[Closed] 'shouldnt be riding here'!

stock response: 'I know, silly isn't it'

and keep on riding.

Same everywhere looks like

@richwales Wow, that's something I never thought I'd see... a Facebook post where the comments are in the majority sensible, calm and pro-cycling :O

stock response: ‘I know, silly isn’t it’

and keep on riding.

This works excellently. I tired to have a sensible conversation with some tool in Langdale a few years ago about why I was cycling on the footpath with my 9 year old son instead of the A road. He wasn't having any of it, so I recalled the advice above and continued the conversation.

We discussed the rights and wrongs of it round and round. The reasons we were on the footpath, and the harm we were doing. He couldn't come up with any arguments against the former, or examples of the latter, so eventually he just said that "It's against the law", "it's a footpath", "you're not allowed to be here" in an increasingly exasperated fashion. At which point I would enthusiastically reply "Yes, I know, it's ridiculous isn't it". The more emphasis he put on his objection the more emphasis I put on the fact that I was in total agreement that the situation was ridiculous.

At which point he'd then say something along the lines that we weren't in agreement and that he was objecting to me being there for x,y,z reasons. We'd then discuss those reasons in detail and I'd knock them down one by one. At some point in the conversation he'd then revert back to "yes, but this is a footpath IT IS ILLEGAL FOR YOU TO RIDE ON IT"

"YES, I KNOW, ISN'T IT COMPLETELY RIDICULOUS, ISN'T IT?"

and so on, round and round.

Just respond with an OK BOOMER! (you know, like the kids do) and keep going.

If that's the land owners sabotaging I'd be calling the police, that barbed wire looks lethal

I do have some sympathy with land owners as more n more spots are dug out and get bigger and bigger. The more their lands modified or ruined.

Again it Seam to be a recent thing, we used to clear a line but now it's all bike parky berms, gnarly jumps etc. Its like no one wants xc anymore

Erm, that is a criminal offence right there.

That is a calculated attempt to seriously injure someone.

I'd phone the police about that

I’d phone the police about that

+1 That is designed to seriously injure someone.

+1 That is designed to seriously injure someone.

Well, yes clearly. But just a cyclist, so nobody will give a shit. 🙁

I'm a bit confused by the OP - the words in the post are all about people saying you shouldn't ride, but the pictures are of deliberate attempts to harm riders, but no mention of that in the words? Is there some of the story missing or are the pics out of context?

moaning and complaining that i couldnt or shouldnt be riding my bike on various forest trails and one actual road

Assuming you are on an actual, factual, designated right-of-way footpath, then more fool them...

Footpaths, on the other hand, are stand-alone paths which include around 80% of public paths in the countryside as well as many urban paths supplementing the road network. In general it is not an offence to cycle on these, except where individual paths are subject to local bye-laws or traffic regulation orders.

unless of course they are aware of said local bye-laws or traffic regulation orders...

... but somehow I doubt that.

Most people who say things like this are just ignorant NIMBY numpties who want the path to themselves.

seems a local landowner isnt too happy either

that would be a personal matter between you and the landowner, again, if you exercising a right-of-way (i.e. not pissing about building berms in the bushes, rather, simply getting from one side of the land to the other via the footpath) then they - legally - have squat against you. General public are not legally entitled to do anything in this context, it is not their land.

Also, +1 for reporting the barbed wire strategically placed to garrote you, again, assuming it was placed across a right-of-way, and not simply shutting down a cheeky bumps and jumps section the locals have carved out of somebody's woods.

edit: sauce: cyclinguk fact page

@greybeard

seems a local landowner isnt too happy either, im not condoning building illegal trails but his response is OTT.

@sailor74 is that King's Wood? Never seen or heard of any aggro there before. ****ing disgraceful wherever it is!

