OP
OP
magicmerve
Well-Known Member
- Location
- Hampshire
It's lovely. Some great rides out to a place called Hurstbourne
Cycling on footpaths
- Thread starter magicmerve
- Start date
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Not necessarily specific to this specific thread, but I was under the impression that footpath / bridleway / by road designations enshrined a right of way but did not supersede the underlying usage of the land.
That is to say, everyday I ride across a piece of common land criss crossed with many paths through the gorse, I believe I can ride anywhere on these paths (only motorised vehicles and horses are specifically mentioned as being banned on the visible signage and in the by-laws which I have read).
However the OS map for the common shows specific footpath lines which are also signed as normal in the real world.
As long as the footpaths run across this common land I am assuuming I can still ride my bike on them.
Common land much like any other can change, it could be sold or reclassified by government / councils, by-laws can be enacted but the rights of way would have to remain.
Now it could be that the footpaths mentioned in this thread run on farm tracks (horses / tractors were mentioned) and and the owner of the land may grant permissive use of the tracks other than footpath.
That is to say, everyday I ride across a piece of common land criss crossed with many paths through the gorse, I believe I can ride anywhere on these paths (only motorised vehicles and horses are specifically mentioned as being banned on the visible signage and in the by-laws which I have read).
However the OS map for the common shows specific footpath lines which are also signed as normal in the real world.
As long as the footpaths run across this common land I am assuuming I can still ride my bike on them.
Common land much like any other can change, it could be sold or reclassified by government / councils, by-laws can be enacted but the rights of way would have to remain.
Now it could be that the footpaths mentioned in this thread run on farm tracks (horses / tractors were mentioned) and and the owner of the land may grant permissive use of the tracks other than footpath.
swansonj
Guru
No - not quite - you have no legally enshrined right to cycle across it, but it's not necessarily true to say you are "not permitted".
If there's a no cycling sign, you are not permitted
If there not a no cycling sign and no-one objects, you are fine, you are not breaking any law or rules
If the landowner objects, you should stop, it's their land and you have no rights that over-rule them
If someone who is not the landowner objects, I think there's an ambiguity
OP
OP
magicmerve
Well-Known Member
- Location
- Hampshire
This track is right next to field and I've never had a problem with anyone I've met on it before apart from this bloke. It leads onto a track I know I'm allowed to ride on though. The path is very open and it's not like you can't see anyone coming. I always get off my bike and give way. I'm going to speak to the land owner
markharry66
Guru
Personally I would ignore the know it all and go down there chances of you meeting with him again are probably 0.
Just ignore him life is to short for know it self righteous plonkers.
Just ignore him life is to short for know it self righteous plonkers.
Mandragora
Senior Member
'cept the guy who challenged the OP was in the right, so he does 'know it all' on this occasion......
Just saying.
coffeejo
Ælfrēd
- Location
- West Somerset
The thing about footpaths vs bridleways is that when I'm walking, I'll know what other users to expect. When I'm on a designated footpath, I should only encounter other walkers, dogs, kids etc. I don't have to keep checking over my shoulder to see if there's a horse or bike looming up behind me, nor keep an extra close eye on the dog to make sure she's not likely to get in the way.
_aD
Do not touch suspicious objects
- Location
- East Hampshire, UK
That's enough for me to stay off it. I respect other people's property enough to abide by their wishes.
Heaven forbid you should happen to chance upon on runner or someone walking faster than you.
OP
OP
magicmerve
Well-Known Member
- Location
- Hampshire
Well thanks for all your input. It appears to be a footpath so as said before its prob just best to keep it that way and push the bike along it.
Lesson learnt for the future though. And I don't want to annoy anyone really. Might just make sure the bloke has a bag for all his dog muck because messing in the footpath just isn't British what what old chap
Lesson learnt for the future though. And I don't want to annoy anyone really. Might just make sure the bloke has a bag for all his dog muck because messing in the footpath just isn't British what what old chap
coffeejo
Ælfrēd
- Location
- West Somerset
Slightly different speeds compared to a cyclist, don't you think?
swansonj
Guru
Not necessarilly.'cept the guy who challenged the OP was in the right, so he does 'know it all' on this occasion......
Just saying.
If the landowner is happy to permit cycling on this bit of his land, the designation as a footpath is irrelevant, and the third-party gentlemen who challenged the OP was wrong.
Designation as a footpath or a bridlepath creates a legal right to use the path in certain ways. But it doesn't of itself rule out using it in other ways. that takes the landowner or a bylaw.
Another TMN to Mr Paul owing to my loosing signal between typing this and posting.
Drago
Legendary Member
- Location
- Suburban Poshshire
I mean, the worst that can happen is an irate landowners shouts, "Oi, get off moi land!" and you gladly oblige by cycling onwards. However, at a time when we as a user group are under intense scrutiny we should not only do the decent thing but make a point of being seen to do so.
Drago
Legendary Member
- Location
- Suburban Poshshire
I never said it was fair, its just the way it is.
