Where can / can't I go?

silentwitness

Hi all

I've just got back into mountain biking after about 10 years off. I've been looking for some good routes round where I live (Tockholes) on the OS maps and have a question. I see that cycles are not allowed on the footpaths but are they allowed on the recreational routes (marked with diamonds)?

Thanks

Col

dave_hill

silentwitness wrote:

I see that cycles are not allowed on the footpaths

Correct. Bridleways, byways, public roads and designated cycleways only.

silentwitness wrote:

but are they allowed on the recreational routes (marked with diamonds)?

It depends.

The so called "recreational routes" marked with diamonds are all public rights of way. But again, they can be public footpath or public bridleway so the same rules apply.

For example where I live, I have the Burnley Way, the Todmorden Centenary Way and the Pennine Bridleway all within easy reach. All three are marked with diamonds on the map but 99.99% of the first two are off limits for cycling because they're public footpath.

Also be aware that Ordnance Survey maps are NOT the definitive source for rights of way. The current issues (Explorer at 1:25000 scale and the Series 3 Land Ranger at 1:50000) are about 10 years out of date and the status of rights of way may have changed. The Land Rangers in particular don't show a lot of footpaths which have been upgraded to bridleway. The only sure-fire way to check is to view the definitive maps held by your local authority.

Bear in mind that - a right of way marked on a map is no guarantee of the existance of a public right of way; and also that not all paths, tracks and trails on the ground are public rights of way.