The only "run-ins" (and there have been very few as I always try to be polite!) I've ever had in the woods have been with people obviously taking their once-yearly walk, or entitled dog owners where they like to let their rabid hounds run around off the lead. But basically people who don't don't/won't understand about "sharing" the countryside. Hardly ever proper red-socks (think I got a sarcastic comment about ringing my bell once, but that's probably the worst 😂)

I got told on the weekend that I was riding on a footpath. I pointed out to the grumpy old lady that I was on the South Downs Way, which was in fact a bridleway (at the point I was on) and it was for use by walkers, cyclist and horse riders. I then told her to check the signage (which was clearly a blue bridle way arrow).

I am hoping she did read the sign posts as she walked past them, to therefore help her wind her neck in.....

the local council has also erected signs stating they are going to demolish a local ride spot that has been used for decades

Hmm. If it's FC land it might be a bit more complex. Open access legislation does not permit right of access by bike or horse unless there is a pre-existing tradition of access. Now many of the local non-RoW common trails near me definitely fit that definition having been in regular use since before I came here in the early 90s.

It seems riding walking or kayaking could now be a political statement.

https://www.theguardian.com/books/2020/aug/10/the-book-of-trespass-by-nick-hayes-review-a-trespassers-radical-manifesto

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2020/aug/09/forgive-us-our-trespasses-forbidden-rambles-with-a-right-to-roam-campaigner

the local council has also erected signs stating they are going to demolish a local ride spot that has been used for decades.

Someone I know has had their "spot" come up on the council radar, so they've entered into discussion about making it an official thing. Might be worth a go...

entitled dog owners where they like to let their rabid hounds run around off the lead

Try not to show the same hate people show towards cyclists at other path users - it isn't 'us and them' and the sooner ALL parties see that, the better and we'll all get along. Possibly.

(Cyclist and dog owner here)

General public are not legally entitled to do anything in this context, it is not their land.

There was a long thread on the Cycling UK forum from a guy (regular cyclist) who had a go at some cyclists using a footpath in the woods while he was walking his dog. It was pointed out to him several times that it was none of his business since he isn't the landowner and if he has a problem with it, he needs to complain to the landowner.

It may even be that it's officially a FP but the landowner has given permitted RoW to cyclists and horseriders.

He wasn't happy and it seemed a bit strange complaining about it on CUK when their official stance is basically "the access laws are bollocks, we're in favour of considerate riding on all suitable trails" complete with an overview of the laws of trespass and your rights.

From what I read on FB the traps are on private land on the opposite side of road to Kings Wood and been there years. Most will just assume they're part of Kings Wood.
Edit: Sorry, the traps are new, the trails have been there years.

is it me or are the joyless folk out in force post Covid

I think its less about an increase in joylessness and more about conflict, suddenly there are a lot of people out and about, many of whom barely left the car park before and the result is a lot more people having arguments with stravanaughts, extending lead dog ignorers, "don't worry he's just being friendly", I'll do WTF I like folk finding them selves bumping into each other.

Annoyingly this is a big reason given for not extending Scottish style access rights to RoUK, there are too many people too close together and we simply can't get along nicely. At first glance it seems that's right and that given the whole of this green and pleasant land to enjoy, when more people have, they've all just gone to the same places as before but in bigger numbers, leaving more litter, causing more problems, more damage and more friction.

The thing is as we're the ones who more often than not are exceeding our rights of access we're the first ones to see the impact in terms of restrictions, that and "trails" are fairly easy to dismantle and rarely have any rights of access (let alone construction) vs stopping someone just wandering off into the trees or using an RoW. that said round here you'll notice for every "no cycling" sign that has gone up there are two "no fouling" or take your litter home ones.

The nails and wire above though are certainly not joylessness and are deliberate acts with the intent to cause injury, that's viscous nasty people being exactly that.

Is this the same story?

https://www.kentonline.co.uk/ashford/news/barbed-wire-and-spike-snares-left-on-bike-trail-231929/

Is this the same story?

Looks like it.
And I'm changing my name to Steve Cool 😎

Try not to show the same hate people show towards cyclists at other path users – it isn’t ‘us and them’ and the sooner ALL parties see that, the better and we’ll all get along. Possibly.

