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RIDER RIGHTS

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Says Naomi Smith

Says Naomi SmithIt is all too possible to round a corner on horseback and come upon a group of cattle with no prior warning -this WILL result in a horse being badly spooked at best, bolting at worst -it is only a matter of time ........... read more

Cycling on Ministry of Defence land

Maureen Comber writes to the Editor of the Bordon Herald

" Parliament makes the laws of this land and expects them to be carried out to the minutest detail. Simply it is not possible to 'turn a blind eye' to any of them especially as far as the MOD are concerned."

Says Maureen Comber

Says Maureen Comber I note a couple of letters in this weeks Bordon Herald with regard to cycling on MOD land. I have every sympathy with the writers since despite the fact that we are all being urged to use sustainable transport and get on our bikes, no encouragement is being given by government to a restriction of speed limits to 30mph or under, on single track carriageway rural lanes - the ones without the white lines in the middle.

These are perfect for mobility scooters, bicycles, walkers and horse riders but are still subject to the national speed limit of 60 mph. How stupid is that, as it gives the driver of a motor vehicle no hint or reminder that there may be vulnerable road users who will not be able to get out of the way without ending up in the hedge!

Please join the CPRE, BHS, and Ramblers in their campaign to prioritise this type of road environment for non-motorised use or sustainable transport. It is particularly pertinent so close to the desired criteria for Whitehill/Bordon new town.

As for the MOD, they are not able to turn a blind eye to cycling on their land simply because nearly all the land they occupy is 'common land'. Both S.193 (c) Law of Property Act 1925 and s.34 Road Traffic Act 1988, make the riding of bicycles on common land illegal.

Parliament makes the laws of this land and expects them to be carried out to the minutest detail. Simply it is not possible to 'turn a blind eye' to any of them especially as far as the MOD are concerned.

Those who organise 'Sportives' should be reminded of s.28, 29 & 31 RTA 1988, and Road Traffic Regulation (special events) Act 1994 with regard to cycling on the highways.

I hope this information is useful and I once again urge all cyclists to join in our campaign to encourage local authorities to make the country lanes safer and more enjoyable for non-motorised users.

It would certainly help the road maintenance bills and encourage us all to take more exercise, apart from protecting the countryside itself of course.

Says Linda Wright

Says Linda WrightWe moved to a Shropshire location a year ago having surveyed the local OS map and noted the significant number of bridleways around the property. Sadly the map appears a total fiction. Scarce any of the bridleways are usable ........... read more

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