Cyclists' safety highlighted as dog walkers face fines for using long leads near cycle paths

You can't be quick enough, I had one for my collie a few years it was slow but 3/42 wide and a greenish colour, why can't the manufacturers make them colourful, like RED and YELLOW?

nordog wrote:

You can't be quick enough, I had one for my collie a few years it was slow but 3/42 wide and a greenish colour, why can't the manufacturers make them colourful, like RED and YELLOW?

I agree, we should have hi-vis dogs.

chrisonatrike wrote:

I agree, we should have hi-vis dogs.

And helmets.

But should the helmets have helmets? I'll have to put my thinking cat on for that one.

eburtthebike wrote:

chrisonatrike wrote:

I agree, we should have hi-vis dogs.

And helmets.

And day running lights

Jimwill wrote:

eburtthebike wrote:

chrisonatrike wrote:

I agree, we should have hi-vis dogs.

And helmets.

And day running lights

Careful what you wish for - it'll be lasers next on the modern gun dog.

Different breeds of dogs have different instincts. A Lab or Retriever is very trainable - why do you think that Guide Dogs use these breeds (though they still selectively breed for trainability).

If you have a Terrier, their chase instincts are very strong and they also aren't always very bright, a Hound is funda - SQUIRREL! - mentally a hunting dog, and will have string hunting instincts. 

Then in a park with lots of dogs, there are problems with how dogs interact. Although actually my theory is that dogs behave better with each other off the lead (on the lead they are more nervous as they feel constrained and are therefore more likely to be aggressive to defend themselves) the reality is other dogs smell very interesting and - squirrel! - are very tempting even for a trained dog.

Then of course, plenty of owners are incompetent and don't realise they are 75% of the problem. As someone who has trained a couple of Guide Dog puppies, I am happy that I understand how dogs work generally, but we still had one, who went on to be successul, who would sometimes go alpha off the lead and refuse to respond to commands - for a good 20 minutes of trying to outthink the b*****d. As soon as you could put a hand on his collar, he would be as good as gold.

So, extentendable leeds are great for allowing a dog to have some freedom where you - SQUIRREL! - haven't got a space with too many temptations.

IanMSpencer wrote:

[...]

If you have a Terrier, their chase instincts are very strong and they also aren't always very bright, a Hound is funda - SQUIRREL! - mentally a hunting dog, and will have string hunting instincts. 

[...]

That's more a cat thing in my experience.

Have to say I've never had a stupid terrier. Bossy, opinionated, independent and strong willed most certainly but stupid? Absolutely not. All of mine have made my border collies look thick. They're very easy to train if you know how and can be incredibly loyal. Even breeds like patterdales who are hard wired to hunt are very intelligent and trainable. They just choose not to recall. Terriers are like marmite 😉

So they don't have to walk far and with luck, the dog goes under the bush or hedge to do its poo dump as with these ball throwing plastic things they can be lethal or they leave the old broken ball in/on the field and pathway plus the poo bag. I am a cyclist and a dog owner walker, I keep her on the short lead for her poo dumps bag it (if not in the forest) carry it to the nearest bin and if there is a large area for her to run then let her go.

I have a dog but don't use a long lead. Yes, dogs are supposed to be under control in a public space. But bear in mind also that most UK parks require cyclists to give people and pets priority. If you were to run into an off lead dog while cycling in a park, there's a good chance that you'd be considered at fault.

OldRidgeback wrote:

I have a dog but don't use a long lead. Yes, dogs are supposed to be under control in a public space. But bear in mind also that most UK parks require cyclists to give people and pets priority. If you were to run into an off lead dog while cycling in a park, there's a good chance that you'd be considered at fault.

if an out of control dog runs into my bike, I'm not at fault. 
 

nosferatu1001 wrote:

OldRidgeback wrote:

I have a dog but don't use a long lead. Yes, dogs are supposed to be under control in a public space. But bear in mind also that most UK parks require cyclists to give people and pets priority. If you were to run into an off lead dog while cycling in a park, there's a good chance that you'd be considered at fault.

if an out of control dog runs into my bike, I'm not at fault. 

 

That depends on how fast you're going. A lot of public parks have signs suggesting suitable speeds for cyclists. And they may also point out that pedestrians and animals have priority. And while a dog may walk back onto the pathway, if the cyclist is heading at speed then the onus is very much on the cylist to brake hard. As a cyclist in a park, you should be riding considerately and looking for those hazards, such as children and pets. That's what I do when I cycle through parks.

