“Arrogant” cyclists blamed as dog needs leg amputated after shared-use path collision — how can safety be improved for everybody?

Shared-use paths are again within the highlight once more after an incident close to Bangor in North Wales left a dog desiring a leg amputated following a collision involving a bicycle owner.

The Daily Post experiences Buddy the 11-year-old springer spaniel misplaced a leg after being struck by way of a bicycle owner in Gwynedd, struggling a badly overwhelmed ankle whilst being walked off-lead at the Ogwen Trail, which is a part of the National Cycle Network’s Route 82, and described as a “spectacular traffic-free” direction by way of Sustrans.

Bob Hutchinson’s dog used to be hit by way of a bicycle owner who “zoomed past” as he walked 3 different canines with two buddies.

“We had no idea he was coming. When he hit Buddy, the dog yelped loudly,” the 74-year-old recalled.

“The cyclist dismounted and there was an altercation – he claimed he’d rung his bell, but none of us heard it.”

Despite with the ability to limp house, two days later the much-loved puppy used to be in visual ache and not able to position weight at the broken leg.

An x-ray confirmed a decrease leg fracture and gave Bob the uncomfortable resolution of deciding between having Buddy put down, operated on, or the leg got rid of.

“I was worried about long-term problems and I didn’t want him to suffer, so I went for amputation. When the limb was removed, the vet said the ankle joint was so badly shattered, an operation wouldn’t have succeeded anyway,” the native resident stated.

Questioning the “arrogant” angle of a few cyclists, Mr Hutchinson claimed the usage of the path, which used to be tarmacked 20 years in the past, has “become a frightening experience”.

“A majority of cyclists are courteous but some are incredibly arrogant,” he stated. “From Glasinfryn to Bangor Dock it’s all downhill the entire means and on some sections, cyclists can succeed in speeds of 30-40mph.

“Some of them use it as a race monitor. It’s loopy and it’s horrifying. If they’re going on the velocity, you’ve no time to react and incessantly you gained’t even pay attention them coming. It’s stunning round right here, with woods along side the path, but when youngsters run out when a bicycle owner is coming, there may be a truly critical coincidence.

“When these cyclists zoom pass you, before you know it they have gone. Unless they’re local, there’s no way you’ll ever find out who they are.”

Mr Hutchinson has complained to Gwynedd Council sooner than in regards to the path which is shared by way of pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders, and his tale had an all-too-familiar polarising impact with the native information website online’s readers.

Some took the chance to indicate the finger at reckless using by way of some the usage of the path to cycle, with one girl telling the Daily Post she is just too sacred to make use of the path after her three-year-old kid used to be just about “killed” by way of a bicycle owner.

A dog walker additionally reported being knocked over by way of a bicycle owner whilst the usage of the shared-use path.

“No warning – the wind behind the cyclists – and bang……right into me as I went to pull my dog out of the way. The cyclist hit my left side and landed on top of me. Tyre marks remained on my leg for three-and-a-half weeks. Bruised and battered and aching for months,” they stated.

“I hate walking anywhere near cycle routes now and feel quite scared when I have to.”

However, others labelled out-of-control canines off leads as the primary threat to path customers.

Mr Hutchinson insists his dog used to be below management on the time of the collision, even supposing he used to be no longer the usage of a lead.

Wendy Challis-Jones instructed the net information outlet: “On a cycle path dogs should be on a lead!”

Another reader added: “There are lots of safe places where you can let your dog off the lead, a footpath where there are other pedestrians and cyclists is not one of them. This gentleman epitomises everything that’s wrong with a lot of these irresponsible dog walkers. Its heartbreaking that the poor dog has had to pay the price for his folly.”

Last month, a district council in Devon made headlines after imposing a brand new public area coverage order requiring dog walkers to make use of leads shorter than a metre close to cycle paths and highways.

The safety of cyclists used to be cited for the rule of thumb, which doesn’t practice for parks and seashores, however may see homeowners who stroll their canines on leads longer than a metre fined £100, or face prosecution, with most fines achieving £1,000.

So how can shared-use paths be made more secure for everybody? Let us know your ideas within the feedback…