The historic Kawiti Truss Bridge is a highlight of the Twin Coast Cycle Trail as it follows Ngapipito Valley west of Moerewa. Photo / Peter de Graaf
The historic Kawiti Truss Bridge is a highlight of the Twin Coast Cycle Trail as it follows Ngapipito Valley west of Moerewa. Photo / Peter de Graaf
A group of cyclists riding Northland's Twin Coast Cycle Trail had to pedal for their lives after they were chased by a pack of aggressive dogs.
Concern for the safety of other riders has left them questioning whether they can recommend the trail to others despite superb scenery and top-notchlocal accommodation and transport.
The incident has the potential to undermine a key tourism drawcard in the Far North and has alarmed a Kaikohe hotel owner, who is urging the council and police to act before someone is hurt and the fear of dogs along the route drives away business.
It occurred as the group of eight were riding along Ngapipito Rd, where the trail passes through a scenic valley west of Moerewa, early on Friday afternoon.
Nicky Davidson, of Auckland, said three members of the group were riding ahead when they were rushed by three large dogs which appeared from a driveway, barking and menacing as a pack.
The five slower cyclists stopped in another driveway, afraid to ride past while the dogs continued to bark and threaten.
A local couple came to their aid offering the use of their landline — the valley has minimal cellphone coverage — and told them it was a regular occurrence.
The upset couple told them it was a question of when, not if, a cyclist was mauled. They also feared what would happen if a child rode past.
A group of visiting cyclists say Northland's Twin Coast Cycle Trail is stunning - especially the western section near Horeke, pictured - but menacing dogs spoil the experience. Photo / Peter de Graaf
Davidson said it was fortunate the three riders at the front were fit and able. Others in the group might not have been able to get away.
She tried to call someone to arrange a lift past the property but after about 30 minutes they noticed the dogs had gone back up their drive.
The remaining cyclists decided to ride past quickly and quietly on the wrong side of the road, to maximise their distance from the property where the dogs were kept.
Davidson said she had since heard from other riders who'd had similar experiences.
''To be honest none of us would recommend doing the eastern part of the trail. What if we recommended it and someone was attacked? There's hundreds of beautiful routes without menacing dogs.''
The western half of the trail, however, was beautiful; their accommodation at Left Bank in Kaikohe was delightful; and Top Trail, the company which provided their bikes and transport, was helpful and efficient.
''So it's incredibly disappointing that a minority are derailing what good sorts are trying to do to raise up their community,'' she said.
Davidson said it was also disappointing because everyone in the group liked to support local businesses, and all had connections to Northland so they didn't accept stereotypes about the region being unsafe.
Dogs have to be on-leash on the Twin Coast Cycle Trail. Photo / Peter de Graaf
Left Bank co-owner Di Maxwell said she was reluctant to ''make a noise'' about the dog incident because cycle trail users comprised about half her guests.
However, she feared the problem would get worse if she didn't speak up.
Initially, she was told animal control could not act because no one had been injured.
She said the fact the dogs were wandering and menacing was enough to prompt action, and council staff could ask for police backup if they were afraid to enter the property.
''It's not good for business, it's not good for the community, it's not good for any damn thing.''
Maxwell had also been frustrated when she, and others, couldn't get through on the council's 0800 number to report the incident on Friday.
In the end her husband had resorted to phoning a senior council employee directly.
A Far North District Council spokesman confirmed it was aware of the incident and was investigating.
The council would be able to provide a response once staff had taken a detailed statement from the complainant.
An animal management officer contacted Davidson on Saturday after Maxwell reported the incident.
Adrienne Tari, general manager of Pou Herenga Tai Twin Coast Cycle Trail Trust, said she would follow up with animal control.
She would also contact the cyclists involved so they knew the trust was concerned and took the matter seriously.
Such incidents could put people off using the trail or make them regard parts of it as unsafe.
''It's not necessarily the fault of the dogs. When we have a recreational asset right next to private properties, we have a responsibility to look after our animals and to make sure people riding the trail are kept safe.''
It is not the first incident involving dogs on the 85km cycle trail, which stretches from Ōpua in the Bay of Islands to Horeke in South Hokianga.
Some have involved wandering dogs, while others have resulted from people walking dogs off-lead.
Dogs are permitted on the trail, except where it crosses private land in Utakura Valley, but their owners must keep them on a leash or risk a $20,000 fine.
One of the more serious attacks occurred in May 2020 when a Paihia man was knocked off his bike and bitten three times by an off-leash dog near Ōpua. He required 14 stitches.
The dog owner gave false details but was eventually tracked down by police. He claimed he had put the dog down himself.
A week earlier a Kawakawa grandmother was injured when her on-leash German shepherd was attacked by a small off-leash dog.
