Post by maesfen on May 19, 2016 7:39:02 GMT -1
Thought this might be useful. Copied from HHO. Sorry it's so long but please share as widely as possible so we have a voice to be heard.
The Government have drafted a cycling and walking strategy and people can respond by 23 May, 11:45. The British Horse Society has responded, however, it would be extremely useful if there were a lot of responses from individual equestrians. Please do use any part of the below template for your own response, and forward this to other riders if you think they might want to use the text for their own use.
Let’s work together to bring riders in the forefront of Government strategies.
Department of Transport
Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy
Response of (name) of (address)
Read more at www.horseandhound.co.uk/forums/showthread.php…
Dear Sirs,
With reference to the above consultation, as a horse rider and owner, I would strongly urge that proposed routes being developed for walking and cyclists be made available for equestrian use and that equestrian use is fully included in the strategy and in its title.
I fully support the Government’s ambition to encourage walking and cycling in England, provided that in achieving this, the opportunity is not lost to include horse riding in this worthwhile aim. The Government’s wish to reduce each year the rate of cyclists killed or seriously injured on English roads cannot be argued with. But it seems contradictory that the Government does not want to maximise this opportunity to achieve the same for equestrians at the same time.
Recent government statistics show that many more equestrians (4052 hospital admissions) are injured in vehicle related accidents on the roads, compared to cyclists (2820 hospital admissions). Removing the on road dangers for walkers and cyclists but requiring horse riders to have to continue to endure those risks simply does not make sense, not only to their own lives but the lives of vehicle drivers as well, and the associated trauma and carnage relating to horses involved in impacts with vehicles.
Our Public Rights of Way network caters for walkers, riders and cyclists, thus I request that all new routes being developed should similarly include use by equines and their riders.
Thank you for considering my views on this subject.
Sincerely (name)
Dated
Please email your response to walking.cycling@dft.gsi.gov.uk
Before 11.45pm 23 May
www.gov.uk/search?q=draft+walking+%26+cycling+investment+strategy
Draft cycling and walking investment strategy - Consultations - GOV.UK
Seeking views on the draft cycling and walking investment strategy.
gov.uk
The Government have drafted a cycling and walking strategy and people can respond by 23 May, 11:45. The British Horse Society has responded, however, it would be extremely useful if there were a lot of responses from individual equestrians. Please do use any part of the below template for your own response, and forward this to other riders if you think they might want to use the text for their own use.
Let’s work together to bring riders in the forefront of Government strategies.
Department of Transport
Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy
Response of (name) of (address)
Read more at www.horseandhound.co.uk/forums/showthread.php…
Dear Sirs,
With reference to the above consultation, as a horse rider and owner, I would strongly urge that proposed routes being developed for walking and cyclists be made available for equestrian use and that equestrian use is fully included in the strategy and in its title.
I fully support the Government’s ambition to encourage walking and cycling in England, provided that in achieving this, the opportunity is not lost to include horse riding in this worthwhile aim. The Government’s wish to reduce each year the rate of cyclists killed or seriously injured on English roads cannot be argued with. But it seems contradictory that the Government does not want to maximise this opportunity to achieve the same for equestrians at the same time.
Recent government statistics show that many more equestrians (4052 hospital admissions) are injured in vehicle related accidents on the roads, compared to cyclists (2820 hospital admissions). Removing the on road dangers for walkers and cyclists but requiring horse riders to have to continue to endure those risks simply does not make sense, not only to their own lives but the lives of vehicle drivers as well, and the associated trauma and carnage relating to horses involved in impacts with vehicles.
Our Public Rights of Way network caters for walkers, riders and cyclists, thus I request that all new routes being developed should similarly include use by equines and their riders.
Thank you for considering my views on this subject.
Sincerely (name)
Dated
Please email your response to walking.cycling@dft.gsi.gov.uk
Before 11.45pm 23 May
www.gov.uk/search?q=draft+walking+%26+cycling+investment+strategy
Draft cycling and walking investment strategy - Consultations - GOV.UK
Seeking views on the draft cycling and walking investment strategy.
gov.uk
Uppies for you so you can get as many responses as possible! I'm in the US, otherwise I'd be sending along an email too.