Motorcycles should be banned - rant

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flyingfeet

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Today I made the rather stupid decision to take my sister out on my 'quiet' horse for a quiet walk round our back roads.

Unfortunately we were only a short way out of the village when a load of motorcycles came past, not particularly fast, but not that slow either

Then they just kept coming and the horse my sister was on began to panic. We were off on a side road to get out of their way, but he continued to panic (and having not ridden for 2 years you can imagine how she felt!)

He then slipped, fell over on his side and she fell off on the road.

So I was gripping on to her and the horses and these motor cycles continued to go past and there were well over 50 of them

Why can't they stick to major roads and become organ donars like the rest of the idiots on bikes??

This back road has an A road above it and a B road below it, I really don't know why they feel it necessary to travel in such big groups on very quiet back roads.

Yes they saw her and the horse go down, did one stop or even give a cr*p? No.

Rotten barstewards IMHO.

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Yes I agree they should slow down, put their clutch in or something, but i think its unrealistic to expect them never to ride on certain roads.

Sorry to hear about your sisters accident x
 
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Why can't they stick to major roads and become organ donars like the rest of the idiots on bikes??


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I wind up the motorcyclists at work by calling them Organ Donors, or Gimps (because of their 1-piece leather suits).
 
Gosh - How awful. I hope your sister & the horse are okay?

I know what you mean. We were riding down a narrow lane today when a v. large tractor came towards us. I normally find tractor drivers to be really courteous, but this one just kept coming with me thinking he's going to slow down in a minute.

My mum's utterly docile horse started to spin as he came towards us (which there simply wasn't room for him to do), and he still didn't stop. So when my horse started to panic, I had to intentionally spin him out in front of the tractor to get the driver to stop (my horse usually jumps into the side away from scary traffic) as I was so worried that my Mum's horse was going to back into the tractors path.

So dangerous. I really sympathise with you.
 
They are both bruised and battered, but otherwise non the worse.

I just cannot see the need for them to go round in such big groups, on tiny back roads (usually you'd be unlucky just to meet one car on this road).
 
Thats disgraceful, I ve always found bikers to be really considerate where I live now and also in Kent.
Lots of bikers have girlfriends or wifes with horses.
I know my hubby is a biker.

Were they a bike club, ie Hell Angels or something?, They are usually the more considerate as they may have their `Ol Ladies` out with them on the back of their bikes.
A large group of bikers leaving a venue such as Brands Hatch in West Kingsdown, and are therefore not part of a bike club or bike rally, may well be very inconsiderate.

Are you near such a venue, was there bike racing on nearby today?
Might be an idea to check next time before you go out.
 
How awful, I hope they are both OK, and not too shaken up.

In fairness to motorcyclists though, I do normally find them very courteous, much more so than most car drivers. They have as much right to use any road as we as riders do. I think to say they shouldn't use those roads doesn't do anything to help the relationship between riders and motorists.

If someone posted something about horses being in the way on a motorcycle forum, then we'd all be up in arms and rightly so.

x
 
we had a big convention weekend thing on the local playing fields recently and have to say they were all superb at riding past the horses and I find motorcyclists the most considerate of all road users even more so when they are in groups, you always get the odd numpty, i think because they can understand being vulnerable.
 
I have ridden motorcycles since I was 14 (which is a long time ago).

I can only apologise for those riders who caused you such problems, they were obviously on a run, which is where a large number of bikers will meet up (usually at a rally) and go out for a long ride, just for the pleasure of being on two wheels in the countryside. In this case, the person leading the ride (who everybody else follows) either was unaware of, or failed to understand your predicament, and so just rode past. It would have been sensible for someone to have stopped the ride, but there is always the worry of losing the rest of the group and if, as is usually the case, you are not a local and actually have very little idea of where you actually are, common sense can be overcome, and the need to keep the other riders in sight can take over.

I was a biker long before I ever had an interest in horses, but have always either dipped my clutch and past hoses with the engine at tickover, or stopped and switched the engine off, until the horse was past. I have also had bikers do this for me, when my lad recently took to spooking at loud machines.

Once again, I can only say sorry on behalf of those you encountered, who I'm sure did not mean to cause you any harm, and to ask you not to tar us all with the same brush. There are good and bad in all worlds.
 
I'm pretty surprised at the way they behaved.

Unfortunately, some bright spark has put my village on a suggested motorbike route - lots of good bends to kill them.

Whilst they have caused so many noise problems that villagers have been known to protest with placards, the motorcyclists are usually saintly with the horses. I carry a long dressage whip to deal with cyclists.

Surely, whoever is organising these rides has a "duty of care".

