In a New Zealand first, horse pedestrian lights have been introduced at a new cycleway in Waikanae on the Kapiti Coast.
The horse crossing is known as a pegasus or equestrian crossing. There are separate light symbols for equestrians, pedestrians and cyclists.
The new lights follow a trend of special traffic lights in the Wellington region - suffragette Kate Sheppard lights are dotted around Parliament and transgender icon Carmen Rupe features on Cuba Street traffic signals.
NZTA says that for safety reasons, "horse-riders should consider dismounting while waiting at and using road crossings".
"Horse-riding is a popular activity on the Kapiti Coast, so this approach was used to enable horse riders to cross the road safely and legally," an NZTA spokesperson told Newshub.
NZTA isn't concerned that cyclists and horse riders will share some sections of the path on the MacKays to Peka Peka cycleway.
"The sections of the shared path which can be used by horse riders is called a bridleway, and have been designed to be wide enough for different types of recreational users."
There's an education campaign for locals on how to use the pathway, and locals in Waikanae are "already familiar with the concept of bridleways".
Newshub.
