ONLY a small number of mass cycling events would be affected by the proposed cap on cyclists in New Forest events.

That’s the message from the New Forest National Park Authority, who said the move would enable other road users – horse riders, other cyclists, forestry and farming traffic and motorists – to “go about their business safely and with minimal inconvenience”.

The Daily Echo reported last week how the authority proposed to cap the number of cyclists taking part in organised rides at 1,000.

The measure would become part of its controversial Cycling Charter.

However, as the code is voluntary and cannot be enforced, the authority said members could try and persuade the Government to change the law, so local authorities had greater control.

The Daily Echo asked the New Forest National Park Authority how the number of 1,000 cyclists was arrived at and what evidence the number was based on.

A spokesperson said the limit of 1,000 participants was suggested by parish councils at ‘quadrant meetings’ – when groups of parish councils regularly meet to discuss Forest issues.

The subject was also discussed among Forest groups and local statutory organisations such as the Forestry Commission and Highway Authority, they added.

“Some organisations have suggested a limit as low as 500 and others would prefer there to be no limit at all. Most complaints about cycle events have been received when there have been more than 1,500 riders.”

The spokesperson added: “We believe that so long as individual cyclists ride considerately and are released in groups with suitable gaps in between, a limit of 1,000 would enable other road users to go about their business safely and with minimal inconvenience.

“The limit would affect only a small number of mass cycling events, while enabling others such as the Cycletta and also the Gridiron, which has been running successfully for over 20 years to continue as they are.”