Cows exploit cycle-friendly cattle grids to roam free - BBC News

3 years ago by Jon-H558 to c/ukcasual

The grids are designed so cyclists do not have to get off their bikes when crossing.

Jon-H558 17 points 3 years ago

Clever girls

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Confuzzeled 6 points 3 years ago

And now I have an image in my head of moorassic Park, with cows as velociraptors.

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burningmatches 2 points 3 years ago

They only eat grass, but for you they’d make an exception.

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kev 12 points 3 years ago

As someone who used to cycle Dartmoor a lot, I have a technique for normal cattle grids.

Speed up at much as possible, grip the top tube with your knees, cling onto your hoods with white knuckles, close your eyes and pray to any gods you can think of. It's always worked so far.

In all honesty though, stop pedalling, hit them at 90⁰ and do not turn the handlebars and you're fine.

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chramies 2 points 3 years ago

If you try crossing one on a Brompton you get about half way. That's what I found.

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kev 2 points 3 years ago

Ooh. I've never ridden a Brompton but I could see how it would present extra difficulties!

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untilyouarrived 2 points 3 years ago

Same technique for railway crossings.

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kev 1 point 3 years ago

I live in Manchester, so I have tram lines to contend with. With them you're often going along the lines so it's extra terrifying!

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RamdomSlaphead 8 points 3 years ago

Can't say I've ever struggled with normal Cattle grids on my bike - I suppose in the rain they can be a bit sketchy, but go faster, and it's more stable!

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verysoft 3 points 3 years ago

Yeah, just gotta hold straight and don't slow down. If you are nervous and go slow, much more likely to end up getting stuck in it.

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burningmatches 2 points 3 years ago

I guess for low-speed urban situations like the one pictured it might be a bit sketchy. Not sure you’d want to be barrelling into a park on a mixed-use cycle path…

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juniper 8 points 3 years ago

This is the kind of news I like to read. Cows are so lovely.

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ShesDayDreaming 4 points 3 years ago

My first reaction was "be free my lovelies!!!" 😂

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Weirdmusic 6 points 3 years ago

I dunno for certain but it sure looks like the cows were happily interacting with the cyclists..

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BootlegHermit 6 points 3 years ago

Uhh... not to be "that guy", but I thought cattle grids were supposed to be bigger, and span the entire width of whatever gap they're spanning. The whole point of them is to have a series of openings where the cattle would step, making them wary of it. If I were a cow, I'd be looking at the grids in OPs article as a free public dung receptacle on my way to the park.

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Hogger86 4 points 3 years ago

Literally narrower than a cow...had the people making it never seen cattle before, they don't even have to do the cow splits to cross it.

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florge 5 points 3 years ago

Looking at the image of the cattle grid it's not surprising the cows got past it.

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falsem 4 points 3 years ago

The pictured grids look like they could just walk around them? Am I missing something?

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LittlePrimate 3 points 3 years ago

Found the cow

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kissmekate 3 points 3 years ago

I think the cows in the first photo are eyeing the stairs.

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Thalyssa 3 points 3 years ago

I love the picture of people otherwise nonchalantly chilling in the park with cows.

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VerifiablyMrWonka 2 points 3 years ago

Me too! Something I definitely wouldn't mind doing.

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Thalyssa 2 points 3 years ago

It's such a surreal sight. Imagine minding my own business, reading a book or something and there's a freaking cow right beside me. Nuts!

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borkcorkedforks 2 points 3 years ago

Depends on how healthy and friendly the cows are. I know some can basically be like big lazy dogs. Some unhealthy cows could drip snot all over the place though.

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wildeaboutoskar 2 points 3 years ago

I love the wording of this, as if the cows were plotting their escape

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jamie 2 points 3 years ago

They're coming for us guys.

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Hanhula 1 point 3 years ago

Olly olly oxen free!