High Bridge Trail State Park offers 31 miles of multi-use trail designed to provide hikers, bikers, and horseback riders opportunities to enjoy nature and encounter the surrounding area's rich history.

 

Such a diverse mix of trail users requires that all park users follow courtesy guidelines designed to ensure maximum safety and enjoyment.

 

Signs about trail courtesy appear regularly along the length of High Bridge Trail. They indicate that pedestrians should yield to horses and that bicycles should yield to pedestrians and horses. (Power-driven mobility devices, such as motorized wheelchairs, should yield to all trail users.) Among these encounters, the ones that most frequently cause confusion are between bicycles and horses.

 

Trail courtesy: Bicycles yield to horses

 

An equestrian may ask a bicyclist to stop while they turn so that the horse can see the bicycle. It may take a few moments for the horse to be calmed.

 

Bicycles Yield to Horses

 

One reason the mix of bicycles and horses is problematic has to do with the nature of horses. Park Manager Eric Hougland explains, "People don't often think about it, but horses are prey animals. In nature, they are hunted by other animals. When they see something approaching fast, they see it as a threat. This is their natural instinct."

 

Fast-moving bicycles can also be problematic because horses have two blind spots. Bicyclists should be aware of the fact that a horse cannot see directly in front of its face, nor can it see the area to the rear of its head. This rear blind spot extends over the horse's back and behind its tail. Additionally, Hougland explains that horses have monocular vision, a biological fact that means a horse's two eyes function independently. If the animal sees something with one eye, it will not remember the object upon seeing it again with the other eye.

 

Furthermore, horses have their own individual personalities. When startled or threatened, they respond in different ways. An approaching bicyclist does not know how a horse will react. The bicyclist needs to rely on horse's rider for information about where, when, and how fast to pass. Here are some strategies to help bicyclists avoid causing unpleasant encounters with horses:

 

Passing an Approaching a Horse

 

If you are riding a bicycle and see a horse approaching, slow down and prepare to pull over to the side of the trail and stop. If the horse appears skittish, stop immediately. Do not approach any closer. Wait on the side of the trail for the horse to go past you. If the horse does not seem skittish, approach slowly. When the rider is close enough for you to call out a greeting, ask if you should stop or ride by. If the rider says you can ride by, proceed slowly and cautiously. If the rider asks you to stop, stop. Wait for the horse to go past you completely before continuing.

 

Overtaking a Horse from Behind

 

If you are riding a bicycle and come up behind a horse, slow down and approach cautiously. Never approach a horse at a fast pace, and make sure the horse and its rider know you are behind them. As soon you are within earshot, call out a greeting and make a request to pass. Some equestrians will ask you to stop while they turn their horse so that the horse can see you and your bicycle. It may be necessary to wait a few moments for the horse to be calmed. When the horse's rider tells you that it is safe to do so, you can walk or ride past the horse depending on the rider's instructions. 

 

Some equestrians know that their horses do not startle in the presence of bicycles. In such cases, a horse's rider may simply signal that you can pass. If you are uncomfortable about riding past the horse, get off your bike and walk. If you are nervous about getting too close, you can ask the rider to stop while you walk by. 

 

Communication is the key to a safe encounter. Never attempt to overtake a horse until you have had a conversation with the horse's rider and received instructions about the safest way to proceed.

 

A Special Note Regarding Recumbent Bikes

 

Recumbent bikes are lower to the ground than traditional bicycles, and they more closely resemble a horse's natural predators. Even horses that have become accustomed to traditional bicycles, can be confused. If you are riding a recumbent bike, stop when approaching a horse until its rider has a chance to calm the animal. If you approach a horse from behind, when you engage in conversation with its rider, make sure the fact that you are on a recumbent bike is clearly communicated before proceeding.

 

Pedestrians Yield to Horses

 

Many of the same principles about encounters between bicyclists and horses also apply to hikers. If you are walking on the trail and approach an oncoming horse, ask the rider if it is safe to continue walking or if you should stop and wait for the horse to pass. If you are overtaking a horse, make sure the horse and rider know you are coming up behind them. Ask if you can walk past the horse or if the rider would prefer to stop and turn the horse before you walk by.

 

Bicycles Yield to Pedestrians

 

If you are riding a bicycle on the trail and approach a pedestrian, pass by on the opposite side. If you come up behind a pedestrian, slow down, announce yourself, and state your intention to pass (for example, call out "Behind you! Passing on your left!") Make sure the pedestrian acknowledges awareness of your presence and moves out of your way before you attempt to pass.

 

Bicycles and Other Bicycles

 

If you are riding a bicycle and approach another bicyclist, pass by on the opposite side of the trail. If you come up behind another bicyclist, follow the same guidelines for overtaking a pedestrian. Slow down, announce yourself, and state your intention to pass. Make sure the slower bicyclist is aware of your presence and is out of your way before you attempt to pass. Slower bicyclists should graciously permit faster bicyclists to pass. They should not speed up, race, or intentionally block the trail by riding in an erratic manner. 

 

Mobility Devices Yield to Others

 

Some trail users with mobility impairments require the assistance of power-driven mobility devices (such as motorized wheelchairs) to enjoy High Bridge Trail State Park. Trail courtesy guidelines specify that users of such equipment to yield to others on the trail. This means they should move to the side of the trail until the horse, bicyclist, or hiker passes. In some encounters, especially with horses or in congested areas, it may be necessary for them to stop completely until the trail is clear.

 

Some Other General Tips

 

Generally acknowledged rules of the road apply in all passing situations. For the most part, when encountering oncoming trail users, each person should keep to his or her right. When overtaking trail users who are going in the same direction, the slower moving person should keep to the right and the faster moving person should pass to the left. Common sense must prevail, however, and sometimes adjustments are required.

 

Anytime bicycles, horses, or pedestrians are traveling in groups, they should form a single-file line when passing or being passed.

 

While trail users of all ages are expected to follow trail courtesy guidelines, some bicyclists and equestrians, especially children, are sometimes inexperienced. People who have higher skill levels may need to demonstrate an extra measure of caution and patience to create a safer environment for those who are just learning.

 

People who use personal listening devices (such as MP3 players) should keep the volume low so that they can hear and respond to other trail users.

 

All trail users should avoid being in too much of a hurry. Often the simple act of slowing down is the best strategy for keeping everyone safe.

 

Trail courtesy reminder signs appear along the length of High Bridge Trail State Park

 

Trail courtesy requires bicycles to yield to horses and pedestrians, pedestrians yield to horses, and power-driven mobility devices yield to all trail users.

 

Learn more about High Bridge Trail State Park in Farmville Virginia here.

Visit the Friends of High Bridge Trail State Park website here. For more photos of this beautiful structure click here.