'Silent' electric cars - will this be an issue out hacking?

Won't horse feel the vibrations? That may depend on whether shod or not.
Cars in general are too quiet Imo and hard to hear.
Let alone most being incapable of signaling!!!
 
Tricky one, there is a bonus to this though, we might be able to hear the countryside better again which lots less road noise combined with a lot less immediate fumes up your nose from cars.

I have encountered them many a time in the city and they do take me by surprise sometimes but so far drivers seem aware that they people may not hear you are coming. It would be great if they could be fitted which what is described above, something a driver could push that isn't quite as noisy as a car horn, to alert others of their presence. I am not sure i would want them to have a permanent noise fitted as that then takes away the benefit of a quieter general world.

To be honest, there are so many nutters on the road now anyway i'm not sure how keen i am to ride on the roads, silent cars or not. But in principle i agree, fast moving silent vehicles will cause a problem not just for horse riders, but all other road users who rely on their ears although I suspect within a reasonable time frame we'll all get used to the new cars, as there is no other option, they are not going away.
 
It is a concern.

The same issue with cyclists. Most are very good round here and will call out that they are coming up behind. Then you get the odd one that comes up silently and you don't know its there until the horse has shot off up the road in shock.
 
Don't know if it is available online or behind a paywall - there's been a fun bit of whimsy on The Times letters page over the last couple of days:
suggestion that there are different horse hooves noises depending upon what vehicle it is - ie Pony Club canter for the school run, dray horses for vans, cavalry charger for boy racers at traffic-lights etc etc. The possibilities are endless :)
 
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