Responsible cyclists are extremely welcome on Hampstead
Heath.
The Heath is the premier open space in North London and is
enjoyed by millions of visitors each year. To ensure that it is
kept for our own and future generations’ enjoyment, we need to
manage it effectively.
Hampstead Heath has a clear set of enforceable byelaws. The
Heath’s byelaws include controls on cycling.
The rules are simple. Cycling is only permitted on the
designated shared-use paths. If you want a more detailed
description, the byelaws state:
No person shall in any open space, except on roads or other
places
Approved for the purpose by the Council, ride or drive any horse
or
Other beast of draught or burden or any bicycle, tricycle, or
any
Vehicle drawn or propelled by any animal or mechanical
power.
No person shall in any open space drive any vehicle, bicycle
or
Tricycle or ride any animal at a rate exceeding twelve miles an
hour
Or as so as to endanger the public.
Any person driving any vehicle in any open space shall when
called
Upon to stop by signal or otherwise by an officer of the Council
acting
In execution of his duty shall stop, and if he refuses or wilfully
fails
To do so shall be guilty of an offence.
Cycling outside of the designated shared-use paths is anti-social
and dangerous.
Cycling in grassland and woodland causes soil compaction and
erosion which in turn harms the ecology and habitats of the
Heath.
Cycling is a wonderfully efficient and low carbon way of getting
around, including the commute to work. To that extent the City of
London very much supports it. But the commuter ‘cut-through’ must
not encroach on the enjoyment of Heath-users for the purposes it
was intended for.
If you take your bicycle onto the Heath please be considerate of
other Heath users and stay on the authorised routes.
See the Hampstead Heath map to find out the
location of shared-use routes (2.24mb)
Happy cycling.