donski Posted January 22, 2012 Share Posted January 22, 2012 Once/twice a week (in cooler weather only) I jump on my push bike and take my bully for a run/walk around our local roads (country roads) or into town. He loves it, gets all wiggly and waggly when the bike is rolled out and we only ever go at his pace. One day I'm on the far left hand side of the lane when a ute roars by within inches of my shoulder honking his horn and giving me the finger. Well, I gave it back,as you do, and he turned around and came up yelling at me that what I was doing was illegal and to get me and my dog and my bike off the road. I tell him he's crazy, that its not illegal and after 5 mins of energetic debate he takes off. I ride home fuming, thinking what an idiot. I ask my cop friends what the actual legal status is and lo and behold it is actually illegal. Ooops. Not that I'll probably stop doing it mind you. The roads I ride on are virtually deserted, and the bully loves it, so there! Did you all know that it's illegal though? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
megan_ Posted January 22, 2012 Share Posted January 22, 2012 Yes - it is in most states Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
juice Posted January 22, 2012 Share Posted January 22, 2012 yes i knew too, loads around here do it though, and if i can get my hands on cheap springer i will be doing it too :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Weasels Posted January 22, 2012 Share Posted January 22, 2012 Yeah it's illegal, but that doesn't make the guy in the ute any less of a d******d Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jr_inoz Posted January 22, 2012 Share Posted January 22, 2012 Are you allowed to ride a bike with a dog on lead on bike paths? I thought that was ok? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LizT Posted January 22, 2012 Share Posted January 22, 2012 It is also illegal to back out of your driveway. It is also illegal to change a light bulb if you are not a qualified electrician. There are probably 100's more. Must say I always think it looks like an accident about to happen when I see a combination of dog, lead and bycycle. ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dogsfevr Posted January 22, 2012 Share Posted January 22, 2012 Sorta funny when the ET title requires you to bike your dog holding the leash Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Remarkabull Posted January 22, 2012 Share Posted January 22, 2012 (edited) I ride my bike almost every day with a Doberman alongside :D I've ridden past cops and council rangers and I've never had any of them stop and tell me I can't do it, although to be honest it might not be illegal up here I don't know I've also notice that nobody wears bike helmets up here and the cops don't do anything about that either. Regardless, I'd do it anyway as it's the only way to give Acheron enough physical exercise to keep him happy. Edit because I can't spell :D Edited January 22, 2012 by dobesrock Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Staff'n'Toller Posted January 22, 2012 Share Posted January 22, 2012 You may find a lot of people stick to the bike trails when biking their dogs...just sayin'. ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rusty&biscuit Posted January 22, 2012 Share Posted January 22, 2012 Haha, woops, I've never had an issue. Cops always stopping people without helmets but drive right by anyone riding with a dog. But hey, I ride with my dog and without a helmet...oops Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Esky the husky Posted January 22, 2012 Share Posted January 22, 2012 I tend to use multipurpose paths which never have people on them. Certain deserted reserves are good for our sledding practice. I know it's illegal to ride on roads and living on a main street I don't risk it. I'll go somewhere safer/ less visible :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rachiie Posted January 22, 2012 Share Posted January 22, 2012 I did not know that! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Rusty Bucket Posted January 22, 2012 Share Posted January 22, 2012 The rule that says can't lead an animal while operating or a passenger in a vehicle (including bicycles) is in the Australian Road Rules, which the Federal Government required every state and territory to implement back in 2000? or 2001 - in order to get Federal Road Funding. There's lots of other scary rules in it - you sometimes see taxi drivers or P platers doing some of the things that the Australian Road Rules say you can (like turning right from the left lane at traffic lights) that no more experienced driver would EVER do. I'm pretty sure the ute driver was breaking a bunch of rules, and not just road rules doing what he was doing too. I've not yet heard of anyone being booked for the dog and bicycle thing. And it also includes "road related areas" ie footpaths and shared use public paths like bike tracks as well. So the only place you can now go with your dog and your bike - is private property and maybe very large dog off lead areas where you don't actually attach the dog to yourself on the bike or the bike directly. It's also illegal to hold a horse on lead from your bike or car and yes some very silly race horse trainers do this. The best race horse trainers pay some poor human to jogging with their young horses. I knew someone who used to do this job. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LizT Posted January 22, 2012 Share Posted January 22, 2012 The rule that says can't lead an animal while operating or a passenger in a vehicle (including bicycles) is in the Australian Road Rules, which the Federal Government required every state and territory to implement back in 2000? or 2001 - in order to get Federal Road Funding. There's lots of other scary rules in it - you sometimes see taxi drivers or P platers doing some of the things that the Australian Road Rules say you can (like turning right from the left lane at traffic lights) that no more experienced driver would EVER do. I'm pretty sure the ute driver was breaking a bunch of rules, and not just road rules doing what he was doing too. I've not yet heard of anyone being booked for the dog and bicycle thing. And it also includes "road related areas" ie footpaths and shared use public paths like bike tracks as well. So the only place you can now go with your dog and your bike - is private property and maybe very large dog off lead areas where you don't actually attach the dog to yourself on the bike or the bike directly. It's also illegal to hold a horse on lead from your bike or car and yes some very silly race horse trainers do this. The best race horse trainers pay some poor human to jogging with their young horses. I knew someone who used to do this job. Yep, seen a woman do this on a large agistment property. She was driving her car and leading the horse alongside. I have a very old "Horse Owners Manual" pocket size book that shows an illustration of this and strongly suggests this not be done as it is danergous. :) I'm sure there are a lot of laws that have a blind eye turned to them. Watch out though, they could become revenue raisers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
megan_ Posted January 22, 2012 Share Posted January 22, 2012 Sorta funny when the ET title requires you to bike your dog holding the leash Not on a public road though? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Odin-Genie Posted January 22, 2012 Share Posted January 22, 2012 People could use the same excuse when they walk their dog offlead in onlead only ovals etc (yeah I know it's illegal but my dog loves it), or bring their dog to the dog park without having any control (yeah that's against council regulations but my dog requires the exercise). I don't understand selective adherence to law. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jetshroom Posted January 22, 2012 Share Posted January 22, 2012 Police often have to ignore some law breakers as they're on patrol to catch some other law. I remember one Policeman lamenting that he was unable to fine the dozens of teens on bikes without helmets because he was out to catch speeding motorists. On topic, it's been a law in our shire since about 1993 but I didn't know it had become a federal law. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whippetsmum Posted January 22, 2012 Share Posted January 22, 2012 I'm really curious now. When does something with wheels become a vehicle? Would Roller blades, skates and skateboards be included? (they're the one's that seem popular around here with dogs and leads). The other thing with the law is that although says you're not allowed to lead an animal, horse drawn vehicles seem to be Ok (or do they have a special permit). If horse drawn vehicles are Ok, would a dog drawn sled be different? (not for my Whippets of course) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Esky the husky Posted January 22, 2012 Share Posted January 22, 2012 I would be interested to know the answer to whippet mum's question too :p Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dxenion Posted January 23, 2012 Share Posted January 23, 2012 I'd like to know if this law also applies to mobility scooters, esp for those with an assistance dog? Might have to make a call or two..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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