Yorkshire Dales Green Lane Information

The Yorkshire Dales National Parks Authority after the High Court descision on 19th June 2009 is no longer publishing a list of Green Lanes that are open in the Yorkshire Dales Park. Instead they now publish a list of closed lanes.

To see the list of lanes currently closed or lanes the Y.D.N.P.A. are trying to close please see www.yorkshiredales.org.uk.

If you are interested in the full list of lanes that I have which may or may NOT have a B.O.A.T. status then please drop me an email. My email address is at the bottom of the page.

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.