Boy suffers garrotting injury from dog lead

baldcyclist wrote:

With regard to comment above though, sounds a bit like some of those comments you get from some motorists who think the road belongs to them....
"Thankfully I haven't had any cycle-related incidents yet but before now I've had to brake when I come upon ignorant cyclists, usually on roads."

On cycle paths it is usually a good idea to brake for any potential hazard, whether it be other cyclists, pedestrians, or even ignorant dog walkers.

Well blow me down, I never realised!

At the risk of stating the blindingly obvious yet again, of course it's a good idea to prepare yourself for such obstacles. However, why do I have to do this when it's a cycle path as opposed to a separate dog walk path, jogging path, teenagers hanging around path etc etc?

Often the other users of said facility span the full width of the combined pavement and cyclepath, which is unnecessary and inconsiderate. Also, it's not possible to control a dog when it's at the far end of a 5 metre retractable lead. When that lead spans a cyclepath or road then I'd suggest that is dangerously negligent behaviour on the part of the owner.

SimonE wrote:

At the risk of stating the blindingly obvious yet again, of course it's a good idea to prepare yourself for such obstacles. However, why do I have to do this when it's a cycle path as opposed to a separate dog walk path, jogging path, teenagers hanging around path etc etc?

I think the term 'cycle path' has come to be used for any off road path that cycles are allowed on.

In reality, I'd suggest very few 'cycle paths' are in fact just for cycling and that most are walking AND cycling paths. Indeed some may also have rights for horse riding, while they must all be usable by disabled people with wheelchairs, powered or otherwise.

Therefore no cyclist should believe that they have right of way or that they can wizz along ignoring others.

All users of traffic free paths should be considerate to all other users. After all, isn't that we want to see on the roads, so why should it be different off them?

As for the extendable dog leads, it isn't just cyclists that are at danger. I've seen pedestrians tripped up by the leads on Swansea sea front.

When cycling or walking on any such path I pay much more attention to dogs that are (or look like they could be) on extendable leads that dogs that have no lead.

The leads are a lazy option for some dog owners. Instead of having to pay attention to their dog or train it sufficiently, they simply hold onto the end of a long rope and ignore the dog completely.

joules1975 wrote:

In reality, I'd suggest very few 'cycle paths' are in fact just for cycling and that most are walking AND cycling paths.

A good enough reason to avoid them except on the odd occasion you're out for a slow pootle with the family, when there's plenty of time to avoid the dog mess, garrottes, broken glass, parked cars and goodness knows what else.

On the few cycle paths I use it seems the solid painted demarcation line and bicycle graphics are invisible - it is treated like a broad footpath.

Simon E wrote:

joules1975 wrote:

In reality, I'd suggest very few 'cycle paths' are in fact just for cycling and that most are walking AND cycling paths.

A good enough reason to avoid them except on the odd occasion you're out for a slow pootle with the family, when there's plenty of time to avoid the dog mess, garrottes, broken glass, parked cars and goodness knows what else.

On the few cycle paths I use it seems the solid painted demarcation line and bicycle graphics are invisible - it is treated like a broad footpath.

For various reasons demarcation with paint simply doesn't work and is utterly pointless (unless you are a risk averse council who believe, wrongly, that putting a load of white paint down means fewer accidents/less chance of litigation).

Far better to get people used to mixing, and yes, if you want to ride fast on your bike, don't go on a 'cycle path'. The 'cycle paths' are generally designed to allow people to ride/walk without the fear of being hit by cars, and thus not designed to be used as cycle motorways by experience cyclists.

Issues between bikes and pedestrians are every bit the same as issues between bikes and cars. The speed differential means that one is always going to get in the other's way, and maybe do something unexpected or not give the other enough room, resulting in obstruction/delay or a collision. Until everyone gains a bit of patience, respect and consideration, clashes (and crashes) will always happen.

As for glass, dog mess, etc. Get on to your local council. Something will only be done about it if enough people complain!!!