In less than 3 weeks, horse riders all over New Zealand will be uniting to ride their horses on public roads in an effort to highlight safer roads for all road users. The National Ride for Road Safety aims to attract people on horseback and on foot, walking designated routes from Northland to Invercargill. It is hoped that close to 1,000 riders will participate in the inaugural ‘Ride For Road Safety’ on Saturday, 20th of May, with rides happening simultaneously at 10am from 13 locations around the country; Whangarei, North Kaipara, Dairy Flat (Auckland), Taupaki (Auckland), Ohaupo (Waikato), Waipukura (CHB), Pahiatua, Levin, Kapiti, Carterton, Hokitika, Cust (North Canterbury) & Temuka.
Many riders were very upset at what happened to the much-publicised case when a motorist hit and killed the horse Curious George and injured his rider, journalist Karen Rutherford.
“Karen’s dreadful injuries and George’s death have highlighted just how vulnerable we as riders are,” says National Coordinator Simone Frewin from Northland.
“This is a universal problem and we’re keen to educate motorists, as they’ve done in Britain with similar rides, that passing at 20km/h and giving a horse 2metres berth, is imperative for the safety of both the motorist and the rider.”
Karen Rutherford’s crash last August happened when Peng Wang hit her and Curious George driving his car at around 70km/h. Horses are required by law to ride on the left hand side of the road, unless it is not practical or safe to do so.
But Ride for Road Safety campaigners say current legislation is ambiguous, stating:
*Motorists must “slow down or stop” and give a rider “plenty of room.”
“When you’re travelling at 100km/h on a rural road, what does slow down mean? Eighty? Sixty? Motorists need clarity,” according to NZ Horse Network’s Viv Dostine.
Her petition already signed by 4,200 people asks that NZ legislation at least match Australian legislation by having a 20km/h speed limit for passing horses, just as is the case for passing a school bus. There is also a call to specifically allow horse riders on grass verges, and introduce a charge in law for killing a horse.
New Zealanders own over 80 thousand recreational and sport horses – many of which are ridden on our rural roads.
The equestrian community says there are weekly examples of near misses.
“In the past I’ve had people drive so close their wing mirrors have snapped off on my stirrup irons; ignorant driving is one thing but some people toot just to spook us. Horses are living breathing animals – a mode of transport for riders- who have every right to be on the road just as cyclists and cars do.”
Simone Frewin says she expects between 50-100 horses to be involved in each location.
Organisers are hoping to have the support of Police escorts, with all riders and walkers asked to wear high-vis vests. A trailer will follow participants picking up any manure.
“We as riders have responsibilities too and this is a great opportunity to remind the public and ourselves about road riding etiquette and hand signals.
Be a part of New Zealand’s biggest ever simultaneous ride, and let’s show the Government that cars and riders can co-exist with a few simple courtesies and a couple of tweaks to the law,” says Simone Frewin, who can be contacted on 09 431 6111 or 021 738346 or [email protected]
There is also a Facebook page
