2.2 Responding to Change (page 4 of 7)

Dogs can also create problems by worrying the livestock in fields containing rights of way. The CLA identified this as one of the most significant conflicts between farming and access.

Aim To minimise the environmental impact of recreational and other use of the rights of way network.
Objective Work with the Countryside Section to identify sensitive habitat areas and times when wildlife is particularly vulnerable to disturbance.
Objective Maintain good signposting to keep users on public paths in sensitive habitat areas.
Objective Assist in the provision of relevant information about sensitive habitat areas and encourage good practice.
Objective Work with CLA, news media and Isle of Wight Tourism to raise public awareness of the need to keep dogs under close control in the vicinity of livestock.

In areas without route restrictions, horse riding increases the risk of disturbance to fauna such as nesting birds and deer. Whether this is more, or less than other forms of recreation has not been studied. A study in North America in 1978 compared the effects of experimental trampling due to hikers, motorcycles and horses. The study showed that motorcycles are most damaging when travelling uphill and hikers and horses cause most damage when going downhill. The damage was less rapid in grassy vegetation than in shrubby vegetation and generally greater on sloping ground (Sidaway, 1994). In many areas the number of walkers far exceeds the number of people involved in other forms of recreation. The level of use must therefore be considered when comparing damage caused by different recreational users.

The use of bridleways and country lanes concentrates the pressure of horse riding to a limited number of routes. Generally, the impact on vegetation is a local one and does not significantly reduce habitats or threaten species survival. However, the surface of these routes can become badly rutted particularly in wet weather or on poorly drained clay or peaty soils. In areas with high levels of use or during periods of continued wet weather, the surface does not have adequate recovery time. This often leads to surface erosion and renders the path impassable or unsuitable for other users. On the Island, the majority of comments made in the walkers survey relating to other user groups are about the path conditions caused by horses. Further study would be required to assess the impact of horse riding on path conditions and determine whether or not the problem is one of perception.

Off-road cycling has increased in popularity over the last ten years and the majority of bicycles now sold in this country are mountain bikes. Opinion is divided over the extent of the impact off-road cycling has on the environment and it often depends where it takes place. Mountain bikes have made it possible for more people to reach remote areas, such as mountains and ridges, previously inaccessible to cyclists. This increased use could cause significant damage in sensitive areas. On firm surfaces, cycling causes little impact. On steeper, softer or stonier ground damage can occur, particularly from braking or skidding on descent and riding along soft path margins (Sidaway, 1994). In the Peak District National Park for example, off-road cycling has had a significant impact on path erosion.

The impact of cycling on the Island's path surfaces has not been studied. However, one local example is damage to the Harboro bronze age round barrows (Scheduled Ancient Monuments) on Mottistone Down, which is known to be a result of irresponsible mountain biking. Under s.31(1) of the Countryside Act 1968 cyclists have a right to use bridleways providing they give way to pedestrians and persons on horseback. Cyclists are not allowed on footpaths. If cyclists remain on bridleways and country lanes, damage to the IslandÕs environment appears to be minimal and cycling can have a very positive impact on health and well-being and provides an alternative, sustainable method of transport.

The walker's survey revealed that cyclists riding on footpaths instead of bridleways reduced walking enjoyment for 22% of respondents. Comments related to the attitude of some cyclists and the lack of consideration when approaching from behind. Some walkers commented that they do not always hear the approach of cyclists until they are very close and for some this has been quite a frightening experience. Greater awareness of the concerns of other path users and ensuring walkers in particular are aware of the presence of approaching vehicles or horses, will help to minimise the conflict of uses.

Aim To reduce the incidence of cycling on footpaths.
Objective Work with the Council's Traffic Education Centre and the news media to increase public awareness of the law relating to off-road cycling.
Objective Implement and monitor a pilot scheme of visible, but unobtrusive 'no cycling' waymarks on a section of the coastal path.

Originally providing vehicular access to land and property, byways are increasingly valued as a recreational resource. Important to walkers, horse-riders, cyclists and carriage-drivers; they also support motorised recreation. Motorised recreation covers a wide range of activities from the casual use of all terrain vehicles on agricultural land to the use of byways by four-wheel drive vehicles. Just as walkers and cyclists might seek to avoid traffic and noise, many motorised users enjoy being away from the tarmac and travelling along 'historic' routes. Other users enjoy the challenge of driving in wet and muddy conditions and it is this type of use that is likely to cause the most damage to path surfaces. For motor vehicles the axle loading, the width of the vehicle and the speed of the vehicle will all influence the extent of wear and tear on the surface of the byway. Further damage may occur to byway verges and vegetation if the route is narrow or winches are needed to release the vehicle from muddy ground. Convoys of motor vehicles cause particular problems and, in wet conditions, surfaces do not have adequate recovery time.