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"Equestrians and cyclists are vulnerable road users"

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  1. chdot
    Admin

    "

    Equestrians and cyclists are vulnerable road users. Both groups share similar risks when riding on the road and both need access to more safe off road riding.

    Cyclists and horse riders have a statutory right to ride on byways, bridleways and roads. On bridleways, it is important that cyclists give way to horse riders (the Countryside Act 1968 gave cyclists the right to use bridleways, but stated that they must give way to horse riders and walkers).

    http://www.horseaccidents.org.uk/Advice_and_Prevention/Cycles.aspx

    Posted 11 years ago #

  2. Darkerside
    Member

    Second paragraph is definitely true - horses do not like recumbents.

    Overtook two police horses in Glasgow a month or so back, so wide that I was practically on the opposite pavement. Stopped at a red light, to have the pair of them clop up behind me. Subject to a prolonged horsey nostril-based investigation.

    Posted 11 years ago #

  3. Min
    Member

    I don't use my bell if I see horses, I just call out that there is a bike coming as I figure that is less startling to a horse. The calling certainly doesn't seem to bother them as they just have a look round at me.

    Posted 11 years ago #

  4. steveo
    Member

    I also tend to give horse riders a cheery evening/afternoon/morning if they fail to hear me clattering along mainly because I don't have a bell on the racer but even if I did.

    Posted 11 years ago #

  5. PS
    Member

    From a couple of conversations I've had with horse riders, they certainly prefer a call of "Hello, cyclist behind" to use of a bell or (even worse) no audible indcation of your presence.

    Posted 11 years ago #

  6. sallyhinch
    Member

    yup, that's what I've been told too: 'Hello rider, bike behind you', then wait for them to indicate they've heard you, give them a wide berth and keep an eye on the horse. Apparently taking the little flag off helps with recumbents.

    Of course some riders just mosey along completely oblivious to you shouting like an idiot behind them, probably got headphones in, don't pay road tax, mutter, mutter...

    Posted 11 years ago #

  7. chdot
    Admin

    "
    The Highway Code (@HighwayCodeGB)
    20/12/2012 08:16
    Keep dogs on a short lead when walking on the pavement, road or path shared with cyclists or horse riders #HighwayCode rule 56

    "

    Posted 11 years ago #

  8. Darkerside
    Member

    So we're saying that riding underneath the horse probably wasn't the best idea?

    Posted 11 years ago #

  9. Roibeard
    Member

    As long as the horse is stationary at the time, that's probably fine. If the horse was stationery then that's probably safer.

    If in movement, I suspect you'd need excellent timing to ensure a lack of hoof/head interaction:

    Robert

    Posted 11 years ago #

  10. bdellar
    Member

    I tend to do the same for dogs on shared paths. Dogs don't seem able to recognise speed in bikes, and have no qualms about walking in front of a moving bike, so I always pass slowly and carefully.

    Posted 11 years ago #

  11. chdot
    Admin

    "
    The Highway Code (@HighwayCodeGB)
    23/12/2012 11:07
    Horse riders. When riding on the road you should keep: to the left; both hands on the reins unless signalling; both feet in the stirrups.

    "

    Posted 11 years ago #

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