What is courteous road riding behaviour?

[Jessey]

I watched some interesting comments on social media about what the courteous behaviour we all agree is necessary actually is so thought we might discuss

I thank every car that slows and passes safely
I get out of the road where possible to let a stream of patient traffic pass
I try to avoid riding roads at the busiest times
If traffic are taking liberties passing I will go 2 a breast or position myself in the middle of my lane to force them to stop squeezing by between me and on coming traffic, this is more defensive riding than courteous I guess but I find necessary
If I am on a busy section I will trot it until I can pull off to let traffic by
I use hand signals to communicate with drivers around me

What do you do?

 

[Bodshi]

Same as you - I appreciate that we are a nuisance to other road users and try to minimise the nuisance factor where I can. In return I don't see why drivers can't spare an extra few seconds to make sure we're safe. The world would be a much nicer place if we were all thoughtful and considerate of each other's situation!

I have ridden out with people who's attitude to a car trying to pass on a narrrow lane is "they'll just have to wait" and I do think that is quite rude behaviour.

 

[Kite_Rider]

Same as yourself and Bodshi, it's the same with every road user though, most are good and well mannered, some are downright rude and/or dangerous, horse riders are no exception sadly.

 

[Jessey]

I saw a guy out on my way to work the other day, there were me and another 4/5 cars waiting patiently as there was oncoming traffic, he went straight past a side road he could have moved into and ahead was a blind bend so we were all stuck behind him dawdling along, I thought it quite rude that he didn't take the opportunity to let the waiting traffic pass, It was a wide turning too so he probably wouldn't have even had to stop, just move the horse over and walk along giving us time to pass.

 

[Bodshi]

I saw a guy out on my way to work the other day, there were me and another 4/5 cars waiting patiently as there was oncoming traffic, he went straight past a side road he could have moved into and ahead was a blind bend so we were all stuck behind him dawdling along, I thought it quite rude that he didn't take the opportunity to let the waiting traffic pass, It was a wide turning too so he probably wouldn't have even had to stop, just move the horse over and walk along giving us time to pass.

You can understand why some drivers think horse riders are stuck up and arrogant with behaviour like this!

 

[chunky monkey]

I don't agree with thanking every motorist that passes me as I would only ever have one hand on the reins continuously. That's not safe riding. If someone has to sit behind me until it's safe for them to pass then they deserve a thanking. If it's only for moment then I don't generally thank them. After all a cyclist wouldnt keep thanking every car if they momenteral slow down for them. I'm not saying we shouldn't thank drivers. But there is a time. We are in theory controlling an unpredictable animal. So we should be in control at all times.

I was on a busy road the other day a was trotting along. A motorist yells out of his window, think it was at me asking to say thank you. Think he slowed as he was coming towards us. I had cars behind me, so they couldnt overtake, a cyclist on pavement next to me, people also walking along. He was going in opposite direction. I couldn't hear properly with engine noise and trotting hooves. So he completely distracted me with his shouting, poor horse was spooked and shyed. He didnt know which way to shy, away from a screaming voice or the cyclist on the inside. Damm motorist nearly caused an accident.

 

[Lissie]

I'm the same,I always put my hand up to say thanks. If I'm riding the daft one and he's in one a simple nod and smile will do.

Will always trot on round tight bends or pull in to a gap where possible. I think it's just polite and courteous. I came up behind some friends out hacking a few weeks ago,very narrow lane so stayed well back. They walked and I mean really slowly walked not stopping in any of the 4 gateways they passed or trotted on. Now I couldn't help feel this was taking the mick abit and for a driver I would feel slightly irritated. Especially as I knew both these horses would stand in a gateway quietly or trot on.

 

[OwnedbyChanter]

I only thank those that have slowed and passed wide.

I don't thank those that don't as if I did they would think that how they passed me was acceptable.

I do move aside. trot when needed etc

 

[Jessey]

I don't agree with thanking every motorist that passes me as I would only ever have one hand on the reins continuously. That's not safe riding. If someone has to sit behind me until it's safe for them to pass then they deserve a thanking. If it's only for moment then I don't generally thank them. After all a cyclist wouldnt keep thanking every car if they momenteral slow down for them. I'm not saying we shouldn't thank drivers. But there is a time. We are in theory controlling an unpredictable animal. So we should be in control at all times.

