[Closed] Confused. Why no Thread on Wales access update?

Link to the update?

But just imagine it, access to bike almost anywhere on high parts of Wales. That fabulous rocky footpath you have generally avoided is now up for grabs whenever you want.

I've no idea, other than a mental busy Snowdon path, why anyone would pay attention to such archaic nonsense in the first place.

4 April?

I thought it was still being debated/discussed...has it now been passed and access has been improved? Awesome news.

Sounds great, though I'd also agree with nobeer - not because I'm a dutty scot 😛 but because I live in an area with such ludicrous bike access "rules" that they're begging to be ignored

There was a thread, Welsh Access Proposals, but most other people missed it too.

But, as mentioned above, it's still at the discussion stage, and nothing has yet been implemented.

How would it work? Would it be anything about 1,500ft for example so in essence it’s a waste of time because you the first 1,500ft you are not allowed to ride ?

I can't wait if it comes into fruition. I live on the border and I know already which trails and footpaths I'm going to ride as soon as the law changes. Will improve my options tenfold.

I’ve no idea, other than a mental busy Snowdon path, why anyone would pay attention to such archaic nonsense in the first place.

Because some of us don't like aggro from landowners or other trail users.

How would it work?

Adding cyclists to open access areas, and footpaths default to cycling access unless there's a reason not to e.g. unsuitable trail

Maybe because you can already ride an awful lot of Wales as it is, but more access is good news obvs. I've got a soft spot for the area around Llyn Brianne and the Elan Valley in mid Wales, never had a problem with access even when improvising over moors.

Because some of us don’t like aggro from landowners or other trail users.

Simple. Don't ride like a dick, I've rode footpaths in the Lakes for years and never had an issue.

As for 'landowners', meh.

Wales is mostly empty of walkers, apart from Snowdon. So why not leave it as it is and just be polite if you meet someone while out riding. Creating a fuss for access that lots of us / most of us have been happy to not see as a problem may actually end up creating one. Now there will be rules and focus on them. We could end up with more problems.

Simple. Don’t ride like a dick, I’ve rode footpaths in the Lakes for years and never had an issue.

I've had aggro before. It upsets me, I'm a delicate flower. You don't have to ride like a dick to get aggro when you're on footpaths.

I do ride footpaths and nothing paths when I'm sure no-one is going to care, as do most people in the Valleys. Most people consider the mountains public domain anyway and always have.

Dont hold your breath.
Was involved in the access to water plans a few years ago and they got momentum and were killed off, can’t see this going any other way tbh. I’ll be amazed if it changes anything.

Even if it did, you’d still have the main issues of aggro to contend with and busy footpaths.

Now there will be rules and focus on them.

There are already rules. Not sure how allowing us to ride more trails legally will cause legal problems? You will enjoy legal protection for your riding which I think is better than being a trespasser.

We could end up with more problems.

I think that's unduly pessimistic, though I do acknowledge the rationale behind it.

It's worth noting that although the Trails for Wales campaign's successful lobbying of the Welsh Gov was largely thanks to Cycling UK and the British Horse Soc's teamwork (with notable support from Open MTB, BC and others), the impetus was there from the WG and the drivers are not just letting MTBers ride on FPs.

It's also about economic development (creating a tourism draw), active travel, active leisure for locals and probably a bit of social progressiveness and political pragmatism.

The legislation, if it goes smoothly, will take a while yet (years not months I guess) but it will emphatically be a big win for cycling and will make England the odd one out on the mainland UK.

Anyone interested in this, please do follow OpenMTB on Facebook for updates etc...

For transparency, I'm chair of OpenMTB, but on a personal note I'd love to see more discussion of where we're all looking forward to riding.

I do ride footpaths and nothing paths when I’m sure no-one is going to care, as do most people in the Valleys. Most people consider the mountains public domain anyway and always have.

+1.

Most of the riding around here is on ex-industrial land, so there is an obvious lack of ROWs, especially bridleways. Also south Wales doesn't have the horsey set who would have campaigned for bridleways like in some parts of the country. So, on paper, there is a lack of 'legal' riding. However, because there is no ROW for anyone, in practice it means that we just go where we want anyway. Same as the walkers, horses, motorbikes...

One of the best set of trails in Swansea is permissive, on a hill overlooking the city centre. Until recently there wasn't a single ROW to the top for anyone. I've walked, run and cycled it for decades. I helped plant the trees for the reclamation project in the 70s. Recently a group formed to campaign (successfully) for a footpath. It has made no difference at all to anyone's use of the hill. I'm not sure that open access will change much around here.

Even if it did, you’d still have the main issues of aggro to contend with and busy footpaths.

If only there was somewhere close at hand where you could get an idea of how it might work in practice.

@chakaping

For transparency, I’m chair of OpenMTB, but on a personal note I’d love to see more discussion of where we’re all looking forward to riding.

Transparency? You're joking right?

Transparency? You’re joking right?

Erm, would you care to elaborate on that? Bit cryptic for me.

From the website:

At present we’re not a membership organisation, but you can still support our campaign activity. So far we’ve made waves with Trails for Wales, we’ve played a leading role in the UK’s largest ever off-road cycling survey, and there will be more to come.

Stay up to date by following our Facebook page or Twitter account, or signing-up to our mailing list (or ideally all three).

If you’re a member of a trail building or advocacy group, please join our network. We can put you in touch with other groups around the country to share advice and best practice, feature you in our directory of partner groups, and more. Contact us for further details.

So there is no list of who is involved, no constitution and no way of joining. There is a photograph and names of of four blokes claiming to be the "committee". Which implies there is more to it than four blokes (but maybe not?) Groups can join "your network". Whatever that is.

I remember a couple of years ago your page contained a collage of logos of various mtb-related businesses and organisations, but that seems to have gone.

Why the secrecy?

Thanks, I take your point about constitution etc. and it's something that is going to happen when volunteer time permits.

We have already addressed some of your other observations actually, the full committee is listed here with pics...
http://openmtb.org.uk/about-us/openmtb-committee/

And the network map page is now functional again (thanks to Antony DeHev)...
http://openmtb.org.uk/our-network/

No secrecy. Perhaps not the optimal level of organisational efficiency, but again we are limited by volunteers' available time and varying levels of enthusiasm.

@ Chakaping thank you. I take my hat off to all those who volunteer and use up their own time for the sport. Having a voice "out there" is needed. (As I used to be an active member of NWMBA I am aware of the hard work that goes on in the background) keep up the good work.