What do you think of people on bikes??

I have been riding horses for most of my life but I am also a bike mechanic by trade so can I have 2 angles but I definately on the horse riders side, most cyclist I meet around me are more than happy to stop or pass by slowly and quietly but like alot of people here there are that inconsiderate minority who don't seem to think.

I'm all for cyclists but when it comes to horses there is no choice.
 
OOOhhhh no! Don't get me started on cyclists! Serious rant warning ahead .....

I've nothing against cyclists, my dear old dad did a lot of cycle racing and I've got some lovely memories of him doing it; BUT I've had far too many near-misses of sheer damned inconsiderate prats who come up behind when you're not only riding but walking.

I'd just got my boy out of the field - he's a sweet little man and pretty bombproof - I was leading him down the road and this **** on a bike came pelting up behind us, saw us, then jammed on his brakes which made an awful screeching noise. Horse spooked and jumped forward; straight into me, and knocked me over. I managed to hold on to the leadrope somehow but was kicked in my ribs and I just felt his hooves brush my head (and noooo, I wasn't wearing a hat, or gloves, or suitable footwear ....!!). Anyway, when I said to the cyclist what a stupid thing it was to do, not only for my safety but basically if he did that with a lot of horses he'd get kicked in the face, he really wasn't bothered. He couldn't give a **** about me or how I was - he was obviously late for work and just carried on.

Now, if that was a car driver you'd be able to identify them and report them if they drove dangerously, but with cyclists you don't know who the heck they are and they could cause an accident and then just be gone out of it, and no-one would ever know. That doesn't seem right to me. Plus presumably if they did cause an accident, even if you could identify them, a lot of them probably wouldn't have any insurance anyway, so you'd be wasting your time.

Come the revolution .............. if I have my sweet little way they'll all be against the wall and I'll pull the blimmin trigger, it'll be a pleasure.
 
VioletStripe said:
The cyclists around my last RS were terrible!!! We were out on a hack, and there was a large hill where we would always canter up, taking forward seat. It was a bridle path only, and cyclists and walkers were not really allowed up there because people on horses would usually use this hill to have a good gallop up! I was riding a large Fresian which used to be used to driving so was a little bit hard to get to canter. Was at the back of the ride because I was helping at the time. So, trying to get into canter while everyone else is galloping off. Cyclist comes racing up my side, so close he nearly touched my stirrup. My horse spooked so badly I came off and he continues to bolt up the hill to catch the rest of the ride, leaving me staring after his bottom and the cyclist. The YO was not amused!!

Usually I don't mind cyclists as they are often quite considerate, especially if they usually ride in a horsey area so are aware of the manners etc involved. This one however was not :( xx
Click to expand...

Sorry, but a bridlepath is not only for horses - walkers, dog walkers and cyclists also have the right to use them.

Cycling up a steep hill is hard work (I know I've just started cycling again after many years!) so I shouldn't think he was any more impressed with you being there than you were with him. It sounds like the cyclist was irresponsible in this case. However, riders also have a responsibility when using bridleways to look out for other users as they are not the exclusive domain of horse riders.
 
As bikes and scooters are the most common form of transport here and we all have to share the cycle paths ( which incidently run right next to the roads with normally only a small patch of grass seperating them) both we and our horses just have to learn to deal with it.

To be honest as they see so many of them it does not take long for them to stop reacting to them and mine will now totally ignore the 20 road racers flying past him the only thing he still looks at are the strange ones with the plastic pods with children on the front or the ones with the bar at the side with a dog attached.

On an average ride out we normally have;

Bikes, Scooters, joggers, dog walkers, in line skaters, and nordic walkers (those that walk using poles!) passing and coming at us, yesterday we encountered a Segway!

If ours could not cope with it we could never take them out.

Most people who have Dutch horses will no doubt find they are perfectly fine with all of the above and totally useless with white lines on the roads? all due to being led and ridden on the cycle paths over here.
 
Personally I don't like them because my horse has recently made a habit of bolting when a bike comes near him. I know this isn't the cyclists fault so really no I don't mind them as they have as much right to be out and about as I do. What annoys me is when I do politely ask for people to stop so I can attempt to calmly get him past and they completely ignore me. He is currently out of work so we are working on desensitising him to bikes about the yard so when I get back on again hopefully he's in a better frame of mind that we can start riding next to one and eventually it won't be such a problem.
 
