O/S maps roads and tracks

andyc-43

Just been looking at a local o/s map and not sure about the white tracks with either solid line edges or broken edges. Are these a right of way or private tracks. Need an alternative to the unrideable (at present) bridleways.

iwilldoit

Hi

That is a other road, drive or track so yes they could be in private, if it's on farm land knock on the door it's either yes or no, most are alright if they are asked in the first place.

jimothy78

andyc-43 wrote:

Just been looking at a local o/s map and not sure about the white tracks with either solid line edges or broken edges. Are these a right of way or private tracks.

I don't think there's any definitive way of telling from the map. However, you can gain a decent clue by looking at what they connect or lead to. For instance, if a public (or permissive) bridleway leaves the track further up, then it's a fair bet that the track itself is a either a public right of way or BOAT, at least up to that point. On the other hand, if a track just seems to lead straight to a building or group of buildings, with no sign of other tracks, paths, etc leading from it, then it's more likely to be a private access road.

Sometimes, more information can be gleaned from google street view (at the point where a track your are interested in leaves a public road, or further up, if the information is available). In reality, though, you sometimes simply have to suck it and see.

iwilldoit

This is some stuff I found, I think a lot of the time it depends on where you are and how much use the area has, I know in my local area I don't think anyone would mind and as I said if you ask the landowner 9 times out of 10 there fine, they get a bit p****d when people just take it for granted.

Are bikes allowed on countryside footpaths?

Unfortunately not. Countryside access is a huge subject, policed by specialist lawyers and 'rights of way' experts. Unlike in countries like Sweden or Germany, we can't wander where we please in this green and
pleasant land of ours. All outdoor users have to stick to 'rights of way'. A bike, unfortunately, is not what the law deems a 'natural accompaniment' to walking (such as a walking stick or a dog) so you can't ride on a
footpath. Technically speaking, you can't even walk on a footpath with a bike. Cyclists are committing trespass by riding on footpaths - no matter how wide - and could be prosecuted by the landowner for any damage caused. Don't worry, it's a civil matter, not a criminal wrong. In practice no landowner will sue you but riding on footpaths upsets walkers.

YOU CAN RIDE ON -

Bridleways (27 400 kms)
We've had the right to share bridleways with walkers and horses since an Act of Parliament in 1968. Note the word 'share'. Horses get spooked easily and we're faster than walkers so it's only fair give them due consideration. Slow down, smile, say hi and pick up speed once you roll past.

Byways Open to All Traffic (3000kms)
Otherwise known as BOATs these allow all traffic to pass, including vehicles.

Forest tracks and paths
Permission is officially required for riding through Forestry Commission land. Often this permission has already been granted by the local conservator and the Forestry Commission generally regards cycling favourably. Stick to the waymarked routes, you don't want to meet a 60-ton logging truck coming round the corner of a dirt track.

Green lanes (10 200kms)
A non-legal term for a pleasant unsealed country road, track or byway.

White roads (7000kms?)
Most roads on Ordnance Survey maps have colours to denote their status. White roads have no colour so are not recorded as having any rights-of-way status. When looking at an Ordnance Survey map they can appear to be farm tracks or private roads when, in fact, they might be public highways. Of the estimated 7000 kms of 'lost' white roads many of them are great, totally legal trails for use by cyclists just waiting to be 'found' and put onto the 'definitive map'.

It's a sign!
It's fine and dandy knowing which routes you're supposed to stick to, but on the ground it's often a different kettle of coconuts. There's not always a footpath sign when you need one and many wide, open trails look as though they must be bridleways. It's therefore good practice to always carry an Ordnance Survey (OS) map. These don't list every right of way - check out the 'definitive map' at your local highway authority for that - but will include the main ones. Or look for paths that have coloured waymarking arrows: yellow on footpaths, blue on bridleways, and red on byways that can be legally used by everybody.

http://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/blog/20 ... ts-of-way/

andyc-43

Thanks for all the help. Think i'll have to head out and take the o/s map with me and see what i can find.

maringirl

The solid line or 'pecked ' line simply means that is is fenced (solid) or unfenced (pecked)

buddy_club

The other thing with an OS map is that sometimes a small path like that could be a full on road, or (having experienced this many times) nothing more than a field or bush.

bennett_346

Just ride where you want, i've not paid attention to land ownership stuff in years and never been caught. If you stick to the rules you'll find you're not really allowed to ride even 1% of what's out there.

buddy_club

bennett_346 wrote:

Just ride where you want, i've not paid attention to land ownership stuff in years and never been caught. If you stick to the rules you'll find you're not really allowed to ride even 1% of what's out there.

+1, Bit naughty but tbh you're not doing anyone harm, one of the (probably illegal) trails i ride cuts straight through the land of a private estate, the owners know but they just dont care.

kajjal

Have a look on google maps and zoom right in to give you an idea. Often you just have to have a look in person.