Access to all footpaths for cyclists, government petition

[Waynemarlow]

A petition has been setup to try and allow cyclists to use the footpath network across England. Its a good shout guys so spread the word please via your facebook, WhatsApp and or other groups.

Petition: Allow cyclists to access to all public footpaths across the countryside.

Give cyclists full access to the public footpath network across the countryside. Obviously there will need a requirement to give walkers plenty of warning, via bells, of proximity. Walkers will ultimately have right of priority, however, mutual respect will be required!

petition.parliament.uk

 

[Bodark]

I have only just seen this petition and I came on here to share it but found your post. It would be great to get this fulfilled because I am not sure about other areas but around the east midlands I find traveling across the countryside on a bike pretty annoying at times as there will be gates which are very anti-bike and require you to lift or carry the bike over the top of them. It's fine doing this 2-3 times but once you start going above this it gets a bit tedious especially when its heavy eMTB.

There is currently just under 3770 signatures so I hope bumping this thread will generate more as I am sure this will have huge benefits to everyone wanting to ride more cycle friendly routes around the UK.

 

[jimbob]

Signed, thanks.

Can't see it going anywhere unfortunately, and I can understand why some land owners wouldn't want it.

 

[Monkey Dog]

Signed

 

[steve_sordy]

signed and shared

 

[The Hodge]

^
As above

 

[Nickolp1974]

As above

 

[stiv674]

Sounds a good idea in principle but who's going to pay for all the current styles and other bike unfriendly access etc, to be changed?

I presume that the landowner is responsible for them at the moment?

 

[Supratad]

Sounds a good idea in principle but who's going to pay for all the current styles and other bike unfriendly access etc, to be changed?

I presume that the landowner is responsible for them at the moment?

Is the proposal to change all footpaths to bridleways though, or to just allow bikes onto footpaths?
If the latter, then maybe stiles can be left as is, because as you say, farmers aren’t going to like having to install new gates everywhere.
It’s a bit of a bind for an e bike but we’re a small proportion of the whole mtb community. Stiles were never an issue when I was young and beautiful on my 90’s hardtail, ahem, not that I regularly trespassed on footpaths on virtually every ride.

 

[Dustjunky]

sorry mate but I can’t see that ever happening......

 

[stiv674]

Is the proposal to change all footpaths to bridleways though, or to just allow bikes onto footpaths?
If the latter, then maybe stiles can be left as is, because as you say, farmers aren’t going to like having to install new gates everywhere.
It’s a bit of a bind for an e bike but we’re a small proportion of the whole mtb community. Stiles were never an issue when I was young and beautiful on my 90’s hardtail, ahem, not that I regularly trespassed on footpaths on virtually every ride.

Good point as it does only mention access in the petition, I read the post from @Bodark and came to wrong conclusion ?

I try to avoid footpaths most of the time but sometimes Komoot insists I use them...

 

[Blakey]

Signed and shared

 

[jupiter]

I feel the rights of way are too contentious and historic to change. Footpaths are appropriate for people, width, gates, stiles, etc. MTBs can get a bad enough reception where they are allowed to be without venturing onto footpaths as well. I can’t support the idea because I simply don’t agree with it I’m afraid.

 

[Gary]

That's utter pish @jupiter
England's Government mostly consists of politicians who know jolly little about even being in the countryside nevermind sharing it responsibly,

 

[Mteam]

Signed, but I don't think anything will change.

I'll carry on riding footpaths (responsibly)

 

[KeithR]

MTBs can get a bad enough reception where they are allowed to be

So we should all stay in the house?

without venturing onto footpaths as well.

But the whole point of this is to make MTBs allowed on footpaths. "People" having a problem with that shouldn't stop us from doing it, if it becomes legal: otherwise, see comment above.

Would you not ride on footpaths if you could? Damn' sure I would, and it's hard to argue that there isn't a strong case for it, especially with the current Covid shitshow:

Open up countryside paths for people on bikes say outdoor groups

British Cycling calls for people on bikes to have access to more public paths in the England and Wales countryside.

www.britishcycling.org.uk

 

[jupiter]

Just saying what I think. If you want me to say what you think then yay, go for it, ride where you like.

 

[Gary]

You missed my point @jupiter.
Look outside of England. Particualrly to all that land to the North of your country. and there you will see us Scots happily sharing outdoor public space between walkers, horse riders, cyclists and Ebikes. Our approach works flawlessly with just a little common sense and common courtesy.
I don't need you to to agree. But you'd be wrong if you were to disagree.

 

[stiv674]

Not that I want to bring the Covid situation in to this, but it does look like Scottish people are more tolerant and courteous than English people, bit of a generalisation I know.

We (England) seem to have more than our fair share of idiots unfortunately.

 

[Jimbo Vills]

You missed my point @jupiter.
Look outside of England. Particualrly to all that land to the North of your country. and there you will see us Scots happily sharing outdoor public space between walkers, horse riders, cyclists and Ebikes. Our approach works flawlessly with just a little common sense and common courtesy.
I don't need you to to agree. But you'd be wrong if you were to disagree.

to be fair tho mate, you do have a lot more space per person!

down here where I live it’s chocker so more idiots, less space is a recipe for disaster ?

 

[KeithR]

Just saying what I think.

And I'm just pointing out that your objection makes no logical sense.

yay, go for it, ride where you like.

That's the entire point - I can't. That's why I support efforts to change things.

 

[Zimmerframe]

but it does look like Scottish people are more tolerant and courteous than English people

Did you just say @Gary is more tolerant and courteous than some other people ????????

 

[stiv674]

Did you just say @Gary is more tolerant and courteous than some other people ????????

Well there's always an exception