3 Peaks of Yorkshire, Help!

[JamesLee]

Hi guys for all that don't know me I'm James and bike with the east Yorkshire crew. On the 17th of April I will be attempting to bike the 3 peaks, I am aware that only 60% is only rideable so the bike will be over the shoulder and carried up the steep bits. In a legality aspect I am aware that footpaths of any description are not allowed to be ridden but we will be setting off at 4 in the morning to avoid people, My question is, is there any law against me pushing the bike on a footpath? Also I read somewhere that the footpaths must have the correct no cycling sign from the highway code to be enforceable, is there any truth to this and would this be relevant out in the sticks?

 

[JamesLee]

Also if anyone could recommend an alternate route if we get thrown off that would be a great help, cheers!

 

[kingoffootball]

Re:

Tricky one this, though there's plenty of info online if you have a search around. Technically, I believe pushing your bike is prohibited as well as riding it. I generally work on the basis of ensuring I don't in any way diminish any other user of the footpath's enjoyment, so just being generally understanding and courteous to other people. I've had a few incidents of land owners being a little upset, but technically all they can do is claim damages to the footpath from you and the advice generally is should they threaten to take things that far then if you offer reasonable recompense (e.g. 20p per mile or something) then legally they would be very unlikely to win anything if they tried to take it further.

As an aside, I "rode" up Goatfell on Arran last year, which involved clambering with my Zaskar on my shoulder for the last few miles, but I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Good luck and have fun!

 

[JamesLee]

Re:

Okay buddy thanks for your input, we will be setting off very early in the morning to avoid as many people as we can, we have walked it a few times and fancied a new challenge so carting my bike up all 3 seemed a good idea! This will be found out next week haha

 

[Unclejack]

i always thought there was a distiction between footpath and footway. footway is a path by a road and is a criminal offence to cycle on. to have a bike on a footpath is tresspass and a civil offence. the land owner could therefor sue if he caught you. but as you have just told the world where when and who you are that should be pretty easy for them.

 

[Rich Aitch]

I doubt you will encounter much difficulty. Unclejack is quite right, trespass is a civil offence, not a criminal one, so a landowner could bleat all they like about getting you arrested but the Police would just tell him- or her- to "Speak to the hand!" If they want to prosecute you the landlord can do but the responsibility is on them to prove that you caused damage. Not that damage was caused- over Bank Holiday weekend that could be anyone- but that you caused it. A whole basketful of expert witnesses would have difficulty making that stick!
The most likely legal difficulty is that if you are maimed with bicycle on a footpath/ footway you may not be able to successfully sue the landlord for compo, even if the path were to be in poor condition or neglected. This is because you were not using the path for it's intended purpose. Likewise if you have personal injury cover for cycling your insurer may spot your trespass as a convenient excuse for not paying up.
Also you'd get a very long "More in sorrow than in anger" Bollocking from the Cave Rescue Organisation [Local Mountain rescue team]!