Tauranga horse owners, along with riders from across New Zealand and internationally, are participating in the Tauranga Pass Wide and Slow Awareness Ride on September 14 to promote crucial road safety messages about safely sharing roads with horses. The event, supported by local riding clubs and organizations like Pass Wide and Slow NZ (PWASNZ), aims to educate drivers on passing horses wide and slow to prevent accidents, emphasizing the vulnerability of horse riders as road users. Participants will ride a designated route in Greerton, with marshals and signage ensuring safety, and all are encouraged to wear high-visibility attire to increase visibility.

This global movement highlights the lack of road safety education for equestrians and seeks to foster respect and caution among all road users. Police and local authorities support the initiative, recognizing the shared responsibility to keep roads safe for everyone, including horse riders. The event encourages community involvement, whether by riding, walking, or volunteering as marshals, to amplify the message that the lives of riders and their horses matter.