The Canterbury Equestrian Advocacy Group (CEAG) Chairperson Julia McLean is calling for increased safety measures for horse riders on the roads.

She is also leading the Vulnerable Road User Campaign on behalf of the New Zealand Equestrian Advocacy Network (NZEAN). The group is calling for a law change which would see horse riders recognised as vulnerable road users (VRUs) in the same way as cyclists and pedestrians are.

The group currently has a petition circulating calling for this law change which will close on October 14 and will be presented to the House of Representatives on October 15.  National MPs Grant McCallum and Dana Kirkpatrick will both accept the petition.

“I am supported by NZ Riding for the Disabled, NZ Pony Club Association, Equestrian Sports New Zealand and Te Hapori Hoiho - The National Maori Horse Aotearoa Association Trust. We also have the support of the Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters, Greens Local Govt Minister Celia Wade-Brown, Labour's Transport Spokesperson Tangi Utikere.”

Julia spoke to the CEAG submissions at all Canterbury Council’s recent Long Term Plan hearings.

“Ideally, riders wouldn’t need to be on roads at all, but they are sometimes forced to due to a lack of alternatives, this puts horse riders and horses in a really compromised situation.

“I don’t have data and stats of all the close calls, but I have stories and any one of those examples could have resulted in a fatality and that is a risk we just shouldn’t have to take.”

Julia will soon put her case to the Canterbury Regional Transport Committee when it meets at the end of the month, she will also speak at all other regional transport committees around the country.

“We are buzzing about the positive feedback we have received so far including an amazing letter of endorsement from Greater Wellington which includes all 8 councils in Wellington. Everyone we have spoken to so far has been able to see the need for this change.”

CEAG is calling for a driver education awareness campaign and increased consideration for horse riders in New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) policy.

“Currently, NZTA’s  Road to Zero campaign does not mention horse riders and the Road Code only advises drivers to “be polite” when sharing the road with horses.

“Because NZTA does not define horse riders as VRUs, it often leads to their exclusion in safety and transport planning,” Julia said.

NZTA advises:

• Slow down and pass carefully, giving horses and riders plenty of room.
• Avoid sounding horns, revving engines, or passing at high speeds, which can frighten horses.
• On narrow roads or bridges, slow down or stop if necessary.
• If a horse appears frightened, stop.
• At night, dip vehicle headlights when approaching a horse.
• Avoid passing near a horse when two vehicles meet.

Julia and NZEAN are currently designing a hi-vis vest for horse riders with the message ‘Pass Wide and Slow.

“We are having them printed and will roll them out across the country this month.  They have the Pass Wide and Slow message on the back to create awareness of what we require while we wait for legislation to catch up.”

“On September 14 and 15 we have organised a Pass Wide and Slow awareness campaign across NZ to tie in with a Worldwide Pass Wide and Slow event,” she said.

Waimakariri District Mayor Dan Gordon, met with Julia and CEAG earlier this year, along with ECan Chair Peter Scott he says the council recognises the importance of providing space for the district’s equestrian community to pursue their sport.

He says he will continue to work with the group to ensure that they feel safe and are catered for when riding in the Waimakariri District.

“Julia has done a brilliant job of highlighting this issue and bringing it to the forefront of decision makers. I look forward to her presentation at the Regional Transport Committee meeting at the end of August.”