Bridleways

Cheshire East Council is responsible for the management and maintenance of bridleways for walkers, horse riders and cyclists.

The Countryside Act 1968 gave cyclists the right to use bridleways. However, cyclists are required to give way to both walkers and horse riders on bridleways.

The Act did not place a duty on highway authorities to maintain bridleways to a standard suitable for cyclists and so many will not be particularly suitable for cycling, even perhaps for mountain bikes. The push in recent years to encourage cycling does mean, however, that more attention is now being paid to the needs of cyclists - provided that improvements for cyclists are not to the disadvantage of, say, horse riders.

Bridleways are sometimes referred to as bridle paths. You might also come across the term 'public path' which includes both public footpaths and bridleways. Bridleways are often waymarked with blue arrows.

For further information see Public Rights of Way or path maintenance.