Advice to Cyclists from British Cycling on how to pass horses

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PeterNatt

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Following the disgraceful behaviour by cyclists last weekend, British Cycling have included the following in their newsletter:

If you’re cycling on rural roads and lanes, you are likely to encounter horses. Follow this advice to ensure that both you and the horse riders can continue with a safe and enjoyable ride.
Communicate
The most important thing is to make the rider aware of your presence. If approaching from behind, horses have a very large blind spot and won’t see you until you’re practically level with their heads. It’s vital therefore to let the riders know you’re there with a clear “good morning” or similar. Don’t shout overly loudly but don’t be too tentative either. A horse is far less likely to be spooked by the sound of your voice than by being suddenly surprised by you appearing next to them. Wait until they’ve acknowledged your presence and follow any instructions they may give you for passing.
Slow down
Whether approaching horses from behind or head on, slow right down and be prepared to stop. This applies whether you’re out for a training ride or taking part in an event. Allow plenty of time and distance for the horse and rider to become aware of your presence.
Avoid unexpected noises
Don’t shift gears or brake hard when approaching horses as these sort of mechanical noises can easily spook them.
Pass wide
Most horses being ridden on the road are used to passing traffic so, as long as you give them plenty of room and pass to the right as you normally would, they’ll be fine. Allow room in case they are surprised or startled, this is as much for your safety as it is for the horse and rider. If there isn’t space to pass safely, wait until a suitable opportunity arises, just as you’d hope a car would do the same for you.
Be visible
The more warning a horse rider has of you approaching, the better. Make sure you’re visible and have suitable lights fitted to your bike. Follow these tips for being seen in poor light conditions.
Be observant
Keep an eye out for signs that there may be horses around. Fresh dung, bridleways that cross the road and nearby stables are all fairly clear indicators. Look out for horses being ridden two abreast as this can indicate a younger or nervous horse. Some riders will also wear tabards indicating a young or nervous horse or if they’re an inexperienced rider.
Groups
Large groups of cyclists can be especially alarming for horses so, if you’re out on a club run or taking part in an event with other riders, be especially aware of this. Follow all the advice above, communicate through the group that you’re slowing down and split into groups of four or five riders to pass. The horse riders may be able to find a safe place, stop and let you pass as one group but you have to allow them the time to do this.
Be polite
It can be frustrating to have to slow down but always be polite and pleasant. We are all sharing the roads so we need to work with each other and respect other road users. Don’t take offence if a horse rider doesn’t appear to acknowledge your consideration, they are probably concentrating on controlling their horse.
For further information take a look at the code of conduct for horse riders and cyclists from the British Horse Society.
 
Good on them.
My OH bumped into me hacking last night (he was cycling with mates). My horse was being impatient and joggy - not because of them, she'd been joggy for a while.
I heard them approach, but he didn't shout out like he usually would. He asked later on if that was the right thing to do, my horse looked agitated so he didn't want to call out and spook her.
I said it's best to call out anyway, a human voice is less spooky than a bike suddenly appearing.
Some cyclists are wallys, but I think most simply don't know what to do for the best and don't have a handy horsewoman to ask at home.
 
what sensible advice, that sort of thing should be broadcast on the tv to make everyone aware not just those in cycling clubs.....but well done them!!!!!!
 
A well written and easy to understand article. I honestly believe that a lot of cyclists have no idea of the unpredictability of horses! They assume we are in control all the time and, whilst we like to think we are, we also know that at the drop of a hat, we are not!! The single most important thing to get across is that horses are alive and with minds of their own. They can, and do react to the most innocent of actions with alarming speed and irrational thought. Not all of them, not all the time and not all to the same thing. Well done British Cycling
 
Good advice, but who told them that horses have a 'fairly large blind spot'? Horses can see almost all the way behind them. Is it that the riders leg and saddle is blocking a significant part of a horses vision?
 
Art Nouveau said:
Good advice, but who told them that horses have a 'fairly large blind spot'? Horses can see almost all the way behind them. Is it that the riders leg and saddle is blocking a significant part of a horses vision?
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Horses can't see directly behind them at all, surely?
 
Have to say I am really pleased at the response from.the cycling authorities/club/organisers. That is a well written piece and it's great that it's being publicised. Let's hope the message gets through to the local cycle clubs
 
I think that advice was originally written by Sheila Hardy (horse carriage driver and also board member of Cycling Time Trials). It used to appear in both the CTT yearly handbook and the British Cycling yearly handbook, covering one page in each. Well done Sheila!
 
Met several cyclists this after noon. Have to say they all passed sensibly and ca!led out before passing. All friendly and polite. Maybe a coincidence of maybe they have seen the advice.
Disappointing that the worst driver to pass us was someone pulling a horse trailer. She made no effort to slow down.
 
What a brilliant advice piece. Really, really good.

I particularly liked "If there isn’t space to pass safely, wait until a suitable opportunity arises, just as you’d hope a car would do the same for you." Emphasising that cyclists are also vulnerable road users and we all reply on courtesy from those who are less vulnerable adds another dimension.
 
PeterNatt said:
Following the disgraceful behaviour by cyclists last weekend, British Cycling have included the following in their newsletter:
Click to expand...

Do you have the newsletter PeterNatt? If so is there a contact address? I would like to drop an email to British Cycling to commend them on such an excellent article (and would encourage anyone else who feels the same to do so too!)
 
That's been on their website for a while, he timestamp on this page is 2015. https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/knowledge/skills/article/izn20150106-Horses-on-the-road-0

When I've had cause to speak to marshalls or organisers during an event, I've referred to it and not one has come across but instead stick to their guns that they shouldn't have to and won't slow down and as it's a race (technically a time trial), it's unreasonable to expect them to do so.
 
criso said:
That's been on their website for a while, he timestamp on this page is 2015. https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/knowledge/skills/article/izn20150106-Horses-on-the-road-0

When I've had cause to speak to marshalls or organisers during an event, I've referred to it and not one has come across but instead stick to their guns that they shouldn't have to and won't slow down and as it's a race (technically a time trial), it's unreasonable to expect them to do so.
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Begs the question then that why on earth are time trials or races run on public roads.
 
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