C
Colin
Guest
Decided to take the bike out for a spin today before the rain came, and *once again* (being a rural
area) I met some horses, this time pulling a buggy. Now I am aware that all horses that I've met so
far are a bit wary of my bike, it being a lowracer recumbent, but I'm getting a bit fed up having to
stop, get off, and stand by my bike until the horses have gone by - Frustrating, and moreso today as
I was told it was my fault the horses were a bit skittish "as I was so low" (so woebetide anyone out
walking a daschund!), as if I'm responsible for the rider/driver's lack of control of their animal.
This is getting so common now that I thought I'd check the highway code out for the next time it
happens, as I'm sure it must say somewhere that all road users should be in control of whatever mode
of transport they are using, or words to that effect: only common sense, surely. Imagine my
annoyance to not find such wording (not yet, anyway), but did find rule 191 (titled "Horseriders")
that states "...Look out for horse riders' signals and heed a request to slow down or stop. ..." So
it seems (unless anyone knows different) that despite being a responsible cyclist, knowing I must be
in control of my bike and knowing I'm culpable for the actions I make whilst on a public road, I can
be stopped by anyone riding a horse simply because they cannot control their animal as I cycle by on
the other side of the road
As it happens, I always end up stopping anyway - I don't want to be even remotely "responsible" for
causing a mishap, and not least because my head would be very close to hoof height of the horse <g>
I guess, like so many other cyclists, I shall just have to get used to being treated unfairly whilst
out cycling
Colin
---
cycling AT spiralpathways DOT co DOT uk
area) I met some horses, this time pulling a buggy. Now I am aware that all horses that I've met so
far are a bit wary of my bike, it being a lowracer recumbent, but I'm getting a bit fed up having to
stop, get off, and stand by my bike until the horses have gone by - Frustrating, and moreso today as
I was told it was my fault the horses were a bit skittish "as I was so low" (so woebetide anyone out
walking a daschund!), as if I'm responsible for the rider/driver's lack of control of their animal.
This is getting so common now that I thought I'd check the highway code out for the next time it
happens, as I'm sure it must say somewhere that all road users should be in control of whatever mode
of transport they are using, or words to that effect: only common sense, surely. Imagine my
annoyance to not find such wording (not yet, anyway), but did find rule 191 (titled "Horseriders")
that states "...Look out for horse riders' signals and heed a request to slow down or stop. ..." So
it seems (unless anyone knows different) that despite being a responsible cyclist, knowing I must be
in control of my bike and knowing I'm culpable for the actions I make whilst on a public road, I can
be stopped by anyone riding a horse simply because they cannot control their animal as I cycle by on
the other side of the road
As it happens, I always end up stopping anyway - I don't want to be even remotely "responsible" for
causing a mishap, and not least because my head would be very close to hoof height of the horse <g>
I guess, like so many other cyclists, I shall just have to get used to being treated unfairly whilst
out cycling
Colin
---
cycling AT spiralpathways DOT co DOT uk