right of way

[Dave the dog]

Hi all. Something that has been bothering me is who has right of way. horse and rider or pedestrian? The highway code is very woolly on this. Whilst the horse has ROW over motor vehicles in most cases, and we are all obligated to courtesy and safety. When confronted by hikers on a single track road with no pavement who is obliged to give way?. The pedestrian and ones self, adhering to the Code would of course be on the same side of the road. I haven't had occasion to discuss with an hiker in real time and space, but I can see a circumstance when my time and space may may collide with that of the foot sore and weary. And what about Mums and push chairs. God forbid I should ride around a bend to be confronted by half a dozen walkers, a mum and buggy and what may amount to the tour de France. coming in the opposing. My Lad thinks if he stands still long enough he becomes invisible. If anyone has experience or a definitive course of action or behaviour please share.

 

[bonny]

I don't know about the right of way but feel that a rider should get out of the walkers way where ever possible, particularly if they have a push chair or small children with them.

 

[neddy man]

in the woods near us are various bridleways and also bike tracks, at all the entrances are sign showing that walkers and cyclists have to yield and give way to horse riders,cyclists also have to yield and giveway to walkers .fair play shows 95% of cyclists give way slow down or stop for the horse riders.

 

[bonny]

I think manners are more important than what it says on the signs, I would never expect a walker to get out of my way if I am riding.

 

[Dave the dog]

Agreed Bonny. I would never expect a walker to leap into the hedge to get out of my way, although the odd over reaction has occured. and cyclists approaching from the rear are advised to shout bike rather than ring the bell and use caution. Once had a group of cyclists bizarrely shout horse! at each other whilst passing. Neddy mans sign seems to disregard common sense as far as walkers are concerned. I too have seen similar signs. Hence the thread.

 

[FfionWinnie]

It's common sense. On a narrow path the walker is going to have to move out the way but I will always stop on a wider bit and let them get into the "layby" if possible. It's not about giving way it's about being sensible. If they are trying to get a hold of the dog I will stop and then thank them. Just common courtesy.

 

[twiggy2]

It is often easier for a walker/bike rider to move themselves/an inanimate object to one side and for the rider to keep the horse moving. my mare stands like a rock but the vast majority of what I ride have not been taught to just stand still, so a walker or bike rider trying to creep past a horse that as fidgeting about is intimidating for those on foot. I look at every situation and react accordingly but generally keeping a large lump of horse with its own mind an opinions moving is easier all round.

 

[Kaylum]

To be honest its basic common sense. Stand out of the way of a horse and stand still whilst they pass you. Just like r&rs once you have started crossing the road in a line you keep going and the traffic needs to stop for you all to cross.

 

[little_critter]

It sounds to me as if you are referring to a single track road rather than a bridleway?
On a road I consider me and my horse to be 'traffic' as we travel on the same side of the road as cars and bikes. So I would say the horse should go round the walkers (in the same way a car would)
On a bridleway I'd do whatever seemed most sensible at the time.

 

[touchstone]

Horse riders should give way to pedestrians, cyclists should give way to both pedestrians and horses:-



"Who has priority on a right of way?

All legitimate users have an equal right to use a right of way but, on mixed-use paths, the following rules apply:

Horses give way to pedestrians;
Cycles give way to both horses and pedestrians."

 

[fatpiggy]

Horse riders should give way to pedestrians, cyclists should give way to both pedestrians and horses:-



"Who has priority on a right of way?

All legitimate users have an equal right to use a right of way but, on mixed-use paths, the following rules apply:

Horses give way to pedestrians;
Cycles give way to both horses and pedestrians."

I was taught that you always give way to the slowest moving user. Likewise on the road. My driving instructor told me that if I came around the corner and there were people crossing, then I must stop and let them finish as they couldn't have known of my approach when they set off. But if they cheerfully leapt out in front of me because they couldn't be bothered to stop and see if it was safe (which seems to be the norm now in my experience, pure arrogance and a prime example of the me me generation) then that was their problem!

