RIDING clubs have raised concerns about the dangers off-roading and motorbikes are creating for horseriders.

A national survey of riding clubs and bridleway groups found some of the worst problems were in Lancashire with motorbikers illegally using bridleways, drivers trashing open moorland and speeding.

Three quarters of those who responded to a survey carried out by Peak Horsepower said offroad riding routes were being used by 4x4s and motorbikes.

Nearly 80 per cent said they have damaged the surface of their riding routes while 72 per cent said the noise of offroad vehicles frightens horses.

Others highlighted that riding routes are often too narrow to pass vehicles while more than 60 per cent said vehicles do not stick to routes where off-roading is legal.

A spokesman for one bridleway group in Lancashire said: “There are signs forbidding use of the routes by vehicles but they are knocked down or removed.

"Gates have been used to keep vehicles off the land but they have been knocked down too.

“Many of the offenders are under the impression they are allowed to use the land as there is nothing to stop them.

“When offenders are approached they often give verbal abuse and a rider was nearly forced off the end of a drop. The offenders can get aggressive towards horse riders.”

A Lancashire Trec group said: “Many times I have seen people racing round local riding routes at high speed, round some extremely tight corners.”

Charlotte Gilbert, chairman of Peak Horsepower, called for the law to be changed to protect riders and riding routes.

She said: “Riding on ordinary roads is increasingly dangerous for horses and riders.

“Few local areas have a really good bridleway network and most riders depend for safe offroad riding on other kinds of tracks with no tarmac.

“Surfaces are getting so damaged that horses can’t use them.

"Other tracks are too narrow to be shared safely by horses and motor vehicles."