Northern California - Hit a dog today

Wow, what a crazy commute today. So I'm commuting home today in my dedicated bike lane when this dog about 15" X 10" sized darts out from between a pair of parked cars RIGHT AT ME. It happened so fast that I didn't even have time to react except yell out a helpless "heeeyyyyyyyyy."

It was a -2% decline and I must have hit the dog at around 15 mph. I remember keeping the bike path straight as I didn't have any time to react to the dog. I just heard a cry of whimper from behind me as I slowed braked. My guess is that my front wheel must have rolled over the dog...if the dog was any bigger, I may have flipped.

I went back to speak to the owner and it looks like the dog will live but she'll be leashing it in the future I'm sure; it would be nuts not to as it could have very well ran into traffic.

Last week, I saw a biker run over a small 1yr toddler on the path in front of the Conservatory of Flowers (not sure if it was a MUP)...the toddler ended up in between the front and rear wheels and cried really hard. But he also looked OK after a while.

It's good to see these bike accidents didn't cause fatalities.

Be careful out there!

Wow, what a crazy commute today. So I'm commuting home today in my dedicated bike lane when this dog about 15" X 10" sized darts out from between a pair of parked cars RIGHT AT ME. It happened so fast that I didn't even have time to react except yell out a helpless "heeeyyyyyyyyy."

It was a -2% decline and I must have hit the dog at around 15 mph. I remember keeping the bike path straight as I didn't have any time to react to the dog. I just heard a cry of whimper from behind me as I slowed braked. My guess is that my front wheel must have rolled over the dog...if the dog was any bigger, I may have flipped.

I went back to speak to the owner and it looks like the dog will live but she'll be leashing it in the future I'm sure; it would be nuts not to as it could have very well ran into traffic.

Last week, I saw a biker run over a small 1yr toddler on the path in front of the Conservatory of Flowers (not sure if it was a MUP)...the toddler ended up in between the front and rear wheels and cried really hard. But he also looked OK after a while.

It's good to see these bike accidents didn't cause fatalities.

Be careful out there!

I've noticed an awful lot of Suicidal squirrels lately. I'd feel terrible if I hit em the nuts :(

It could have been a lot worse. Hopefully the doggy heals up... and shame on the owner for not leashing it!

Just last week on a commute I had an odd event unfold. I was crossing the tower bridge in Sacramento and a pigeon flew right in front of my wheel! I rolled over it with both wheels before I even knew what happened. I yelled something out too... but not a nice word. :o The thing flapped across 4 lanes to the other sidewalk. The next day, there it was, dead in the sidewalk. I felt bad but at least it didn't suffer I guess. :(

After seeing last years TdF I'm pretty convinced it would take a lot to seriously injure a dog with a bicycle. Although I'd hope I never actually find out.. At least the owner was around and was somewhat hospitable. I've been chased by some mangy lookin critters only to have the owners they accuse me of taunting the dog to get it to chase me <- :wtf:

All in all a good outcome to a rather funky situation. No damage to bike I presume?

After seeing last years TdF I'm pretty convinced it would take a lot to seriously injure a dog with a bicycle. No damage to bike I presume?

Which begs the question: do you have ultra-flimsy CF wheels?

Yes, there was no damage to the bike. The Mavic Open Pros rolled right over and they test true...quite a surprising outcome and departure from the horror stories I've read here from other rider's experiences.



After seeing last years TdF I'm pretty convinced it would take a lot to seriously injure a dog with a bicycle. Although I'd hope I never actually find out.. At least the owner was around and was somewhat hospitable. I've been chased by some mangy lookin critters only to have the owners they accuse me of taunting the dog to get it to chase me <- :wtf:

All in all a good outcome to a rather funky situation. No damage to bike I presume?

Based on the title I thought you were telling us to hit a dog today. Then I read the actual post. I had my club ready too. Sigh.

I've noticed an awful lot of Suicidal squirrels lately. I'd feel terrible if I hit em the nuts :(

+100. I was doing the 3 bears backwards the other day (no, the other direction, not riding my bike backwards) met up with a rider just as we went past the Hossmoor stables, and a pack of mad, nutter squirrels ran into the road. They must be the dumbest creatures out there; after about 2 secs of random running around in every which way, they came to the consensus that the best strategy to adopt was to outrun us in a straight line in front of my wheel. Sheesh.

Weak wheels, for dog safety.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c0dzMp61G5w

This is too strange, I just ran over a squirrel the other day...

The worst part was this; I paralyzed it when I struck it... poor thing was spinning around in circles trying to run away from me when I put it down with a rock.
So, I'm crouched on the side of the bike-path with a gore-covered rock and a crushed squirrel in front of me when a really nice-looking lady rides by looking simply aghast. I probably looked like a frustrated psychotic... wouldn't blame her for thinking it either.

I don't know if I'll see her at the MUP anymore... I hope not. It was awkward to say the least.

[QUOTE=Beaker;6912211nutter squirrels ran into the road. They must be the dumbest creatures out there; [/QUOTE]

I'd be willing to enter the wild turkey into that competition. I think it would be a pretty good contest, as I've come across 2 wild turkeys on the coyote creek trail.. and both of them just waddle-jogged infront of me.. looking back every so often to see if I was keeping pace at the blistering 6mph they were making. They are pretty dopey looking.. although good for a laugh if anything.