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Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006
The Natural Environment and Rural Communities (NERC) Act 2006 contains a number of sections that have a significant impact on public motor vehicular rights in relation to the rights of way network. These provisions significantly curtail the scope for adding further public rights of way for motor vehicles, known as byways open to all traffic (BOATs), to the definitive map and statement (the local highway authorities’ legal record of public rights of way), and gives certainty as to where public motor vehicular rights exist.Apart, possibly, from some very rare exceptions, the Act makes it illegal to ride a motorcycle or other motor vehicle on anything which is recorded on the Definitive Map as a Bridleway or Footpath (up to date OS maps are the readily available nearest indication of this). If you require more detailed information please contact the definitive map team on 0870 1 666 333. Anyone requiring details concerning the ‘list of streets’ (unclassified county roads) should contact the relevant county council.
Remember you are on-road even when the tarmac ends
Trail riding on ‘green lanes’ does not mean that you are ‘off-road’, and you are still subject to the same laws as on the surfaced road network. That means that to be legal you and your bike need a current licence, MOT and insurance, as well as road legal tyres, number plates and exhaust.Not having insurance can lead to the immediate seizure of your motorcycle, and other offences can lead to fines and points on your licence.
Riding on open moorland
It is an offence to ride on common land, moorland or land not forming part of a road unless the land owner has given specific permission.You can be fined up to £1,000 or lose your vehicle or licence for some offences. Reckless or intentional damage to the landscape or wildlife can cost you up to £20,000 in fines.
Byways Open to All Traffic in the Yorkshire Dales National Park
Below is a list of the byways open to all traffic (BOATs) in the Yorkshire Dales National Park. These have proven vehicular rights and the use of motor vehicles on these routes is legal but requires special care to be taken by those undertaking the activity. Recreational motor vehicular uses should follow guidance from LARA and the TRF. The grid references have links to maps on www.streetmap.co.uk| ROUTE NAME | GRID REF FROM | TO | ROUTE NUMBER |
| High Lane (Stake Road), Stalling Busk to Cray | SD 919 861 | SD 943 803 | 252/47, 113/22, 253/3 |
| Busk Lane, Bainbridge | SD 934 839 | SD 943 871 | 252/48 |
| Cam High Road, Fleet Moss to Bainbridge | SD 862 853 | SD 925 895 | 252/103A/B |
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The Highway
There are a number of legally accepted narrow gates on the section in the National Park. |
SD 786 968 | SD 842 921 | 248/1 |
| Shaw Paddock | SD 785 951 | SD 786 968 | 256/6, 248/2 |
| Gorbeck Road | SD 829 653 | SD 888 648 | 148/20, 155/31, 154/32 |
| Long Lane, Horton-in-Ribblesdale | SD 842 714 | SD 818 697 | 144/40 |
| ©2003-2008 www.doric4x4.co.uk | Page updated : 13th October 2007 |
