Where does the assumption come from that the rules will eventually change in Mtb’ers favour
Mostly I don’t give a toss whether the rules change or not. If they do, it won’t make a huge difference to where I ride anyway, but I’m certainly not expecting them to change in my life time as there are too many with an interest in keeping hoi palloi off their little patch of England. I also realised that most of the folk who actually challenge cyclists aren’t the landowners anyway, so the conversation tends to stop pretty quickly at the point where we “agree” that it’s none of their business. Even if challenged by the Landlord the worst that can happen is I’m asked to leave…Mleh
Most folk don’t know the rules, or couldn’t care less either way, but really all you need to do is not be a dick. People can share paths, folk all over the world manage it all the time, just don’t ride past people on a popular FP at head height or at a million miles an hour on a weekend, if you want to do that; choose a different day, or an out of the way FP. Be polite, don’t be disrespectful, and have a chat….you know; rule 1