There's always been trails in Kings Wood, I recall I took my first mountain bike up there over 30 years ago, rode up from Ashford. It always used to be a great location and occasionally XC and Downhill races were held there, shame to see some people object so badly as to endanger life. Moved to Gloucestershire 10 years ago and haven't come across this sort of thing here yet....

Most people who say things like this are just ignorant NIMBY numpties who want the path to themselves.

It all boils down to this really.

Two particular rides stand out, early Sunday and coming face to face halfway through a full on rally stage and another time finding a poor suicide victim hanging from a tree, pre-mobile phones that was a damn fast ride to the pub at Challock to use the payphone.

the traps are on private land

Does that matter? Is it legal to murder trespassers nowadays?

is it me or are the joyless folk out in force post Covid

I've been ready with a witty come back (eg "I'm just out testing my eyesight") or the "silly isn't it" response throughout lock-down but everybody I've met has been polite and cheery. I've barely seen anyone while I've been riding cheeky bits, quite a few people walking on the bike trails, though. Worst I've had is a few people not apologising for their out of control dogs but I can live with that.

It all boils down to this really.

I came to the somewhat startling revelation a few months back (don't laugh I'm a slow learner) that of all the people who've ever challenged me riding a FP. none has ever been the landowner. On that basis, I've pretty much decided not to engage anymore. I won't ride dangerously, and I'm pretty much always polite and respectful, which is more than some manage.

Does that matter? Is it legal to murder trespassers nowadays?

Yes, thanks to Brexit, also hanging will again be an acceptable punishment for stealing bread. *

* PS Do we need a new variant of Godwin's law for Brexit?

@qwerty

Someone I know has had their “spot” come up on the council radar, so they’ve entered into discussion about making it an official thing. Might be worth a go…

people have tried this over the years, including myself about 10 years ago but the council dont seem interested, they even went to the trouble of removing the rubbish bins that had been put there 'illegally'. historically is was an iron age settlement therefore there is obviously some protection. i wonder though how long we hold on to that given modern man has been using it for other purposes, mainly bike riding, for the last 2 decades that i know of.

yes its Kings wood, most folk didnt realise it was private as there is no signage. i have heard stories of worse behavior from the landowner but they are second hand and im unable to verify them.

someone commented about people not wanting to share, ive had this discussion plenty of times and even when people realise they are wrong the truth is they just dont want to share. thats the reason i sold my dirt bike recently, i just got tired of people complaining i was riding footpaths from people who were walking 3 abreast dogs off leads etc along a byway open to all traffic.....and... complaining about the traffic!!

people moaning and complaining that i couldnt or shouldnt be riding my bike on various forest trails and one actual road

I just tell them I can't ride on the road because cyclists don't pay "road tax" & it wouldn't be right

Took the dog for a walk to Joydens Wood yesterday. I’ve been riding over there for more years than I care to remember and only once had the conversation. Most people are ok but there are some off-piste lines appearing.
I noticed that a no mountain biking sign had appeared on the gate. Woodland Trust have obviously changed their minds on open(ish)access.

I've lost account of the number of run-ins I've had over the years - SDW in particular with the bobble-hat brigade trying to make a point. Had it on the Shipwright's Way too. Annoyingly, you also get the perfectly rideable bridleway that turns into a footpath and then back again for the reason that the landowner objects - few of those on the North Downs.

However, the best solution has been moving to Scotland!

rOcKeTdOg
I just tell them I can’t ride on the road because cyclists don’t pay “road tax” & it wouldn’t be right

I'm going to use that the next time I encounter an irate militant local

You southerners really need to take the pitchforks to your pollies and get access sorted.

I refuse to believe the English en masse are any different from Scots, so all will be well when people know everyone else has an equal right to be there.

The only people who will be put out are the arseholes who will have to find a new reason to whine and complain. It would be a kindness to site a refugee hostel near them so they won't feel deprived.

As for dogs, I've never had a problem with free-range dogs in Scotland. It's the poor pooches being strangled by leads that are the problem. Dogs are canny enough to get out of the way. I usually stop to pat them anyway.

Does that matter? Is it legal to murder trespassers nowadays?

