Taboo1968
Well-Known Member
Taken from H&H Magazine
The BHS is asking riders to lobby their MPs for last-minute amendments to the new Highway Code, which could be in force by the end of this summer.
The BHS suggested amendments to the new Highway Code to the Secretary of State back in February 2006. But according to BHS director of access, safety and welfare Mark Weston, some have apparently been ignored.
Unless MPs bow to public pressure and pass further amendments, the Code will forbid riding two horses abreast on narrow and busy roads and when riding around bends. It will also exclude horses from all cycle tracks.
Mark Weston told H&H: "There can be many valid reasons for riding two abreast: groups of riders, nervous horses, novice riders, and defensive riding on winding country lanes where there is insufficient room for a car to pass a single horse safely."
Breaches of the Highway Code could potentially be used in evidence in any court proceedings under the Traffic Acts in order to establish liability in an accident.
This country is getting to the point of becomming ridiculous..... What about parents leading horses/ponies with children on them? What about the horse that is traffic training and needs shielding from traffic? it is safer to ride two abreast as oncomming traffic has to slow down (well hopefully does although I appreciate this isn't always the case) as there is less room to pass....
I for one, shall continue to ride two abreast regardless! I think everyone should now write to their MP and point out to them the implications of this..... Soon enough they'll be banning horses on the roads altogether if they get their way with this!
The BHS is asking riders to lobby their MPs for last-minute amendments to the new Highway Code, which could be in force by the end of this summer.
The BHS suggested amendments to the new Highway Code to the Secretary of State back in February 2006. But according to BHS director of access, safety and welfare Mark Weston, some have apparently been ignored.
Unless MPs bow to public pressure and pass further amendments, the Code will forbid riding two horses abreast on narrow and busy roads and when riding around bends. It will also exclude horses from all cycle tracks.
Mark Weston told H&H: "There can be many valid reasons for riding two abreast: groups of riders, nervous horses, novice riders, and defensive riding on winding country lanes where there is insufficient room for a car to pass a single horse safely."
Breaches of the Highway Code could potentially be used in evidence in any court proceedings under the Traffic Acts in order to establish liability in an accident.
This country is getting to the point of becomming ridiculous..... What about parents leading horses/ponies with children on them? What about the horse that is traffic training and needs shielding from traffic? it is safer to ride two abreast as oncomming traffic has to slow down (well hopefully does although I appreciate this isn't always the case) as there is less room to pass....
I for one, shall continue to ride two abreast regardless! I think everyone should now write to their MP and point out to them the implications of this..... Soon enough they'll be banning horses on the roads altogether if they get their way with this!
