The text of the petition is as follows:
We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to Legislate to
end discrimination on cycle paths
Since 1968 all bridleways, irrespective of width, sightlines, surface, urban or rural, have been legally shared by walkers, cyclists and horse riders. Yet legislation ensures access only to walkers and cyclists on cycle paths. Bridleways are used as part of the Safe Routes to School network, yet horse riders, over 85% of whom are women and children, are forced onto dangerous roads instead of sharing safe, off road cycle paths. There are well over 29 accidents between horse riders and vehicles per day, 10,658 per year, many of which result in death or serious injury. There is no justification at all for discriminating against this vulnerable user group. Please put right the wrongs of the last 40 years and save lives.
Please use the following link and sign up now: http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/Access4All/ If you use Twitter, Facebook or UTube please use them to spread the word and ask everyone who walks, cycles or rides to support this campaign.
Thank You.
The Trails Trust
www.thetrailstrust.org.uk
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Mapping Britain on Horseback – the BHS needs you!
The British Horse Society (BHS) has invited equestrians throughout the UK to help them take their mapping strategy to the next level. The aim is to record every equestrian route in the UK on the Society’s EMAGIN system.
EMAGIN® (Equine Mapping and Geographical Information Network) is a GIS-based tool for collecting equestrian data, such as where to ride or carriage drive, or where to find approved BHS riding centres. The British Horse Society hopes to collate enough information to map every equestrian route in the UK, including routes that may have unrecorded or under-recorded rights.
The BHS’s Access Department is asking members of the public to sign up as Mapping Volunteers and provide information on the routes they use.
The British Horse Society’s Head of Access, Heather Holmes, said: “This is a great opportunity for people who like to ride off-road to work with us on digitising the routes in their area. If you’ve ever thought about volunteering for the BHS, but weren’t quite sure what to do, this is a perfect opportunity to test the water, and help other riders by mapping your area. If you like it, you may wish to explore the possibility of becoming an Access and Bridleways Officer for the BHS, and so make a difference in your community now and for future generations.”
When signing up as a Mapping Volunteer, the BHS can provide printout maps of an area for the volunteer to mark up and return. Options are available for those who have their own mapping software, though this is not essential to participating in the project. The project aims to recruit at least 500 mapping volunteers spread throughout England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. The BHS is working with sponsors to provide GPS equipment and training for those who wish to become involved at a more serious level.
GIS Officer for the BHS, Sarah Shackleton, said: “Becoming a mapping volunteer requires as little or as much effort as you want – whether you’ve only ever ridden one route, have a full-time job and one afternoon a month you can spare us, or you’re retired, with plenty of local riding knowledge and time that you would like to invest in the project. You don’t even need a horse – your feet or a bicycle are fine to use too! Every bit of help will expand our EMAGIN system, providing information that will defend, extend and promote the equestrian rights of way network.”
If you are interested in becoming a mapping volunteer, contact Sarah Shackleton by email on emagin@bhs.org.uk, stating which part of the UK you are interested in mapping. For further information, please contact BHS Press Officer Alison Coleman, on 01926 707737, or communications@bhs.org.uk
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BHS Access Week to highlight efforts in the battle for equestrian access
The British Horse Society Access Week for 2009 will take place from 15-25 May, and highlight the work of BHS staff and volunteers by raising awareness and money for Access campaigns.
This annual event is held to raise awareness of access issues and the work done by BHS staff, volunteers and Affiliated Bridleways Groups on behalf of riders across the UK.
Equestrians have access to only 22 percent of the public rights of way network and carriage drivers only five percent. Creating and preserving the equestrian public rights of way network not only saves the network for equestrians but for cyclists and walkers as well.
The week’s main event is to be the launch of the William Morgan Ride on Friday 22 May, which is the most recent addition to the Society’s National Bridleroute Network. The route joins several other long-distance routes in Wales, and forms a key part of the forthcoming Great Dragon Ride.
The BHS is also encouraging riders to host their own ‘Ride for Access’ to raise money for the Access Fighting Fund. While Access Week is the focus for Ride for Access rides, they can be held at any time of the year. Other groups are also holding their own awareness-raising events with local councils and groups of riders.
During Access Week, the BHS presents awards to nominated individuals or organisations that have made a significant contribution to any aspect of Rights of Way work. Access Awards will be presented this year to recognise achievement in opening new routes, dedicated service to equestrian access and co-operation between user groups.
Mark Weston, BHS Director of Access Safety and Welfare, said: “Access Week is a time to raise awareness of the work of our staff and volunteers. This is particularly important in the current climate, where equestrian access is increasingly neglected in current legislation, and campaigning at all levels is necessary to ensure that equestrians are not forgotten by law and policy makers.” For further information and pictures, please contact: Hannah Brown, Executive Access and Publications, The British Horse Society, 01926 707813 or access@bhs.org.uk
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BHS petition calls for bigger say for equestrians in access law-making
The British Horse Society is calling on all equestrians to sign a petition asking the Government to give them a say in all new access and rights of way legislation.
The BHS Access Department and its regional access and bridleway officers would like riders and other horse lovers to sign the petition at http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/Equestrianaccess/
Equestrians are the most vulnerable of road users and need increased off-road access for their safety and the welfare of their horses. Horse riding and driving provides healthy outdoor exercise, which the Government is keen to encourage.
It is enjoyed by more than four million people in the UK and is the second biggest land-based industry, but equestrians have not been included in recent access-creating legislation which would help make them safer and encourage healthy outdoor recreation.
Mark Weston, BHS Director of Access, Safety and Welfare, said: "It is vital that we use all means available to impress on the Government that equestrians need more and safer access. E-petitions are one way of showing the demand, along with writing to our MPs." The recent petition calling for amendments to the equestrian sections of the Highway Code attracted just under 20,000 signatures, showing the amount of concern there was in the equestrian community.
For further information, please contact: Mark Weston, Director of Access, Safety and Welfare, The British Horse Society, on 01926 707760 or mark.weston@bhs.org.uk
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