Csn I suggest you send a letter to one of the performance bike magazines stating what happened, how much weight could have landed on your sister when the horse fell and a plea for bike group organisers to be more aware.

I've encountered 2 such groups, fortunately horse (Dutch warmblood!) didn't give a hoot. But, both had much more considerate lead riders. Local roads also heavily patrolled by motorcycle police.

Is it worth contacting the parish council to ask about the speed limit on that road being reduced. Unless a group is heading to a pub, I doubt if they will want to poodle along at 30mph.

Glad to hear both horse and rider unhurt.
 
Rather a shame these particular bikers wern't more helpful, I must say that 9 out of 10 bikers Bus drivers and lorry drivers I meet when riding seem to be very good, my problems tend to be more with car drivers.
 
I don't think they should be banned! They should have slowed down once they saw your sister's horse was panicking.

We have big groups of motorcyclists around our way on a sunday sometimes, Blue is so used to them now he doesn't give them a second glance!
 
Well it just annoyed me as if they had just stopped for less than a minute we could have escaped. They were touring the tiny Cotswold villages on barely used back roads, so it wouldn't have hurt them to wait for a minute

I am quite peed off as my sister could have easily broken a leg, and they didn't even bother.

I suppose they probably think horse riders aren't supposed to be on quiet back roads then????
 
Oh im so sorry your sister and her horse were hurt. I hope they will be ok and the confidence is not lost. I have problems with bikers down my bridle way. They treat it as a race track. I have had a few near misses with them hence my horse now hates motor bikes. However there are some young men on bikes who do stop and switch off their bikes, so its not all of them that are Dic*heads !
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That's my worst nightmare, one bike is bad enough but if they just kept coming I know my horse would turn herself inside out with panic.

I find most bikers are sympathetic, you pose a great danger to them and their (precious) bike if your horse moves into them.

Personally I don't get off the road for them until they have come to a complete stop, my mare fannying around from side to side infront of them is a far greater danger (for the biker and his bike) than her fannying around on a road away from them or in a field.
 
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Just a different view for you to think about..

RDX Training course for motorcyclists..
*If a out on a group ride of more than approx 10, should you encounter equestrian activity along or in close proximity to the ride route..
It is wiser to slow, but continue and get clear of said activity and horses. Previous comments and dealings dictate that most equine owners are of the opinion that there horses will become further distressed by a large number of m/c and riders stopping in close proximity, this is due to the unatural appearance of many m/c and appropiately clad riders in a static movement.
It has been advised by equine owners that such situations are likely to highten the flight response of a horse.*

Personally we all have different views on how best to deal with situations we encounter.. but we all have a right to share the roads with each other in sensible manner.

The big Q, is how would horse react to being confronted by a large group of scary helmet clad bikers sitting in the road.

Admittedly the tail end charlie should have stopped to check on the welfare of horse and rider... unless handler looked rather aggreived.. in which case it's sometimes best to ride on!
 
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We were off on a side road to get out of their way, but he continued to panic (and having not ridden for 2 years you can imagine how she felt!)

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If you were off on a side road then there is a good chance you were not seen slipping. I do hope horse and rider are ok
 
IME it's the bikers and lorry drivers which are much more considerate than those in cars or, in worse cases those on other horses.

Like you, bikers have the right to use whatever road they like. It is just a pity a few have to ruin it for the rest of us but the line 'Why don't they all become organ donors like the rest of those idiots' is rude and totally uncalled for
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Why is it uncalled for? I was angry and upset and this is an open forum!

Granted normally on small back roads the biker you meet are very good, partially because they are so vulnerable.

However when travelling in a larger group they could have given a little extra consideration to riders. Less than a minutes thought on their part would have prevented an accident. We were up a incline so they had a very good view of the horse going down - hope they enjoyed the show
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That said my wider view on bikers is that 90% are total idiots and are organ-donars-in-waiting.

We have a B road near us the B4425 and even through the 50 mph section regularly when there is a little bit of sun these idiots take this windy section at 100 mph + (must be lots of fun?)

I know you'll all point out the exceptions, but plain fact is that these guys have big bikes (once passed their test) to go faster than the speed limit for the thrill of being strapped to an engine.

Along the A40 and B4425 there is usually a fatal bike casualty every week.

I feel sorry for everyone else on the road as near the Cotswold Wildlife Centre recently one of these bike swerved into the path of a car (rider couldn't hold the bend) and was killed. The biker had his licence for less than a week before he died. The family won't forget that for a while and its a horrible thing for children to see in a car.

So tell me now that the majority of bikers are perfectly safe and considerate? I won't believe you.
 
