Can you cycle on bridleways

Improvements and additions to the bridleways and byways network would enhance the opportunities for motor traffic-free cycling, particularly for families and casual cyclists. Highway authorities should fulfil their duties under existing legislation to make sure that the potential of the RoW network is fully realised for both recreational and utility cyclists.

Cycle racing on bridleways should be permitted by law, subject to appropriate consultation and regulation. While signing from roads onto the RoW network is now reasonably acceptable, waymarking of the network itself needs improving. Highway authorities should not only fulfil their legal duties to maintain byways and bridleways, but should also carry out maintenance programmes to ensure that they are rideable. Download the full detailed campaign briefing.

Mountain Biking. Cyclists must give way to walkers and horse riders if encountered. Permissive paths are where the landowner has given written permission for a route to be used across their land, and they are not public rights of way. Landowners have the power to redirect the path or close the path. Generally there is no right of access using a bicycle on access land, though in places permissive or de facto access rights may exist. Legislation on this issue is currently under review in Wales.

The recorded legal status of a right of way may not always reflect existing higher rights. For example, a route may be recorded as a footpath but have historically been used as a cart road, so rights for carriage driving, horse riding and cycling may still exist. Some historic rights of way do not appear on the map at all.

These higher rights can be proven by researching historic maps and applying for a Definitive Map Modification Order, but this must be done before the cut-off date of 1 January Higher rights may also exist where established use by the public over a period of time has given cause for a change in status.

You can find more information about this in our guide to developing new paths for cycling in the countryside. This can be a complex are of law and we would suggest getting advice before relying on this to justify use. A right of way includes not only the right to pass and repass, but also includes any reasonable use that does not interfere with the primary right of passage. The definition of this is decided on a case by case basis.

Cycling UK and, indeed, Parliament believe that this is almost certain to extend to wheeling a bicycle, and there are arguments that in some cases it could even extend to camping overnight by the side of a highway as long as it did not prevent use by others. No - it is classed as a trespass against the landowner, which is normally a civil offence rather than a criminal one. However in some placed byelaws might apply, in which case the situation is different, and use would be a criminal offence albeit very minor , although we're yet to meet anyone who has been convicted of such.

The confusion often comes from Section 72 of the highways act, which makes it an offence to ride on "any footpath or causeway by the side of any road" ie. It is an offence to cycle on any highway including public rights of way in a reckless or careless manner, or without due care and consideration for other users.

Cycling UK is campaigning for wider use of the footpath network for cycling not to be interpreted as saying that all footpaths should be open for cycling , as the current system reflects only historic recorded use rather than suitability for use - many footpaths are better suited for cycling than nearby bridleways. E-bikes which comply with regulations are categorised as a bicycle, so can be used, by a person aged over fourteen, on bridleways, restricted byways, cycle tracks and other routes.

Technically, the right to cycle on bridleways only applies to bicycles, not tricycles. As a non-mechanically propelled vehicle, tricycles can be used on restricted byways, byways open to all traffic, and cycle tracks.

A hand-painted or even printed sign put up by a landowner isn't legal. You should report it to your local council as they are blocking a public right of way. Cubist Still wavin'. Location Ovver 'thill. Unless the bridleway has been redesignated as a footpath, then the signs are optimistic at best, or at worst unlawful. Check ordnance survey maps, and make sure you have the most up to date version, but if the bridleway is a bridleway, then ignore them.

Thanks for the replies. The signs look official. Square metal prohibition type firmly screwed on. So I'll be phoning the council tomorrow.

Bromptonaut Rohan Man. Location Bugbrooke UK. Cycling is permitted on bridleways unless there is a traffic regulation order prohibiting the activity. The official cycling prohibited sign is circular with red edging like a speed limit sign. Square signs souns a bit odd - any chance of a digital image? Bromptonaut said:. No racing on them either. No wonder Bonj was so upset.