Anger over stray cyclists in New Forest

A ROW has broken out between cyclists and New Forest authorities over claims that people stray from approved paths when riding their bikes through the national park.

The Verderers, the traditional custodians of the New Forest, have labelled the issue as a “widespread problem” because they say it disturbs nature, erodes paths and bike lights harm nocturnal animals.

They have called for cyclists who stray from marked tracks to be prosecuted, but a cycling group argued that the ancient court was prejudiced against them.

Lord Manners, the Official Verderer, said there had been more than 700 instances of off-track cycling this summer and called on Forestry England, which manages the Crown lands in the national park, to take legal action.

However, David Orme, chairman of Christchurch Bicycle Club, said there was no evidence that cyclists harm nature more than other visitors and the Verderers were showing “antagonism”.

He said: “Cyclists are often treated badly. In the forest, there is one rule for horse riders and a completely different rule for cyclists. All the prejudice against cyclists is not taking into account the actual evidence. They should focus on cars, littering, fly-tipping and speeding vehicles instead of picking on cyclists. Cars do all the killing.”

A spokesman for Forestry England said: “We recognise that there are some concerns regarding cyclists straying beyond the cycle network and the potential impact on sensitive areas of the forest. We are… looking at additional ways to address this.”