Peak District MTB wants to boost the number of bridleways. Photo: Bob Smith/grough
Mountain bikers in the Peak District have launched a campaign to increase the number of routes available to cyclists.
Peak District MTB, an advocacy group for mountain bikers, wants to see 22 per cent of rights of way in the national park rideable.
It said that is the proportion of national rights of way that are bridleways. In the Peak District, only half that number, 11 per cent, are currently legally open to bikers.
A spokesperson for the group said that equates to just 220km of permissible routes whereas it should be 440km. “To put this into context, there are 2,136km of footpaths in the national park,” the spokesperson said. “Upgrading some of these to bridleway status would still leave 1,916km of rights of way with footpath status.”
Peak District chair Dan Noble said: “When Peak District MTB was first established around five years ago, our core goal was to increase the amount of access available to mountain bikers.
“In that time there have been some notable successes, especially around the fringes of Sheffield through work done by Ride Sheffield and more recently we have had some success on the Roaches and worked with the National Trust at Lyme Park to improve access.
“However, the Peak District national park covers some 1,437 sq km. The park’s northern limits are on the A62 between Huddersfield and Oldham, and its southernmost point is on the A52 road near Ashbourne. In the East it borders the western fringes of Chesterfield and Sheffield and reaches as far west as the outskirts of Macclesfield.
“There is plenty of scope and room to improve the bridleway network.”
Peak District MTB said it hopes others, such as equestrian groups Peak Horsepower and the British Horse Society, will lend support as the expansion of the bridleway network would benefit all users.
The advocacy group has set up an online form on its website where people can suggest routes that would be suitable for upgrading to bridleway status.
ChrisB
29 October 2019I’m hard of hearing and don’t hear bikers approaching. Can they go back to either calling out, using a bell or something to alert us slower walkers? I’m really frightened of an accident.
Marion Boyle
29 October 2019Headline isn't quite accurate - number of bridleways won't increase, it's the number of paths made available to cyclists that will increase.
Chris Maloney
29 October 2019nope, more bridleways wanted.
A Former rider
29 October 2019I've no problem with bikes, so long as riders keep the speed down to safe limits. The problems are caused by the fast downhill racers who don't give a stuff about others.
Peter Hardman
29 October 2019I’m afraid I do not find it acceptable for cyclists to use well trod walking paths. Within a very short time they become rutted and spoil any pleasure normally experienced by the fell walker. Kinder lower trails are a prime example (take a look!)..
Also, descending Jacobs Ladder approach a few months ago we had to literally get out of the way of four lunatics flying down the steep track at a ridiculous speed. What recourse does a walker have against idiots who seem hell bent at having fun?? at others expense!
I’m 75 and have walked / climbed Scotish, Welsh and Lakes Mountains many many times. The Peak District will be destroyed if cyclists are given more freedom to roam.
Alan bartlett
30 October 2019Gradually, we the person on foot, that does not to my mind offer a collision risk.....is looking over ones shoulder at what could put you in a wheelchair out of circulation...now i hear cyclists saying we are responsible,slow down ring our bell, always concerned for the safety of pedestrians..well those of you who are responsible well done.
Well sorry to say things have changed.. Pavements are now for various reasons the highway... as regular walkers here in northants one is always keeping a look out for those who appear like the wind ..so we are on footpaths not country lanes......quite why we walkers have to be intiminated is a part of our disregard for fellow uses of our land. Cycling has changed from club runs to a drive on speed and a fitness regime preparing for the tour of france ....it is a sure downhill move to let bikes on footpaths, as it was fought for a Footpath only.
Jenny Wren
03 November 2019Many well trod walking paths are bridleways already Peter, and cyclists have every right to be there. Whenever a proposal like this is made there are negative comments from some dyed in the wool walkers. Many of us enjoy walking and cycling though. To suggest that mountain bikers shouldn't have access because of the irresponsible attitude of a few would be akin to saying walkers shouldn't have access rights because a few of them are irresponsible, leave gates open, drop litter, etc. Furthermore the notion that bikes (as a general rule) do more damage to a path than walkers do was disproved by an Aberdeen University study in the 1990s. The only time a bike causes more erosion is on a soft sloping trail, where tyre ruts can create a course for a micro-stream, which will exacerbate soil removal.
Mr Brian Holmes
07 November 2019Definitely No more paths to be open to mountain bikers. I have often encountered their unreasonable behaviour on paths in the Peak District. Only yesterday my friend and I we’re almost mown down by one individual hurtling down the PATH from Hope Brink to Ladybower reservoir which is becoming dangerously eroded due to the use by mountain bikers, a Path, Not a bridle way. He then compounded his inconsiderate behaviour by one wheel walking his bike back past us on the Path intent on a repeat showing of his rough ride technique to friends on the summit of Win Hill, what were they doing with bikes up there ? This type of behaviour by Mountain bikers in the Peak District is all too common.
Paul Freeman
29 November 2019I have to say as a 4x4 driver that you are barking up the wrong tree. As we have found the walking groups are most vocal critics of anyone who does not follow in there chosen hobby. As they have closed down so many roads and track that 4x4s have driven for years and continue to be campaigning against all to be closed for 4x4 use I am sure MTB will be next on there hit list.