I'm not going to argue this point with you as we'll just go round in circles. As I said, IME bikers are much more considerate than any other road users towards horses.

I also find it hard to believe they would be doing windy sections at 100mph plus
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Fact is, most accidents are caused by car drivers who do not look out for bikers. My OHs brother had an accident 6 weeks ago due to a man in a Jeep pulling out in front of him, even though he saw R coming!

But your point on getting big bikes once passed their test is wrong, you are required to have your bike restricted down for the two years after you pass your test.
 
Its like car drivers there are bad ones as are there bad motorcyclists and bad horse riders

Agreed they could have done more to help, but dont tar all motorcyclists with the same brush.

As I maintain there should be more in the driving test about looking out for both bikers and horses
 
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Why is it uncalled for? I was angry and upset and this is an open forum!



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Open forum or not its really nasty to essentially wish death on a mass group of people.

The incident you experienced sounds very scary, but on the other hand the bikers were in a difficult position - slowing down in a big group could have caused the horse to panic even more. They might have felt it was more sensible to get past swiftly and smoothly.

Playing devil's advocate, it could be argued that you shouldn't have taken your sister on the roads if she is a nervous rider incapable of controlling the horse.
 
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That said my wider view on bikers is that 90% are total idiots and are organ-donars-in-waiting.

I know you'll all point out the exceptions, but plain fact is that these guys have big bikes (once passed their test) to go faster than the speed limit for the thrill of being strapped to an engine.

So tell me now that the majority of bikers are perfectly safe and considerate? I won't believe you.

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why not take youself and your prejudice out for a nice cup of tea
 
i think there's only one word to describe there action -TOSSERS!!!

But in every walk of transport you have the majorirty be safe and sound to other road user, but it's the 1% of tossers that cause all the F**cking accidents!!!


I hope the horse is ok and your sister
 
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why not take youself and your prejudice out for a nice cup of tea

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Aren't you just a swell contributor to the forum!

I wasn't prejudice until I saw my sister about to be squished.

Also she was a capable rider until a youngster backflipped on her and broke her pelvis in 3 places. Our village is usually very safe until a bunch of inconsiderate adrenaline junkies decide to invade.

Also this topic said RANT and rant it is.
 
Although I appreciate what you're saying, it's a bit like calling every car driver an idiot after ONE causes an accident.

A horse that freaks at the sight of a group of bikers is not IMO 'quiet' nor suitable for a nervous rider on the roads.

On the other hand, yes, alot of bikers ARE idiots, but at the same time so are alot of car drivers.

My OH is a biker, and a father of two. Wishing him and his friends (all considerate bikers) dead really is quite disturbing. I wouldnt wish anyone dead.. and we've had a fair few run ins with car drivers.

I was riding a friend's horse once, and came upon a biker who wasnt going to slow down (tight country lane). Horse was starting to panic so I hand signalled at the biker to stop. This he did, and we walked past safely, me thanking him. Most bikers would do the same if asked and i would imagine these thought it safer to ride on as you hadnt said otherwise.
 
Excuse me?! That is a massive generalisation! I, my family and my boyfriend ride motorbikes and I obviously own and ride horses. How extremely offensive and ignorant of you to call us all "idiots"! And how utterly nasty to say we should all be organ donors! What a nasty nasty thing to say.

Why don't we stick to A roads?! The same reason YOU don't stick to A roads! We ride to enjoy the scenery etc. I do NOT ride my bike to be stuck amongst lots of other traffic on big horrid roads. I live in rural Scotland, it takes me 20 mins to even GET to an A road!! I sometimes ride out in a small group, 2 weeks ago I rode out in a massive organised ride out with 2,500 bikes around tiny country roads through the mountains near the Cairngorms and you know what, every single person we passed waved and thoroughly enjoyed it. Riding bikes in a group is sociable - its also much safer IMO to be in a group rather than just on your own, just like why you might go out hacking with friends (its fun and safer)!

I have passed numerous horses and always come to a stand still. If the horses look at all upset, I switch my engine off. So don't tar us all with the same brush - you get idiot horse riders as well you know!
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If you think your horse doesn't like motorbikes then TBH you should work on this in a safe environment, if you think they were going too fast did you make it clear you wanted them to slow down as they approached?? When I used to hack, I'd wave at bikers to slow down and they always did politely!

BTW, a lot of bikers do NOT kill themselves by going too fast. The majority of the time its car drivers NOT looking and pulling out right in front of them. My mum broke her leg in this exact scenario and a biker recently in my area was killed by some girl texting on her phone and not seeing him.

I have found your comments shockingly harsh and extremely ignorant and selfish.
 
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