As cyclists we spend a lot of time involved with (or at least exposed to) efforts to get drivers to be more considerate to people on bicycles; it’s good to educate ourselves so we can return this courtesy to other road users. After all we all enjoy riding the same roads!
To this end, the British Horse Society have published a pamphlet advising cyclists on how to safely interact with horses on the road. You can find it here (clicking will download a PDF file) or read our summary below.
Understanding the horse
Vision
Some people know that horses (like humans!) have a blind spot and that they can get spooked if an object appears quickly in their vision without them expecting it. What people may not realise is just how restricted a horse’s vision is:
Visual of a horse’s blind spot – linked to source
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In urban environments horses may be wearing blinkers to restrict their gaze further and reduce the risk of them becoming spooked, but in country settings their eyes are often uncovered. This means you should take extra care when cycling past them.
Strength
Horses have a very powerful kick: estimates put it at a similar force to a small car travelling at 32 km/h. As well as being able to wreck your bicycle, they can quite easily injure you to a degree that will require a hospital visit. Best to be clued up on how to avoid this!
Riding safely and considerately
The pamphlet gives 4 key points on how cyclists can help:
Take personal responsibility for our own actions
Shout ‘hello’ (or some similar polite greeting) when approaching from behind and ask if it’s safe to pass. This isn’t just courtesy: make sure you wait for a ‘yes’ before passing!
Express gratitude when passing, but don’t be offended if they don’t reply: they may be focussing on not falling off!
Understand that horse riders only have access to 22% of the off-road public rights network and often need to go on road. Don’t get angry at them for riding on the road, in the same way that we don’t like it when motorists tell us off for riding on road.
Perhaps most importantly, recognise the emotional attachment between the horse rider and their friend and fellow creature (in the same way you’d like them to recognise yours with your expensive and sentimental bike).
Cycle safely and observe strict etiquette
Make sure you are visible so horse riders can position themselves accordingly and in time: use lights and wear hi-vis in low light conditions, and make visual signals to riders if they can see you.
Pass slowly, especially when riding in a group. Resist the urge to fly past as you may startle the horse
Pass on the right. If they are riding two abreast (which is allowed!) give them the opportunity to get into single file before passing
Take your litter home
Horses can be startled by sparkly objects such as wrappers or hi-vis: don’t leave anything behind!
(You should do this anyway, regardless of whether you’re thinking about horses!!!)
Take into account horses when organising or riding a large event
If possible, break into smaller groups of 4 or 5. If not possible, give the rider time to stop if they want to.
From HRSA: if involved in organising an event, put signs out a couple of days beforehand to give horse riders the chance to find another route
Other resources:
- An information page for cyclists from Horses & Road Safety Awareness
- A quick reminder from Reddit about road behaviour: everyone yields to equestrians, cyclists to pedestrians, and downhill cyclists to uphill cyclists.
- A great advert from Cycling Scotland, aimed at drivers, reminding them to treat cyclists and horse riders with equal respect
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vILpPh5ZmV4