Do you really think I'm backing that idea, myself a keen off road cyclist/bike rider :rolleyes:

as a motorcycle trail rider i pointed out some time ago that MTB riders would be the ramblers next "target"

Do you really think I’m backing that idea, myself a keen off road cyclist/bike rider :rolleyes:

I didn't think you were endorsing it, rather I wasn't really sure what point you were trying to make?

I refuse to believe the English en masse are any different from Scots,

Of course not but there are likely to be 60% more of the selfish, entitled, vocal wombles in London alone than in the whole of Scotland. It's not that we're any different it's just there's a lot more people in a lot smaller space.

I wasn’t really sure what point you were trying to make?

Not too difficult if you read or even wrote any of this:

Is there some of the story missing or are the pics out of context?

if you exercising a right-of-way

Hmm. If it’s FC land it might be a bit more complex.

Ie adding context not point making.

I get this a lot where I live, the area is well used by horses, dog walkers, walkers, runners, green laners and cyclists. Everybody seems to hate everybody for being in "their" countryside but they all seem to hate cyclists a little bit more.

I've given up trying to reason or discuss it with people. I was told last week that I shouldn't be using a road as I was on a bike. I stopped and politely asked why I should not be using a tarmac, 30mph piece of road on a bike and all he could say is it that "you cyclists all fly along here and scare people walking their dogs". I asked him if he had every tried riding a full suspension MTB up a fairly steep hill on tarmac and what the top speed he managed was because I struggle to get 18mph up there, never mind 30. All I got is mumble, mumble, going too fast/think you own the road etc.

I was only on the road for 200 yards as it avoids having to ride down a footpath!

And don't get me started on idiots with earphones in who complain that I didn't ring my bell or that I startled them.

as a motorcycle trail rider i pointed out some time ago that MTB riders would be the ramblers next “target”

The Rambles (the organisation) aren't the issue, they realised a while back that promoting rights for trail users like horse riders an cyclists makes it easier to campaign for greater access for their own members. There aren't "organisations" out to prevent mountain biking generally, there are pockets where the landowners have got their knickers in a twist about building, and individuals who clearly aren't happy with anyone enjoying the countryside in a way they deem unacceptable. That's it

I get this a lot where I live, the area is well used by horses, dog walkers, walkers, runners, green laners and cyclists. Everybody seems to hate everybody for being in “their” countryside but they all seem to hate cyclists a little bit more.

Derbyshire County Council went round every shared use path in the county a few weeks ago putting up yellow Correx signs on all the gates saying:

COVID-19

CYCLISTS -
Please reduce speed and Give Way to other users.

This annoyed everyone, partly because the Covid-19 bears no relation to the rest of the message and partly because there were no signs saying anything about "Dog walkers, pick up your shit and bin it properly" or "Walkers - don't be 12 abreast" or having a go at any other user. Quite what slowing down and giving way has to do with Covid is a mystery and that passive-aggressive singling out of cyclists as some kind of viral problem did nothing to help on an existing multi-use gravel path (old railway line).

The signs gradually got vandalised / removed and DCC got a pile of complaints about the dreadful wording and the overall message. Yet again though, it's fine to stigmatise cyclists.

The only signs left now are red ones saying
Covid 19 - stay apart <---2m--->

as a motorcycle trail rider i pointed out some time ago that MTB riders would be the ramblers next “target”

Except we are not.

As the best signs say "be nice say hi"

“you cyclists all fly along here and scare people walking their dogs”.

People, not the dogs? Is bicyclophobia a thing?

 It’s not that we’re any different it’s just there’s a lot more people in a lot smaller space.

It's worth remembering that the Scottish access laws don't just apply to the Highlands but also to the much busier spots like the Pentland Hills, partly within the City of Edinburgh boundary.

@Cougar

it definitely is with horses, although my experience tells me the riders are far too busy bricking it about the horse losing the plot to care about telling you off for the heinous crime of riding at 20mph on a public road and daring to "appear" in the wrong place for the horse

and individuals who clearly aren’t happy with anyone enjoying the countryside in a way they deem unacceptable

FTFY

Local area by me that is an lovely mix of bridleway and footpaths and private land. I have ran, walked and ridden on it for 24 years (since we moved to the area) it is quiet and the large part that is privately owned I used so much that I had (sensitively) marked out 400, 800 and 1 mile stretches. In the 24 yrs I have used it I was only ever asked to leave once by the farmer and that was because they were using part of it for a shoot that day.

