
495 posts
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smash
Hi doggy people – I’ve a question. It's sort of related to the above. I cycle to work along a shared cycle and pedestrian path, and there are often dogs, both on and off leads. I generally slow right down and watch them as occasionally one will dart out in front of my wheel. This morning a golden retriever narrowly missed running into me, and was hit by the cyclist behind me. Both dog and cyclist were ok; the dog continued his crazy running about and there were apologies all round.
My question is whether there’s anything else I can do to prevent accidents. Sometimes I seem to creep up on a dog and then it looks at me startled. How is best to warn of my approach – bell or some other noise? It’s often quite busy and if I ring my bell at every pup I see, I’m going to look like I expect all the other path users to leap out of my way, and that’s not the case (I’m in no hurry to get to work!)
Hopefully you can offer me your expertise?
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May 2016
12:33pm, 26 May 2016
9,232 posts
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Sharkie
That's a tricky one - my feeling is if it's that busy the dogs should be on lead. On a shared path I think pedestrians come first - runners, cyclists, dogs ... and children need to put the brakes on.
But that doesn't help you. Sounds like by slowing right down you are actually doing all you can. I sometimes cycle on tow paths and you HAVE to slow down for walkers of any description.
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May 2016
12:35pm, 26 May 2016
9,233 posts
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Sharkie
Bell well in advance is good. By also slowing down you ARE showing consideration - you won't look self important.
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May 2016
12:37pm, 26 May 2016
496 posts
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smash
Thanks Sharkie. It's partly concern for the dogs, and partly to keep my collar bones intact!
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May 2016
12:50pm, 26 May 2016
8,852 posts
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D2
I agree with Sharkie, in that situation the dogs should be on a lead or at least under close control. I think a bell to warn the owner you are coming is helpful, I have often run along those kind of paths admittedly with dog on a lead but often one cant hear cyclists approaching (especially if I'm breathing hard!) and I'm always grateful to be alerted.
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May 2016
12:53pm, 26 May 2016
3,250 posts
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Red Ant
Ditto what everyone else has said.
I had a colleague who was out with his dogs who were not on leads, when one ran in front of a cyclist. The dog was killed and the cyclist broke his shoulder and his bicycle was a write off. The cyclist successfully sued.
Awful to hear that about the whippets  Hope the driver was ok.
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May 2016
12:54pm, 26 May 2016
497 posts
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smash
Ace, I'll just keep doing what I do now.
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May 2016
12:56pm, 26 May 2016
3,252 posts
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Red Ant
Now for a bit of good news: Dexter loves long grass... I took him to some long grass yesterday and he went absolutely mad with delight and was running so fast he managed to do a complete head over heels!! I wish I had it on video, it makes me laugh
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May 2016
1:05pm, 26 May 2016
14,297 posts
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LazyDaisy
That is a lovely image, RA!
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May 2016
5:08pm, 26 May 2016
3,134 posts
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Helegant
As above, please use the bell to let us know you are there. I can then call the dog across to me and give you a clear path. Much safer.
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