Horseriders in Danger from Off-Roading 4x4s and Motorbikes

Horseriders in Danger from Off-Roading 4x4s and Motorbikes

Off-roading by 4x4s and motorbikes is causing dangers nationwide for horseriders

A national survey of riding clubs, bridleway groups and riding establishments has found that ‘off-roading’ by 4x4s and motor bikes is creating dangers for horseriders nationwide.

Peak Horsepower, a bridleway group affiliated to the British Horse Society, carried out the survey to find out whether the problems being caused for riders by recreational 4x4s and motor bikes in the Peak District are being replicated across the country. The survey found that riders in all English counties are being affected by off-roading and that the worst problems appear to be in Berkshire, Devon, Kent, Lancashire, North Yorkshire, Somerset  and Surrey.

The survey was sent to 1057 equestrian organisations in England. There were 271 responses from 202 organisations.

Three quarters of respondents said that their off-road riding routes are being used by 4x4s and motor bikes. Ninety per cent of these respondents said that ‘off-roading’ by these vehicles is creating problems on one or more of their riding routes. Over a third of them said it is causing problems on many or most of their riding routes.

Findings

Respondents who reported problems with 4x4s and motor bikes were asked what kinds of problems they are facing.

• Seventy-nine percent of those reporting problems said that 4x4s and motor bikes have damaged the surface of their riding routes
• 72 per cent said that the noise of off-road vehicles is frightening horses
• 54 per cent said that vehicle speed is a problem
• 54 per cent said their riding routes are too narrow to pass motor vehicles easily or safely on a horse
• 51 per cent said there was nowhere to get out of the way of motor vehicles
• 35 percent said that blind bends are a problem.

Over sixty percent of respondents reporting 4x4s and motor bikes using their horse riding routes said that these vehicles do not stick to routes where  off-roading is currently legal. They said that in their local area ‘off-roading’ is also taking place on bridleways and restricted byways, which is illegal.

Charlotte Gilbert, the Chair of Peak Horsepower says: ‘Riding on ordinary roads is increasingly dangerous for horses and riders. Few local areas have a really good bridleway network and most riders depend for safe off-road riding on other kinds of tracks with no tarmac . These tracks are the 5,000 kilometres of unclassified county roads and the 4,000 kilometres of  ‘byways open to all traffic’. Riders are now having to share these tracks with 4x4s and motor bikes. The result is that horse riding routes all over the country have become dangerous for horses and riders. Surfaces are getting so damaged that horses can’t use them. Other tracks are too narrow to be shared safely by horses and motor vehicles, or they have dangerous blind bends. The law as it stands is failing to protect riders and riding routes. It  needs to be changed’.

Further information or to contact equestrian organisations in your area who took part in the survey, please contact Peak Horsepower on 07837 546127 or phpsurvey@btinternet.com

Suzanne Ashton

Suzanne Ashton, Founder of Everything Horse (Est, 2012), has a BA Hons in Marketing Management and a Diploma in Equine Science. Suzanne has ridden and owned horses all her life and has twelve years of experience in marketing, writing, design, SEO, and website creation.