kaesae you do know on the national cycle network the pths are for shared use, and a cyclist is supposed to giveway to pedestrians……..try a little politeness yourself, it works wonders
this is a copy of the good cycling guide relative to the national cycle network, maybe have a read and digest
General
Be courteous!
Always cycle with respect for others,
whether other cyclists, pedestrians,
people in wheelchairs, horse-riders or
drivers and acknowledge those who
give way to you.
Shared Use
[/b]Give way to pedestrians, leaving them
plenty of room.
Keep to your side of any dividing line.
Be prepared to slow down or stop if
necessary.
Don’t expect to cycle at high speeds.
PUBLIC
BRIDLEWAYS
Public bridleways are defined in
statute as highways over which there
is a right of way on foot, on horseback
or leading a horse, with an invalid
carriage or on a bicycle. Under the
Countryside Act 1968 (section 30)
bicyclists (but not unicyclists or
tricyclists) have a right to use
bridleways provided they give way to
walkers and horse riders.
Bridleways will make up approximately
140 miles (1.5%) nationwide (of which
half were previously surfaced), of the
whole Network. In total, there are
about 18,000 miles of bridleway in
England alone. In addition there are
other non-statutory permissive paths
where agreement for access by horse
riders, cyclists and walkers has been
reached with the landowner. To date,
through the creation of the National
Cycle Network, over 90 miles of new
permissive paths for horseriders,
walkers and cyclists have already been
created.
Much of what follows applies just as
much to those permissive paths as to
public bridleways.
Bridleways are sometimes rendered
impassable for pedestrians, cyclists and
horse riders by the movement of farm
vehicles and livestock, by forestry
operations, by poor drainage or by
lack of maintenance.
Without proper management of the
path, horses can also severely damage
surfaces, making cycling and walking
difficult.
All legitimate users should be able to
use National Cycle Network routes
comfortably in any weather
conditions, and Sustrans can
legitimately allocate Millennium
Commission funds towards this goal.
However, this should not preclude the
use of bridleways by any one group,
when alterations to suit another group
are carried out.
Our preferred way of achieving use for
all is to have a bridleway at least 4
metres, but preferably 5 metres, wide.
This would be surfaced to create two
paths, each a minimum of 2 metres
wide, with a sealed surface for cyclists,
wheelchairs, buggy pushers, young
children and less hardy walkers, and an
equally wide engineered grass surface
for horses and more experienced
ramblers (see boxes 1 and 2).
The decision on the actual surface
should be based on local
circumstances, expected use and
treatments already in use locally. It
should be noted that maintenance of
bridleways should not result in a less
commodious facility for any of the
legitimate users. Legal truncation of
the bridleway width may be necessary
but bridleways often have a defined
width in the definitive map statement
so legal procedures must be followed
if the width is to be reduced.
Cuckoo trail in Hailsham. Parallel cycle and
horsepaths.
The Good Cycling Code
Be careful at junctions, bends and
entrances. Remember that many
people are hard of hearing or visually
impaired. Don’t assume they can see
or hear you.
Carry a bell and use it.
Don’t surprise people.
Where there are wheelchair users and
horse-riders, please give away.
On Roads
Always follow the Highway Code.
Be seen – most accidents to cyclists
happen at junctions.
Fit and use lights in poor visibility.
Consider wearing a helmet and
conspicuous clothing.
Keep your bike roadworthy.
Pavements are for pedestrians – don’t
cycle on them except where
designated.
Use the bell – not all pedestrians can
see you.
In Country Areas
Follow the Country Code.
Respect other land management
activities such as farming or forestry
and take litter home.
Cycle within your capabilities.
Match your speed to the surface and
your skills.
