Is cycling good for the New Forest?

Almost every meeting involving local councillors or members of the National Park Authority (NPA) had the same subject at the top of the agenda.

Civic chiefs spent hours listening to complaints about hundreds of weekend cyclists hurtling along narrow country roads in scenes resembling the Tour de France.

People participating in massive "sportives" staged by UK Cycling Events UKCE) were accused of insulting motorists, endangering horse riders and using roadside verges as toilets.

That was several years ago. Today the subject that used to dominate debate in the Forest is seldom mentioned.

A combination if factors is thought to be responsible for the relative thaw in relations. Villagers have undoubtedly become more accustomed to the sight of major cycle rides - and organisers have taken steps to reduce the sport's impact on the environmentally-sensitive area.

However, cycling still has the ability to cause controversy.

Questions continue to be raised about the number of cyclists in the Forest and whether more should be done to regulate the bigger rides.

Supporters say cycling attracts a large number of visitors to the Forest, giving the local economy a major boost. But opponents of the activity claim the riders are spoiling people's quiet enjoyment of the area as well as causing problems on the roads.

Two recent developments have re-opened the debate over cycling is good or bad for the Forest.

Last month a routine meeting of the NPA included the organisation's annual review of a charter introduced in a bid to improve relations between cyclists and villagers.

NPA officers admitted that the voluntary nature of the charter meant organisations in the district were powerless to control the events.

They confirmed that UKCE was still failing fully to comply with the charter, which says the number of riders taking part should be restricted to 1,000 per day.

Officials are also refusing to make cyclists wear a number on their back - a move that would make them easier to identify following an incident.

The officers said: "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."

Part of their report referred to the Safety Advisory Group (SAG), an umbrella organisation that offers guidance to organisations staging events in the Forest.

"The charter is voluntary and neither the SAG nor its constituent members have the legal powers to stop or control the events," it said.

The comments sparked calls for the NPA to be given new legal powers to regulate the event.

Cycling was back on the agenda a few days later when Cycling UK, a national campaign group representing more than 60,000 people across the UK, criticised the New Forest over its "irrational opposition" to the popular activity.

Cycling UK, which stages the annual Gridiron event in the area, was giving evidence to a government inquiry into the future of rural tourism.

It compared the Forest with the Yorkshire Dales National Park, which has achieved international recognition by hosting part of the Tour de France.

Three years ago the NPA axed plans to launch a bike hire scheme that aimed to benefit families visiting the area for off-road cycling.

The Boris Bikes-style project was backed by Olympic cyclist Chris Boardman and also sparked a 2,000-name petition in its favour.

But the NPA scrapped the scheme, citing what it described as the "anti-cycling sentiment" caused by repeated problems with mass cycling events.

Its decision meant it had to return a £1.5 million government grant it had been given towards the cost of making the Forest more cycle-friendly.

Cycling UK told the inquiry that national parks had a duty to promote opportunities for outdoor recreation.

It said: "For years increased access for walkers was opposed on the basis it would lead to devastation in the countryside.

"Sadly, the same arguments are still being trotted out to oppose improved access for cyclists.

"While one national park (the Yorkshire Dales) has recently welcomed the Tour de France, broadcasting 'God's own country' globally, another (the New Forest) has been forced to hand back grant funding to the government after cancelling a public hire bike scheme due to anti-cycling sentiment among local decision-makers.

"This opposition to cycling is often entirely irrational.

"Extensive research into issues such as wildlife disturbance, erosion and perceptions of conflict has repeatedly disproved the relevant arguments."

But the NPA has defended its record, saying millions on pounds have been spent on making the Forest more cycle-friendly.

Nigel Matthews, the organisation's head of recreation, said: "The extensive network of waymarked gravel tracks and superb natural environment make it a great place for a leisurely bike ride.

"Since 2013 we have invested over £2 million to improve the national park for cyclists, including improved cycle hire facilities, miles of new and improved off-road cycle paths and improved infrastructure for storing bikes.

"As a result of our work on the Cycle Event Organisers’ Charter the management of on-road cycle sportive events is also much improved.

"We remain fully committed to protecting and enhancing the local environment and promoting opportunities for public enjoyment."

But his comments have failed to impress Cycling UK, which claims much more needs to be done.

Sam Jones, the charity's campaigns co-ordinator said two-thirds of the gravel tracks were off-limits to cyclists whereas no such restriction applied to logging trucks or horse and carts.

"That simply doesn’t make sense," he said.

“If the New Forest is serious about encouraging cycling while minimising conflict, then these unnecessary and unjustified restrictions should be lifted.”

Mr Matthews replied: "We are working with local organisations to see what opportunities there may be for improving the connectivity of the cycle network. This is part of our wider work to help people enjoy the national park while caring for this special place."

The report presented to the NPA meeting pointed to improvements made in the past few years and was largely optimistic.

It said: "The charter has helped raise the standard of cycle event organisation and encouraged a joint approach to managing potential conflicts."

NPA member David Harrison added: "The charter is working well and most of the problems and conflicts have been sorted out."

A UKCE spokesman added: "In planning the New Forest sportives, UKCE works closely with the council and safety advisory group to organise safe events and minimise disruption to the local community and other users of the route, with the positive outcomes of this coordination highlighted in the report.

"We also meet with these groups after each event to discuss any complaints and feedback from local residents to identify improvements that can be made. "UKCE actively briefs riders ahead of events on safe cycling, respecting the Highway Code and the environment around them.

"Any participants reported to be riding inconsiderately or behaving anti-socially are disqualified and we encourage local residents to report any such behaviour to us.

“We have taken on board the feedback and continue to respect the intent behind the voluntary charter."