Dogs and cyclists

[Embers]

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I have been left bemused, angry and rather upset today by a female cyclist who had her Husky off lead wanting to say hello to my Husky (on lead) and my German Shepard who was off lead. Due to the 2 dogs off lead and crossing in front of her bike she came to a stop then wobbled and fell over. I picked her bike up, checked she wasn't injured and naturally apologised before carrying on with my walk. The female called me back to her and started to ask for my details which I refused to give as saw no reason to do so. The female said her bike was broken....which I couldn't see where but again I said sorry, it was an unfortunate accident and could see no reason for further action as both dogs had crossed in front of her, no barking, no chasing, just 2 dogs wishing to say hello. The female then became more insistent for my details and started to take pics of myself and my dogs. I walked away, but on looking back after a few minutes I could see she was recording myself and the dogs playing! What do others think of this? I feel it was just unfortunate and where we were walking is an area of off lead dogs, walkers and cyclists. Perhaps I should teach my dog to sit and wait for every cyclist to pass by and never go to say hello to any other dog off lead?? A bell would have given me some warning that a cyclist is coming from behind but this female was certainly of a mind it was all my fault...

 

[gypsysmum2]

Cyclists with no bells drive me crazy! It should, in my opinion, be made law. Or at least they should have some sort of ticking noise (like Jaws) when they approach.

I wouldn't worry about her being able to take the matter any further. The police, hopefully, have better things to do than get involved in every little mishap. She has no evidence that, even if you were in the vicinity, that you were actually involved in her accident.

I was threatened, once, that a guy would shoot my dogs and the police said that it would be my word against his. We were walking a farm track that we had walked for 20 odd years and he had just bought the land. He drove is 4x4 at me, several times, until I jumped down a huge ditch and then he threatened to shoot the dogs.

 

[JoanneF]

I thought it WAS law that cyclists should have bells?

 

[excuseme]

I thought that all bicycles had to be sold with a bell on ! Maybe the law has changed.

Just "Googled" this one.

A bicycle must be fitted with a bell at point of sale.

There is NO legal requirement for a bell when ridden on a road !!

 

[excuseme]

Maybe the woman's brakes were defective and she couldn't slow down or stop quickly enough !

 

[JoanneF]

I thought that all bicycles had to be sold with a bell on ! Maybe the law has changed.

Just "Googled" this one.

A bicycle must be fitted with a bell at point of sale.

There is NO legal requirement for a bell when ridden on a road !!

That sounds daft. A bit like all dogs must be microchipped but there is no requirement to scan them if they are killed in an accident.

 

[AdamYates]

Unfortunately this sounds like the woman taking your apology as an acceptance of guilt, when it may have been more the case of being courteous - as you will probably have been told if you have a car bump, not apologise!

However just because one "cyclist" has committed an error of judgement, lets not start on all cyclists and whether they should or not sound a bell (From experience the majority of people I come across on a mixed use path is either plugged into some form of music or drifting all over the place with no thought to the other users (rules are the same for all not just one)

As a cyclist and dog owner there are people who are shocking at being one or possibly both but they are a minority - what this lady has done is not on, no matter what the circumstances, I do not see it being upheld if it was brought up in the future.

 

[arealhuman]

Not pleasant, but I can't see i going anywhere. I think I'm right in saying that only a Police Officer can demand your details. I get angry in situations like this and cyclists aren't my favourite people (sorry - but they're almost all very ignorant around here) so next time when you're in the same place and she's there, make a point of filming her on your mobile. If she questions this, say you're gathering evidence about her ability to ride a bicycle properly and safely in a public place, in adherence to the Highway Code. If she further questions it, say you need the evidence as she opted to take it further following your fist encounter. Might make her think twice about acting like a numpty. The other alternative, which is too late to enact now, is when they threaten to take it to the Police, agree and suggest they phone them there and then whilst you wait. This often has a strange calming effect on them (previous experience, but not related to dogs!), but obviously only do this of you're 100% sure you're in the right!

This isn't any form of legal advice, just my views.

 

[Embers]

Thank you for all the comments. Perhaps bells are sold with the bikes as standard but there is no way of enforcing the use of them, that would be impossible but it is hoped that cyclists would use out of common sense and safety for all concerned. I have no problem with cyclists in general, my own children cycle, but not all are considerate of their surroundings or basic courtesy. I was in a dog walking sea front area where cyclists are allowed but priority is pedestrians. Since I haven't seen or heard anything about being on any social media arena I presume the lady has come to her senses!