This is the BHS letter that I forwarded to the MPs which I had a great response to.
(( Hopefully you saw the quarter page article entitled ‘Cycle Plan delayed as Equestrians get on their High Horse’ in The Times on 29 October.
The article reported that there were 3,600 responses to the Government’s Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy; 1,500 of these were from equestrians, 42% of total responses.
Equestrians had responded to the Strategy stating how crucial it is for equestrians not to be excluded from routes. It does not make sense to remove the on-road dangers for walkers and cyclists but expecting horse riders to have to continue to endure those risks, not only to their own lives but the lives of vehicle drivers as well.
I support the Government’s ambition to encourage walking and cycling in England, however, the opportunity should not be lost to include horse riding in this worthwhile ambition. The Government’s desire to reduce each year the rate of cyclists killed or seriously injured on English roads cannot be argued, but it seems strange that the Government does not want to achieve the same for equestrians at the same time. Recent statistics show that many more equestrians (4052 hospital admissions) are injured in vehicle related accidents on the roads compared to cyclists (2820 hospital admissions).
I would be grateful if you would confirm that you support the inclusion of equestrians on these new routes, and that equestrians should not be left to contend with cars and lorries on their own when it is deemed unsafe for walkers and cyclists to remain on those roads.)))
I feel we need to stick together to be heard.
Regards
Janis Ashworth
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