AIBU to challenge cyclists riding on rural footpaths?

It does matter to walkers who find their pastime ruined by the damage caused by entitled, thoughtless cyclists.

Also, I am a cyclist who regularly rides on a particular footpath to and from work. It crosses a golf course. I only cycle when it is dry. I have never been challenged by a pedestrian, but I have played out the below exchange in my head for if I ever am:

Pedestrian: "you aren't supposed to cycle here!"
Me: "I know, it's stupid isn't it?"
P: "eh?"
M: "well just look at it, a lovely wide and well surfaced path, on a convenient route into town, with good visibility and plenty of space for more people to use it"
P: "but it's a footpath, you shouldn't be here"
M: "well I guess my only other option is the a-road over there, do you think that is a good place for cyclists?"
P: "hell no, you would slow down all the proper traffic"
M: "and I would be lucky to make it to work without being killed. So what should I do? Would the world be a better place if I didn't cycle and just added yet another car to rush hour traffic?"
P: "...."
M: "have a nice day!"

So in the right circumstances, I think it is totally find to cycle on a footpath, and I would encourage everyone to ask themselves what harm is really being done (and also what good is being done, "one less car" and all that) before challenging all cyclists.

I agree that sometimes it is totally inappropriate and cyclists can be dicks just like anyone else.

You could dismount, walk round people then get on again, and go on your way?

@LongtimelurkerfinallypostsI think ringing the bell - tow paths were designed for horses so I guess cyclists are ok on them but cyclists need to be aware of people on foot who cannot easily get out of the way, so you need to be prepared to stop.

In my bit of the countryside, most cyclists in this very leafy beechwood area do mostly stay on the bridleways. Many of which are actually much narrower than they should be. When I see them on footpaths, they are often going faster then they should and they are the arrogant Lycra clad riders who just do what they want. They throw their bikes over the kissing gates and do not take any care when they see walkers. They don’t seem to possess bells! It’s impossible to stop them and it’s just how certain elements of the cycling public have become. It’s like an ill considerate cult. We have lots of after dark riding here (I think cycling clubs) and they are some of the worst for using footpaths - I see them exit from a footpath opposite my house. We have a good network of bridleways and there’s no excuse.

Since the GB team started winning medals in cycling it’s become an obsession with some (mostly men) to do what they want and go where they want. Bad bike behaviour has multiplied. They know they are untouchable and nothing will happen to them. Like a sub section of any cult, they are not behaving in an acceptable way. Nothing anyone can do to stop it though. My County Council doesn’t even mention on their web site that cyclists should not be on footpaths. They only mention it’s illegal for cars to be on bridleways. They just bow to the men in Lycra so they become more arrogant.

On bike bells vs saying "excuse me".

I have rung my bell and been told "you could have just said excuse me!"

And I have called "good morning, excuse me please" and been told that I should get a bell and use it.

So, my suggestion, is please accept either method of alert in a friendly way. Unless you literally write your preferred method of hailing on the back of you clothes, all we can do is make our best guess of what you prefer, and we are not mind readers.

Of course cyclists shouldn’t be on footpaths, they often damage them, and the paths just aren’t designed/evolved or maintained for them. They need to stick to roads, cycle paths, bridle paths and any other designated ‘shared use’ paths there might be.
We’ve sometimes challenged cyclists on the wrong path.

Pretty much any path which is suitable for bikes is already a bridle way.

For cyclists on shared routes, shout ‘morning’ and ting the bell in plenty of time. Don’t, please, ride up behind me then ting frenziedly as though you’re about to miss a PB.

And where there are off lead dogs, be aware they are effectively like toddlers. Trained but unpredictable as they don’t see the world the way you do.

There’s a real shift in society from rule following for better social cohesion, to do what you like if you can get away with it.
People tend not to bother understanding the reason for the various rules, then say ‘I didn’t realise’, when they’ve caused chaos for some farmer or walker.

It’s a swift and slippery slope to a really unpleasant, dog eat dog world.

Oh my god. The gangs in the middle of the road, slowing down the traffic. Don't get me started.

