Rude old women!

[fornema]

Okay so when i was walking back to my field from a hack just now, there was an old woman who i passed who started being really sarcastic to me, which wasnt fun. Then she started going on about flashings lights on the pony and that she was gonna report us for having no lights. I had my reflective gear on (it was a flashie tabard but had run out of batterys) and going on about it and shouting about it as i walked away. First of all i have my BHS safety test, cycling profieciency and driving licence and now where in any of those can i remember it stating that ponys need lights (it was not dark although today has been grim at best.) Apart from the fact my horse who had to be PTS in the summer wouldnt tolerate any flashing or lights on her or me. So whos right?

 

[JFTDWS]

I had a similar experience with a local nutter a few years back. Horse was bedecked in hi vis, and indeed had lights on - it was dark, but in a street lit 30 mph village. Complaint was that he couldn't drive his car without headlights. So he chased me round the village in his car... I wonder if he does the same to all the mad cyclists to use only the bare minimum and are virtually invisible to motorists

 

[Carefreegirl]

Not horsey but I had a right nutter going on at me yesterday. I was trying to deliver a parcel but no answer and old lady walked past all 4' 11" of her and TOLD me to try the neighbours as the people whose parcel it was had two young kids ! wtf that had to do me I don't know ? I politely informed her that I had a 100 parcels on my van and I couldn't go knocking on every neighbours door. I then pointed out that she was infact a neighbour and maybe she could take the box ? Well, she lost it big time, it was very bizarre. I could still hear her when I got back to the van. If ever an asbo was deserved it was by her. She looked so sweet and lovely as well........ Put me in a strop for the next half hour, god help anyone who didn't answer their door within 5 seconds.

 

[lachlanandmarcus]

Highway code states

"At night. It is safer not to ride on the road at night or in poor visibility, but if you do, make sure you wear reflective clothing and your horse has reflective bands above the fetlock joints. A light which shows white to the front and red to the rear should be fitted, with a band, to the rider’s right arm and/or leg/riding boot.... It is strongly recommended that a fluorescent/reflective tail guard is also worn by your horse.

This is a 'should' rather than a 'must' so advisory rather than compulsory however failure to do the 'shoulds' may result in a driver trying to argue contributory negligence in the event of an accident.

In the daytime theres no rule other than that of self preservation making one think hi viz would be a good idea!