 

[catkin]

Once had a group of cyclists bizarrely shout horse! at each other whilst passing.

It's actually far from bizarre. Quite a few cycle clubs have asked their members to shout 'horse' or 'hello horse' when coming across riders on the road.

I think it's a great idea - because of the consistency it helps with traffic training, the horses soon learn what the sound means.

 

[Dave the dog]

Thanks for that touchstone. So Neddy mans sign is erroneous? And does mixed use path include bridle ways?

 

[TTK]

It's actually far from bizarre. Quite a few cycle clubs have asked their members to shout 'horse' or 'hello horse' when coming across riders on the road.

I think it's a great idea - because of the consistency it helps with traffic training, the horses soon learn what the sound means.

I always ask cyclists to 'say hello to the horse'. they probably think I am mad but I do explain that he doesn't see them as people and their silent, weaving approach is rather like a predator. They get quite fascinated by my little talk (I think!). But I always give way to pedestrians when possible. Teaching a horse to stand still is a neglected training issue.

 

[catkin]

I always ask cyclists to 'say hello to the horse'. they probably think I am mad but I do explain that he doesn't see them as people and their silent, weaving approach is rather like a predator. They get quite fascinated by my little talk (I think!). But I always give way to pedestrians when possible. Teaching a horse to stand still is a neglected training issue.

I've had that conversation more than a few times too - I'd agree, quite often the cyclists are very interested (though it does help that I have a very pretty mare who will stand and inspect bikes for ages ...... and all thanks to a couple of delightful cyclists who met her when she was very young and let her sniff them and their bikes all over until the pony had satisfied herself that they were (mostly) harmless )

Now back to the original point - where do runners/joggers fit into the hierarchy? and how to react to them? The same pony who will happily share roadspace with cyclists and walkers can get very worried about runners.

 

[touchstone]

Thanks for that touchstone. So Neddy mans sign is erroneous? And does mixed use path include bridle ways?

I understand it that the most vulnerable users have the most protection, which is pedestrians. Mixed use path does include bridleways, yes.

 

[Dave the dog]

mmm joggers. My experience of singular jogger, the jogger tends to slow to a walk, a pair often carry on jogging, a pack of runners I have yet to encounter.

 

[tashcat]

I disagree with most - pedestrians and bikes should give way to horse riders in tight or sticky situations.

At the end of the day they are not riding unpredictable animals that could react dangerously to any situation.

Pedestrians have always given way to me if the situation demands it necessary - but maybe thats because they see a half crazy horse careering towards them

That being said, if there is more room and it is safe to so, I would give way to a pedestrian.

I think rules are only useful to a certain degree, and as most have said, its about being sensible.

 

[Dave the dog]

Whoa.. If you run a pedestrian down you gonna get prosecuted, What about old or lame ones or ones on wheels? There seems to be a camaraderie between bikes and horses perhaps because both mess with the mind in the jam jar. Sad but true?

 

[ironhorse]

Absolutely - we do loads of this with the baby quarter horses, because we ride western meeting anyone on a footpath usually means getting asked lots of questions, and it's SO good for them. We also have loads of tricky gates and if riding in pairs or a group it's only fair that the others stand and wait for the poor person doing the gate! My horse is seven now and I will still insist on him standing still for a few minutes half way round a hack even if we don't meet anyone because it's important that he can.

 

[neddy man]

Horse riders should give way to pedestrians, cyclists should give way to both pedestrians and horses:-



"Who has priority on a right of way?

All legitimate users have an equal right to use a right of way but, on mixed-use paths, the following rules apply:

Horses give way to pedestrians;
Cycles give way to both horses and pedestrians."

touchstone where did you get this rule from ? the signs i have seen are put up by the council who own the woods. I have also seen them in other woods when on holiday but cannot comment on who put those up.

