Public Rights of Way ?'s

alfablue

ratty2k - you are a brave man to express such views on this thread :roll:

crust

ratty2k wrote:

weeksy59 wrote:

alfablue wrote:

weeksy59 wrote:

alfablue wrote:

Public footpaths are open only to walkers.

So, like i said, how is this defined ? how would a person out on a ride know it's only open to walkers ?

Footpaths have yellow arrow signs = walkers, ones with blue arrow signs are bridleways (walkers, riders, cyclists). On OS maps footpaths have pink dotted lines, bridleways have pink dashed lines. OS maps are therefore very useful for planning rides.

Footpaths may sometimes have a signpost saying "footpath".

Ahhhh never used an OS map.


the 'Footpath' signpost would be most useful...

I could then ignore it accordingly.

And this type of attitude gets land restricted. We see large areas of erosion in the Peak district, and some illegal singletrack. Speaking to the ranger confirms that the NP authority dont have enough money to repair the damage caused by other riders and have considered closing access.
Read a map, find a legal route and ride that, it pisses me off seeing people ignore things, because eventually the idiot minority will spoil it for everyone.

Motorcycle trail riders adopted that attitude and got royally shafted and continue to get shafted.

Ramblers have gained considerable access by illegal invasions and confrontation.

As a pretty much ex-trail rider due to their attitude of exclusion I ride wherever I like, I'll do it considerately but if they want to get arsey then fuckem.

I've watched trails that I happily rode for years become off limits and are now overgrown and impassable thanks to the fascist attitude of ramblers so I show them the respect they show me.

On my trail bike they can take my number and report me, on my pushbike they can sod off.

If rangers want to close access then keep riding as that demonstrates a need, if you meekly turn round and bend over, stay away, then the authorities will see no need.

Sadly doing the right thing does not get results, being pushy and obnoxious does, works for Janet Street Porter and the rest of the bobble hatted twats.

And if they do want to close or restrict areas, time for mass invasions

crust

BorisSpencer

The ramblers have an agenda to get everyone else out of the countryside. Once they have had the 4 wheel drives driven off the byways they will want the bridleways closed to cyclists.

midnight rambler

I am a rambler and a mountain biker. This thread came to my attention so I thought I would sign up and offer my thoughts.

I am wondering where all this hate is coming from. I am not aware that the ramblers have an agenda against cyclists. The Ramblers association indeed urged all its members to support Sustrans bid for The Peoples 50 million, furthermore, the Ramblers Association Rights of Way Strategy makes absolutely no reference to closing bridleways to cyclists, and neither do any or their campaigns. Also, the Ramblers forum seems to be devoid of attacks on cyclists, unlike the way this forum seems to want to attack ramblers. There does seem to be something of a rather aggressive tone on here...

Are you sure this forum is well informed and well balanced on these issues?

supersonic

A forum is a place for discussion, which is what is happening. If you wish to inform people, go for it! A constructive discussion is needed, but the views within are not necessarily relective of the owners of this site nor its publications. Nor all the users.

Personally there seems to be a lot of bikers on here that do respect all other users of the countryside, and a good knowledge of the law, that has been demonstrated here too.

midnight rambler

supersonic wrote:

A forum is a place for discussion, which is what is happening. If you wish to inform people, go for it! A constructive discussion is needed, but the views within are not necessarily relective of the owners of this site nor its publications.

Thank you, understood.

Well, by way of informing people, I would hope they would explore the links I posted above, and maybe consider that there is not actually a massive agenda against cyclists. I believe we can live and let live, and whilst walkers and cyclists rightly want to represent their own needs, there is no need to demonise each other.

supersonic

So do I ;-) The links look good and I have already looked into a couple.

I do think there is a section of bikers that do despise ramblers lol, and probably vice versa - and they like to wind each other up! We see the same for MTBers and roadies, MTBers and horseriders - a usually very small number but there all the less. And car drivers and roadies most definitely!

scottgeniusltd2005

mary townley OBE (rip), she was a horse riding "activist", now we have one the best trails in the country. the lake district was opened due to "activism".

thank goodness for that sort of "activism", now all we need is the same to get rid of the so called "cyclist lanes" that are less than 100m long and red. how about a "cyclist lane" that is, you know, A CYCLING LANE.

if it's rideable ride it, buck shot only stings for half an hour!!


enter left stage dave hill.......

nicklouse

No 6 shot takes longer to get out.

scottgeniusltd2005

depends how good the wife's tweezers are..if they been on private plucking duty the i agree they don't grip no.6 shot as well as they used too :twisted: :twisted:

Anonymous

yawn

walkers are just people without bikes


bikers are just walkers with 2 wheels

horse riders are just confused walkers that want to be bikers and ended up with 4 legs instead of 2 wheels


there are places you can go an places you can't.

