AIBU to think that a cyclist who attaches a dog

[helloclitty]

on a lead to their bike should be pulled over and fined at the very least.

I was totally [shocked] today to see a woman cycling along a busy road which barely has enough room for single traffic with her dog running along the car side of her bike! Cars were overtaking and narrowly missing the dog which was tiny and black in colour almost camouflaging it against the tarmac.

Aibu to think that dogs should never been exercised attached to a bike unless they are off road?

you can get special leads, she should get one

I saw a man cycling with a dog on the pavement side a few weeks ago and was shocked. Busy pavement, busy road, dog running - so much could go wrong!

I question the legality of it because as soon as a police car came into view he jumped off and started wheeling the bike.

but the dog was traffic side running along and cars were having to overtake her bike and the dog which was not running in a straight line. I saw one car narrowly miss the dog when it veered slightly to the right into the cars path.

I have never understood how this can be safe!

I would have thought it was obvious that cycling while your dog runs on the road would be asking for trouble and is probably illegal. However, I think that using your bike to give your dog a good run on a cycle path is a great idea

I have also seen a woman cycling on the road with a dog on the pavement which didn't bother me so much except for the fact that the parked cars obscured her view of the dog every few yards.

ithinkitsjustme
I agree if it's on a cycle path and I have seen this lots. I have never seen a dog on the inside though on a busy city road!

Is it legal?

How does the special lead work? I'm interested but have never dared take my dog cycling.

I can beat that, when we used to walk our dog there was an idiot who used to have his dog run alongside his car while he drove!!

Some cyclists are selfish with the roads as it is!

Empusa
You win That's outrageous!

I think it's cruel at the very least - the dog can't stop if it gets tired. What if it trod on glass - you just wouldn't know.

Some cyclists are selfish with the roads as it is!

What is your point Whitewidow?

i wouldnt do it on a main road,theres a guy lives round here is always out on his bike & with his dog plus ceaser malian goes skating and stuff with his dogs,as long a you take breaks etc no harm,just not on busy roads.

I think it's often alright going slowly on quiet lanes (I live in such an area). Busy road obviously idiotic.

my dog i had when i was younger loved it! He had so much energy and my legs wouldn't keep up running so the bike was perfect. it's not cruel, they would soon let you know if the didn't want to run anymore. usually resulting in you falling of suddenly. i was in the countryside so very few cars about

Well, what you're describing in the OP is obviously daft (busy road, dog on car side).

But saying 'no-one should cycle with their dog' and 'it should be illegal' is equally daft. I cycle to work with ddog trotting alongside, and I regularly see plenty of other people cycling with their dogs.

Generally the dog trots on the kerb side of the bike, people travel slowly, stop when something large needs to pass etc etc.

Personally I think its much safer than putting another car on the road with all the pollution, traffic danger etc that entails.

I also am at how it is cruel to the dog - if the dog is tired / doesn't want to come he will stop!

Should add I am quite sure that ddog would much rather he got to come to work with me than have to stay at home on his own . . .

I had a highway code book when I was younger that said you shouldn't have a dog on a lead whilst cycling because it could pull suddenly and make you fall off, but I think it was just advice rather than law. My dog is a bit thick and would probably get herself under the wheels if I cycled with her, but I don't see a problem with it if you know your dog is sensible enough. And with cars... it's a very common sight where I live to see people driving along farm tracks with the dog loping along behind, although I've never seen anybody doing it on an actual road. It makes me laugh because it seems so lazy, but I guess if you've got a very energetic dog that needs loads of exercise maybe it seems like a good idea at the time!

DeathbyChocolate - or a dog that whines and whines and then whines some more to get out once you get to the top of the track and are nearly home [voice of bitter experience]

This particular dog was a hair away from going under a drivers left wheels. Woman seemed oblivious!

www.outdoordog.co.uk/deluxe_biker_set.html

used sensibly these are a good way to get some dogs exercised in a sensible amount of time.

Some people are , however, not sensible.

Ridiculous on a busy road but a recognised sport when done cross-country. Google 'bikejoring'. Dog is attached to the front of the bike using a purpose built antenna, bungee line and well fitting harness.

One of my sisters managed to break her leg cycling with her dog on a lead, in a park. But she wasn't using a special lead.
I have exercised dogs using the chuck out and run after the car method, in deep countryside private road context. You need to travel slowly and be aware where the dog is - I don't think I've ever done more than about 5 mph. I've only ever done it with our own dogs btw, for those of you who remember from other posts that I run a dogwalking business
Blood runs cold envisioning the situation you describe OP.