The “Green’ benefits of cycling are now well documented, and in a response, local councils all over the country have moved to encourage cycling by investing in bike paths and other amenities for the cyclist. The excellent bike path along Dumaresq Creek is ideal for my daily commute to the University. Unfortunately this also seems to coincide with when it is most popular to walk dogs along the “leash free’ zones located alongside. I like dogs, but this presents a serious and potentially lethal problem for cyclists. On more than one occasion I have been chased and harassed by dogs and it was only this morning that I was set upon by a large German Shepherd. I narrowly escaped physically unharmed but the encounter left me terrified.
Should the seemingly inevitable occur, in addition to any sanctions that might be taken by the council, Section 25 of the Compensation Animals Act 1998 (NSW) holds the dog owner liable in civil damages in respect of bodily injury and property damage (including clothing) caused by their dog attacking a person.
We must share our public spaces in such a way that allows all of us to enjoy them.
What is the use of a shared area if a certain group are singled out and harassed and terrorised by animals under the control of others?
After being chased and attacked three times in the space of four weeks on the purpose built bike path, I am considering abandoning the route (which I enjoy very much) and taking my chances back on the roads, (which as we all know are fraught with dangers of a different nature), defeating the very purpose for which the bike path was built in the first place.
With so much space available it would seem that there is plenty to share. Would the council consider another area for dogs that does not coincide with the bike path?
I urge that this issue be addressed sooner rather than later, as failure to act may have dire consequences for cyclists and dog owners alike.
Keen Cyclist
