We aim to work with other groups and the authorities. We need a solution to enable a fairer, more prosperous and all inclusive Peak District National Park.
In my opinion, speaking as business owner it appears to me that by closing lanes, the authorities have used their powers to discourage an affluent group of tourists from the Peak District. Speaking as a keen cyclist, dog walker and a trail rider, I think everyone has the right to visit the Countryside. We do not seek to rid the Peak park from any other users. We simply want the right to use a reasonable and fair amount of lanes available to motorcycles to enable us to enjoy the Peak District just like everyone else”.
Andrew Richardson.
The route closure programme of our green lanes that appears to be underway in the Peak District is extremely worrying. At present there are only about 80 legal green lanes available in the area ranging from two hundred yards to a mile or two long. We expect several of these to be restricted by Traffic Regulation Orders in the next year. This will remove our rights to enjoy riding these carriageways that we have been enjoying for over one hundred years. It is an assault on the cultural heritage of motorcycling and an assault on our freedom”.
Boyd Emmerich
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What the trail riders themselves say…
Esther C...
I walk, cycle, and trail ride. I even used to horse ride. For 40 years in my home country, the Peak District. Which ever activity I am doing I am always the same person. I take my time to chat with people whilst out doing ‘my thing’ and there is generally unspoken acknowledgement and appreciation that we are out there doing what we enjoy, be it the same thing or different. However there has been an increasing number of incidents over recent years where when I am on the trail bike I am snubbed, sneered at and I have even been physically pushed and verbally abused. I AM THE SAME PERSON. My choice of transport is my choice. People are being wrongly educated to assume that trail riders are doing something wrong , inconsiderate, or even illegal. The argument of Damage is nonsense. Wear and tear is being done by all user groups, that’s life. The point is to repair with cooperation and consideration. Thousands of pounds a year are spent on footpath repairs without any question of whether it is right or not. Hatred grows, often with little knowledge/ignorance.
Jim D…
I am grieved that we are singled out as a demise on the landscape just because we use a modern method of transport on a right of way which by the laws of the lands which have been in place for decades and we all abide by.
Why should we be made to feel as anti social types because we choose to enjoy an activity which is legal on the routes we respect and abide by because others do not share the same interest ?…. Are we not all equal and able to live in a civilised manor and all enjoy the lands, rights of way, scenery and local beauties of our mother country ?… To which we contribute heavily in s financial manor to local business’s which are struggling in current climates, let alone fuel, associated fuel tax and road tax….
Surely this is an act of victimisation ……
Nick A…
I pay my way, I’m legal I respect others and the areas I ride. Why should I be stopped doing something I enjoy due to the fact other user groups just don’t like motorcycles…
Ginge H…
Blaming off road vehicles for all the damage is discrimination against one user group. Natural erosion, the annual 10 million footfall of walkers, horse riders, mountain bikers and farm vehicles must also accept responsibility for the damage caused, are we considering banning everyone then? The 2.5% of byways open to all traffic are there as rights of way for vehicle access, stopping access and then spending money on improving/upgrading/flattening a route is a waste of money if vehicles cannot use it anymore. Take Stanage Edge as an example the County Council have ruined it more than any motorcycle or 4×4 tyre ever did, the weather was responsible for that erosion but you’d rather blame the off road community to appease the walkers who incidental have 97.5% of vehicle free paths and lanes to roam but prefer confrontation on our bits. It appears that the PDNP is open to the chosen few and not everyone, who’s next on the not wanted list?
Andrew P…
I’m not a walker, but by getting to places on my bike and seeing how beautiful it is we now go out walking to these places as a family, it’s big enough to be shared by all and I hope that my children when old enough will be able to ride the same lanes when there old enough.
Paul D…
I have as much right to use legal lanes, on my fully legal motorbike. I ride respectfully to the land and to others, but find others do not treat me the same way. I do not drop litter, allow my dogs to harass livestock, allow my horse to deficate and be left there, leave gates open, go off the legal byways, yet I am the only user of the lanes that is having my rights withdrawn. With so many lanes closing, it is obvious that the ones left will be used more, and therefore become overpopulated.
Craig A. T…
We stick to the lanes they stick to the footpaths its as simple as that…. surely…
A Member…
I think”Byway and UCR closures in the Peak District unfairly and disproportionately affect the amenity of motorcyclists who rely on the National Park as a means of leisure.
Motorcyclists contribute to the local hospitality economy by way of food, drink and accommodation. Other user groups are typically ‘day trippers’ who bring their own food and drink.
Anti-motorcycle…
Campaign groups have repeated the same demonstrably false arguments for closure so often that people have started to believe them. The typical (115kg) weight of a trail motorcycle has no more – perhaps even less – effect on the condition of rights of way surface when compared to that of a typical (550kg) horse. Nowhere is this more evident than my home County of Wiltshire where seasonal TROs to prohibit use by four-wheeled vehicles have kept many popular byways in identical condition to bridleway – the Monarch’s Way National Trail being a good example.
Wiltshire…
is home to the majority of England’s byways, which – through the application of common sense, responsible management, parity in entitlement and mutual respect – enable all user groups to safely and responsibly share rights of way.
Kristian M…
I am a mature user of legal rights of ways. I have a respectable job, I am honest and caring and respect others. I ride a legal motorcycle, I close gates, I ride with respect for other users and do little or no damage to the land. I ride a horse also which makes terrible damage but is more acceptable. My preferred form of transport is not greeted with the same respect, why? I really don’t know; but, I am equally deserving of using these legal rights of way. Please don’t take any more away from us, the majority of us are a decent bunch who want to protect our wonderful countryside. Thank you. Christian Mills
Joe M…
I also enjoy walking and cycling and all things outdoors and I have witnessed more hostility and aggression from fellow walkers and cyclists than I have from greenlaners. And I have also witnessed walkers discarding litter and cyclists throwing plastic bottles and empty sachets of energy products. If the walking community were so dedicated to the environment they would take litter home to be binned responsibly. It would also appear that despite the best efforts of greenlaners to slow down and give way to walkers and cyclists we are often met with aggression. It is little wonder that many riders just pass as quickly as possible as they do not want confrontation.
We Think…
Our opinion is that all users have their impact on the peak district. Walkers boots, mountain bikes, horses and trail bikes all make tracks in the lanes. None of this appears to be permanent to us. Cyclists and motorcycles are light and feature air filled rubber tyres. Mud displacement by any user group whether by foot or riding bikes or horses is mostly non permanent. The mud is not being taken away from the area.
In our opinion To rid the peak district of motorcycle tourism and depriving local business from the income would be like shutting down Skegness front because some people don’t like to see the footmarks in the sand beach. We think jobs and income for people and families is far more important than a few non permanent tracks in the mud. We don’t think any amount of mud displacement could ever affect the overall panoramic views of the Peak District.
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