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"Simple way of making cyclists comply with the rules.
Make registration plates and 3rd party insurance for pedal cycles compulsory any bicycle that isn't registered & insured is impounded."
They can't keep track of untaxed/uninsured cars and you want to introduce it to bikes as well?
Road tax no one pays.
VED would be paid at £0.00 same as any other zero emission vehicle....
Also lack of insurance doesn't negate liability, just covers you if you cause an accident

- Garry, UK

I have a friend who, as she has a large guide dog, is quite clearly blind. She has twice been struck by cyclists riding on the pavement; on one occasion being left with badly bruised ribs. on neither occasion did the cyclist stop to see if she was all right.
It's time to do something about this bullying, arrogant and dangerous behaviour.

- Sharon, East London

L Jones, your comment about the girl "killed by a cyclist" doesn't take into account the fact that the cyclist was acquitted and that the decision was that the girl was actually drunk and stepped out into the cyclist's path IN THE ROAD. Maybe he should have been able to swerve around her, but the fact (recorded on video) is that he was cycling perfectly legally and she was at fault.

- Mark Strong, Brighton, UK

Queen Victoriam gave Kensington gardens to children and dogs. It is an isult to her memory to allow any treats to her wishes. Cyclist are "urban terrorist" and obviously morons they have not understanding of signs and traffic lights.London is a hard city and there is so few places to escape. Why can't we have one small safe even in London for pedestrians and dogs? Meanwhile shame on you to the cyclists that killed these dogs .

- Michel Birkenwald, London

Carry a golf umbrella when near rogue cyclists, you can joust with cyclists or use them as an emergency brake in the front wheel to prevent accidents.

- Tom, Watford UK

I think that BOTH cyclists and dog owners are a menace to pedestrians. Both of these groups need manners and common sense when using pathways. The arrogant dog owners who 'believe' their dog is trained to stay at their side/do as commanded (whilst of lead) astound me. I feel sorry for the owners of dogs who do the right thing and put their dog on a lead and "reel' the lead in when they meet a pedestrian or cyclist. The cyclist also needs to learn that the path are not there for them, they are after all FOOTpaths - and yes I have encountered pigs on bikes who, when you challenge them to get in the road, where they belong (and on a cycle path) you are met with all sorts of abuse (usually men). Well it is come uppance time isn't it for you. The revolt has started.........

- Barbara, Sydney Australia

Clearly cyclists should not be riding speedily along pedestrian footpaths. But also the dogs should be under control and on a lead. As a pedestrian I find dogs much more of a danger to me than cyclists. At times they make life very difficult. They should not be allowed to run free in ANY public area where they would interact with the general public.

- Naomi Sajeri, Manchester

I think that the worst of todays cyclists are a reflection on our society on the whole. Selfish arrogant so and so's who don't give a hoot about anyone but themselves. A large stick through the front spokes should cure the problem!

- Gareth, Farnborough, Hampshire

Presumably Bob Bobness feels the same way about children - keep them on a lead and prevent them from straying on the footpaths. Sooner or later a child or an OAP will get killed

- Alex Balfour, Hong Kong

It seems a bit odd that they're more worried about their pets than they are about the elderly people, and children, who are intimidated by the morons that ride their bikes on the pavement. Or could it be that they wouldn't get photographed for doing that?

- Lezli Taubler, London/UK

Well done these ladies. Not to take away from what they are doing but this highlights a much bigger and growing problem: the huge increase in yobbish behaviour by cyclists. It is now almost impossible to walk down a pavement in London without having to step out of the way of cyclists. The last year has seen the problem mushrooming. This being London, what do pedestrians and the police do about it? That's right: nothing at all. Once again your politeness means the boorish element wins. At least these dog owners have the cohones to stand up to it.

- Peter Dempsey, Grrenwich, London

I am a dog lover also someone who would love to ride through parks, however responsible cycling is a must for both parties sake.
It's true cyclists can kill small dogs and children, let's see what they would do if a couple of german shepherds turned on them as they tried to swerve and bump into them. I've seen the damage they can do the dogs that is. If a cyclist did that to me i would show no mercy.