Fast forward to lockdown and it has been discovered by hoards of people who drive to the head of the joining paths, park blocking the pavement and leave dog shit all over and bags in the trees. The farmer has now put signs across the (large) part of the area that is private.

So in essence what he turned a blind eye to to a relatively small and well behaved number of visitors is now lost because... well people have to ruin everything dont they.

it definitely is with horses,

Sure. But that's the same argument isn't it? The riders aren't scared of cyclists, rather they're concerned that their horses will be spooked. Anyone Strava-ing past a horse rider need to have a word with themselves.

Similarly, being concerned that their dogs might be frightened is arguably pretty reasonable, though they might want to consider a quieter route if they've got a particularly timid dog. A grown adult frightened of someone on the road on a bike probably shouldn't be out unaccompanied.

Anyone Strava-ing past a horse rider need to have a word with themselves.

Well yes.

But, corners.

You go around one, and there's the horse. Looking decidedly nervy.

Fair. But if you can't stop in the distance you can see (whatever your preferred mode of transport) then you're going too fast.

I refuse to believe the English en masse are any different from Scots,

There seems to be a tranche of society that seem to revel in plebdom, possibly related to the bizarre hero worship of the royal family.

It’s worth remembering that the Scottish access laws don’t just apply to the Highlands but also to the much busier spots like the Pentland Hills, partly within the City of Edinburgh boundary.

Of course, but the total population of Scotland is <6m people.

That's less than London's 8.5 by a long stretch. The m62 corridor is home to 11 million plus. Scotland has about the same population density as Northumberland, a county with no cities in it.

Glasgow is broadly the same population (0.5mil) as Manchester but less than 25% the density. The whole central belt has at (low ends of the calculations), the same population as greater Manchester. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Central_Belt&ved=2ahUKEwif6LeJ0ZXrAhVYRxUIHV4CDagQFjAFegQIDxAH&usg=AOvVaw3v8LiyPfGQ45Z0PV-n6xE D">

Even the busy bits of Scotland aren't busy.

Ramblers are some of the worst for passive-aggressive and entitled behaviour on shared-used trails and bridleways IMHO. Everything is a big drama when cyclists try to pass them.

The only trouble I've ever had with ramblers is that they move in packs of 30 odd and despite the best of intentions and being generally quite friendly about it scatter like sheep.

By comparison I was climbing up from derwent reservoir at the weekend, a bunch of about 8 or 10 riders coming down, the front chap shouted to those behind, one of whom decided the appropriate course of action was to now mount the little ridge and ride two abrest so the only way I could get out of their path was now also occupied by an oncoming rider. Utter womble. Rest of the bunch seemed pleasant but oddly it's the one who rode at me I remember.

Utter womble.

I see that on the TPT the last few weeks. Covid and summer has brought out a lot of people who have no business being on a bike.

King's Wood is local to me too, I ride through it most evenings during the warmer months.

There's been a distinct increase in walkers since lockdown, but everyone has been pretty good and no-one's tried to tell me that I shouldn't be on a bike. In fact, it's been pretty much stress free, everyone's been smiley and polite so I return the favour.

Early on during lockdown, we had some travellers turn up to the Chilham end of King's Wood and they set themselves up in the car park. Twenty-four hours later and you wouldn't know they'd been there - the travellers picked up after themselves and left the place tidier than it was when they found it.

Early on during lockdown, we had some travellers turn up to the Chilham end of King’s Wood and they set themselves up in the car park. Twenty-four hours later and you wouldn’t know they’d been there – the travellers picked up after themselves and left the place tidier than it was when they found it.

Careful, you won't get away with that kind of opinion on here.

Can anything actually happen to you if you ignore the 'no cycling' signs as I routinely do?