Live with it and respect everyone else who wants to visit the same place as you

never mind how they got there or why they wanted to go there

they are there...enjoy it ffs




yawn

Aldo001

We only complain about walkers (edited) when they have been mean b'tards to be honest
For example, if they try to hurt us by putting logs across the trail, or by giving us abuse :roll:

supersonic

Doesn't mean they are 'ramblers' though - depends if you define all walkers or people using trails as ramblers. Could be anybody!

ratty2k

alfablue wrote:

ratty2k - you are a brave man to express such views on this thread :roll:

Why?
I've seen enough of these types of thread. Where someone (or two) but never many say they will ride where they want to. Regardless of them, I stick to the rights of way I can legally ride, I dont ride footpaths in the Peak, haven't in the Lakes or Wales, and even in my local town I dont ride footpaths. Not particularly arsed what people think of me, especially those I dont know and wont meet... But the thread goes on for seven pages now, and the views by some against ramblers/ walkers are poor at best.
Englands rights of way aren't the same as north of the border and as such should be respected. There's still plenty to ride without doing so illegally.

grandad3

I've enjoyed reading this thread and have learnt where i can or can't legally ride. But, I also probably ride illegally on footpaths as you cant always define a footpath or dont see the sign that says 'footpath only'.

A trail that I use has slowly been taken over by 4x4's churning up the ground making it virtually impossible to ride because of the deep ruts, and now someone's turned up with a digger, made a deep trench in two places across the trail and stopped not only the 4x4 but also the mtber's.

I have to climb off and walk round the blxxdy thing, spoiling a good ride because of these idiots out in their toys driving illegally. At least it seems to have stopped them for now

Wheneva I'm out riding wether it be on footpaths, bridleways or byways, I always slow down for other users and and let them know I'm coming by shouting out 'excuse me', then saying 'thanks' when they make room, I usually have to stop for horse riders when I come up to them because most seem inexperienced plus I dont fancy being kicked by one of em.

As for ramblers they are a breed apart and put their face on in disgust at the nerve of a cyclist encroaching on their beloved walk. They're really starting to piss me off.

M6TTF

Great read this one ! I've ridden for 20+ years, I used to tend to ignore the rules and ride wherever I wanted, there's a couple of awesome descents into goyt valley that are footpaths, and a few times we were collared by national park rangers. They told us how it was, we apologised and carried on - and that was as far as it went. But these days I tend to stick to the correct rights of way, and do you know what? I still have just as much fun. I think being responsible is generally just an age thing. I certainly know if I was out walking with my little boy who's 3 on a footpath and a biker came flying down at us without at least trying to be courteous their would be a few choice words and actions.

ratty2k

grandad3 wrote:

I've enjoyed reading this thread and have learnt where i can or can't legally ride. But, I also probably ride illegally on footpaths as you cant always define a footpath or dont see the sign that says 'footpath only'.

A trail that I use has slowly been taken over by 4x4's churning up the ground making it virtually impossible to ride because of the deep ruts, and now someone's turned up with a digger, made a deep trench in two places across the trail and stopped not only the 4x4 but also the mtber's.

I have to climb off and walk round the blxxdy thing, spoiling a good ride because of these idiots out in their toys driving illegally. At least it seems to have stopped them for now

Wheneva I'm out riding wether it be on footpaths, bridleways or byways, I always slow down for other users and and let them know I'm coming by shouting out 'excuse me', then saying 'thanks' when they make room, I usually have to stop for horse riders when I come up to them because most seem inexperienced plus I dont fancy being kicked by one of em.

As for ramblers they are a breed apart and put their face on in disgust at the nerve of a cyclist encroaching on their beloved walk. They're really starting to wee-wee me off.

But if you ride on footpaths like you say.... Then you can't argue, either about illegal 4x4 use or anything else regarding rights of way.
As for bridleways and other legal rights of way, then yes, it is important to slow, warn and thank... It works both ways I agree. But riding the peak I've never heard anyone moan when I ride past. And if they did, I'd be legally entitled to ride there anyway.
Most horses I'd imagine would be quite scared of the noisy bright coloured rattly thing flying past, so it is wise to slow right down for them, or even stop if you can.
A lot of folks seem to moan about ramblers and walkers- if you are on a shared use path they have as much right to be there as you, they can be deaf as well as one of our riding buddies found out. So be courteous to other trail users and stick to legal rights of way. Its still just as much fun and needless aggro is avoided.
Which means everyone in the outdoors has a better time.
As for folks not knowing it was a footpath because there was no sign... :roll:
Maps, learn to read 'em and then you can ride legally all day long...

fred1star

I only go away for a weekend and come back to thread that has been infiltrated by a RAMBLER…

We are passionate about biking they are passionate about walking…My professional experience of the ramblers was generally a good one. At work I got a lot of compliments from them on work I had carried out, opening up obstructed footpaths etc…. However, as with all walks of life there were some that thought it was their god given right to walk a particular path and you, the Council were to spend as much money as it took to open that path up. I didn’t warm to these types of people.

