Support

Representation ID: 6691

Received: 14/09/2021

Respondent: The British Horse Society

The Society supports the overarching principles being adopted but once again asks that equestrians are included within the definition of Active Travel.

To repeat comments already made:

During the Parliamentary Debate on Road Safety in November 2018 Jesse Norman, Under Secretary of State for Transport, stated that “We should be clear that the cycling and walking strategy may have that name but is absolutely targeted at vulnerable road users, including horse-riders.”

It is now acknowledged that horse-riding is as much an ‘active travel’ mode as recreational walking or cycling. At the recent Parliamentary Debate on Active Travel in Westminster Hall, Robert Courts MP proposed that “horse riders…ought to be thought about in the context of active travel as well.” This was endorsed by Michael Ellis, Minister of State for Transport, who confirmed that “Active travel includes horse riders and bridle paths – this debate includes them.”

This has been recognised by other councils within the Arc. For example James Palmer, Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Mayor has stated in a recent transport consultation: ‘Active Travel – cycling, walking and horse riding: promoting active and sustainable transport like walking, cycling and horse riding are key objectives at a national, regional and local level.’ Cambridgeshire’s Local Transport Plan defines Active Travel as: ‘Active Travel: Physically active modes such as walking, cycling or horse riding.’

Bedford Borough should do so too.