Cycling on Bridleways

What is it?

At common law, a bridleway carries a right of way on foot, on horseback, and leading a horse.

The Countryside Act 1968 gave additional rights to those on bicycles. Section 30(1) says,

“Any member of the public shall have, as a right of way, the right to ride a bicycle, not being a mechanically propelled vehicle, on any bridleway, but in exercising that right cyclists shall give way to pedestrians and persons on horseback.’

Constraints

Subsection (2) sets out that the right to bicycle on a bridleway can be restricted by a highway authority order or by byelaws.

Example

No-cycling orders have been made in the area on the following path:
Aldenham 26 bridleway where Hertsmere Borough Council made a no cycling order in 1979.