Cycling PEI Statement respecting the Confederation Trail Equestrian Pilot Project
The Province of Prince Edward Island has approved a second pilot project allowing equestrians to ride on six (6) sections of the Confederation Trail (the “Trail”). The pilot commenced on Friday, July 15, 2022, and is scheduled to run throughout the summer and early fall. The purpose of the equestrian pilot project is to evaluate the permanent integration of equestrian horse-riding on the Confederation Trail.
Cycling PEI does not support this pilot project, nor does it support larger efforts to permanently integrate horse-riding on the Trail, for the following reasons:
Previous Investment in PEI’s Cycle-Tourism Industry
The Province of Prince Edward Island has invested millions of dollars of public funds to build and market the Confederation Trail as a world class cycling destination. As a result, the Trail has been designated one of the top 100 cycling trails in the world.
Cycling PEI believes that the introduction of horses on the Trail will impair this reputation, and threatens to tarnish a refined tourism product that many volunteers and public servants have devoted decades to establishing.
Trail Surface Degradation & Horse Manure
The Confederation Trail has been recognized as a world-class cycling trail. Cycling PEI’s position is that the integration of horses on the Trail will degrade the quality of the Trail’s cycling surface, and will introduce horse manure to the Trail thereby detracting from users’ cycling experience.
The Trail’s fine gravel surface was not designed to support horse traffic, and will not endure horse hooves in the long-term. Further, when the Trail surface is damp or soft (especially in the spring and fall) horse hooves dig into the Trail, pitting the cycling surface. Cycling over hoof prints is both dangerous and uncomfortable, as it creates a ‘washboard’ effect which will discourage cyclists from using the Trail.
Correspondingly, horse manure is unpleasant and does not belong on a cycling surface. When manure becomes wet following a rain event, it can become liquid and can ‘spray-up’ and splatter a rider when cycled across. Manure on the Trail would only serve to spoil a cyclist’s Trail riding experience, and would negatively impact all users and their equipment.
Safety Concerns
Horses and bicycles do not mix well. Specifically, horses can be unpredictable, particularly if startled. In many areas across the province, the Trail is not wide enough to accommodate a horse and cyclist to pass each other safely side-by-side. Further, the Trail’s banks are very steep along many sections, thereby limiting a cyclist’s ability to avoid a horse that has been startled or has become disoriented.
In addition, the average speed of cyclists on the Confederation Trail is approximately 18 km/per hour, with serious cyclists travelling closer to 25-30 km/per hour. If a horse and a cyclist, or group of cyclists, were to meet on a corner with poor sightlines, a collision is not unforeseeable.
In summary, Cycling PEI believes that allowing horses on the Confederation Trail will impair the Trail’s reputation, degrade its quality for cycling, and create safety concerns.
The Province is seeking feedback from users of the Trail respecting the pilot project. We ask that our membership, and members of the general public, use this important opportunity to provide their opinion respecting equestrian activity on the Trail.
Feedback is being collected via a questionnaire accessed by scanning a QR code sign placed at each of six (6) pilot project trailheads. Alternatively, if you would like to provide feedback directly, please email: DTIpilot@gov.pe.ca
For further information respecting the pilot project, please visit the following link:
Sincerely,
Board of Directors
Cycling Prince Edward Island
Media Inquiries:
Jordan Bober
Executive Director
info@cyclingpei.org
902–954-1456