They are breaking the law. Why is that okay?
Do you take the same approach to cyclists on the pavement in London or gangs of them in the middle of the road in the Lake District?
Unless you’ve come up against them you have no idea of their rudeness, arrogance or the actual damage that they cause.
It’s bad enough having them on bridleways (the clue’s in the name) but sadly that’s legal but they are a menace on footpaths and I challenge them as well, every single time. They get what they deserve.
Rant over (for now)

Bikes on footpaths are a danger. Footpaths are a minimum width and Bridleways are much wider for safety reasons.
Fast mountain bikes coming round blind bends where there are walkers and loose dogs are an accident waiting to happen. It also tends to lead to the path then being used by motorbikes and quad bikes and walkers placed at risk.
I've also had a mountain biker crash into my horse when on my own land.

Nobody wants to stop cyclists or riders, but rules need to be respected for very good reasons.
Also basic etiquette dictates that cyclists should give way to walkers, yet how often does that happen?

Bikes are entitled to be on bridle ways alongside you and your horse - assuming you are in England and Wales.

in Scotland bikes are entitled to be on nearly all pathways.

A cyclist has ran into me on a pavement before - that time it was an innocent accident because both of us weren't looking where we were going - I did shout at her though to get off the pavement.

When it is obvious that the cyclist has seen me on the pavement/footpath, I refuse to move. I am not accommodating them at all. There have been a few that have moaned at me or said something. This is when I let rip and say something back about right of way!

I move because I'm scared of being run into. I was knocked over once.

But it does annoy me when having moved out of self preservation they have the nerve to shout thanks...

I don't want them on the path at all, I'm afraid.

Really doesn’t matter in the grand scheme of things.

Is it is easy to report mistakes and get routes removed on those apps? Do the people you know do that? Sounds important, to their cycling community, otherwise bad information is going to keep building up.

Good points.

Scotland has been mentioned. I think because we have grown up with the privilege of right to roam there is more consideration, more understanding of balancing the needs of the various groups and of the rural work that is going on around us. I'm not saying there aren't ever problems like carelessness leading to wildfires, dogs being let loose on hills where sheep roam etc but generally everyone does their part in making right to roam work.

Of course you’re right OP. It’s a footpath, on your land.

Some people really don’t know, others are pushing their luck. Knowing they might get pulled up on it could make a difference to their choices.

The level of whataboutery and special pleading on the thread will be reflected in real life though. There’s always a very special reason why rules don’t apply to them and you will always be the big meany for pointing out that rules not only exist but do apply to special little them too.

Absolutely. It's so common where I live.
They also have the unpleasant habit of ringing their bells to make people jump out of their way.
Rude and entitled.

If a cyclist is wrongly on a pavement, I will not move to the side for them. I will stay in the middle of the pavement and make them go round me.

Same with footpaths (only when there is very clear signage). Stay in the middle of the footpath to make it difficult for them to pass.

Saying something is risky. Not everybody takes kindly to being told off.

Im happy to share the space.

You’re totally in the right. Good for you for challenging entitled idiots. They are spoiling things for other people.

Sadly, it seems that more and more people are inconsiderate these days.

Where we used to live people rode on footpaths every day and that was in a suburb. Every day I challenged them. I don’t know how I wasn’t hurt, but it didn’t stop me! It’s a hill I will die on!

I agree with you on the no one group having a monopoly on selfishness! We live near a part of a national cycle route where there's a split shared path and it's very common to see runners in the bike half, or families taking the entire path up by spreading right across it leaving no room for anybody to pass.

The other thing I'd say is that sometimes the apps cyclists use to plan routes (things like Map My Ride, Komoot, Strava, etc) are often community based, so people record routes that others can then follow. If the person who recorded the route went on a footpath, it may not always be evident to the next person that follows it. Sometimes the apps pick it up and warn you, sometimes they don't. I know DS2 and his friends have made this mistake before and once or twice have got lost or chosen the wrong path. I wouldn't mind someone pointing it out to them, but in general there's no need to be yelling at people, especially if they've made an honest mistake and nobody has been harmed. That isn't going to encourage people to do the right thing.