MOTORBIKES.

Beth321

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Does anyone else have trouble with rude, inconsiderate motor cyclists when they are out hacking? I mean is it really necessary to silently crawl up behind you and then just as they over take open up and speed off very loudly?! Does make me very cross as I'd never do anything that could cause a horse to spook, they just dont seem to care about anyone else! Has anyone found anything that works to slow them (and all other speeding b*stards) down?!
 
Have to say I find that almost all motorcyclists round here are very considerate, slow down, pass wide and even turn off engine if any of the horses look worried! :)

Cyclists on the other hand....................
 
The majority of 'real' motorcyclists around here are very considerate, I think it is because they also recognise they are a minority road user in similar danger from car/van drivers etc

However, a few kids on scooters do seem a little oblivious to the danger they can pose to horses, but they are not malicious as such.
 
Have to say I find that almost all motorcyclists round here are very considerate, slow down, pass wide and even turn off engine if any of the horses look worried! :)

Cyclists on the other hand....................

Yes, cyclists are terrible too, they come up silently and whizz past very close! Special hatred for cyclists that come in groups of 20 riding 4 abreast across the road meaning that they have to come really close to you! grrrr.....
 
It's the silent approach that does it I think, came across one the other day freewheeling downhill fast towards us and you don't know they are there till they are on you. :eek:

Have had a couple of 'interesting' moments with cyclists on country roads over the years, they don't seem to realise how vulnerable they are passing that close!
 
It's the silent approach that does it I think, came across one the other day freewheeling downhill fast towards us and you don't know they are there till they are on you. :eek:

Have had a couple of 'interesting' moments with cyclists on country roads over the years, they don't seem to realise how vulnerable they are passing that close!

Yes i know what you mean!!! one day i hope theyre kicked by the horse they get too close to and then maybe theyll learn!
 
The majority of 'real' motorcyclists around here are very considerate, I think it is because they also recognise they are a minority road user in similar danger from car/van drivers etc

However, a few kids on scooters do seem a little oblivious to the danger they can pose to horses, but they are not malicious as such.

I so agree with this. :)
 
I "normally" find motorcyclists very considerate, but having said that an older guy that passed me today acted like I wasn't there and just zoomed past :mad:
 
I have a 125cc Scooter.
I am 20.
Yes I have horses but I am very considerate around horses on the road, and making sure I arrive quietly to the yard as not to spook anyone who may be in the arena etc.
When out hacking I find motorcyclists very considerate.
Infact I am more likely to have a run in with a white can driver!
 
I haven't found any particular problem with motorcycle rides but bicycles coming up silently behind can make the steadiest of horses jump.

We get a lot of cyclists around here and one day I stopped a group of them and explained that they couldn't be heard or seen approaching from behind and that a startled horse might kick out at them.
I asked them if they could call out when approaching, "Cyclist coming through." and then the horse would know something was behind them.
They were pleased to know what to do and passed the word around their cycle clubs via newsletters and notices on the boards.
It is now very rare for a cyclist not to give a warning.
 
Nope find motorcylists to be the best with the exception of a few kids on scooters/ newbies on an L plate.

As a motorcyclist myself I can assure you if they are coming up behind you silently they are deliberately doing this to try not to spook your horse and if they then zoom away its from ignorance not understanding that they can still have an impact on you after your horse has seen them. Also it can be very difficult sometimes to hold the clutch in to prevent noise but gauge the speed well enough to be slow enough to be safe but enough impulsion to get far enough past the horse before having to release the clutch which can be noisy as the only way to tell gears on a motorbike is by clicking all the way down to the bottom with your foot then clicking back up until you think you are in a gear which will not cause loud revving. Trying to do this whilst passing a horse safely watching the road for potholes/ mud and monitoring other traffic is no mean feat! Also race bikes like mine will make more noise than a car when I release the clutch regardless of what gear I pick. I do my best but it is a very difficult balance if the conditions make a crawl past unrealistic! I know a few are p***ks but most try and do their best so pls just bare in mind it is more difficult for us! :D
 
Its nice to know that not all motorcyclists are out to show off... The one that passed me today didnt even wait til he was half past to open up, and it was like a boy racer on a bike which annoyed me more!
 
I haven't found any particular problem with motorcycle rides but bicycles coming up silently behind can make the steadiest of horses jump.

We get a lot of cyclists around here and one day I stopped a group of them and explained that they couldn't be heard or seen approaching from behind and that a startled horse might kick out at them.
I asked them if they could call out when approaching, "Cyclist coming through." and then the horse would know something was behind them.
They were pleased to know what to do and passed the word around their cycle clubs via newsletters and notices on the boards.
It is now very rare for a cyclist not to give a warning.

I had a cyclist shout out 'cyclists' as he biked past us the other day which scared the s**t out of my boy. He doesn't spook at cyclists normally but shouting ones he does not like!

I'm also a Cambridge girl & find motorcyclists considerate around my way, maybe you are the otherwise of town to me. Young boys on mopeds however... I've had one sit behind me revving as loud as he could while my boy was obviously scared & despite me turning round & shouting at him he just carried on.
 
Im sure the ones in cambridgeshire are all just inconsiderate then.. You get a few that slow down but a lot race past you without a care for your horse having a fit on the verge!
 
I find motorcyclists fairly considerate, although I've only ever come across a couple round our way.
My pet hate is elderly drivers. I'm pretty sure that they can't see past the end of their car bonnet.
Yesterday, I was leading out my veteran for a stroll. High vis vest on etc, so could easily be seen, but a stupid old cow driving ....wait for it......a Honda Jazz (what else?) came straight for me. I shoved horse into the hedge and she carried on past. I'm normally polite and thank everyone, but I'm afraid she got a one finger salute.
 
Yep white van drivers, especially the ones on a mission driving far too fast and on the phone! Hate them.

I particulary worry about the WV as a friends horse was spooked by one, screeching round the corner, his horse bolted, ran out into a main road, and the horse was instantly killed, my friend died a week later in ICU....

All this happened at the end of the road where our field is, I THINK it's 8 years ago now....

:(
 
Yes thats very true about old biddies in their skodas and honda jazz's, they think they own the road! I have been known to give various hand signals too.. Just to let my anger out lol im sure they dont look back!

And thats really sad about your friend and their horse, annoyingly there are far too many white van drivers that drive around like that and they never seem to stop!
 
Yes most of the problem ones are young, maybe they like to show off! Which side are you? I come from hardwick..

I'm from Cottenham, so probably not the same motorcyclists.

I think you are right, they probably think it is cool to rev their peds & upset people & horses! The thing is I'm only 21 & have a younger brother & sister, so not much older than them, luckily it's never been one I know otherwise they would really get it!
 
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