Hullabaloo said:
Sorry, but a bridlepath is not only for horses - walkers, dog walkers and cyclists also have the right to use them.

Cycling up a steep hill is hard work (I know I've just started cycling again after many years!) so I shouldn't think he was any more impressed with you being there than you were with him. It sounds like the cyclist was irresponsible in this case. However, riders also have a responsibility when using bridleways to look out for other users as they are not the exclusive domain of horse riders.
Click to expand...

Fair enough, but it was known locally that the riding school used this path exactly for this, and there was a smaller 'detour' path right next to it that took you to the same place. And this guy was cycling in the same direction as us, and could see what we were doing, because we'd seen him behind us before on another part of the woods. xx
 
Only once have I had a cyclist appear behind me from seemingly nowhere, without warning and trie to overtake my horse - who promptly shied sideways, making the cyclist jump out of his skin and almost fall off his bike - I was fine though, and yelled at him "bit of warning please" as he sped off all flustered. I dont think he will do that again.

I am on a yard where we see lots of cyclists go by as they enjoy cycling around the area, into the forest - I can see why as the area is quite hilly and challenging for cyclists - I always find them courteous though, and they always make me aware of their presence although Arion usually perks his ears up and tries to look back as he hears them well before I do - some of them even get off and walk past him which is entirely not necessary but shows great common sense on their part - I always thank them and tell them to enjoy their ride.

Kids I wouldnt expect to know any better really, as they are kids at the end of the day - I reckon their dad will probably have given them a lecture on the safe approaching of horses in future so hopefully they will have learnt something from it :)
 
VioletStripe said:
there was a large hill where we would always canter up, taking forward seat. It was a bridle path only, and cyclists and walkers were not really allowed up there because people on horses would usually use this hill to have a good gallop up!

Usually I don't mind cyclists as they are often quite considerate, especially if they usually ride in a horsey area so are aware of the manners etc involved. This one however was not :( xx
Click to expand...

This drives me up the wall. Bridlepaths are not only for horses and you don't have a right to say no one else can use them. It is also not your right to claim others can't use a bridlepath simply because you want to "have a good gallop up" it. Why do you think horse riders get a reputation among other road users for being stuck up?

I get really annoyed with horse riders who assume the world revolves around them when on the road. There are other road users out there and it is quite literally a two way street.

Just because the local area might know you use a bridlepath for galloping up doesn't mean this particular cyclist would have. Maybe he was on a long ride and not from the area? Maybe he was just visiting? On a horse you have the benefit of being able to see further than a cyclist so chances are he didn't see you until it was too late, but you could have seen him and waited.

Please don't assume being on horseback gives you the right to claim all bridleways and roads as your own. As a cyclist myself (as well as horse rider), we have just as many problems on the roads as horses. At least cars slow down for horses. They don't bother with bikes and cyclists are killed by cars on the roads with alarming regularity. Is it any wonder cyclists also want to get off the roads? Horses are not the be all and end all. Yes some cyclists are a menace but don't tar us all with the same brush. I have lost count of the number of horse riders I've passed, on my bike, who I've slowed down for or even stopped and they don't bother to acknowledge it with even a nod, let alone keep to their own side of the road.
 
chestnut cob said:
Please don't assume being on horseback gives you the right to claim all bridleways and roads as your own. As a cyclist myself (as well as horse rider), we have just as many problems on the roads as horses. At least cars slow down for horses. They don't bother with bikes and cyclists are killed by cars on the roads with alarming regularity. Is it any wonder cyclists also want to get off the roads? Horses are not the be all and end all. Yes some cyclists are a menace but don't tar us all with the same brush. I have lost count of the number of horse riders I've passed, on my bike, who I've slowed down for or even stopped and they don't bother to acknowledge it with even a nod, let alone keep to their own side of the road.
Click to expand...

Totally Agree we can be are own worst enemy sometimes. The amount of times I pass horses on the roads slow and don't even get a smile. This makes my non horsey husband very mad.
 
I'm pretty well aquainted with some very serious cyclists, and the problem that cyclists have in general is knowing what to do for the best. I understand that it is the subject of debate in the CTC magazine. They know that whizzing up behind people (whether walking or riding) silently is a bad idea but how do they let you know they are there without making things worse?

