GUARDIANS of the New Forest are demanding a crackdown on illegal cycling amid claims that the area is becoming a huge adventure playground.

The Verderers have responded to a growing number of complaints about cyclists flouting the rules and riding through environmentally sensitive areas – even at night.

The organisation is calling on the Forestry Commission to tackle the issue by enforcing its own rules.

Speaking at the monthly Court of Verderers yesterday the Official Verderer, Dominic May, said: “We’re not anti-cycling but we are anti illegal cycling, which for us means cycling on the open forest or on a track that does not form part of the approved cycle network.

“We ask the Forestry Commission to enforce its own by-laws to stop illegal cycling, which is being observed on a daily basis.”

Organisations worried about the issue include the Commoners’ Defence Association, which represents pony owners in the area.

Chairman Graham Ferris said: “The existing network of cycle routes has led to offroad cyclists penetrating further into relatively tranquil areas.

“If left unchecked this rapidly growing trend will leave the Forest as little more than a large adventure playground.”

Former head agister Brian Ingram said more than 20 cyclists were seen riding between Hilltop and Dibden Purlieu on Tuesday night.

He added: “This is a working forest but it’s becoming a glorified playground. It’s time the Forestry Commission put a stop to it.

The Forest should be asleep at night.”

Critics also complained about cycling competitions taking place in the area, including one this weekend.

But Kevin Penfold, acting deputy surveyor and the Forestry Commission’s top official in the Forest, said the organisers had given the authorities plenty of notice.

“As a result people participating in the event have very clear instructions to ensure sensitive sites are safeguarded and conflicts with other Forest users avoided,” he said.

One of the organisations involved in staging cycling events in the Forest is Tri- Adventure.

A spokesman said: “The rules regarding our events state that competitors may only bike on bridleways, byways, cycle routes and public roads.

“While encouraging people to enjoy the very best of New Forest cycleways we keep numbers low to minimise the environmental impact.”