NATIONAL Park chiefs have admitted they are powerless to control mass cycling events that have caused major problems in the New Forest.

Organisers of the controversial “sportives” are ignoring a charter that says they should restrict the number of riders to 1,000 and make them wear identity numbers on their backs.

The National Park Authority (NPA) has vowed to send an “amber letter” to any group or company that fails to comply with the new code.

But NPA members and officers last night admitted that the letters were meaningless, saying they simply gave event bosses an opportunity to “think again”.

Cllr David Harrison said: “The cycling code is a voluntary one and not backed up by legal force. I suspect nothing will happen if anyone ignores the letters.”

Cllr Pat Wyeth described them as “pointless” and called for the NPA to be given the power to regulate cycling events.

New Forest East MP Julian Lewis, who has made similar calls in the past, added: “Licences should be required for events above a certain size.

“If the voluntary cap on the number of cyclists is being ignored then that only strengthens my belief that these rides should be lightly but firmly regulated.”

Mass cycling events in the Forest have been a major source of controversy for years, with critics claiming riders have sworn at other road users, endangered animals and horse riders and even used roadside verges as toilets.

Anti-cycling protesters have tried to sabotage some of the events by sprinkling tacks in the road, causing countless punctures.

Yesterday the NPA met to carry out its annual review of the charter, which was introduced in a bid to improve relations between cyclists and villagers.

A report to members said UK Cycling Events (UKCE), which organises the biggest rides, was continuing to ignore parts of the document.

“The company does not believe the cap of 1,000 participants is appropriate and does not currently intend to provide riders with rear identification numbers,” said the report.

“The Safety Advisory Group (SAG) is still committed to encouraging compliance with the charter.

“Any event which does not comply with the cap of 1,000 riders and the lack of rear identification numbers will be sent an ‘amber’ letter stressing the importance of following the charter and requesting that the event plan should be changed.”

The charter was introduced in 2015 following countless complaints about mass cycle rides and their impact on the Forest.

NPA member Penny Jackman said: “It’s regrettable that UK Cycling Events has not agreed to issue cyclists with numbers.

"It does make it harder to identify the very few rude and aggressive riders who take part.”

The report also cited a last-minute change of route that affected one of the events staged last year.

As reported in the Daily Echo, the Wiggle New Forest 100 was suddenly re-routed, resulting in cyclists riding through villages they would otherwise have bypassed.

But the report praised UKCE over the long list of measures it took to ensure the rides “go well”. 

An NPA spokesman said: “The main point of sending the ‘amber letter’ is to highlight that the event does not comply with the charter - it gives the organiser an opportunity to think again.

“Most cycle organisations support the charter and we continue to work with those that have yet to agree with all the different elements.

“Our aim is to minimise negative impacts and maximise benefits so that their events are welcomed by all involved and affected.”

A UKCE spokesman was unavailable for comment.