Avoiding animals on the Road

[klingon]

Pukeko's are bastards! I hate them!

I agree.. they have absolutely no road sense! They really must be one of the most stupid animals out there.

[Zuki Bandit]

You could always just be friends with the critters!

[1vanvan1]

I have had this fucking dog chase me down the road at like 30-40kmph. Somehow got of its owners lesh as set about chasing me. It was lucky not to be hit my an on coming car. Worst thing is my friend wasnt home i went to visit so i rode back past and i was met by the old prick standing on the side of the road who pulled the fingers shook his fists and yelled abuse at me. I hadnt done anything wrong. I felt like hitting him. Prick. Maybe he should by a better leash.

[Huntaway]

A cocky once observed to me that a sheep will invariably run back to its flock, even if that is right across your path. I have noted over time it is good advice, but not infallible.

[Wannabiker]

Hmmm havent had occasion to hit anything on the bike...and ride to avoid it. I have seen a hawk go through a Hiace van window (toughened, not laminated glass one), and end up in the back seat, and a pig take out the front suspension of a truck. You must not underestimate the amount of damage a large animal in your path will do. The old defensive driving course gave the following: Drive at a speed that you can stop in the length of lane visible to you on a 2 lane road, and half the length of lane visible to you on a single lane road. This should give ample time to identify hazards and react to them. ...so on a straight clear road.....

[klingon]

Mummy duck and all her babies walked out in front of me today. Actually 'walked' is the wrong word... more like 'strolled'. I had to stop completely to let them all get across because there was quite a trail of them. The car coming the other way stopped too and we both had a good laugh.

So there I was sitting in the middle of the road laughing while keeping an eye on my mirrors, and some guy comes speeding around the corner (about 100 metres behind me) loses control and comes around sideways on the wrong side of the road. I was never in any danger, but if the car on the other side of the road had kept going, he definitely would have collected them.

So the ducks saved them! Yay for ducks!

Next time an animal steps out in front of you, pay attention. It might be trying to tell you something.

[Ocean1]

Ha, baby ducks... once watched as a half dozen of the little buggers got run over by a Group A racecar doing about 140 kph. Thought most of 'em would be toast but none got squashed, they all appeared out the back and immediately shot up about 6ft in the air in the updraught. All toddled off to the side of the track and followed mum.

[Rhino]

As some others have said, trying to dodge a small animal, or frantic braking is likely to leave you in deep doo-doo.

Many years ago I read an article on this subject in a bike mag and the advice was to keep upright and a constanat speed. If the cat/dog is going to arrive at a point in space at the same time as you and your bike, the suggestion was to accelerate hard, to lighten the front wheel. At least if you then hit the animal, you have a good chance of getting the wheel over it. Once the front wheel is over the rear will tend to take care of itself.

I know that sounds harsh, but I have followed that advice with both a cat and a dog, and managed to stay upright on both occasions. Not nice, as I am an animal lover, but necessary at the time.

[Chocky]

I was on secnic dr west auck a few years back and was doing under the speed limit for a change when I saw a dobberman walking down toward me on the other side of the road, I saw it notice me and start to walk into the road. 'no probs' I thought 'it will run out to me and then alongside and bark at the wheels' I knocked about 10kph off my speed and then the pice of shit desided it wanted to get to the other side of the road I got it dead(sic) center and it was a case of ground sky ground sky ground sky.......I was in the gutter with ppl all around me telling me an ambo had been called. 3 ribs, dislocated shoulder, twisted ankel. and my bike?
It was going to be a 4 min ride and I had made it half way up my road in jeans and a T-shirt when I turned around and put my gear on
ALLWAYS WEAR YOUR LEATHER

[H00dz]

Be Prepared!!!

Up this way "bunting possums" is a call of duty (There freekin' everywhere)

This is all good if ya "caging it".... however makes for some interesting times on two wheels Especially when you come throttling round the bend and there a whole friggin Family of possums Or Pukekos OR Paradise Ducks crossin......Why do they always cross on the corners?

Anyway my Philsophy is theres something round everycorner coz up here.... there normally is......interestingly i find that "Flat possums" are even more treacherous AND Don't even get me started bout night riding !!!