- Axeman.1, london

Simple way of making cyclists comply with the rules.
Make registration plates and 3rd party insurance for pedal cycles compulsory any bicycle that isn't registered & insured is impounded.

- Simon, london

dogs are not small furry people

- Animal Lovers Have Mental Issues, not the us of a

"No other European city has such a strange, prejudiced attitude toward cyclists", drivel. The cycling revolution, if it comes, should acknowledge the fact that a lot of pedestrians (note for the mentally challenged, not lorry or car drivers) are fed up with cyclists bombing down pavements, through red lights, through zebra crossing and acting as if every public park is a giant velodrome.

Probably if someone cycled over my dog and killed it on a pedestrian path I would be facing a manslaughter charge, I'm sure I'm not the only one who feels that way. Perhaps the Parks Police ought to be adopting more preventative measures. Nor am I suggesting draconian measures banning all cyclists from every blade of grass in London, but I do think cyclists who go flying down footpaths ought to acknowledge that pedestrians - and their dogs and children - have right of way.

- Husky Walker, London UK

As one who walks her dogs nearly every day in Kensington Gardens, I have seen selfishness and arrogance on an enormous scale on the part of some cyclists. I have seen them on the "no cycling" paths weaving in and out of pedestrians with children and dogs at a speed that would kill an adult never mind children. If you reproach them, often you get argument and abuse.

Ban cyclists from the park until they learn to follow the rules and learn courtesy towards other users of the facilities.

- Joanna, London, UK

Keep your dog under control or it might get killed.

Take a bit of responsibility for your pet, get it properly trained and keep it on a lead, especially if you've selfishly decided to keep one in a city and inflict it on other people who would like to use the park in peace.

- Bob Bobness, Southall

"Whilst it's sad that dogs have been killed, how many times have cyclists been knocked off their bicycles by dogs who have chased them?"

Not enough it would seem, Karen! When I lived in London, I frequently had to jump out of the way of dangerous and inconsiderate cyclists that insisted in going at full pelt through red lights. Cyclists should all have to (a) take a COMPULSORY proficiency test and (b) have insurance and (c) be registered, so that in the event of accidents, they can be traced and prosecuted. I think you might find that the accident figures decrease somewhat as a result.

- Yvonne, Doncaster, UK

We are not talking about main roads Steve, we are talking about a park! 19 out of 20 cyclists I see on main roads go through red lights, mount pavements when they feel like it,(*ugger the pedestrians), cut other drivers up because they weave in and out the traffic (and the motorists are expected to keep an eye on them all the time) as if they've got a death wish, and half of them don't even bother to wear a helmet. If I had my way all cyclists would have to pay a road tax and get themselves insured for accidents!

- Sue, Orpington, Kent

While I don't know the details of these incidents, I would like to comment that dogs off the leash and bikes do not mix safely. Dogs do not understand bikes, and I have had a number of incidents, riding legally on shared paths at a sensible speed, where dogs that have not been in my way have randomly walked or run immediately in front of me without warning.

- M, London

I dislike both fast cyclists and bad dog owners that have either extendable leads or dogs off the leash. As a walker they are both annoying; when the dog runs towards you barking or the bike rider just ignores you and rides past at a rate of knots without prior warning that he/she is behind you. Pavements are for walking on, and getting off buses safely on. Both of these situations I have almost been knocked over by an unruly cyclist.

Off with their wheels I say!!

- Heather, Essex, England

Cyclists complain bitterly about inconsiderate behaviour and bullying by motorists and yet, in areas where they share thoroughfares, they behave in exactly the same way towards pedestrians. I gave up walking to work along the south bank from Vauxhall to the Golden Jubilee bridges this summer because of the selfish and dangerous behaviour of some cyclists.

They pass within inches of pedestrians while going much too fast - what if a pedestrian changes direction, not knowing there is a cyclist bearing down on them from behind? I had one *very* near miss at Vauxhall. Pedestrians on a footpath should *not* have to look behind them before they manoeuvre!

They also cycle on areas where it is specifically prohibited to do so, such as under Westminster bridge. When I pointed this out to one cyclist, he told me to 'get over it'.

But most galling of all, they ring their bells and shout at pedestrians to get out of their way! No! I will not get out of your way because you don't have right of way.

