Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to challenge cyclists riding on rural footpaths?

213 replies

Policeanyone101 · 26/04/2026 20:43

If you’re on a bike stay off footpaths!

I live very rurally and in the last few years we’ve had an increase in cyclists on the footpath through part of our fields, occasionally I do challenge these cyclists as I can see them from our house and they always have very arrogant entitled retorts as why they should be there (to get to our path they need to cross either kissing gates or a bridge with v sides to prevent bikes).

I have a horse and ride and by reason of the entitled cyclists I should use footpaths too but I don’t because I have common courtesy and use only permitted places to ride. My DH thinks I’m mad for challenging people but my argument is if we all ignore the rules there will be anarchy? I only ask because DH thinks I traumatised a poor lone cyclist this evening.

OP posts:
FernandoSor · 26/04/2026 22:44

Policeanyone101 · 26/04/2026 22:40

I am the landowner and I live in quite a small community in an area that seems to attract very entitled people.

Show quote history

If you are the landowner then you have every right to stop them and if they persist to take legal action.

FernandoSor · 26/04/2026 22:41

MsAdoraBelleDearheartVonLipwig · 26/04/2026 22:14

It’s the horses round here. We have miles of lovely open field borders that the landowner has opened up but no, they have to ride up the only actual footpath as well, churning it up and leaving it full of ruts and holes. And no, it isn’t instead of going in the road, the footpath comes off the lane at the same point as the field borders. It would just be nice to have one path that doesn’t risk a broken ankle.

This will absolutely be with the landowners permission - probably family or friends. We have been berated by ramblers for riding on footpaths on our own family’s land!

MsAdoraBelleDearheartVonLipwig · 26/04/2026 22:41

Policeanyone101 · 26/04/2026 22:26

I’m sorry the horse riders aren’t considerate near you, they should be, as a horse rider we stay off the bridleways through winter for that exact reason, my horse had feet like dinner plates and chops up the ground so we only use bridle paths in the summer when the ground is hard so we don’t make craters for walkers.

Show quote history

That’s kind of you. I wonder if they even realise it’s a footpath, the signs are quite old. They’ve made such a mess of the borders too, I can’t believe they’re safe to ride on now, they’re full of rock hard ruts and holes. They’ve spoiled it for themselves too.

Original poster
Policeanyone101 · 26/04/2026 22:40

FernandoSor · 26/04/2026 22:37

You certainly can challenge them but unless you are the landowner you have no say in the matter. If you have permission from the landowner it’s fine to ride or cycle (or drive a motor vehicle) on footpaths, if not it’s potentially a civil trespass (and a criminal offence in the case of a motor vehicle).

In reality, many landowners aren’t bothered or choose not to enforce and as a result a lot of footpaths are effectively permissive bridleways.

I’ve been challenged more than once by walkers for riding a bike or horse on a footpath on my own family’s land!

I am the landowner and I live in quite a small community in an area that seems to attract very entitled people.

OP posts:
lemonraspberry · 26/04/2026 22:38

I would not be too bothered as long as they don’t keep ringing their bells at me. Some of seem unable to actually talk, they just communicate through the medium of 🔔. Almost always a grown man.

FernandoSor · 26/04/2026 22:37

You certainly can challenge them but unless you are the landowner you have no say in the matter. If you have permission from the landowner it’s fine to ride or cycle (or drive a motor vehicle) on footpaths, if not it’s potentially a civil trespass (and a criminal offence in the case of a motor vehicle).

In reality, many landowners aren’t bothered or choose not to enforce and as a result a lot of footpaths are effectively permissive bridleways.

I’ve been challenged more than once by walkers for riding a bike or horse on a footpath on my own family’s land!

Original poster
Policeanyone101 · 26/04/2026 22:37

TheGrimSmile · 26/04/2026 22:32

Christ, leave the poor fuckers alone. It's not exactly a big deal. Let them enjoy their bikes. I just can't imagine ever getting worked up about something so petty.

That is a great sentiment but how do I explain to our local OAP’s using the footpath that they need to duck for over to the side of a narrow footpath of an arrogant cyclist?

OP posts:
ThisOneLife · 26/04/2026 22:32

Pugglywuggly · 26/04/2026 21:29

@Policeanyone101 "everything that's wrong with society" 😂 😂 😂

It's nice that your life is so sheltered that you can consider footpath etiquette the worst possible thing happening to humanity right now 😂

Stop digging.
Every post makes you look worse.

TheGrimSmile · 26/04/2026 22:32

Christ, leave the poor fuckers alone. It's not exactly a big deal. Let them enjoy their bikes. I just can't imagine ever getting worked up about something so petty.

Original poster
Policeanyone101 · 26/04/2026 22:29

outdooryone · 26/04/2026 22:28

This thread reminds me of one of the great reasons to live in Scotland. Access laws.

It only works if everyone is considerate, are they?

OP posts:
outdooryone · 26/04/2026 22:28

This thread reminds me of one of the great reasons to live in Scotland. Access laws.

Original poster
Policeanyone101 · 26/04/2026 22:26

MsAdoraBelleDearheartVonLipwig · 26/04/2026 22:14

It’s the horses round here. We have miles of lovely open field borders that the landowner has opened up but no, they have to ride up the only actual footpath as well, churning it up and leaving it full of ruts and holes. And no, it isn’t instead of going in the road, the footpath comes off the lane at the same point as the field borders. It would just be nice to have one path that doesn’t risk a broken ankle.

