Bike in Cyprus

There are a number of problems which limit the value of the rights of way network for cycling – the first two in particular apply to equestrians equally and the third to walkers as well.

• Changing the status of any right of way is currently a lengthy and bureaucratic procedure. It is rarely worth the bother however compelling the case.
• Many bridleways do not connect with other bridleways and can be linked only by using busy roads.
• Major roads often create a serious barrier for cyclists wishing to continue their journey on the other side. (This is, of course, as much a problem for walkers and an even bigger problem for equestrians.)
• The fact that cyclists have a legal right to use bridleways does not carry with it any obligation on highway authorities to ensure that bridleways are usable by cyclists. Sometimes the nature of the track – eg deep sand – would make it prohibitively expensive to make it fit for cylcists. It does mean, though, that the proportion of rights of way actually available to cyclists is significantly less than the nominal amount.
• Many footpaths are eminently suited to cycling but may not legally be used. Some are nevertheless used, in the main without conflict or difficulty, but there is always the risk of civil action.
• Upgrading a footpath to cycle path status requires its removal from the definitive map and it is hardly surprising that the removal of this legal protection is resisted by ramblers. To cyclists, this anomaly exemplifies the way they are sidelined.
• The legal status of a right of way gives no indication to the individual cyclist whether a particular track will be usable by them, given the kind of cyclist they are and the kind of bicycle they have.
• Upgrading a footpath to bridleway status does not necessarily help cyclists, whereas allowing bicycles but not horses would not necessarily put riders at a disavantage. Bridleways and footpaths sometimes provide alternative routes between A and B but the bridleway may be unusable by cyclists because of the impact of horses on the track, whereas the footpath may be broad and firm. (In such cases it makes sense to allow cyclists to share the footpath. Riders benefit too as, in practice, they then get the bridleway to themselves.)