Many walkers find cyclists ringing a bell or sounding a horn rude. Some horses would be startled by this.

Personally as a walker I prefer it is they shout a cheery hello or excuse me so that I know to get out of the way. On a bridlepath I'm always happy to get out of the way for someone moving faster than me, but you have to know that they are there first. If the path is deserted I'll walk two or three abreast so I can make conversation, it isn't intentional to block runners or riders. Often on a soft path a runner or cylist isn't loud enough for me to hear, especially not if I'm talking or wearing a wooly hat pulled down low.

There really is no need for people to get angry and upset with eachother, most bridlepath and vulnerable road users actually want to help eachother out and be as sympathetic as possible but they don't always understand the other persons issues.

For example, often cyclists are reluctant to slow down, this is because of the effort involved in speeding up again, especially on a specilaist bike. If they are training they may also be monitering average speeds and things. If you've only ridden a raleigh shopper to school as a teenager then you might not appreciate this, in the same way that a cyclist may think that creeping up quietly so as not to disturb your horse is the best way to approach.

I think the best thing, as with cars drivers is to thank them profusely every time they are helpful and when you have chance to politely educate people.

If you have a particular issue in your area a letter to the local paper, local cycling clubs and/or magazine might be helpful, but make it polite and with an educational tone.

Do also bear in mind that groups like the CTC work with the BHS on issues such as access, we are fighting the same battles and should be on the same side!
 
weez said:
We are lucky to have some slightly quieter hacks nearby but unfortunately a number of these require us to ride the Camel Trail for part of them. No problem at all off season (which seems to be getting shorter and shorter) but running the gauntlet of bikes, trikes and other peddled contraptions with or without flags, buggies, dog carts and other paraphernalia in the silly season is interesting to say the least.
Thank goodness for bike friendly horses.
Click to expand...

Ahhh you see all the "paraphenalia" is a sign that these are not cyclists, they are simply people on bikes (probably ones from the local hire centre) the most scary thing about a "proper cyclist" is likely to be the fact that it is a grown man in tights leaving little to the imagination!
 
Katt said:
There really is no need for people to get angry and upset with eachother, most bridlepath and vulnerable road users actually want to help eachother out and be as sympathetic as possible but they don't always understand the other persons issues.

Do also bear in mind that groups like the CTC work with the BHS on issues such as access, we are fighting the same battles and should be on the same side!
Click to expand...

Agree with this. I've seen the letters in some of the cycling mags. Someone wrote up to one recently suggesting that cyclists, motorbikers and horse riders join forces to lobby the Govt for safer roads. Their logic, which I agree with, is that a large group made up of many type of road users is more likely to be listened to than several smaller groups.

At the risk of sounding dramatic, the common "enemy" on the roads is the car/van/lorry driver (though IME lorry drivers are the best of the bunch, followed by boy racers who don't want their precious car damaged so always slow right down!) and groups such as cyclists and horse riders should consider working together to make the roads safer rather than bickering.
 
I have just gone and led two ponies in at once from a bike in headcollars without a fuss from them...
Maybe some desnsitisation in order? Horse riders don't own the paths and bikes (unless not allowed obv) have a right to be there.
 
I am all for cyclists! They are our friends. They get far worse treatment from motorists than we do (have you ever ridden a bike down a busy road? Terrifying!) At least motorists give us on horseback a pretty wide berth, some don't even move over for cyclists. I feel FAR safer on horseback than on a bike! My horse is now used to them, after a period of desensitisation, and my OH riding his bike with us. Just as they need to watch out for us on the roads, we also need to look out for them.
As a national park resident I see a lot of very serious cyclists when out hacking, and I also cycle myself. Most of the cyclists I see are quite intimidated by seeing my big nag's bottom in front of them on the road, and all make an effort to slow down. In my area there are literally hundreds of off-road tracks which are used by cyclists, walkers and horse riders.
As horse riders are in the minority in my area, I really think that if it weren't partly due to the cyclists using the tracks (many holidaying therefore spending £££££ in the National Park) the tracks wouldn't be anywhere near as well maintained, gates wouldn't have been replaced and landowners will have fenced them off long ago.
The forestry commission have open access and well maintained tracks and routes in their forests, funded by revenue created by charging mostly cyclists to park in their forests.

Be nice to bicycles!
 