 

[Dave the dog]

Hi neddy man. On highways and by-ways signage is sanctioned by the DOT. On paths and bridleways etc on land owned by councils the signage usually reflects the desires of the most interested party's (the squeaky wheel gets the grease) no pun intended. And may seem to contradict the perceived authority aka the highway code. As to right of way upon a highway The lack of clarity results in a confusion of common sense, courtesy, and ones right to proceed without hindrance. On private land, no body appears to have any rights save those granted by the land owner. Bit of a muddle

 

[Dry Rot]

Surely, it is a matter of common politeness, courtesy, and good manners? Same as holding a door open for a fellow human being? Does that need a written down code? Apparently so for some people. How sad. I am of an age when females will sometimes hold a door open for me, but I will also do the same for others. There is no code, just eye contact and commonsense. It is called being a human being.

 

[alice.j]

Generally, I just do whatever's easiest and safest. Admittedly, I ride in the New Forest (so the ponies should always have right of way!! ) but when confronted by walkers, runners, cyclists, etc, I just do what I can to ensure the safety of whoever's around.
People in the Forest are generally good at moving out the way, but even before I moved yards I usually found that people (walkers especially) don't want to get in the way of something bigger than them!

 

[Auslander]

Surely, it is a matter of common politeness, courtesy, and good manners? Same as holding a door open for a fellow human being? Does that need a written down code? Apparently so for some people. How sad. I am of an age when females will sometimes hold a door open for me, but I will also do the same for others. There is no code, just eye contact and commonsense. It is called being a human being.

Amen to this!

We usually stop and chat to walkers anyway. Well - I talk, Alf frisks them. He once met a walker who had Kendal mint cake, he is now convinced that walkers are great people.

 

[touchstone]

touchstone where did you get this rule from ? the signs i have seen are put up by the council who own the woods. I have also seen them in other woods when on holiday but cannot comment on who put those up.

Hi neddy man, the quote came from here https://www.gateshead.gov.uk/Transport and Streets/PROW/FAQs.aspx

but many council websites have the same information if you search the ROW sections.

 

[RunToEarth]

I disagree with most - pedestrians and bikes should give way to horse riders in tight or sticky situations.

At the end of the day they are not riding unpredictable animals that could react dangerously to any situation.

Pedestrians have always given way to me if the situation demands it necessary - but maybe thats because they see a half crazy horse careering towards them

Really? Why not go back to basics and train your horse - having half a ton of "crazy horse careering" towards pedestrians or any other road user is incredibly dangerous. I give way to anyone where possible, I want people to have a good impression of riders.

 

[tashcat]

Really? Why not go back to basics and train your horse - having half a ton of "crazy horse careering" towards pedestrians or any other road user is incredibly dangerous. I give way to anyone where possible, I want people to have a good impression of riders.

Sorry it came across that way - it was a joke to emphasise that horses are unpredictable. Thankfully for the most part I have a well behaved chap who is well trained.

I agree with giving way where possible, but surely its understandable that even the most trained horses can be unpredictable and in an unsafe situation it would be best for those more able to give way.

 

[criso]

If it's wide then I will ride round giving them lots of space and also slow down as even it's very wide half a ton of horse at speed can be intimidating.

but we have some bridleways near us that are very narrow and it makes sense for a pedestrian to step aside as there is nowhere for a horse to go, undergrowth too deep to be safe to ride on. Also the pedestrian will physically fit in small entrances, gaps and gateways where horses won't.

I hate meeting pushchairs as there really isn't space for us to pass and people don't seem to realise that it's probably best if their child isn't within touching distance of the horses legs and will sometimes ask that the pull of the path more just for safety.

If there isn't space to pass or turn it's easier for a pedestrian to back up or turn round to go to a wider bit that to reverse a horse.

 

[pennyturner]

I teach the children not just to give way to pedestrians, but also to slow down as we pass them. We might know that our horses are under control in trot and canter, but to those on foot, even with a fairly large 'buffer zone', we can be quite intimidating.

I'm another that uses chatting with random pedestrians as a training opportunity. Ponies must be taught to stand still - particularly if you ever want to put them to a vehicle.