Countryfile Letter

Following on from Sunday 29th May Countryfile Programme, which featured cyclists and the new Highway code, we have written to them on behalf of all the Horse Riders in the area. The following is a copy of the letter sent to them for your information. If you want to let us know your views on this please email us on nbhbridleways@gmail.com

It was really good to see Countryfile highlighting the new Highway Code changes. It was a bit disappointing though that the emphasis was so strongly biased to cyclists with only a passing mention to horses. When horse riders ride the roads, to link up the fragmented bridleway network, it is important that the message is put across to as many motorists as possible that, unlike cyclists, you are dealing with two brains, one of which is in a flight animal. Most motorists do not recognise that a horse can accelerate from 0-60 in any direction in a matter of seconds. They also do not realise that they weigh nearly 1/2 tonne and hence can do horrific damage when coming into contact with cars, and their occupants. The importance of adhering to the Highway code is even more important when passing horse riders and carriage drivers.

We try and do as much as we can to educate drivers. The attached two photos are of a pass wide and slow ride a rider in Norden organised around the roads of west Rochdale last September. Another organised ride is being planned for the 18th September this year.  It’s a pity that the opportunity was missed to re-emphasise this point last Sunday on National TV.

Another important point, that it would have been useful to emphasise, is the education of cyclists, particularly e-bikes, runners and electric vehicles, the dangers of passing horses without attracting the attention of rider and horse. Having something silently suddenly appearing in a horses vision sparks off the flight mechanism so intrinsically embedded in the brain of the equine. A courteous word warning of approach goes a long way to enable rider and horse to be prepared for the passing.  We were wondering if you might consider these points and find some opportunity for this to be conveyed to the Countryfile audience, hence helping educate the general population of how best to pass the equestrian population, forced to ride on the ever increasingly busy and speedy roads to gain access to the disjointed safe off road routes.

We would be more than happy to liase with you on this matter.

Kind regards

Members of NBHBA