The coast should be a perfect place to cycle, but we’re only allowed to cycle on 7% of England's coastline.

The Government wants to create an ‘access corridor’ around the entire English coastline as part of its draft Marine and Coastal Access Bill, now moving towards the final parliamentary stages/  

CTC's Campaign: background

CTC recognises that access for cyclists to the coast is not appropriate in all locations, but is campaigns to get the best out of legislation.

Firstly, in 2007 we asked cyclists to respond to the Government's call for evidence of "demand and opportunities for coastal cycling".  Over 1,500 people replied (thank you if you were one of them!), sending us suggestions for places where they'd like to cycle along the coast. We sent these to the Government along with our consultation response. Since then, we've been watching closely as the Bill makes it way through Parliament.

The Bill proposes that cycle provision may be negotiable with landowners providing there is a local requirement and that the terrain is appropriate. In response, we drafted notes to provide guidance to indicate:

• what is desired by cyclists
• what may be considered appropriate
• and possible processes for pursuing cycle access.

We  also produced a gallery of images illustrating the sort of places where giving access to cyclists is suitable or unsuitable.

Update and action! 

The Department for Environment, Food an Rural Affairs (DEFRA) have consulted on proposals to amend the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 (CRoW, England and Wales) to facilitate use of the open access provisions for the coastal trail. 

Provisions for coastal access by cycle do exist, but they are extremely weak in that they can only be created by agreement with the landowner, so this consultation is the last opportunity to lobby for a fundamental change to allow cycle access on appropriate coastal margins. 

Cycles are currently excluded by reason of Schedule 2 to CRoW: 

“general restrictions to be observed by persons exercising right of access, and in particular: 

1. Section 2(1) does not entitle a person to be on any land if, in or on that land, he – (a) drives or rides any vehicle other than an invalid carriage....” 

We feel that cycles should be allowed access to coastal sections where appropriate, and have responded to the DEFRA consultation by suggesting that Section 2(1)a is modified along the lines of: 

“(a) drives or rides any vehicle other than a pedal cycle where authorised and an invalid carriage...” 

This would also provide opportunities to allow cycling on appropriate trails on open access land.