Anyway lets not start a them and us thread…. Just remember, next time you see that bobble hat walking down the hill in front of you, wish them a good day and continue on your way… you never know you may need their help one day, they may be the first person on the scene of your bike crash.. Good Karma and all that…

DonnyMTB

Interesting thread. I go cycling along footpaths (public right of ways) in the countryside almost every weekend as it's such a great way to explore it. It's the things I love most about cycling, getting off the roads! I always respect ramblers & landowners of course and let them past or slow right down and say hello as I pass by. Makes me laugh to think my harmless weekend trips to the countryside are illegal, ha....ha ....ha. :P

ratty2k

:roll:

fred1star

forgotrafe

@DonnyMTB - do you know they are footpaths? Or are you just using a generic term (as I've heard some do) to describe a track without tarmac? In which case they could be bridlepaths, byways, restricted byways or UCRs and you're perfectly allowed to use those.

The only way to know for sure is to look at an OS map. But even that can be out of date or even not show the paths in the case of permissive routes.

It's a crazy, messed up system!

fred1star

The only way to check for sure is to contact your local county council and ask to look at the definitive map. But usually the OS map will be good enough... If a route has been diverted then there will be signs placed locally telling you of any alteration.

forgotrafe

@Fred1star - I knew that, as I used to do quite a bit with RoW, but on the grounds the OS Maps are pretty good, I was trying to keep it simple!

FSR Si

DonnyMTB wrote:

Interesting thread. I go cycling along footpaths (public right of ways) in the countryside almost every weekend as it's such a great way to explore it. It's the things I love most about cycling, getting off the roads! I always respect ramblers & landowners of course and let them past or slow right down and say hello as I pass by.

That's pretty much how i ride day in day out, where i want, when i want, how i want, And ive never had a problem with other people on the trails be it walkers, horse riders, or anyone. Be polite slow down and respect others 8)

fred1star

forgotrafe wrote:

@Fred1star - I knew that, as I used to do quite a bit with RoW, but on the grounds the OS Maps are pretty good, I was trying to keep it simple!

I knew that you knew that I knew that you knew that I knew

DonnyMTB

forgotrafe wrote:

@DonnyMTB - do you know they are footpaths? Or are you just using a generic term (as I've heard some do) to describe a track without tarmac? In which case they could be bridlepaths, byways, restricted byways or UCRs and you're perfectly allowed to use those.

The only way to know for sure is to look at an OS map. But even that can be out of date or even not show the paths in the case of permissive routes.

It's a crazy, messed up system!

They are pretty well marked round here like so:

Green sign:

http://www.freefoto.com/images/11/51/11 ... gn_web.jpg

And white arrows pointing you in the right direction (most of the time, although i ended up almost stuck in headhigh foliage a couple days ago when it was pointing the wrong way hehe)

http://k43.pbase.com/u48/hokkers999/lar ... eneWay.jpg

rikk

Well I have to say I ride anywhere for the simple reason that being disabled I can walk a maximum of 500m before I'm in considerable pain, on the bike I can ride 20-30 miles, the only way I can get into the countryside/forests is on my bike.
I'm always courteous of other users especially on footpaths where I'll stop and move off the path to let people past if there isn't room for both of us.
I did greenlaning in my 4x4 for quite a few years (before i started cycling) as at the time it again was the only way i could get to enjoy what most take for granted, then of course the fabby new legislation came in and a huge amount of byways where closed....thanks ramblers, we only had something like 5% of rights of way usable to 4x4's but you obviously needed those as well.
It annoys me with all the talk of damage to paths, in all my time offroading and mtbing the two main causes I've found of damage are farm vehicles and horses. Most offroaders respected the byways and wouldn't use them if they were to wet to cause damage, horse riders just don't seem to care and the mess left behind them is amazing and takes a good while for foot and mtb traffic to smooth a path out enough to make it passable again.

Sorry to blah on, but this is something I'm quite passionate about.

ratty2k

I think everyone is passionate about it, but I do have an issue with some 4x4's and some of the motorbikes we see.
There is a fair bit of damage caused on one of out last rides by motorbikes and 4x4's, thee bikes came past spitting rocks and mud everywhere, and further up where the trail is worn into two huge deep ruts by 4x4's they have just moved over on the moor, and ripped up a new bit of trail. That is irresponsible, and why they restriction on 4x4's. I know a mate of mine has parents than live in Hawes, and there some idiots just bashed 4 or 5 wodden gates off their hinges as it was slowing them down.
Not everyone is like this, I've seen quite a few motorbikes feathering the throttle and looking after where they ride... But idiots get everyone tarred with the same brush.

supersonic

I once went for a ride on a BOAT - after 30 foot I fell into the river, they are not very good.