Disturbing for off raod bikers

[Black5]

Published in Cornish newspaper West Briton this week.

Clampdown on bikers:
www.thisiscornwall.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=144375&command=displayContent&sourceNode=144303&contentPK=16422165&folderPk=83299&pNodeId=146877

edited to say: sorry about the 'road' spellling

Edited by Black5 on Thursday 25th January 20:26

[odyssey2200]

Well they have banned us from just about everywhere in Wiltshire.

Bloody ramblers and horse riders think they have the only right to use ancient right of way.

BLair and the Countryside Rights Of Way Act (CROW) has screwed us all.

Rather than clamping down of the illegal bikes, kids with no licence, MOT, insurance etc they pass a Nu Labia special law that everyone

We used to ride the Ridgeway for miles, being careful and courtious but the snotty nosed ramblers have stopped it all.

I once pulled up to a gateway thay was ankle deep in mud, where a woman rambler was attempting to tip toe through the gloop.

I could have pulled a wheely throught the lot and soaked her from head to toe but NO!
I stopped and offered her a lift through the mud. and what did i get as my reward?
Abuse about Bloody bikes shouldn't be allowed.

So a quick twist of the right grip and sod em all!

[juliann]

It's a difficult one this. I live next to a BOAT in Cornwall - it's remote and impassable to traffic except walkers, horses and bikes. It's occasionally used by bikes (5 or 6 a week), which is fine if they ride sensibly acknowledging there's a riding stable at one end of the BOAT and horses in adjacent fields, and the potential of kids / animals around my property----but, some do ride, in my opinion, irresponsibly and also I guess I'd become wound up if the frequency & numbers grew to an extend that they effect my 'quiet enjoyment' of my house. I do worry that the action taken in some areas around Redruth will just shift and concentrate the bikes to other areas - probably better to have a few bikes in lots of places than lots of bikes in a few places.

[ewenm]

The rules for rights-of-way are fairly well defined.
Footpath - people on foot only, no horses/bicycles/motorobikes etc.
Bridleways - as footpath plus horses and bicycles, no powered vehicles.
Byway Open to All Traffic (BOAT) - Offroad route open to everyone.
Road Used as Public Path (RUPP) - Route open to everyone.

The problem is that there aren't enough BOATs and RUPPs to allow offroad bikers to do interesting routes. If the bikers then use footpaths and bridleways it's bound to annoy the other users. I enjoy engine-based activites, but am more often looking for an escape from that when I'm in the hills.

The solution has to be for the councils and landowners to agree access rights for bikers either by reclassifying some existing trails or finding areas that can be prioritised for bikers.

[tvrjohn]

Councils should agree with Trail Riders Federation, conscessionary routes
so there are legal places to ride offroad, Then there would be no need for them to go "illegally"

[black5]

juliann said:

It's a difficult one this. I live next to a BOAT in Cornwall - it's remote and impassable to traffic except walkers, horses and bikes. It's occasionally used by bikes (5 or 6 a week), which is fine if they ride sensibly acknowledging there's a riding stable at one end of the BOAT and horses in adjacent fields, and the potential of kids / animals around my property----but, some do ride, in my opinion, irresponsibly and also I guess I'd become wound up if the frequency & numbers grew to an extend that they effect my 'quiet enjoyment' of my house. I do worry that the action taken in some areas around Redruth will just shift and concentrate the bikes to other areas - probably better to have a few bikes in lots of places than lots of bikes in a few places.

Where's your BOAT? I guessing we probably ride it occasionally.

I do agree regarding the consideration for others. One lane we ride has signs saying 'Slow Please'. The reason is the horses he keeps in the nearby field. The really nice thing is the last sign says 'Thank you'. Definately a nice guy & we always obey his signs.
We also have an place where they breed pheasant. We have been asked to push the bikes along there. It's no hassle for 50 yards or so.

This I think shows that there are considerate bikers out there, but we still get more sh1t than we deserve.

[agent006]

article said:

In one case earlier this month, a motorcyclist rode over the foot of a woman who had remonstrated with him on a local footpath.

[quote=reality perhaps?]In one case earlier this month a motorcyclist rode over the foot of a woman after recieving a foul mouthed torrent of misinformed abuse.[/quote]

Interesting to read that the Chairperson of the Rambler's association is to stand trial for racist abuse. I see a theme emerging.

[juliann]

black5 said:

Where's your BOAT?

It's not my BOAT - which really is the crux - it's everyones BOAT, for everyone to enjoy - be it bikes, horses, walking the dog etc...

I'll try the signs, that's a good idea just to make people aware of the dangers to others & themselves - although I'd bet the council would have a go at me despite their own illegal signing of the lane.

You'll recognise the BOAT when you see a pistonheads logo on the signs :-)

[odyssey2200]

agent006 said:

article said:

In one case earlier this month, a motorcyclist rode over the foot of a woman who had remonstrated with him on a local footpath.

[quote=reality perhaps?]In one case earlier this month a motorcyclist rode over the foot of a woman after recieving a foul mouthed torrent of misinformed abuse.

Interesting to read that the Chairperson of the Rambler's association is to stand trial for racist abuse. I see a theme emerging.[/quote]


Why was her foot under the bikes wheel?

Ths eems like an impossibility.

Go and stand next to your bike. as if remonstrating withthe rider.
Now look at how far away your feet are from the wheels.

Even if the rider rode atthe woman the handle bars would have hit her first not the tyres.

I smell something111
Is it buffalo, ox? No! it's Bull!!!!

[black5]

juliann said:

black5 said:

Where's your BOAT?

It's not my BOAT - which really is the crux - it's everyones BOAT, for everyone to enjoy - be it bikes, horses, walking the dog etc...

I'll try the signs, that's a good idea just to make people aware of the dangers to others & themselves - although I'd bet the council would have a go at me despite their own illegal signing of the lane.

You'll recognise the BOAT when you see a pistonheads logo on the signs :-)

I meant where abouts is it?