I'm sure you did, Merlinman, as I know you involved with reputable groups, however I do know that there have been "problems" with those that don't care.

Anything on any RoW is legal if you have the landowners permission, however, in general the use of a bike on a Footpath is illegal. The problem is getting the "landowner" not his "tenant's" permission. There is a very subtle but legal difference!

Civilly illegal possibly , but not statutorily illegal - very important distinction!

In other words you cannot be arrested and the police have no powers in such cases.

The ROW situation in England and Wales is ridden (!) with anomalies, unlike in Scotland where a wholly different access system exists.

And yes - we responsible cyclists' reputations are damaged by the irresponsible actions of some other cyclists - not least red light jumpers in towns. Still it's no different with drivers, is it?

Civilly illegal possibly , but not statutorily illegal - very important distinction!

In other words you cannot be arrested and the police have no powers in such cases.

The ROW situation in England and Wales is ridden (!) with anomalies, unlike in Scotland where a wholly different access system exists.

And yes - we responsible cyclists' reputations are damaged by the irresponsible actions of some other cyclists - not least red light jumpers in towns. Still it's no different with drivers, is it?

No such thing as civil illegality- an act is either criminal or not. You may be subject to a civil action for negligence , or trespass for example. You may be ordered to pay damages to plaintiff but these are not the same as a fine - which are payable to the state in effect for a criminal offence. Contrary to what many people think you cannot be prosecuted for trespass - except in unusual situations such as trespass on to military base. But you may be guilty of a crime by , for example , breaking the prescriptions of s traffic order- such as parking too long or using a vehicle on aright of way where only pedestrian access is authorised. As has been said the landowner/tenant is able to use tracks such as footpaths for their own purposes without penalty but no public right to do so.

Thanks for that clarification, Grayson