horse riders two-a-breast on bridleways

amt27

as title, have come across this twice in the recent weeks,

firstly 2 young ladies chatting on their horses forcing walkers off the wide track and not letting me pass until one of the horses noticed me and paniced, got told off for not have a bell,

second, on a fast downhill confronted by 2 riders galloping towards me, had to brake sharply and get off the track,

are they allowed to ride two-a-breast?

uk_mr_brownstone

Probably the same a 2 cyclists side by side on the rode. When you're cycling it's nice to be able to talk to your mate, but when you're in the car and others are doing it, you can see why but it's still a pain in the ass. Can't imagine there's anything you can do about it except politely inform them of the obstruction.

Personally, meeting 2 young ladies on horses doesn't sound too bad

mcbazza

The law states that cyclists must not ride *more* than two abreast (66). Which also applies to horses (53).

That said, I never would, not with other people/vehicles around.

Of course, the prevailing 'rule' is to not cause obstruction. So, that would depend on the road/route. And of course, that applies to horse-riders as well.

will3

I don't think riding two abreast is particularly wrong. Forcing other users of the path is just plain rude tho.

Possibly one of those instances where a bell would actually be some use. (Did you ask if they had a bell on their geegee?

stumpyjon

I'm not sure galloping is allowed and don't horse riders have to give way to pedestrians like us cyclists?

strodey

They'll soon learn when the horse gets spooked and it goes to throw them

beski

A ding on a bell from a safe distance would prevent startling a horse when approaching it from behind, I wouldn't fancy a kick in the chops as I got close :shock:
I always try to use a bell and show some consideration for other trail & bridle path users, all you can do is try & treat others as you would like to be treated. Some people are ignorant you will never change that, but the majority I come across will treat me with respect if I do the same for them

strodey

hhmmmm bells on MTB's :?

mcbazza

Yeah, don't bother with bells.
Just get Hope Pro II hubs!!
Works a treat for me.
:P

strodey

Same here, a little bit of back pedalling and they soon move!

beski

Even when your climbing up a steep hill? a bell takes up no room on your handle bars, & when climbing a steep hill & out of puff so shouting is an effort is invaluable (better than a hoof in the face!)

mcbazza

Was just being light-hearted.

There's no bell on my Stumpy (with the Pro II's), as that's only used on MTB-specific trails. I never have to warn anyone on the 'up', as everyone is faster than me. And on the 'down', everyone/thing hears the Pro II's and moves.

However, I get through a bell every 3mths on my Rockhopper - I use it that often to warn people I'm coming. They don't make clangers like they used to.

hickster5000

mcbazza wrote:

They don't make clangers like they used to.

Agreed. My bike has one of those tiny ones that just goes PING! What ever happened to those with a long lever and all manner of internal gubbins that went BRING-BRING!? They were much better.

Riding in Scotland means you can ride on any footpath or public right of way, so a bell is a must really. Plus, there's nothing wrong with a bit of consideration for your fellow trail users. If we can purge ignorance from all trail users threads like this wouldn't come up.

beski

Mines one of those 'PING' ones, maybe not the best, but it generally gets heard (sometimes after about the 3rd time if they're yacking!) Don't know if i'd go for one of those long levered BRING-BRING ones though they're seriously BIG :shock:

strodey

Without wanting to cause offence, there is no way in this world you will get a bell on my bike :shock:

crrazzzyy

Hmmm well horses should definitly not be galloping on a bridleway very dangerous !! :shock:

I took my bell off me mtb when i got it but have had many occasions where it would have come in handy may have to dig it out :roll:

Alex_hoodie

i have 1 of these http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=16676
it has a proper ring!

