Tiny dog run over by cyclists in Delta Park

[DR ◣◢]

Now this is getting very heated on Facebook with comments ranging from hitting cyclists with pipes, sticking walking sticks in their spokes, thumbtacks on the cycling trails etc.

 

https://www.facebook.com/groups/deltapark/permalink/3252652974830541/

 

Posted this in Cycling Safety because the few that ruin it for the many will now cause retaliation by a mob of angry walkers in the park.

Edited August 15, 2020 by Mr Dampf

[Vetplant]

No, not Tiny Dog! Gidget will be heart-broken!

 

(Those with kids will get it)

[DR ◣◢]

No, not Tiny Dog! Gidget will be heart-broken!

 

(Those with kids will get it)

????????????

[MudLark]

Nobody seems to have mentioned the fact that Johannesburg City bylaws require dogs walked in public parks to be kept permanently on a leash. And people very rarely do keep their dogs on a leash – and then when they run in front of a cyclist and there is a near collision – and trust me, I have had the experience, even though I am being careful trying to get around the dogs – it is the cyclist that is always to blame. Not the dog owner who has not kept the dog on a leash.

Edited August 16, 2020 by MudLark

[the nerd]

Dont even dare bring that up on those groups... 

 

Nobody seems to have mentioned the fact that Johannesburg City bylaws require dogs walked in public parks to be kept permanently on a leash. And people very rarely do keep their dogs on a leash – and then when the run in front of a cyclist and there is a near collision – and trust me, I have had the experience, even though I am being careful trying to get around the dogs – it is the cyclist that is always to blame. Not the dog owner who has not kept the dog on a leash.

[MudLark]

Delta Park is a little bit of a difficult place for cyclists as well in a way. Sometimes you just can't win. The pedestrians seem to be oblivious to cycle traffic. Have a bell on your bicycle and some people take exception to your using it. And even when you use it, then some of them will look around at the sky as if they think a little bird is making a particularly unusual sound.  And then on another occasion, a lady was walking a group of dogs. There was no safe place for me to pass. So I came down to walking speed and just waited, riding slowly behind the group at walking speed until there would be an opportunity for me to get past slowly. Boy, did I get shouted at for "sneaking up on her" and not using my bell! Ai.

[Jewbacca]

Is it not both?

 

If you see a baby or a small dog don't you slow down as the chances of them running in front of you is high and the damage that you would cause would be severe, sometimes fatal?

 

Much like we expect cars to respect us, slow down and take a safe wide berth because a car vs a cyclist only has one outcome.

 

The onus is on EVERYONE to be responsible and aware of their surroundings.

 

If the dog is off the leash and you still ride by at a thousand kph then you are just asking for trouble, regardless of who is at fault. If you kill the dog/child while it is off it's lead you're still a murderer.

 

Easily avoidable by just taking responsibility, tutting, shaking your head and then ranting on some facebook page about how dog walkers are scum, instead of giving people ammunition to rant and rave about cyclists being scum..... I dunno?

[DR ◣◢]

I’ve had more close encounters with dogs while riding at walking pace it’s not even funny. Always on the shared trails though.

 

Public park means everyone should have a right to be there. Based on the comments in that group some less than others.

[MudLark]

Is it not both?

 

If you see a baby or a small dog don't you slow down as the chances of them running in front of you is high and the damage that you would cause would be severe, sometimes fatal?

 

Much like we expect cars to respect us, slow down and take a safe wide berth because a car vs a cyclist only has one outcome.

 

The onus is on EVERYONE to be responsible and aware of their surroundings.

 

If the dog is off the leash and you still ride by at a thousand kph then you are just asking for trouble, regardless of who is at fault. If you kill the dog/child while it is off it's lead you're still a murderer.

 

Easily avoidable by just taking responsibility, tutting, shaking your head and then ranting on some facebook page about how dog walkers are scum, instead of giving people ammunition to rant and rave about cyclists being scum..... I dunno?

