Advice to cyclists upon meeting a horse

Advice to cyclists upon meeting a horse

Horses have almost 360-degree vision but it’s not all 3D. This means they can overreact to surprises. Coupled with their fast reaction times, a frightened horse is a danger to the rider and any bystanders.

Equestrians have right of way. Please give way to horses you meet in shared spaces, especially in underpasses or near roads.

• Slow down when you see a horse, well before you meet it.
• Don't ring bells as they may startle a horse – use your voice.
• Stop to give horse riders time to position their horses for safety and pass slowly.
• Give horses plenty of room. Try to avoid passing within a metre of a horse as they may kick if startled and have considerable reach and power.

Next time you see a horse out and about in Canberra, slow down or stop and have a chat with the rider. Positive interactions with bicycles are a good way to familiarise a horse with a different form of transport. This will reduce the risk of negative and dangerous interactions.