I think it really depends on the types of cyclists! The wannabe 'tour de Francers' can be a right pain in the bottom as they're concentrating so hard on going faster they don't really pay attention to what's going on around them. Families or pleasure riders are a mixed bag. some are so obviously 'townies' out for a lovely ride in the countryside and don't have a friggin clue about how they should behave, where as others are quite courteous / scared!

As for the OP's scenario, my rant would be more about the manners of kids these days!! especially after a recent run in with some cocky little oiks at the zoo recently!!
 
As posted before, no problem with cyclists unless they're the horribly mannered little monsters which myself and Kelly have had the misfortune to be startled by before (posted earlier on!)
Just thought I'd add my hack experience from today....
A small boy on a bike came up behind us very close and very quietly today before cycling very fast past us - I jumped, Kelly jumped and went into trot (argh!! My first ridden stride of trot on her in about 7 months - stressful!! I was petrified of her doing damage to her feet again!!) I pulled her up, and the boy looking very frightened rode off.
Now I know non-horsey people expect that the quieter they are, the less likely the horse is to spook, but not the case sometimes I'm afraid :(
No problems though - there is room for riders, drivers, walkers and cyclists on the roads and bridlepaths (not drivers though!!) as long as we're all considerate of each other there shouldn't be any problems.
Unfortunately, there's always a few bad apples in every bunch
K x

ETA she was perfectly fine even though she has only been ridden in walk so far! She bronced off in the field when I turned her out and then went down for a roll :)
 
Last edited:
See KH, you have hit the nail on the head, not everyone understands horses, so why shouldn't they cycle past us without tingng the bell, as long as they give a wide berth and be considerate then there is no problem. Same with runners, I wouldn't expect them to shout or whatever, they would just run past surely. Like kH says, they are more likely to think they are better being quiet. Why would the little lad not cycle by, why would he know that the horse would spook? (glad you were ok kH).
We are also forgetting that our horses have far superior hearing and also the periphiral vision. They know before we do that something is there.
I have found most fellow road users to be courteous. The least courteous seem to be riders. I am obviously very considerate towards them and usually get a wave or a nod, quite a few though seem to look down their noses snootily as if it is me who should be saying thank you to them. No wonder riders get a bad name for being stuck up. Even if I can't take a hand off the reins, i always make sure I smile and mouth thank you to them. I am probably over polite tbh, but I think it pays off. We have even made friends with the bin men round our way, they are really helpful now.
 
as long as there nice and say sorry but at my old yard i hacked with the YO and her horses hated bikes when metal and people would come full speed up behind us and go shooting past saying nothing grrr :@ was annoying
but tbh alot of them do say 'biker coming' or say 'hi' before they come past soo depends :)
 
Do they annoy me? No.

The majority around here call out to warn us that they are coming and respond better to handsignals than the drivers...

Although we do have a cycle race that goes through the village once a year, but you just don't hack on that day...
 
VioletStripe said:
It was a bridle path only, and cyclists and walkers were not really allowed up there because people on horses would usually use this hill to have a good gallop up!
Click to expand...

Sorry - I am afraid if this was a public bridleway you are wrong. Cyclists and pedestrians are allowed to use them as well - if you think they shouldnt because you wanted to gallop up there, surely thats as bad as rude cyclists?
 
Flo_Bell said:
Oh don't get me started on bikes! They are my no.1 whinge subject - although I actually find them more annoying when I am in my car than on my horse!

Most annoyingly is the thousands of pounds that the council spent putting a lovely wide bike path alongside a really busy main road that I drive along every day - and there are bikes riding on the bleddy road! It is a very fast moving road, but isn't wide enough to accomodate cars and bikes safely - hence why the bike path was put in - and the stupid idiots just ignore the path that was put there for their safety!

Also - bike riders going along busy roads in 2's & 3's across the road, and not moving out of the way for traffic

Bike riders going along any roads with their ear phones / ipods in - I mean honestly - do you not have any common sense???

And one last one - bike riders without any hi viz, riding in dark colours, and generally ignoring all traffic - everyone likes to complain about horse riders when they do this - but bike riders are allowed??

Sorry - rant over!! :D :D
Click to expand...

Agree with all of this.

I think they should make Hi-Viz and helmets madatory for cyclists or face a £100 fine - think that might change the situation a little bit.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top