I was pedalling back from the Strathpuffer this morning (well from the train station) I spotted 2 SNH types and asked them about cycling there. I was told in no uncertain terms that it was not allowed as it is an SSSI an dI could be fined £30 bY “the Police” (presumably Police Scotland not the Park Constabulary).

So I checked and it is an SSI and it appears competent to bar cycling from SSSIs but I can’t find any specific bar online.

I checked back on an old thread and found geoffj’s opinion…

So from my reading, since Dec 2004, so long as you are not three or more abreast, and going less than 30 miles per hour, – and are cycling responsibly of course – then you are generally ok to pedal cycle in Holyrood Park

…and wondered what the latest thoughts were?

I’ll check for signage next time I go through the park.

Regardless of the rules its too busy for riding it to be fun. the routes are already pretty trashed and the fences shutting off the badly eroded sections have been trampled flat by walkers why would you want to ride there?

Well I presume you would be riding on existing paths, surely this is not affected by the SSSI status, it doesn’t affect the hundreds of thousands of tourists swarming all over the seat every year, damaging flora on out of the way slopes and cliffs is something all together different.

PS I think the descent would make a great technical downhill, my 14 year old has challenged me to do it with him one day.

joshvegas – Member
Regardless of the rules its too busy for riding it to be fun. the routes are already pretty trashed and the fences shutting off the badly eroded sections have been trampled flat by walkers why would you want to ride there?

How busy is it at night or early morning? 🙄

Who trashed the routes, walkers or cyclists? Do you think they won’t be maintained?

Because it’s fun?

I’ve only walked up there once but looked quite good fun, as above the decent would be awesome!

i do however agree that it might be asking for trouble letting bikers up there given how busy it is, although restrictions on hours may work

SNH?

I’ve always fancied giving it a go.

I can’t see how it would be illegal unless there is a specific bylaw in place.

I’m not a local, but I’ve walked up it a couple times and thought it would be a fun descent. Just do it when its quiet

Er, doesn’t the Queen own the park ? I thought all access was with her agreement, hence the weird and universally ignored signs barring commercial vehicles from the road.

Urban myth is that you will get chased off by the rangers, they are very un-keen on mtbers. Which is a shame, as it would make an awesome venue for an XC World Cup.

I used to run up Arthur’s seat after work and there were a few MTB coming down, mony hills/mountains have SSSI on them so as long as you don’t go off the tracks where’s the issue – Collisions with tourists is another issue, so perfect for night riding methinks!

Ask your boss, he used to be a ranger! 8)

There’s a really steep, rocky, technical descent I’d love to try. If you’re at the summit, head south down a grassy bit and then climb down above the two roads?

I doubt I could make it – looks tough!

OK Al, bear with me for a bit. It’s 2/3 years since I looked into this and I think I’ve deleted the relevant photos.

1/ The Park has its own byelaws as it is a “Royal” park. The Land Reform Act doesn’t over-ride these.
2/ The byelaws are posted at the main entrances to the park and are full of the usual legal language.
3/ There are also route maps beside these posted byelaws.

4/ The byelaws state that cyclists must stick to the marked paths (and then the stuff about riding no more than 3 abreast etc)
5/ The byelaws also state that you “must not” ride anywhere a ranger/warden has asked you not to ride.
6/ The route maps have marked paths and also a request not to ride anywhere else. The request says something like “please do not ride off marked paths”.

I guess someone therefore needs to determine if that nicely worded, written request is the equivalent of a ranger/warden asking.

If I can find the photos, I’ll pop them up here to save anyone else having to dig them up.

Hello,

I haven’t lived in Edinburgh for 10 years so I’m a bit out of date.

If you should “happen” to push your bike to the top at midnight in summer there are often tourist (drunk and sober) who will heckle/cheer/ video you as you try to ride it.

If you should “happen” to be hanging about with a mate about to ride on the paths in the daylight and spot a parky, waiting for them to bugger off is fruitless and often results in a minor lecture about not riding on any of the paths.

If you spent 5 or so years as a mountain biker in Edinburgh and rode through the park on a daily basis to and from town for work as well as to get to the pentlands you might see a parky about once a year. They are especially thin on the actual paths where I never, despite growing up there and being dragged on walks, saw one.

Also all my mates got lectures rather than anything else when caught.

Your mileage (and fines) may vary

Al – my enquiry was to the access and recreation specialists within SNH. You average SNH area officer may not understand the intricacies of the position in the park. I’m not saying they are wrong, but treat with caution.

Stick to the paths and give lots of way to peds. (same as any other riding really)

Been to the top w/ bike a few times, mostly for training purposes last year (hike a bike up steep slope).

The way down was just a trundle for me mostly. Didn’t ride down the very top coz I don’t have the skills and falling off would suck a lot.

Radical road is kinda fun and steep, but again I’d be well careful of peds and control… hitting someone coming down that steep a path would suck a lot.

First flush of getting a mountain bike we used to try and cycle *up* the radical road. Don’t think we ever managed it (office was about 1/2 mile away). Descent back down again was fun though (and no parkies IIRC)..

didn’t try any of the more rad routes, did do some night rides round by the upper loch, no trouble.

I stopped on the way home and had a look at the park regulation notice.

There are a couple of bits that could be used to stop you.

16) Remaining in park after being requested to leave by park constable or police constable
21) Playing any sport or engaging in any sport or form of exercise if requested to do so by park warden or police, or in contravention of any notice or sign
22) [Paraphrasing a bit] operating any mechanically operated toy or appliance to the detriment of other park users

So basically there are a number of clauses they could use to stop you. I reckon it could be a good blast in the dry as a very early morning ride, although there are always folk up there.

Oh and the notice says the fine is a whopping £20 for contravening the regs.

It’s a Royal Park so they could surely charge you with treason….