CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Debate!

Grumpy dog owner...

(19 posts)
  • Started 13 years ago by Its_Me_Knees
  • Latest reply from Uberuce

  1. Its_Me_Knees
    Member

    On the way in to work this morning I offered a polite 'ting' to warn a dog owner of my proximity on one of the paths through Davidsons Mains park. Dog walker (walking in the same direction with their back to me) appeared not to notice my bell and dog almost walked in front of me (I was barely doing walking pace by then so no harm done). As I finally got past, dog owner moaned: "I didn't call him to heel (or something to that effect) because this is NOT a cycle path...". I didn't bother to stop and remonstrate, but this wee encounter does beg a couple of questions:

    1. I think these pathways through DMains park (which are marked on the various cycle maps linked to by the council) ARE, contrary the the dog owner's view, designated for shared use, including cycling. Am I right?

    2. Regardless of (1) could a deliberate failure to control a dog be construed as also failing to comply with the park by-laws? Or worse?

    Answers on a post(card)...

    Posted 13 years ago #

  2. wingpig
    Member

    "Other cycle path, rough surface or narrower" according to the council bike path map (NW segment).

    [insert pause whilst searching council website for current version rather than the version I downloaded to work-computer a couple of years ago]

    Still there and still so marked. Subject to the same variations in law-interpretation as any other path-not-next-to-a-road on freely-accessible council-tended public land but certainly not specifically marked "no cycles" on the map, nor (presumably) on the ground (as were the disputed sections of the Meadows).

    You could have pointed out that just because there was a bell it didn't have to mean it was mounted on a bike.

    Posted 13 years ago #

  3. spitters
    Member

    I'd say if a dog owner has their dog off a lead anywhere then they are culpable

    Posted 13 years ago #

  4. Its_Me_Knees
    Member

    Dog was certainly off lead. It was wearing a high-vis restraint thing though, which was thoughtful of it (a black lab so otherwise largely invisible in the dark).

    Posted 13 years ago #

  5. spitters
    Member

    The collars with the flashing LEDs are awesome though

    Posted 13 years ago #

  6. amir
    Member

    I usually think they are bikes to start, and then, hang on, that's manoeuvrable, and a bit low down.

    Posted 13 years ago #

  7. Wilmington's Cow
    Member

    Dog owners are responsible for their dogs and any damage/harm they cause. And here the chap has admitted his culpabillity - he clearly knew you were coming, then failed to control his dog in a way which may have caused you to fall off. Deliberately (him, not you falling off).

    Posted 13 years ago #

  8. Wilmington's Cow
    Member

    What's also annoying is that the dog owner is clearly perfectly happy to put his dog in a situation where it may be injured.

    Posted 13 years ago #

  9. Uberuce
    Member

    I wonder how many times a nocturnal lumodug owner has exasperately called their hound to heel, to the point of fullthroated bellowing, only to discover it standing bemusedly behind them, and the light they were hectoring to be that of a cyclist with a blinky on the same frequency.

    Which reminds me of when I'd only just long moved into my flat and for the first time overheard my neighbours berating their dog, also called Bruce. It was a little alarming to be told to Sit in such a tone by someone who was at that point a complete stranger.

    Posted 13 years ago #

  10. chdot
    Admin

    Land Reform Act applies.

    It is not technically a 'cycle path' so responsible use is expected by all.

    I'm quite sure 'we' will be giving Its_Me_Knees the benefit of (hardly) any doubt - so he behaved responsibly but the dog walker did not!

    Posted 13 years ago #

  11. spitters
    Member

    responsible use is expected by all.

    That would require some "live and let live" spirit which is long dead in this country

    Posted 13 years ago #

  12. Its_Me_Knees
    Member

    @chdot: this is where I get confused. As Wingpig has pointed out, maps have it designated as 'other cycle path' but there is no visible guidance one way or the other in situ. There's a clear supposition on the part of grumpy dog owners that cycles should not be using these paths, and the subtleties of the Land Reform Act are lost on them as, in fairness, it is lost on me. This uncertainty breeds conflict, albeit fairly low key in this morning's case, bit it would be nice to somehow offer an irrefutable - and immediate - defence of my use of these paths to those who don't think I should be there...

    Posted 13 years ago #

  13. cb
    Member

    "You could have pointed out that just because there was a bell it didn't have to mean it was mounted on a bike."

    That comment made me think of this:

    [+] Embed the video | Video DownloadGet the Flash Videos

    Posted 13 years ago #

  14. amir
    Member

    LOL - wouldn't work here though.

    Posted 13 years ago #

  15. Roibeard
    Member

    I really must get myself one of these magic devices...

    @amir - Do you think there might be English language version? Perhaps it wouldn't work because it rings in Japanese, but we might stand a chance if we get one translated.

    Do you think a grey import could be converted by a bike shop here?

    Robert

    Posted 13 years ago #

  16. amir
    Member

    It's also left handed

    Posted 13 years ago #

  17. Roibeard
    Member

    Although left handed, it is right hand drive, so should be easier to modify.

    Slightly odd that that's one thing we have in common with Japan!

    Robert

    Posted 13 years ago #

  18. kaputnik
    Moderator

    Alternatively, try one of these;

    [+] Embed the video | Video DownloadGet the Flash Videos

    Posted 13 years ago #

  19. Uberuce
    Member

    "This is not a cycle path, you ignorant idiot"

    - Very Angry Old Man to me, about 40 minutes ago.

    I was on the path along Melville Drive that links the playpark at Glenglye Terrace to Marchmont Road, which I would swear was shared-use now. Didn't have time to stop and argue the toss with him.

    Poor old lad'll give himself a stroke if he doesn't calm down.

    Posted 13 years ago #

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