OldRidgeback wrote:

nosferatu1001 wrote:

OldRidgeback wrote:

I have a dog but don't use a long lead. Yes, dogs are supposed to be under control in a public space. But bear in mind also that most UK parks require cyclists to give people and pets priority. If you were to run into an off lead dog while cycling in a park, there's a good chance that you'd be considered at fault.

if an out of control dog runs into my bike, I'm not at fault. 

That depends on how fast you're going. A lot of public parks have signs suggesting suitable speeds for cyclists. And they may also point out that pedestrians and animals have priority. And while a dog may walk back onto the pathway, if the cyclist is heading at speed then the onus is very much on the cylist to brake hard. As a cyclist in a park, you should be riding considerately and looking for those hazards, such as children and pets. That's what I do when I cycle through parks.

not everyone cycles through parks. You are fixated on parks as if they're the only place dog owners don't have their pets under control.  
 

and no, it doesn't matter. If a dog, active, hits, still active, my bike, I'm not at fault. It's not me hitting the dog, it's the dog hitting me. 

nosferatu1001 wrote:

OldRidgeback wrote:

nosferatu1001 wrote:

OldRidgeback wrote:

I have a dog but don't use a long lead. Yes, dogs are supposed to be under control in a public space. But bear in mind also that most UK parks require cyclists to give people and pets priority. If you were to run into an off lead dog while cycling in a park, there's a good chance that you'd be considered at fault.

if an out of control dog runs into my bike, I'm not at fault. 

That depends on how fast you're going. A lot of public parks have signs suggesting suitable speeds for cyclists. And they may also point out that pedestrians and animals have priority. And while a dog may walk back onto the pathway, if the cyclist is heading at speed then the onus is very much on the cylist to brake hard. As a cyclist in a park, you should be riding considerately and looking for those hazards, such as children and pets. That's what I do when I cycle through parks.

not everyone cycles through parks. You are fixated on parks as if they're the only place dog owners don't have their pets under control.  
 

and no, it doesn't matter. If a dog, active, hits, still active, my bike, I'm not at fault. It's not me hitting the dog, it's the dog hitting me. 

I'm talking about parks specifically because that's where I walk my dog. These are shared spaces. Bylaws are posted on most parks. The ones round my way do say quite clearly that cyclists have to be considerate of other park users and moderate speeds accordingly.

I'm a BC coach as it happens. I've had issues when training novice riders of Strava focussed riders coming up fast behind and overtaking us calling 'On your right' as they zoom past very closely, not that a novice rider concentrating on staying upright would have any idea what the person was talking about.

And when jogging last week, I had a close pass at speed by someone on an MTB also in the park.

I'm talking about parks because this is where I do see a lot of inconsiderate cycling. 

Most dog owners keep their dogs on the lead when walking along pavements, and I tend to keep my dog away from those who don't as that often signals something else entirely.

I'm not saying "don't moderate speeds". I'm not talking about whizzing up behind peds, yelling bike right  

im saying: if your dog is not under control, and despite me taking reasonable steps (objectively so,,using the "man on the Clapham omnibus" test) the dog hits my bike, I'm not at fault. As a dog owner, as soon as your dog is not under control, you are taking a risk that your dog does something not conducive to its own health.  
 

being considerate does not mean "I have to take such extreme avoiding measures that I put myself at undue risk due to your failure to control your dog".  

I've used them for older dogs. I had one who went completely deaf aged 9 but I had trained him to hand signals as a youngster so it wasn't really an issue. As he got older as often happens with dogs they go backwards. Not senile just a return to their naughty puppy days. I used the extending lead to allow him some freedom whilst keeping him safe. He had a condition that caused his back legs to weaken and followed my other dogs getting himself stuck down a steep bank. I didn't let it happen twice. My next oldie had a thing for small children and had a remarkable turn of speed if he spotted one. All he wanted was cuddles but understandably parents could be a little traumatised by a strange dog charging up to their child. As he aged he went from 100% recall to looking at me then doing what he liked almost overnight and I preferred not to take chances. The extending lead I have is a tape rather than a cord. I think its 3 metres but it's a while since I bought it. They're usually based on weight of the dog and the cord type tend to be more for smaller breeds. Personally I specifically looked for the tape style. Having a deaf dog made me very vigilant about people so I was always aware of others approaching. In spite of having breeds that are notorious for chasing none of mine have ever done it. I put in a lot of training and chasing cyclists, runners, traffic, children, pushchairs and anything else that moves is simply not allowed. Both of my dogs have breed traits that some might see as "issues" but I've always worked with their natural behaviour rather than trying to suppress it. I have never had a near miss with a pedestrian or cyclist on a shared trail whilst using an extending lead.