I’m sorry the horse riders aren’t considerate near you, they should be, as a horse rider we stay off the bridleways through winter for that exact reason, my horse had feet like dinner plates and chops up the ground so we only use bridle paths in the summer when the ground is hard so we don’t make craters for walkers.

OP posts:
bahramyou · 26/04/2026 22:23

Gingercar · 26/04/2026 21:52

Ha! Everyone I stop churns out “give and take” line. Yet they’re all take, no thought whatsoever for the people who own the land! Then you get dog walkers who expect their dogs to be off lead through fields of animals.

Show quote history

Well I guess there isn't much we can do to control anyone else's behaviour and their level of give and take. My only advice (from Gandhi who almost said), 'be the change you want to see in the world', which applies to most things I suppose!

MsAdoraBelleDearheartVonLipwig · 26/04/2026 22:14

It’s the horses round here. We have miles of lovely open field borders that the landowner has opened up but no, they have to ride up the only actual footpath as well, churning it up and leaving it full of ruts and holes. And no, it isn’t instead of going in the road, the footpath comes off the lane at the same point as the field borders. It would just be nice to have one path that doesn’t risk a broken ankle.

ChipAhoy · 26/04/2026 21:58

Where I am, there are lots of footpaths which have bridleways running parallel to them, or very close by. It is crazy the number of cyclists, who despite this extra provision, choose to use the footpaths. It's mountain bikers, who I presume enjoy the challenge of the generally more craggy/uneven footpaths.

It's ridiculously entitled and very dangerous for the pedestrians, as they go careering around the bends and up and down the hills, with no thought for who might be ahead of them. I know of at least two nasty accidents and countless near misses just on one path. When my dc were small I did occasionally, and very politely say that the bridleway was the other side and I was either ignored or told to fuck off.

There are plenty of signs up too, saying no cycles, please use bridleway, but these are generally defaced, or have the paint crossed out of scratched off. Some people literally can't bear to be told not to do something.

Yetone · 26/04/2026 21:54

borntobequiet · 26/04/2026 21:45

Bikes wreck footpaths for walkers. They churn up the mud and make them impassable.

Duplicate post.

Yetone · 26/04/2026 21:54

borntobequiet · 26/04/2026 21:45

Bikes wreck footpaths for walkers. They churn up the mud and make them impassable.

As a walker, I totally agree.

Original poster
Policeanyone101 · 26/04/2026 21:53

Ricecakes101 · 26/04/2026 21:49

Is OP the GM from the thread about dictator daughters ?!

Nope have not idea what your talking about!

ps which thread? Dictator daughters? I get on great with my mum? Or kids I only have sons?

OP posts:
Gingercar · 26/04/2026 21:52

bahramyou · 26/04/2026 21:42

There are 1000's of miles of footpaths and much more limited bridleways for cyclists where trying to make an off road round route often has to mean including riding on a busy road. The footpaths where I ride are usually empty and if I see anyone I will politely get off and let them pass. I have been challenged once or twice before (most people are fine with it if you give way to them) and usually stop and have a polite discussion about my friend who was killed in a head on accident by a car driver, on the road which usually reduces the tension. A little bit of give and take on both sides is my view.

Ha! Everyone I stop churns out “give and take” line. Yet they’re all take, no thought whatsoever for the people who own the land! Then you get dog walkers who expect their dogs to be off lead through fields of animals.

Original poster
Policeanyone101 · 26/04/2026 21:50

bahramyou · 26/04/2026 21:42

There are 1000's of miles of footpaths and much more limited bridleways for cyclists where trying to make an off road round route often has to mean including riding on a busy road. The footpaths where I ride are usually empty and if I see anyone I will politely get off and let them pass. I have been challenged once or twice before (most people are fine with it if you give way to them) and usually stop and have a polite discussion about my friend who was killed in a head on accident by a car driver, on the road which usually reduces the tension. A little bit of give and take on both sides is my view.

I agree there are many more bridle ways and as a horse rider and I would love to just use the footpath instead especially as I live in a county where more horses are killed on the road than anywhere in the country, but I don’t out of courtesy for footpath users

OP posts:
Ricecakes101 · 26/04/2026 21:49

Is OP the GM from the thread about dictator daughters ?!

borntobequiet · 26/04/2026 21:45

Bikes wreck footpaths for walkers. They churn up the mud and make them impassable.

bahramyou · 26/04/2026 21:42

There are 1000's of miles of footpaths and much more limited bridleways for cyclists where trying to make an off road round route often has to mean including riding on a busy road. The footpaths where I ride are usually empty and if I see anyone I will politely get off and let them pass. I have been challenged once or twice before (most people are fine with it if you give way to them) and usually stop and have a polite discussion about my friend who was killed in a head on accident by a car driver, on the road which usually reduces the tension. A little bit of give and take on both sides is my view.

Flossette · 26/04/2026 21:38

So it’s definitely not a bridleway? If not then feel free to tear them limb from limb.

Original poster
Policeanyone101 · 26/04/2026 21:37

Flamingojune · 26/04/2026 21:36

And yet you're the one swearing

Show quote history

Oh sorry thought that was allowed on here! I’ve negated all my arguments through swearing I’ll shuffle off now😭🫣

OP posts: