A quarter of guide dogs working in London have been hit by a bike, according to the organisation Guide Dogs.
A survey involving a fifth of guide dog owners in the city also found 70% had experienced a near miss with cyclists on pavements or jumping red lights.
Rob Harris from Guide Dogs said some visually impaired people were "fearful" about going out which was "worrying".
The London Cycling Campaign said every cyclist had a "duty of care".
Charlie Lloyd from the organisation said: "Any crash or a close pass which frightens or intimidates a pedestrian is unacceptable.
"Far worse when that person is blind, partially sighted or in any way less able than we are."
...[snip]...
As part of the campaign, Guide Dogs said it was reminding riders to use a bell or call out to owners waiting to cross the road to let them know they were on the road and to remind cyclists not to ride up behind a guide dog in case it startles them.
Full article and photograph here...
http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-london-28945834
Some cyclists are quick enough to complain about cars and lorries cutting them up or knocking them off their bicycles - it is a pity that some do not show the same care to guide dogs and their users that they demand for themselves.
Story submitted by Malka
on 27-08-2014, 12:35 PM