I do think far too many people rely on extending leads for their dogs because they simply have no control and no inclination to put in the training needed. They make a half assed attempt and when it doesn't work in five minutes they give up. Extending leads are a quick fix for them. A lot also have a sense of entitlement and seem to think everyone else should accommodate them. Extending leads can be dangerous. The brakes often fail and people are very complacent with their use. They should be illegal along roads, I've seen far too many near misses with cars. I've also had aggressive dogs charge at mine to attack because the extending lead allowed it whilst the owners blamed me for being there 🙄 🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️

Bouncetastic wrote:

I've used them for older dogs. I had one who went completely deaf aged 9 but I had trained him to hand signals as a youngster so it wasn't really an issue. As he got older as often happens with dogs they go backwards. Not senile just a return to their naughty puppy days. I used the extending lead to allow him some freedom whilst keeping him safe. He had a condition that caused his back legs to weaken and followed my other dogs getting himself stuck down a steep bank. I didn't let it happen twice. My next oldie had a thing for small children and had a remarkable turn of speed if he spotted one. All he wanted was cuddles but understandably parents could be a little traumatised by a strange dog charging up to their child. As he aged he went from 100% recall to looking at me then doing what he liked almost overnight and I preferred not to take chances. The extending lead I have is a tape rather than a cord. I think its 3 metres but it's a while since I bought it. They're usually based on weight of the dog and the cord type tend to be more for smaller breeds. Personally I specifically looked for the tape style. Having a deaf dog made me very vigilant about people so I was always aware of others approaching. In spite of having breeds that are notorious for chasing none of mine have ever done it. I put in a lot of training and chasing cyclists, runners, traffic, children, pushchairs and anything else that moves is simply not allowed. Both of my dogs have breed traits that some might see as "issues" but I've always worked with their natural behaviour rather than trying to suppress it. I have never had a near miss with a pedestrian or cyclist on a shared trail whilst using an extending lead. I do think far too many people rely on extending leads for their dogs because they simply have no control and no inclination to put in the training needed. They make a half assed attempt and when it doesn't work in five minutes they give up. Extending leads are a quick fix for them. A lot also have a sense of entitlement and seem to think everyone else should accommodate them. Extending leads can be dangerous. The brakes often fail and people are very complacent with their use. They should be illegal along roads, I've seen far too many near misses with cars. I've also had aggressive dogs charge at mine to attack because the extending lead allowed it whilst the owners blamed me for being there 🙄 🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️

Any chance you could condense your diatribe into a sentence or two so that I could be bothered to read it?

Cycloid wrote:

Next on my list is people on narrow paths wearing earphones who don't hear warnings

I get the problem, but you always have to consider that pedestrians may have hearing issues even if they're not wearing headphones. If they don't respond to noises, then it's best to slow down to their speed and wait until there is room to pass. Alternatively carry a long stick so you can prod them.

hawkinspeter wrote:

Cycloid wrote:

Next on my list is people on narrow paths wearing earphones who don't hear warnings

I get the problem, but you always have to consider that pedestrians may have hearing issues even if they're not wearing headphones. If they don't respond to noises, then it's best to slow down to their speed and wait until there is room to pass. Alternatively carry a long stick so you can prod them.

Good idea - to cause the most confusion use a long white stick (and wear dark glasses).

hawkinspeter wrote:

Cycloid wrote:

Next on my list is people on narrow paths wearing earphones who don't hear warnings

I get the problem, but you always have to consider that pedestrians may have hearing issues even if they're not wearing headphones. If they don't respond to noises, then it's best to slow down to their speed and wait until there is room to pass. Alternatively carry a long stick so you can prod them.

?

wycombewheeler wrote:

?

Is that Lance Armstrong?

hawkinspeter wrote:

wycombewheeler wrote:

?

Is that Lance Armstrong?

Remco Evenepoel.

chrisonatrike wrote:

hawkinspeter wrote:

wycombewheeler wrote:

?

Is that Lance Armstrong?

Remco Evenepoel.

Isn't it the new Team PikeExchange kit?

wycombewheeler wrote:

?

Cyclists; knights of the road.

If that's the case I'll make sure I have a C**P on the footpath every time I go out
Sorry - It's tasteless, but I could not resist it!

Cycloid wrote:

If that's the case I'll make sure I have a C**P on the footpath every time I go out
Sorry - It's tasteless, but I could not resist it!

 

How do you know your excrement is tasteless?