Trail behind

How come cyclists are excluded from so much rideable terrain in England and Wales?

- Laura Laker

OPINION: THE GOLDEN AGE OF CYCLING?

That path, you know the one, that goes behind the houses and out into the fields, the wood, the park, the waterside, the general wilderness beyond (delete as necessary)? The one that takes you traffic-free, to your favourite places? If you're in England or Wales, there's roughly an 80% chance you're trespassing by using it.

The right to roam has become a hot topic since wild camping on Dartmoor was effectively banned in a landmark ruling this year. While officials traditionally equate roaming with walking, for many of you reading this, that could also mean getting out on your bike. For the growing numbers of us choosing to avoid the ever-larger vehicles on ever-busier roads, off-road paths are a place of respite, and quiet wonder.

Thanks to sometimes centuries-old laws, though, laid down before the bicycle was invented, people cycling are excluded from all but 22% of rights of way paths in England, and 21% in Wales. These bridleways, byways and footpaths each have quirky sets of restrictions that can leave even sections of the same path intermittently out of bounds for cycling.