OS Blog - Rights of Way

[Dan_K]

Forgive me if this has been posted before but I saw this link on STW and thought it was an interesting read and others might be interested. Never knew facilitating cyclists on a bridleway wasn't obligatory.

http://blog.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/2011/08/rights-of-way/

[FLV]

it confuses me why if its not a criminal offence to cycle on a footpath, who / what says its not aloowed?

[Dan_K]

it confuses me why if its not a criminal offence to cycle on a footpath, who / what says its not aloowed?

Isn't it a local council bylaw?

[Cheeky Monkey]

Ah, the arcane laws of RoW based mostly on irrelevant historical precedent and a whole heap of hog wash About as useful as a bicylce to a fish.

And before someone says it - I know that's only in England and Wales (I'm ignoring Nor' Oireland).

[sillybigfella]

Ah, the arcane laws of RoW based mostly on irrelevant historical precedent and a whole heap of hog wash About as useful as a bicylce to a fish.

And before someone says it - I know that's only in England and Wales (I'm ignoring Nor' Oireland).

It's pronounced 'Norn Iron' :D

[Ray Young]

I believe I read somewhere that cyclists were only included in the rights of way act after the intervention of the Cyclists Touring Club, if not for them cyclists in England and Wales would have no access at all.
I live in Scotland which has a far better view of access rights for ALL countryside users. Cyclists south of the border only have access to about 20% of the rights of way. Since the Ramblers Association recently won the right to roam on uncultivated land I feel that there should now be a campaign to change English/Welsh legislation to the same as that in Scotland. It would be a hard fight as the Ramblers Association are a very powerful and I feel, selfish group. Their attitude seems to be "enjoy the countryside by all means, but only in the manner we dictate".
I know one of their arguments would be more erosion which in my opinion is absolute rubbish. Plenty of footpaths have massive amounts of erosion caused purely by walkers, the Lake District probably being the worst example.

[Dan_K]

I'd love to have access and camping rights like Scotland but I can't see if happening here mainly because of walking groups being against bikers on footpaths.
I've been doing a fair bit of walking recently and even in the overpopulated South East, I rarely see people out when i'm out walking.