ENFORCE Highway Code Rule 56- Dogs required to be on short leads on shared cycle paths

I have raised a formal complaint against South Kesteven District Council (south lincolnshire) about their reluctance to enforce Highway Code Rule 56 on a 2km stretch of National Cycle Route 15 which runs along the river in Grantham.  Highway Code Rule 56 requires dogs to be on a short lead when walked on paths shared with cyclists (and horses).  Twice recently an unleashed dog being walked along the shared cycle path has run under my wheel. I avoid using the phrase “I hit a dog” because in both incidents the dog was unavoidable.  

The Council wish to treat the issue as a low priority PSPO (Public Space Protection Order).  A PSPO is a bureaucratic process to turn anti-social behaviour into a crime – typically used to criminalise dog fouling.  I suggest it is a safety issue where adult and child cyclists are at risk from uncontrolled dogs, probably more so from dogs on a retractable/extendable “cheese-wire”  lead.  The Council want more evidence and consultation. I argue that the Department for Transport has already decided it to be of national concern hence the reason it is in the Highway Code.  That is not good enough for my Council!!  Nevertheless, I am conducting a survey along the 2km route which I use 3 times a week.  In addition, I use a Garmin Virb helmet cam ALL THE TIME.  So far, of the 89 dogs recorded approx 1/3 have been unleashed.  Approx 50% have contravened the Highway Code (unleashed or on a long lead). In addition, I have many clips of “near misses” (and the two actual impacts).

Remarkably, along that 2km route there are a total of 57 cycle-related signs so there can be no doubt it is a shared cycle path.  What I have asked the Council for is permanent signage along the route requiring dogs to be on a short lead.   In the early part of my survey I stopped and talked to walkers of unleashed dogs.  I found them defensive, ignorant and impossible to reason with.  People with their dogs on an extended lead just tend to be thoughtless, unaware of the danger to both cyclists (adults and children) and their own dogs.

On a broader note, how about a campaign to outlaw the use, selling or manufacture of retractable leads which use “cord”.  Any permitted retractable lead should be hiviz and reflective tape.  

In addition, of those agencies which offer advice to dog owners (eg Kennel Club, RSPCA, Blue Cross, PDSA etc), including topics such as the “dog and the law”, NONE mention the Highway Code.