As title. Not only riding on footpaths but when they are in a wet condition is even worse. Pay some consideration for why it is a footpath and not a bridleway, plenty of decent bridleways in the country anyway. Not only are you eroding the path, you are creating a bad reputation for all your fellow mtb'ers. As a biker I feel a winging so and so for saying this, but lets be honest arent there enough decent areas to ride?
Bike Forum
Please do not ride on footpaths.
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Posted 7 months ago #
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Posted 7 months ago # -
I'll get the kettle on.
Posted 7 months ago # -
Posted 7 months ago # -
No. And footpaths are just as fair game as any other, however any footpath that's being badly eroded/suffering from waterlogging should be avoided by common sense.
Just think, we have no distinction of footpaths up here and we all get along just fine, both bikes and walkers - who'd have thought all you need is a designation to get everyones backs up and cause mahem.
(loving being the first person to bite)
Posted 7 months ago # -
Would never even consider it. Nope. Never ....
Posted 7 months ago # -
Posted 7 months ago # -
uh-oh.
Posted 7 months ago # -
I though I'd get this one going...
Pay some consideration for why it is a footpath and not a bridleway
why is that exactly?
Not only are you eroding the path
so is everybody else who uses it? Is it not the volume of traffic rather than the type?but lets be honest arent there enough decent areas to ride?
depends on where you are... but in general I'd say no, the more the better.
Just out of interest as you are telling me where to ride, in your opinion should I be wearing a helmet?
Posted 7 months ago # -
..........should be avoided by common sense
...especially if common sense has phat tyres on it's bike.........
Posted 7 months ago # -
I'll ride where I want thanks. Happy trails.
Posted 7 months ago # -
Posted 7 months ago #
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Posted 7 months ago # -
Bridle ways are covered in horse muck and hoof ruts near me.
A bike makes no more mess than a walker (probably less).
I always give way to pedestrians and horses when I am on the bike. Smile, take care and ride where the urge takes you.Posted 7 months ago # -
Some of the best singletrack sections are on footpaths. Now, I'm not going to stop doing singletrack because you say so as that will mean this site is pointless!
Posted 7 months ago # -
i can see the need for 'walkers only paths' - if only to keep bikes away from wobbly old people, or maybe to protect steep/inappropriate paths from erosion or whatever.
but there is no* logic behind the designations as they stand.
i can show you quiet, over-grown, stone-armoured, footpaths that i'm not allowed on.
i can show you busy, boggy, eroded, bridleways that i am allowed to on.
until the council/government/whoever get around to sorting out this nonsense, i'll use my own common sense, and ride where i think it's appropriate.
(*not even a tiny bit)
Posted 7 months ago # -
I dont care where I ride noting wrong with it ....some of the footpaths are better and I ride them at speed !!!!
Posted 7 months ago # -
The footpaths round by me are great. When there is a red traffic light I can use the footpath to go round it.
Posted 7 months ago # -
No riding on Scottish footpaths then.....
Posted 7 months ago # -
less walkers to shout "boo" at on bridleways
Posted 7 months ago # -
Posted 7 months ago # -
The footpaths round by me are great. When there is a red traffic light I can use the footpath to go round it.
Those are pavements, not footpaths.
Posted 7 months ago # -
sorry dad
Posted 7 months ago # -
Posted 7 months ago # -
Pay some consideration for why it is a footpath and not a bridleway
Because the landed gentry in Herefordshire campaigned of a wimpish, idle and pathetic civil servant charged with the job, for footpath classificaiton over bridleway classification when the definitive map was set under the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949.
The distinction had no basis in use, prescription or history. It made for a stupid application of an ill defined process as demonstrated by some of the paths round 'ere that as they cross the border from Worcestershire into Herefordshire change from bridleway to footpath arbitrarily in the middle of their run, with no other way of leaving the bridleway but turning around.
So I ignore it. I ride whatever I like with the caveat that if I think my riding might cause damage sufficient to incite a case for trespass and restitution by a court demanding I pay damages then I wont ride there. Otherwise, it's up to the landowner or his agent to make a case if he can.
As for any other bylaws - they'll just have to catch me and get my name & address.
Posted 7 months ago # -
LOL at the stw massif...# pulls up chair #...+ 1 stoner
Posted 7 months ago # -
There are plenty of places I won't ride a bridleway because it is in bad condition or overrun with walkers. There are plenty of places where I will ride a footpath as often I'm the only one who'll be using it and I won't cause unreasonable damage. Just needs a little bit of common sense.
Then again, if someone feels the need to stop me tell me how they think the "law of the land" works, I'm happy to listen to them. I'm also happy to then just carry on my merry way...
Rachel
Posted 7 months ago # -
oh, and;
...but lets be honest arent there enough decent areas to ride?...
no, not really. i live in Sheffield, the ROW office have decided that bridleways should be 2metres wide and smooth enough to allow access by wheelchair. As a result our bridleways are now smoother and straighter than our roads.
Posted 7 months ago # -
As for any other bylaws - they'll just have to catch me and get my name & address.
Ha Ha Ha you'd better hope I don't catch you as I have both
Posted 7 months ago # -
If Im caught on the one of the GRs that dont allow bikes I'll probably get repatriated to Algeria
Posted 7 months ago # -
ahwiles - most of the DH runs in Morzine are smoother than the roads in Sheffield...
Rachel
Posted 7 months ago # -
Posted 7 months ago # -
I'll ride on the basis of a tracks suitability thank you. Some "footpaths" are actually farm access landrover tracks round here, I reckon that's suitable for a bike too...
Posted 7 months ago # -
Stoner has it off to a tee except this bit
that if I think my riding might cause damage sufficient to incite a case for trespass and restitution by a court demanding I pay damages then I wont ride there
I would insert 'that if I think my riding would have a significantly detrimental effect on the trail given the prevailing conditions, or if I suspect that a collision with another trail user is likely given the location and usage of the path'
Footpath = wheelpath
Posted 7 months ago # -
Having done my share of greenlaning, I can see the issue from both sides.
Unfortunately the enjoyment for motorised off road got seriously curtailed with restrictions on the lanes used.
Once that was brought, the legal traffic was forced on to a much restricted selection of routes. Naturally these get overused, leading to even more closed and the situation getting worse.Luckily, I can't see that happening with pedal power, as it's much harder to trace people and both for the lack of numberplates from those making some pretence of legality and less noise etc too.
Possible that as a typical knee jerk, some bridleways could be downgraded, making it worse for those that stay 100% legal though.
Posted 7 months ago #
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