ChrisLS

...when approaching horseriders fom behind you should always speak and ask the rider if it is safe to pass. Horses can be very nervous and they will kick out at the rear if spooked...I always treat them with great respect...also it's good to be socialable with the riders as it makes the world that bit more friendly...

cee

ChrisLS wrote:

...when approaching horseriders fom behind you should always speak and ask the rider if it is safe to pass. Horses can be very nervous and they will kick out at the rear if spooked...I always treat them with great respect...also it's good to be socialable with the riders as it makes the world that bit more friendly...

and most of em are girls!

passout

I once got a bollocking from a equestrian for saying hello (as a warning) from a safe distance. I can't imagine a bell would've been much better. I ignored, shook my head and rode on it but I did wander what the hell she wanted - warning, no warning...? I don't say anything now - just bunny hop (or anything that makes a noise) until I'm noticed.

David Lund

Spary a can of WD40 on you rotors.. They will hear you coming a mile away

dunnnooo

crrazzzyy wrote:

Hmmm well horses should definitly not be galloping on a bridleway very dangerous !! :shock:

And why not?! If they show consideration to others and a bit of common sense, then what's the problem? Same as saying that people shouldn't cycle downhill, as 'it's dangerous.'

Oh, and my bells the best of the lot. When used, it goes 'OI! GERROUT OF THE WAY!' with more or less volume depending on the gradient at the time.

Briggo

Da'ya know what annoys me to high hell, cyclists riding two abreast on the road.

Theres no need for it, and it just creates a traffic jam if the traffic is heavy, if they were behind one another traffic would flow straight past them safely.

Whenever me and the missus are riding along the road and she comes up beside me I either brake to get behind her quick or shout at her for being a numpty.

Milkie

Da'ya know what annoys me to high hell, cyclists riding two abreast on the road.

Theres no need for it...

I sort of agree... I don't mind cyclists riding two a breast, same as horses... As long as they notice traffic and get in line if traffic approaches..

What is annoying is when they look back, see you're there, then carry on riding two a breast, this is usually roadies (the odd few) and the odd horse n rider too.

Although its not illegal.

Whenever me and the missus are riding along the road and she comes up beside me I either brake to get behind her quick or shout at her for being a numpty.

A lot of cyclists enjoy company when riding, and riding along side means you are able to talk, all you gotta do is get the person on the outside to check for traffic, and get inline if traffic comes up.

Briggo

Milkie wrote:

Whenever me and the missus are riding along the road and she comes up beside me I either brake to get behind her quick or shout at her for being a numpty.

A lot of cyclists enjoy company when riding, and riding along side means you are able to talk, all you gotta do is get the person on the outside to check for traffic, and get inline if traffic comes up.

She's a woman, you expect her to watch for traffic? :P

lunaeventer

There can be justifiable reasons for horses being ridden side by side - if one of the horses is young, inexperienced or even just being badly behaved that particular day, then the steadier horse is put on the side nearest the traffic for safety.

For both horse riders & cyclists there is also using assertive road position to prevent numpty drivers trying to squeeze past too close on risky sections of road.


Will go & duck behind the parapet again now..........! 8)

Milkie

She's a woman, you expect her to watch for traffic? Razz

Good point, thats why it should be you on the outside.

I went past 4 sets of horses yesterday, i said "hello" to all of them, only 2 out of the 4 sets said "hello" or gave a response and 1 of those 2 said thank you; as I slowed right down when going past them (oncoming).

No wonder some bikers have a problem with horsey people.. Some think they above everyonse else.. One person even turned his head away as I said hello, next time I see him, I wont be slowing down at all, see how he likes a bike zooming past him at 20+mph rather than a 5mph crawl.

In general I dont have a problem with horses, only the people that give off the impresson of being above you, just because they are riding a horse. Its almost like white van man syndrome.

beski

No wonder some bikers have a problem with horsey people.. Some think they above everyonse else.. One person even turned his head away as I said hello, next time I see him, I wont be slowing down at all, see how he likes a bike zooming past him at 20+mph rather than a 5mph crawl.

You get ignorant people in all walks of life, there are ignorant cyclists aswell, all we can do is try to be patient and not lower ourselves to their level. As you say the majority are ok, let's see if we can influence the minority, next time you see the ignorant one go out of your way to be even more polite