A heartbroken pensioner has called for measures to curb speeding (sic)
cyclists on a path where his much-loved dog lost a leg after being
struck by a bike.

Buddy, a 11-year-old Springer Spaniel, suffered a badly crushed ankle
and later had a leg amputated.

Now, a fortnight after the operation, owner Bob Hutchinson said his
“beautiful” dog is adjusting to life on three legs, but quickly gets tired.

He is furious the accident could have happened on a multi-user path on
the outskirts of Bangor, Gwynedd, that is walked by dog walkers,
families and mums with prams.

Bob said action is needed before someone is seriously hurt on a route
that is being “terrorised” by high-speed cyclists.

After posting a photo of Buddy on Facebook, his comments sparked a huge
debate about the rights of cyclists and the dangers they potentially
pose to pedestrians and other road users.

Buddy was struck by a cyclist just over two weeks ago as his owner
strolled out with two friends and three other dogs.

“He was just ahead of me, slightly to my right, when the cyclist zoomed
past me,” said Bob, 74, who lives on the Maesgeirchen estate next to the
path.

“We had no idea he was coming. When he hit Buddy, the dog yelped loudly.

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

Buddy was able to limp home with Bob, a retired driver of plant
machinery. Two days later, Buddy was again yelping in pain, unable to
put weight on his damaged leg.

After a trip to the vets, an x-ray revealed a lower leg fracture and Bob
was given three options – to have Buddy put down, to have an operation
or to remove his leg.

“When the limb was removed, the vet said the ankle joint was so badly
shattered, an operation wouldn’t have succeeded anyway.”

As Buddy convalesced, Bob turned his attention to the path where the
accident happened.

The route forms the start of the Ogwen Trail which, in recent years, has
become increasingly popular with cyclists, forming part of the National
Cycle Network’s Route 82.

Running from Bangor dock out past Bethesda to Llyn Ogwen, it has been
labeled [sic] one of the finest cycle trails in North Wales.

However Bob has been using the path regularly since 1971 after it was
reclaimed from a former slate rail track that ran from Penrhyn Quarry to
Bangor docks.

Bob’s complains some cyclists feel they take precedence on the path,
especially since it was tarmacked some 20 years ago.

“For many walkers, it’s become a frightening experience,” he said.

“A majority of cyclists are courteous but some are incredibly arrogant.

“From Glasinfryn to Bangor Dock it’s all downhill all the way and on
some sections, cyclists can reach speeds of 30-40mph.

“Some of them use it as a race track. It’s crazy and it’s frightening.

If they’re going at the speed, you’ve no time to react and often you
won’t even hear them coming.

“It’s beautiful around here, with woods at the side of the path, but if
children run out when a cyclist is coming, there could be a really
serious accident.”

Bob has previously complained to Gwynedd Council about the path, which
is open to horse riders as well as pedestrians and cyclists.

He would like to see a bylaw adopted compelling cyclists to have
insurance and some form of identification. He now plans to contact his MP.

“When these cyclists zoom pass you, before you know it they have gone,”
he said.

“Unless they’re local, there’s no way you’ll ever find out who they are.”
Buddy still cuts a fine figure but the previous life he enjoyed has been
curtailed.

Bob’s moving Facebook post prompted hundreds of responses, many from
people sharing similar stories on the Lon Ogwen path and others.

One woman told how she is too scared to use the path anymore after her
three-year-old child was nearly “killed” by a cyclist.

A dog walker said she was knocked over by a cyclist on a multi-user path
in Llanddulas, Conwy.

“No warning – the wind behind the cyclists – and bang......right into me
as I went to pull my dog out of the way,” she said.

“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.