 

I think you may have misread the underlying (intended) tone of my post. My attitude is that the Park belongs firstly to the children. They *always* have right of way. And dogs I pretty much have a similar attitude about. Leaving aside the fact that I don't want to hurt any child or animal, I also don't (at my near pensionable age) want to be taking a fall if I can avoid it. But the dog owners also have a responsibility. Dogs can be very unpredictable. Even when you are down to a very moderate speed, the dogs can still run in front of you. Some dog owners seem utterly indifferent. And also oblivious to the bylaw about leashes. Also, in this particular case we are hearing only one side of story. You're only hearing the dog owner's version.

[DR ◣◢]

You're only hearing the dog owner's version.

I fear the cyclists won’t come forward with their version.

[Chris_]

Shame, what a sad story. Everyone will (probably rightly) blame everyone else, but at the end of the day there's really no winners

[Yyyy]

Sorry to hear this happened and hope a speedy recovery to the little puppy.

 

Two sides to the story and ill withhold my view on the matter until cyclist comes forward.

 

However this was always bound to happen at some point.

 

Dont know Delta park but in in the Cape, if a had a ZAR for everytime a dog walker couldn't f*&%$*@ control their dogs on any shared trails.........

 

This is why i just dont ride specific routes anymore.

 

 

EDIT: on a calmer note,

to be "racing" and just riding reckless on shared routes is foolish and I am all for being patient and letting dog walkers get a handle of their dogs. I also dont mind waiting on them  and just smile and ride past. 

But I do often get that one "chop" who just doesnt give a dam about what their dog does and doesnt think anything about their dog running after you or in front of your wheels even at walking pace,

Just no dude, im not interested in petting your dog while im riding my bike.

Edited August 16, 2020 by YaseenEnos

[MudLark]

I fear the cyclists won’t come forward with their version.

 

Probably so. But I have no idea whether that is because they in fact behaved badly – which they quite possibly did – or whether they are now in fear of "being stoned by the crowds before being heard". Either as a possibility. I do find the allegation that they rode off without stopping somewhat disturbing though. But you know, maybe they were youngsters and they took fright… I just don't know. There isn't really a great deal of information available. But I do also suspect that the little dog was not on a leash and had it been on a leash, that this would not have happened. That of course does not excuse reckless behaviour on the part of the cyclists either though. Oh well… I hope the dog is okay in the end.

[MudLark]

Dont know Delta park but in in the Cape, if a had a ZAR for everytime a dog walker couldn't f*&%$*@ control their dogs on any shared trails.........

 

This is why i just dont ride specific routes anymore.

 

Look, provided one is riding with care when you see there are dogs around, it's not usually a problem. But there is the odd dog that gets confused and goes in the wrong direction. I have also had the misfortune of on more than one occasion in Delta Park having had a dog decide that I might be "fair game".

[Jewbacca]

I think you may have misread the underlying (intended) tone of my post. My attitude is that the Park belongs firstly to the children. They *always* have right of way. And dogs I pretty much have a similar attitude about. Leaving aside the fact that I don't want to hurt any child or animal, I also don't (at my near pensionable age) want to be taking a fall if I can avoid it. But the dog owners also have a responsibility. Dogs can be very unpredictable. Even when you are down to a very moderate speed, the dogs can still run in front of you. Some dog owners seem utterly indifferent. And also oblivious to the bylaw about leashes. Also, in this particular case we are hearing only one side of story. You're only hearing the dog owner's version.

I definitely wasn't having a go at you. Sorry.

 

I'm just sickened that anyone could run over a puppy and gap it 

[ChrisF]

Thankfully my rides seldom cross those of dog walkers ...

 

Long long ago, before masks, we used to ride our trails then head home via Majik Forest .... that last few hundred meters were "interesting" ....

 

 

Closing in on dogs, and their owners, at speed typically results in a protective reaction from the dogs ....

 

So I slowed right down, greeting the owners before passing.

 

 

Jip, the odd dog would still try to walk in front of the bike. But I was slow enough that it was not an issue, and since the owner knew I was there they had time to react.

 

 

Had a few cases where I wondered if a dog was going to attack me ... thanks to the leash less owners .... thankfully never got to that point....

 

 

 

Punchline .... this was okay for a SHORT section ..... cant be fun doing this on longer trails.