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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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:
Flamingojune · 26/04/2026 21:36

Policeanyone101 · 26/04/2026 21:31

Thanks @Pugglywuggly I know perfectly well what’s happening with humanity right now and basic courtesy might go a long way from a basic level but I don’t think you’d ever understand from your crass replies❤️

Edited

And yet you're the one swearing

Policeanyone101 · 26/04/2026 21:31

Thanks @Pugglywuggly I know perfectly well what’s happening with humanity right now and basic courtesy might go a long way from a basic level but I don’t think you’d ever understand from your crass replies❤️

OP posts:
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 😂

Policeanyone101 · 26/04/2026 21:26

Some of the replies on here makes me realise why the cyclists are so fucking entitled!! It’s a footpath for walkers who don’t want to encounter speeding bikes, the countryside isn’t a fucking free for all! @Gingercar thank you, you understand simply courtesy doesn’t exist anymore! @Pugglywuggly your the perfect example of everything that’s wrong with society!

OP posts:
rollerblind · 26/04/2026 21:21

We have a footpath running through our farm and despite lots of signage to say footpath only no cycling, the cyclists lift their bicycles over the gates and ride on the footpath. We challenge it every time we see it and ask them to push their bike the rest of the way or go back the way they came. It’s rude and entitled.

Gingercar · 26/04/2026 21:14

AuntChippy · 26/04/2026 21:05

What harm are they doing? I would have no idea of the rules. I’d assume cyclists are allowed.

They’re on private land, which has a right of way across it for people ON FOOT. It doesn’t matter whether they are doing any harm or not, they’ve no right to be there on a bike. It’s someone’s property, not a free park. It wouldn’t do any harm if I cut across your garden with my dog every day, but you probably wouldn’t like it…

Gingercar · 26/04/2026 21:11

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AuntChippy · 26/04/2026 21:05

What harm are they doing? I would have no idea of the rules. I’d assume cyclists are allowed.

Flossette · 26/04/2026 21:03

quocket · 26/04/2026 20:58

Cyclists aren’t allowed on them?

If it’s a bridleway they are if it’s a footpath they aren’t. I’m not sure OP understands this.

PillsBox · 26/04/2026 20:59

Nowt wrong with a little bit of anarchy to brighten a dull day.

quocket · 26/04/2026 20:58

Cyclists aren’t allowed on them?

Pugglywuggly · 26/04/2026 20:55

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Flossette · 26/04/2026 20:45

If it’s a bridleway they can use it. You should ride on them too. Use your public rights of way or lose them.