I see a thank you as also educating drivers, even just a nod is still a thank you and doesn't lessen your control and they know they have done the right thing and that its appriciated, yes at times I look like a nodding dog but if it helps people to know what the right thing to do is I'm happy to oblige a little positive reinforcement

 

[Trewsers]

When we used to road hack I always tried to thank every car that slowed for us and anyone else like cyclists. A few times local cycle clubs would be out same time as us and they were very good and tried to not spook us, and we always waved and thanked them.
I used to hack round a massive housing estate and everyone was so good about slowing there and even some teenage lads would stop skate boarding etc - lol guess I must have looked scared!lol
I think it works both ways, try and thank folk and just smile if you can't wave.

 

[KP nut]

I do exactly the same as @Jessey described: I do thank every considerate motorist (smile and nod if on Baby-Pony).

I wish we could all just share space a little more. We are all entitled to be there: My dog is under control, I obey road signs when cycling and never jump lights, I pass everyone wide and slow when driving etc etc. But even though I am a rider/cyclist/driver/dog walker and behave courteously whenever I am doing any of those things, I also have had bad experiences: I've been chased and bitten by dogs, my horses have been chased by dogs, I've been cut up by cyclists when driving and by drivers when cycling etc etc. Sad really.

 

[Jessey]

Yeah it really is a shame those few spoil it by not sharing nicely

 

[joellie]

I would do the same as Jessey had stated at the start of this thread. I would also wave and smile at some motorists who in my opinion went as bit too fast( but not crazy fast!) the way i see it is if I smile and wave they usually respond back and that then makes a connection to me and my horse and so they don't just see us as an obstacle to get past and the next time they may just slow down a bit more..

 

[ponylover88]

I generally ride on narrow country lanes, I will always trot to the next pull in and halt unless I'm close enough to walk in. The odd time I go into the village, I rarely take my hand off the reins for safety but will smile and nod and lift a hand to most drivers. I'll always pull in where possible too. As that road is quite narrow too, we usually ride 2 abreast to stop cars squeezing by.

 

[Em 1]

I do what Jessey describes as well. One other thing I would add is that as a rider I try to make myself and my horse visible to drivers so they can act in plenty of time. I used to live in a rural location and there was one particular rider who would dress all in dark clothing on a dark horse. In dappled shade down a country lane you just couldn't see them and they scared the life out of me. Thankfully I would always drive slowly and cautiously as there were some mad idiots who would fly round the bends like it was a race track. I think a lot of drivers are willing to be considerate if they see riders doing the same.

 

[ponylover88]

I do what Jessey describes as well. One other thing I would add is that as a rider I try to make myself and my horse visible to drivers so they can act in plenty of time. I used to live in a rural location and there was one particular rider who would dress all in dark clothing on a dark horse. In dappled shade down a country lane you just couldn't see them and they scared the life out of me. Thankfully I would always drive slowly and cautiously as there were some mad idiots who would fly round the bends like it was a race track. I think a lot of drivers are willing to be considerate if they see riders doing the same.

I've seen that a lot round me. I'm in a rural area but what possesses riders on dark bays and chestnuts to go out IN THE DARK with no lights, hi viz etc I have no idea. Dangerous,

 

[newforest]

Am I the only one who doesn't always hear a car though. I do periodically look round on my lanes to check as if they are well back I can't hear the car.
I verbally say thank you and smile and or nod. It's warm weather chances are the vehicle has windows lowered.
I always pull in and trot onto do so.

 

[mystiquemalaika]

I think you have so much wind where you are @newforest you would be forgiven for not hearing them! I know if it's windy here I can't hear them coming from behind so like you keep checking.

 

[Jessey]

I had an electric hybrid car scare the wotsits out of jess and I last year, really didn't hear that one coming.

 

[Kite_Rider]

I had an electric hybrid car scare the wotsits out of jess and I last year, really didn't hear that one coming.

We've got a local on our lanes who has one of these, Belle can hear it but I never do until it's right on our bum, it's an old guy who drives it and he is always kind and patient, once we realise he's there we will trot to the next pull in to let him past and he always thanks us as do most of the locals who we move out of the way for.