Discussion
I've taken to regularly riding down part of the Bridgewater canal, specifically through Worsley towards Astley Village. There are signs fixed on some of the bridges crossing the canal saying 'no cycling', they're quite small roundels with a red border. I think they also have 'no fouling' (dogs) on the same sign as well. These signs are rare, and only ever fixed on the bridges (of which there are few).
The towpath is massively wide and well looked after, theres no risk of hitting a pedestrian or angler.
Would the no cycling signs apply to just the bridges (which are very tight and confined, usually you have to duck or step off the bike), or the entire towpath? If it was the entire towpath, what could they do if they wanted to punish me?
FWIW its a bloody brilliant ride, beautiful countryside.
The towpath is massively wide and well looked after, theres no risk of hitting a pedestrian or angler.
Would the no cycling signs apply to just the bridges (which are very tight and confined, usually you have to duck or step off the bike), or the entire towpath? If it was the entire towpath, what could they do if they wanted to punish me?
FWIW its a bloody brilliant ride, beautiful countryside.
Pod it's just the bridges, and in our neck of woods not all of them are so restricted.
Usually you have restricted sight lines and limited options for avoidance manoeuvres in the bit of towpath under the bridge. It's to avoid somebody being on towpath on foot and confronted with a cyclist at warp 9. Somebody ends up banging their head on the bridge or in the cut.
In case people are not aware one should have a permit to cycle on towpaths.
'tis free apply here
Cue rants from various people about Blair and Big Bro society......
Usually you have restricted sight lines and limited options for avoidance manoeuvres in the bit of towpath under the bridge. It's to avoid somebody being on towpath on foot and confronted with a cyclist at warp 9. Somebody ends up banging their head on the bridge or in the cut.
In case people are not aware one should have a permit to cycle on towpaths.
'tis free apply here
Cue rants from various people about Blair and Big Bro society......
Edited by Flat in Fifth on Monday 17th July 12:37
Parrot of Doom said:
Thanks FiF I'm glad thats been cleared up 
Some of the anglers give you really evil looks, well if they continue to block the path with their long booms they'll have good reason as one day I'll just ride right over them.
Some of the anglers give you really evil looks, well if they continue to block the path with their long booms they'll have good reason as one day I'll just ride right over them.
The anglers have paid to fish (rod licence) so they may think they have more of a right to use the canals than cyclists who haven't paid anything. Not saying its true but just a thought before wrecking thousands of £s worth of fishing pole because someone had the temerity to block your devine right to cycle.
Actually PoD I really hope I have not misled you.
Looking at waterways site for the Bridgewater they say:- "Cycling is not permitted along much of the canal, but the Trans-Pennine Trail and local routes pass the waterway at various points."
Then they provide a link to The Trans-Pennine Trail Widnes to Penistone which appears to cross the Bridgewater at various points but does not appear to follw the towpath. So maybe I have misled you.
Thinking about it some more the signs on the bridges on our cut,Staffs & Worcs, say "Cyclists dismount."
So if I have fed you duff information earlier then I do most humbly apologise.
Have done parts of TPT Central, (Chesterfield > Leeds), and TPT East (Barnsley > Hornsea), but no experience of the (tongue in cheek) wrong side of the Pennines. arf arf!
Looking at waterways site for the Bridgewater they say:- "Cycling is not permitted along much of the canal, but the Trans-Pennine Trail and local routes pass the waterway at various points."
Then they provide a link to The Trans-Pennine Trail Widnes to Penistone which appears to cross the Bridgewater at various points but does not appear to follw the towpath. So maybe I have misled you.
Thinking about it some more the signs on the bridges on our cut,Staffs & Worcs, say "Cyclists dismount."
So if I have fed you duff information earlier then I do most humbly apologise.
Have done parts of TPT Central, (Chesterfield > Leeds), and TPT East (Barnsley > Hornsea), but no experience of the (tongue in cheek) wrong side of the Pennines. arf arf!
www.bridgewatercanal.co.uk/location.html
Well if the picture of cyclists on the front page of that site isn't permission, I don't know what is
As regards fishing licences, does the licence give anglers the right to completely block the towpath with their bags, chairs, and poles, and then to refuse to move their poles to give way to other users?
Or is it more likely that the people who tend to do this also happen to be fishing in Eccles as the canal runs through a rather unkempt housing estate:
Said people tend to not be wearing tops, have shaved heads, and tattoos.
Well if the picture of cyclists on the front page of that site isn't permission, I don't know what is
As regards fishing licences, does the licence give anglers the right to completely block the towpath with their bags, chairs, and poles, and then to refuse to move their poles to give way to other users?
Or is it more likely that the people who tend to do this also happen to be fishing in Eccles as the canal runs through a rather unkempt housing estate:
Said people tend to not be wearing tops, have shaved heads, and tattoos.
Parrot of Doom said:
Well if the picture of cyclists on the front page of that site isn't permission, I don't know what is
Ah but, yes but, no but, yes but, no.
Or as Jim in Vicar of Dibley would say, Yes Yes Yes Yes No!
You're talking to someone trained by DVD tha knows!
Bridgewater Canal site said:
Cycling is to be permitted on the new Bridgewater Way.
Work on the Bridgewater Way has now commenced and the first section between Waterloo Bridge and Bates Bridge (2.2kms) in Runcorn is expected to be available from late September/early October - other sections will follow as funding is obtained.
The Bridgewater Way is a new 65kms (39 mile) scheme to improve and enhance the existing canal towpath. The scheme includes seating, an improved surface, access points and provision of information and interpretation signs.
Just because....... oh sugar I was going into Vonhosen mode.... As you were.
POD, I live alongside a canal basin. As I understand it, anybody who is on British Waterways land is there by invitation or permission only. ie there is no right of access , so it's not quite the same as a public footpath or bridleway
Whilst cycling may be permitted along the towpaths you mention, you don't have a right to cycle there. (yes, I know we're splitting hairs) Although the actions of the anglers may be annoying and inconsiderate, they would appear to be equally as entitled as you to occupy that piece of canal bank along which you wish to cycle.
I'd think twice about riding over their rods. The resultant shards of carbon fibre will probably pierce your tyres and you'll end up as groundbait.
Whilst cycling may be permitted along the towpaths you mention, you don't have a right to cycle there. (yes, I know we're splitting hairs) Although the actions of the anglers may be annoying and inconsiderate, they would appear to be equally as entitled as you to occupy that piece of canal bank along which you wish to cycle.
I'd think twice about riding over their rods. The resultant shards of carbon fibre will probably pierce your tyres and you'll end up as groundbait.
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