Let us not forget that a cyclist deliberately knocked down a teenage girl last year because in his view, she wouldn't get out of his way. She was killed. Cyclists can kill and injure not just animals but people.

Most cyclists are responsible and considerate. The ones who are not need to be dealt with by the police.

- L Jones, London

So pleased to see this horrible behaviour recognised.Richmond Park had a speed limit for vehicles but not for the cyclists who use the pathways as a speedway.The paths near the car parks where toddlers and dogs are crossing into the park are lethal.This is especially so on weekend mornings when cyclists race by at a terryifying rate. Could bumps be placed on the tracks to slow them down ?

- Audie Charles, Barnes London

I go through Hyde Park every day - and I regularly see dog owners not cleaning up after their pets, deliberately walking 10ft ahead of the dogs so they can claim they didn't notice. They should be banned from the parks.

- Sean Mcg, London, UK

I don't agree with Mcw that the coverage of bad cycling in the press is disproportionate. I don't think there is enough of it. Neither is there sufficient policing of bad cycling - people do it because they know they can get away with it. Irresponsible cyclists have not only injured dogs, they have injured (and sometimes killed) people as well. Maybe Mcw, Steve and their ilk would think differently if their granny, child or wife were to be run over.

- Lindsay, London

Cyclist are the biggest menace on the roads and footpaths, if one of them injured one of my dogs they would never walk or cycle again!

- Vince London, West London

So for those who think it is acceptable to cycle on a pedestrian walkway then it must be acceptable for motorbikes and cars to drive on a bike lane. Oh wait, haven't cyclists complained about that, some of them have been tragically killed because of it. Follow the rules of the road, stay in the bike lanes, is that too much to ask. Those of you who are having a go at Felicity Kendal and Jenny Seagrove because they are actresses have obviously never had an animal or had to live through the death of a beloved animal. How would they feel if people pushed them off their bikes when they ride on pedestrian walkways?

- Graeme Brown, Austin, Texas, USA

Steve Chappell is somewhat intellectually challenged by this article, poor thing.
The point is that this happened in a Royal Park.
Now, Mr Chappell, what is a Park for? No don't answer. It might hurt the brain cells.
This is an article about bad riding in a Park, on prohibited paths.
No, Mr Chappell, not about a road where those big Lorries and cars go. That's a different subject.
Now stamp your little foot again and then go away and play with your toys.

- Minnie Ovens, USA

A couple of out of work actress's looking for free publicity perhaps ?

If bikes are a problem when walking your doggies - use a lead dear...

- Egbert Nobacon, UK

Whilst it's sad that dogs have been killed, how many times have cyclists been knocked off their bicycles by dogs who have chased them?

- Karen, Bolton, England

Steve may dismiss dog killings as meaningless and banal; however, it is still true that cyclists and everyone else need to obey the traffic rules in our increasingly crowded cities. Further, it is quite well known that those who start by killing other animals, often progress to killing humans (search the internet for yourself).

- Helen, Norwich, UK.

Exactly Steve from Bow! Whilst I recognise that there is a lot of bad cycling out there and I deplore high speed cycling along paths in parks, there is often a disproportionate amount of coverage of this in the press.

Motor vehicles kill thousands of people per year, and an unknown number of animals - both wild and domestic, yet this is rarely covered. West Londoners seem intent on stopping the congestion charge attempting to reduce the number of motor vehicles in West London through their champion BoJo, so they can continue driving their 4x4s and increasing negative press for cyclists.

I guess it's an example of "man bites dog" type information making it into the mainstream press.

Anyway, cue the usual torrent of cycle hate comments below....

- Mcw, London, UK.

"Four dogs killed"- the Royal Parks claim it's actually two, no details forthcoming. This, on the same day a cyclist is killed by a lorry on Theobalds Road. Any reports on how many animals killed by cars? Campaigns from faded actresses? Headlines? The ITV sensitvely reported the Holborn death as having caused "traffic chaos", meanwhile the main cycling news on this website and on the beeb is that ickle fluffy dogs are scared of people on bikes. I despair. No other European city has such a strange, prejudiced attitude toward cyclists, yes, things are changing slowly but really, is this honestly how the cycling revolution in London ought to be covered?

- Steve Chappell, Bow

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