Round our way (suburban north Leeds) there has been more aggro in the past few months than that can remember, bit still it has been relatively light given most of our riding is footpaths.

I tend to observe the ride late/early rules not just for avoiding aggro but also getting a clear run...as above its been particularly busy and not much fun on busy local trails at peak times.

When I do get aggro, nowadays I tend to not really care

Can anything actually happen to you if you ignore the ‘no cycling’ signs as I routinely do?

Not very likely. I do it all the time in New Forest and on the rare occasion I come across a dog walker they sometimes comment "have you seen the no cycling sign" to which I have variety of replies "no, is it a good one", "no, have you seen the dogs must be on leads sign", "no, who do you think has taken it" and so on which always makes them smile - or at least I think they are smiling when they shout back at me. I do however slow down to walking pace when going past as I know I am in the wrong.
I have even cycled past a forest ranger sat in their pickup on forest I am not supposed to cycle on and just got a hello.
Assuming they are just bylaw type things so not even sure who would uphold it and whoever that is they are not going to be walking around in the middle of the forest.

they sometimes comment “have you seen the no cycling sign” to which I have variety of replies

My most recent reply* (back in early Spring) was “Yes, I saw it when I got to the end of the valley** and decided not to pass it, so now I’ve got to ride all the way back down this lovely bluebelly singletrack to make sure I don’t get into trouble”.

*in my head, thought of days later.

**curiously there’s only a ‘no cycling’ sign at one end of the mile long valley, after you’ve wheeled your bike through an ancient church and are just about to go through the rickety gate.

The bobble hat wearing ramblers tend to be organised and effective nationwide. Mtbikers appear to be sod it lets ride or no that's illegal don't be naughty. Look at Snowdon and the access. Yes don't ride it outside the times but would bikes be banned? Impossible to enforce no biking on it. If it was banned and 100 people turn up on a Saturday to ride they could do nothing. Bobble hat power!

that of all the people who’ve ever challenged me riding a FP. none has ever been the landowner.

I think the only time anyone seriously challenged me when I was riding was on a path that runs through Monkton Park, in Chippenham. This bloke and his lad were walking in front of me and when I passed he to get off my bike, there was no cycling there. I pointed out that I was a Sustrans ranger, and that I had every right to ride along it, at which point he got very aggressive, which must have looked good to his teenage sone, and said he worked for the council, and he’d have me arrested! He actually took a swing at me, but missed, so I just rode off, leaving him to froth impotently at my back.
Thing is, the path was part of Sustrans Route 304, and when the council looked into removing the no cycling bylaw and the signs, they discovered that there had never been a bylaw, and the no cycling signs were themselves illegal! I did wonder what that bloke’s job was with the council, ‘cos he clearly had no idea about the local rights of way.
Probably a cleaner.
I was sat by the side of a path that runs from Castle Combe up the side of the valley towards Long Dean once, with my bike, having a snack, (the path is a bridleway at one end and a footpath at the other; it changes at the parish boundary), and a bunch of ramblers came towards me. It was a warm day, and a few of them looked a little flushed! I nodded and said hello, as did they, then one bloke came up, looked at me, looked at my bike, and said, in a fairly weary tone of voice, “can I borrow your bike?” Which did make me laugh.

I got told off by a woman the other week for "not giving her right of way" - she was walking along the clearly marked cycle path that runs through the middle of our town. She was even less keen when I pointed this out to her and that I had moved over as far as I possibly could.

There's just no point arguing with these people

I, very childishly, told her to **** right off, which i'm sure didn't help, but why do I always have to be polite?

I, very childishly, told her to **** right off, which i’m sure didn’t help, but why do I always have to be polite?

You don't 😉
I always start off polite, but if they push the point, and are dicks about it I find a quick **** off and then cycling away tends to end the argument.

<rant> That's the problem with this country - people moan about cyclists, then they build a cycle lane, and then they walk down the middle of it. Seriously wtf. It's like half the population just have this absurd sense of entitlement and are not willing at all to even consider compromise. <rant over>

As someone who is 'getting on a bit' I can tell you it was just as bad 50 years ago.

