My dog is a beagle so she in unpredictable in the direction she is going to move, wherever the scent takes her. I use a retractable leash. I walk her on sidewalks for the first half with the leash locked short to keep her off other peoples front lawns. She does not enjoy this part as I do not let her follow scents. The second half is on a paved path through parkland and through some bush on a dirt path. It is here that I let her go full leash so she can sniff to her hearts content. Her movements are too abrupt on the second half for a fixed length leash as that is where the wildlife hangs out (squirrels, rabbits, skunks, the rare possum etc). Both paths are basically shortcuts through the neighborhood and are considered walking paths. They are used primarily but families (walking and leisurely biking) and other dog walkers I use a retractable leash as her movements are too abrupt for a fixed length. She can, and does, switch from one side of the path to the other quickly, depending on what scent she is following.
When I see someone approaching from front or back I will shorten and lock her leash and have her stop until they pass. At a leisurely biking pace it is very obvious to others, as they approach from either direction, that the dog is following a scent and constantly changing directions. They will slow down until they see that I have her shortened up. It almost always elicits a smile or laugh.
Then there are the entitled. I call them that because they seem to believe that the path is theirs to travel at 20-30 kph on their bicycles and that all others should move aside for them. If they are coming towards me I will rein her in until they pass (assuming I have the time) but I am expected to move to the side so they have the entire width of the path to pass by. This is painfully obvious by their straight on approach, no attempt to slow, and look on their faces. It also applies to those who are just walking the path without a dog, move over. Coming up from behind me at speed is another matter. With no way of knowing they are approaching I have no warning that I need to rein her in. Only ONCE has a rider used a bell to let me know they are coming and that was at the last second (to me, may have seemed like enough warning for the rider but at speed its not). Again, there was no attempt by the rider to slow and, again, there was plenty of time for the rider to see my dog was on a long leash and moving erratically and to give me some type of earlier warning.
To be honest, I would expect a motorcycle rider that also rides a bicycle to be more aware of all situations, to expect the unexpected and not rely on others to move out of harms way. Your complaints about people and/or dogs surprises me. See and be seen, isnt that what we are supposed to be doing? If I see you (or hear you) I will attempt to get out of your way. If I have no idea you are coming its on you.
