A woman has called for tighter cycling controls on the Stray after her dog was hit.
Sara Clark said her chihuahua Milo was lucky to be alive after being struck by a cyclist on part of the south Stray where cycling is prohibited.
Ms Clark, who was walking Milo on Friday evening, said:
“He went under his wheel and I heard his scream and he ran towards the road. The vet said he was surprised he wasn’t killed.”
Ms Clark said Milo was badly bruised and required a painkiller injection.
Cyclists are supposed to dismount on this stretch of the Stray but Ms Clark said they often ignored the rules. She added:
“There was a sign 10 metres from us saying cyclists aren’t allowed. I know of three dogs, including Milo, and two elderly people that have been hit.”
“The cyclist just said, ‘What could I have done he should’ve been on a lead?’ My dog should be able to be off a lead, we should feel safe, but now I feel like I can’t let him off a lead. They have ruined it now.”
All of these cyclists were pictured on the south Stray by Sara Clark within the same hour on Monday.
Ms Clark said Harrogate Borough Council should do more to tackle the problem:
“Accidents like this are happening but they are washing their hands of it rather than dealing with it. It is their responsibility to enforce it, even just by doing something to say they are taking it seriously, like using cameras or fines.”
A council spokesman said:
“Our staff will always challenge cyclists who ignore the rules if they witness it happening. Unfortunately, as the Stray covers 200 acres and is accessible 24/7 it is incredibly difficult to witness anyone breaching these rules. Thankfully, the vast majority of cyclists in Harrogate dismount when they should. ”
Ms Clark disputed the claim that the vast majority of cyclists dismounted.
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“There’s no excuse for a cyclist being on a footpath where it’s banned. I am of course sorry about the dog being knocked over and the upset to the owner. I don’t agree with cyclists ignoring the rules. I also don’t agree with drivers ignoring the rules, which they do more often and with far more serious consequences.”
