Greg Masters said:
On the OS Explorer maps (1:25,000) there are:
- Footpaths
- Bridleways
- Byways open to all traffic
- Road used as a public path
Which can I legally ride my road-legal bike over?
Greg
When "out and about" off-roading the following applies in general:
Footpaths are marked with a yellow arrow
Bridleways are marked with a blue arrow
Byways open to all traffic (BOAT) are marked with a red arrow
Road used as public path (RUPP) are marked with a green arrow
With a motorised vehicle you have a right to use a BOAT and in most cases a RUPP, unless there is a Traffic Restriction Order (TRO) in force. The only way to find out for certain on your right of way is to visit your County Council right of way office in your locality and view the "Definitive Map". Most Ordinance Survey maps are correct but do not show if a particular trail is subject to a TRO. However, the start of each trail that is subject to a TRO will have a notice showing this, it's the round one with the motorcycle jumping over the car if you look in the Highway Code.
Best thing to do is join your local Trail Rider Fellowship (TRF) and find the best trails to ride. The TRF is the National, voluntary and non-competitive body formed in 1970 by people who enjoyed exploring 'green lanes' by motorcycle.
Here in Sussex there are very few RUPP's and virtually no BOAT's due to the fact that the County Council ROW commitee are a bunch of toadies that comply with requests from Ramblers (s'cuse me while I spit) and land owners (spit again) to close off everything. In Surrey however, it's a different story. Well organised and they even print a leaflet called "A guide to vehicle off-road driving in Surrey" well done that lot!
