When Jo Smith was about 12, she was riding in the North Island when a driver speeding past spooked her horse, causing it to go into a large ditch.
Smith said as a child she thought the injuries her horse, Jessie, sustained were ‘‘horrific’’. Jessie required stitches and recovered.
In another incident, Smith was thrown from Jessie as a motorist sped past. This resulted in her sustaining a bout of concussion.
Smith, who has ridden horses all her life, now lives in Ashburton and rides her 17-year-old standard bred horse, Max, alongside the road.
‘‘In Ashburton, those riding their horses are fortunate with wider grass verges to ride on compared to those in the North Island. And generally motorists around the district are pretty good,’’ Smith said.
Nevertheless, Smith is helping to educate drivers on how to pass horse riders safely, by organising one of 38 Pass Wide and Slow Awareness Rides this weekend. The Ashburton Pass Wide and Slow Awareness Ride will be held on Sunday.
Smith also supports a petition by the Pass Wide and Slow movement to the government, seeking formal recognition of horse riders as a vulnerable road user in transport legislation.
The petition closes on October 14, and will be presented to Parliament on October 15.
The movement is led by New Zealand Equestrian Advocacy Network (NZEAN), with the support of New Zealand, Riding for the Disabled, Equestrian Sports New Zealand, the New Zealand Pony Club Association and Te Hapori Hōiho – National Māori Horse Association Aotearoa Trust, and 25 other equestrian organisations.
NZEAN spokesperson Julia McLean said horse riders were presently considered as ‘‘other road users’’. There was a lack of clarity, detail and meaningful safety initiatives that came with that label.
Responses to a survey showed common concerns were on speed and lack of space when being passed by vehicles, and the use of horns.
‘‘We have met and received support from New Zealand Police for our road safety messaging,” McLean said.
A report produced for NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi in 2010 defined Vulnerable Road Users as pedestrians (including persons on skateboards, roller-skates, foot scooters and using mobility aids such as powered wheelchairs), cyclists and motorcyclists (including those on mopeds).
- Ashburton’s Pass Wide and Slow Awareness Ride begins at the Ashburton Showground, 11am Sunday. To sign the petition go to petitions. parliament.nz
