Bike in Cyprus

7. At present all cyclists and horse riders are concentrated on just 22 per cent of the PROW network, some of which is also shared with offroad motor vehicles and all of which is shared with walkers. (see breakdown at Annex A). The network which developed in the wake of the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949 Act depended on the attitudes of local authorities and the overall total of 22 per cent available to riders and cyclists masks wide variations between counties, ranging from 15 to 35 percent.

8. RA have set an excellent precedent in its approach to securing greater access for walkers. Over the years many objections were raised in an effort to prevent the extension of rights to walk in the countryside. Time has shown that fears were misplaced, and there is almost universal agreement that the benefits of opening up much more of the countryside for ramblers has far outweighed any difficulties. A similar philosophy should guide provision for cyclists.

9. Against this background, the following sections set out some of the issues which frustrate cyclists at the moment and seeks to open up discussion on how best to proceed by putting forward possible options. The is intended to open up debate on a topic of major and growing importance with a view to providing an informed and constructive input to future development of provision for cyclists.