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Not good news for off road cyclists - East Hants MTB (15th Dec 2013 - 17:20:23) From one of our members; 'While on the range track this morning a Landmarc range warden stopped me and several other riders and told us that as of now no bikes are allowed on any of the tracks or paths. Bridle ways are OK, but you would need to access these via the main perimeter track. Hankley common stopped riders using army land last year and now Longmoor has done the same. There is a by-law that states this, but has not been upheld until now.'

Re: Not good news for off road cyclists - Richard (16th Dec 2013 - 17:55:01) There was a previous thread on this, and while MOD policy is being re-written in this area, they do not usually discourage MTB use either. Perhasps the bloke from Landmarc was bored.

Re: Not good news for off road cyclists - dawn (17th Dec 2013 - 11:58:12) Our boys have been cycling and running around the ranges for years and only very occasionally have had problems. I expect this was a new bloke or a 'jobsworth' as it is almost never enforced. I wouldn't let it put you off - it is a great ride and very safe for youngsters as well with no cars whizzing by. It is a great walk too and I am always amazed how few people take advantage of it.

Re: Not good news for off road cyclists - John (17th Dec 2013 - 16:46:32) This By-Law has been enforced previously by the range wardens if I remember correctly circa 1993 for a good couple of years and that included the range track.

Re: Not good news for off road cyclists - Rob (17th Dec 2013 - 18:16:36) Hmmm.... so its OK to ignore a byelaw. Must be OK to come round to your house and break in and steal your possessions then? Just so long as someone doesn't enforce a 'law' against it! Must be good to pick and choose which laws to follow. lol

Re: Not good news for off road cyclists - Richard (17th Dec 2013 - 18:54:03) The By Laws also permit use of roadways, and the MOD do not define what the roads are. I suspect if it can be driven down by an Army vehicle it is a road. If someone has a contact in Aldershot Garrison who is in the command chain, we may be able to get permission which will make it all moot.

Re: Not good news for off road cyclists - East Hants MTB (17th Dec 2013 - 20:58:39) Access info can be found here; https://www.gov.uk/public-access.... Can't read anything about allowing bicycle access anywhere. Its the MODs land and I guess they can enforce the by-law if they decide that's what they want to do. Its a shame as we are flanked by so much MOD owned land in this area that offers decent riding all year round that will no longer be accessible to us. Maybe there will be an official line from the MOD in the local paper as it affects the community?

Re: Not good news for off road cyclists - Janet (17th Dec 2013 - 22:33:34) They seem to keep changing their minds about whether or not to enforce the byelaw. In the mid to late '80s, cycling around the perimeter track became quite a hobby for many. A large group used to go out every Sunday, cycling around the ranges and finishing for a drink at the Pass field Oak. But there became too many cyclists using the track. I think perhaps there was some kind of incident. Anyway, suddenly notices went up prohibiting cycling around the track. The notices remained for several years, then were taken down. Maybe there are too many cyclists again and the rule is being enforced to try to put people off and tone down the numbers.

Re: Not good news for off road cyclists - East Hants MTB (18th Dec 2013 - 06:48:20) Legend has it that someone fell off their bike sometime in the mid 90s and attempted to seek compo from the MOD. The (then) CO of the camp simply enforced the prohibition of cycling.

Re: Not good news for off road cyclists - John (18th Dec 2013 - 11:44:21) The falling off incident certainly sounds familiar. The byelaws are no different to those on any other land owned by the MOD for instance where the barracks, garrison church, etc are in Aldershot are subject to these byelaws and if you see any of the signs they will say that you can be stopped and your vehicle searched. Incidentally if you get caught speeding on those roads its an unlimited fine in addition to the points on your license.

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