Having a potter on the Monsal trail with family and toddler in a trailer, so only going steady. Lots of cyclists so it shouldn't be a surprise if more come along after you've moved to let some others past. Anyway we came across a family walking five-abreast taking up the whole wide track so said excuse us. To be met with "Bloody hell, you have to walk to one side down here if you don't want to block cyclists", to which I exasperatly replied "Yes, yes that's the general *@#*ing idea". There are lots of places to walk if you don't want to encounter cyclists, but to complain about them on one of the best facilities for easy safe family cycling just so you can form a chorus line shows entitlement of the highest order.

Plenty of sour-faced dog walkers and walkers out this morning. I get up extra early to avoid these buggers too, but they seem to be getting up earlier as well to avoid the families etc after about 9-30. It has turned into a bit of an arms race.

I'm hoping for a spell of bad weather to force the majority to **** off back indoors where they will hopefully stay through the winter.

as a motorcycle trail rider i pointed out some time ago that MTB riders would be the ramblers next “target”

Definitely. And they'll use ebikes as the first stick to hit us with.

none has ever been the landowner. On that basis, I’ve pretty much decided not to engage anymore.

This is excellent advice.

You'll rarely change anyone's mind so why bother. A cheery nod and g'day, then ride off.

Definitely. And they’ll use ebikes as the first stick to hit us with

This has already started. There was a piece in The Times about how Simon Cowell had broken (well, hurt) his back by falling off his massively overpowered e-bike.

It was an electric motorbike.

They even put the name of the model in the article and still kept calling it an e-bike. Followed by lots of stats about the increase in sales of e-bikes. Then talk to about how there weren't no speed restrictions on these killer e-bikes (electricity motorbikes) an how to they could be used without a license (back to e-bikes). Totally exhausting. It wasn't naive journalism - it was setting the narrative.

Hundreds of comments pointing out the clear mistake being made and no correction.

Interestingly this has recently appeared locally too me.

Next to it is a locked money box for depositing coins.

For nickc

See https://www.ramblers.org.uk/policy/england/rights-of-way/shared-use-routes.aspx

“Our position

The Ramblers’ opposes proposals for cycling to be allowed as a matter of course on footpaths in England. While we will work with other user groups to improve the path network for the benefit of all, we will resist changes which are detrimental to the interests of walkers. Changing the status of a footpath or footway to bridleway or cycle track must be considered on a case-by-case basis, with decisions based on an objective consideration of a range of factors.“

Imho most ramblers would consider sharing their sole access (Ie footpaths) which account for about 75% of all tracks (England and Wales) with cyclists who currently have access to about 25% (Bridleway, restricted byway, byway) of all tracks as detrimental to their interests.

Also

“In the case of conversion of a footway to a cycle track, or of a footpath to a bridleway using a creation agreement, there is no formal order process and the only opportunity for influence is at the consultation stage. While there are opportunities to object to a formal order in the cases of conversion of a footpath to a cycle track, or to a bridleway using a creation order, it is preferable to exercise as much influence as possible at the consultation phase. Where the arguments are convincing, highway authorities may be less likely to make an order since it may be successfully opposed at any subsequent public inquiry. Where an order is made an inspector will expect any objections to be reasonable and within the scope of the relevant legislation. Where objections are considered spurious or vexatious then the objector could be held liable for any costs incurred in an inquiry.“

There seems to be a tranche of society that seem to revel in plebdom, possibly related to the bizarre hero worship of the royal family.

I've definitely come across this even with English MTB friends. The idea that you could have open access is dismissed as one step removed from resurrecting Lenin and making him head of state. It's a cruel trick that the land owners have got ordinary people fighting for their exclusion from the land.

To the point above that Glasgow has a population of 0.5million is bollocks, the greater urban area of Glasgow takes on anything in the UK in terms of sprawl.

The issue with the English system is that it's a massively unfair postcode lottery. Where I live now has loads of access and trails. Places with loads of countryside have none.

There's no reason other than vested interests that you couldn't have open access in England.