<https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/dog-who-leg-amputated-after-23340730#comments-wrapper>

--
Spike

On Thursday, 10 March 2022 at 17:41:41 UTC, Spike wrote:
> A heartbroken pensioner has called for measures to curb speeding (sic)
> cyclists on a path where his much-loved dog lost a leg after being
> struck by a bike.
>
> Buddy, a 11-year-old Springer Spaniel, suffered a badly crushed ankle
> and later had a leg amputated.
>
> Now, a fortnight after the operation, owner Bob Hutchinson said his
> “beautiful” dog is adjusting to life on three legs, but quickly gets tired.
>
> He is furious the accident could have happened on a multi-user path on
> the outskirts of Bangor, Gwynedd, that is walked by dog walkers,
> families and mums with prams.
>
> Bob said action is needed before someone is seriously hurt on a route
> that is being “terrorised” by high-speed cyclists.
>
> After posting a photo of Buddy on Facebook, his comments sparked a huge
> debate about the rights of cyclists and the dangers they potentially
> pose to pedestrians and other road users.
>
> Buddy was struck by a cyclist just over two weeks ago as his owner
> strolled out with two friends and three other dogs.
>
> “He was just ahead of me, slightly to my right, when the cyclist zoomed
> past me,” said Bob, 74, who lives on the Maesgeirchen estate next to the
> path.
>
> “We had no idea he was coming. When he hit Buddy, the dog yelped loudly.
>
> “The cyclist dismounted and there was an altercation – he claimed he’d
> rung his bell, but none of us heard it.”
>
> Buddy was able to limp home with Bob, a retired driver of plant
> machinery. Two days later, Buddy was again yelping in pain, unable to
> put weight on his damaged leg.
>
> After a trip to the vets, an x-ray revealed a lower leg fracture and Bob
> was given three options – to have Buddy put down, to have an operation
> or to remove his leg.
>
> “When the limb was removed, the vet said the ankle joint was so badly
> shattered, an operation wouldn’t have succeeded anyway.”
>
> As Buddy convalesced, Bob turned his attention to the path where the
> accident happened.
>
> The route forms the start of the Ogwen Trail which, in recent years, has
> become increasingly popular with cyclists, forming part of the National
> Cycle Network’s Route 82.
>
> Running from Bangor dock out past Bethesda to Llyn Ogwen, it has been
> labeled [sic] one of the finest cycle trails in North Wales.
>
> However Bob has been using the path regularly since 1971 after it was
> reclaimed from a former slate rail track that ran from Penrhyn Quarry to
> Bangor docks.
>
> Bob’s complains some cyclists feel they take precedence on the path,
> especially since it was tarmacked some 20 years ago.
>
> “For many walkers, it’s become a frightening experience,” he said.
>
> “A majority of cyclists are courteous but some are incredibly arrogant.
>
> “From Glasinfryn to Bangor Dock it’s all downhill all the way and on
> some sections, cyclists can reach speeds of 30-40mph.
>
> “Some of them use it as a race track. It’s crazy and it’s frightening.
>
> If they’re going at the speed, you’ve no time to react and often you
> won’t even hear them coming.
>
> “It’s beautiful around here, with woods at the side of the path, but if
> children run out when a cyclist is coming, there could be a really
> serious accident.”
>
> Bob has previously complained to Gwynedd Council about the path, which
> is open to horse riders as well as pedestrians and cyclists.
>
> He would like to see a bylaw adopted compelling cyclists to have
> insurance and some form of identification. He now plans to contact his MP..
>
> “When these cyclists zoom pass you, before you know it they have gone,”
> he said.
>
> “Unless they’re local, there’s no way you’ll ever find out who they are.”
> Buddy still cuts a fine figure but the previous life he enjoyed has been
> curtailed.
>
> Bob’s moving Facebook post prompted hundreds of responses, many from
> people sharing similar stories on the Lon Ogwen path and others.
>
> One woman told how she is too scared to use the path anymore after her
> three-year-old child was nearly “killed” by a cyclist.
>
> A dog walker said she was knocked over by a cyclist on a multi-user path
> in Llanddulas, Conwy.
>
> “No warning – the wind behind the cyclists – and bang......right into me
> as I went to pull my dog out of the way,” she said.
>
> “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.
>
> <https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/dog-who-leg-amputated-after-23340730#comments-wrapper>
>
>
>
> --
> Spike

Yawn, old news. We have already established the dog was not wearing a helmet, had not passed a dog test, was not insured and not paid dog tax.