Greenlaning in Scotland?

[TamSV]

Can you do it legally?

The position in England seems much clearer, with recognised routes that can be used by vehicles. From a quick google, it doesn't seem to be the same in Scotland.

Anybody getting the bike offroad legally or do you have a "friend" doing it illicitly? ;)

[littleoldman2]

Hey Tam
Read the cafe racer build thread and its great. So can we look forward to the SV650 green laner build thread. Go on you know it make perfect sence.

[Kilted Ginger]

Not sure, but dont think we have BOATs in scotland, the local places i know of are unofficial, there are some trail biking places that are official but they charge. He's away his hols at the moment but PM -Ralph- he does a fair bit down south but i think understands the limitations in scotland. Specialone i think is into it in a big way as well but only England.
With my limited understanding of scottish law, there is no tresspass law so technically you could go anywhere, as long as you were not causing harm to crops or damage to livestock. Although how that would transfer to greenlaning i'm not sure, One of the Scottish cops will be along to correct me in a minute.

[TamSV]

Cheers Mal. No offroading SV's for me (although I'm sure someone's done it).

There's going to be a bike shaped hole in the garage soon and some cash in my pocket from the sale of my black SV so I fancied trying something a bit different.

Thanks KG, I'm not feeling drawn to the organised places. It would be a road legal bike and I'd be behaving myself but I can't be bothered with any hassle, so if I can't find somewhere to do it legitimately I might point the cash at something else.

Police view would be interesting.

[Milky Bar Kid]

Providing you have the landowners permission then there is nothing to say you can't. If you are using lanes etc accessible to the public then you must have insurance.

Other than that I can't see anything to stop you. Speak to DarrenSV650...sure he recently bought an off road bike and uses it a fair bit.

[STRAMASHER]

Raiders Road in D&G and The Forest Drive off the Dukes Pass are the only definite legal "trails" I know of nearish to me.

I go out on trials bikes to spots that are either in the middle of nowhere or we have a letter from the land owner. Cops have passed us a few times where we have a covering letter as it is fairly public (not Public Ground) but not hassled. On the other hand 2 of my mates have nearly ended up in court (£300 each to a lawyer for it to go away) due to an over officious bassa devoid of any common sense trying to crucifying them at another. (Both now have a different view of the Police.)

My top trail tip is cover your front light! (Bloody taking the switch away from us! Bah!)

I'll be replacing the SV with a Tenere. I say go get durty. Keep it polite, respectful and descreet when your out and you can go for miles off-road.

[Dicky Ticker]

I have looked into this a little and the one thing is Forrestry Com do not allow it so my other alternative was just stay on the insignificant little "C" roads or public right of ways.This means that the bike has to be road legal. Looking at OS maps gives you a good idea of what is available as they show loads of undefined roads/tracks.

[Bibio]

i think the only thing that they can 'do you with' is an ASBO. that is unless they can prove that you have caused damage.

food for thought.. can mountain bike trails be used by motorbikes?

[JamesMio]

can mountain bike trails be used by motorbikes?

I've lost count of the number of times whilst out mountain biking that I've had the thought 'this would be awesome on a motocross bike...'

[DarrenSV650S]

I don't really know much about the proper legalities of it. I just keep to areas I know I am unlikely to be noticed, or that I know are ok to ride in. Sold my beta today :(

I'd really like to get an motocross type bike one day with a longer fuel range, so you can just jump off road and explore places when ever you want.

[DarrenSV650S]

I've lost count of the number of times whilst out mountain biking that I've had the thought 'this would be awesome on a motocross bike...'

I do that when I'm out on the sv. I see a little track or hill that I want to go up. I've taken the sv up some dirt tracks and fields before, just because I wanted to get there. But it's not really the same on the bike heavy sv :lol:

[Milky Bar Kid]

i think the only thing that they can 'do you with' is an ASBO. that is unless they can prove that you have caused damage.

food for thought.. can mountain bike trails be used by motorbikes?

Nope, that's completely wrong Bib!

There is a section in the Road Traffic Act which deals with off road driving.

S34 RTA 1988 -

(1)Subject to the provisions of this section, if without lawful authority a person drives a mechanically propelled vehicle—

(a)on to or upon any common land, moorland or land of any other description, not being land forming part of a road, or

(b)on any road being a footpath, bridleway or restricted byway,

he is guilty of an offence.

Lawful authority being land owners permission.

You can be issued with an S126 ASB(Scotland)Act 2000 warning for a contravention of S34 of the RTA 1988.

[Bibio]

so i take it the right to roam act is a load of crap then and only covers 'on foot'

[Milky Bar Kid]

Must be.

[TamSV]

Cheers MBK, I had a feeling that might be the situation.

So is an ASB warning recordable as an offence similar to a caution? Would it appear on a Disclosure Scotland search?

I need to pass a "fit and proper person" test for work. I can take any number of motoring offences, but anything else is potentially a problem.

[TamSV]

so i take it the right to roam act is a load of crap then and only covers 'on foot'

Aye, that's what I'm finding. On foot, bicycle or horse, you can go pretty much anywhere you like. Motorised transport has to stick to the roads or private land with permission.

[Milky Bar Kid]

Cheers MBK, I had a feeling that might be the situation.

So is an ASB warning recordable as an offence similar to a caution? Would it appear on a Disclosure Scotland search?

I need to pass a "fit and proper person" test for work. I can take any number of motoring offences, but anything else is potentially a problem.

Erm, I think it would still be regarded by ourselves as a "motoring" offence but would show on any disclosure check, as do all motoring offences. But bear in mind that if you, or the vehicle, have two attached then the vehicle gets seized and you get charged.

[TamSV]

Don't think it would see me out of business. Might be a wee bit embarrassing having to explain why I've got an ASBO though. :p

[Dicky Ticker]

MBK has hit the nail on the head------I want to buy to a old 50,80,100cc twist and go,strip it down to bare bones sling it in the back of the van and explore Scotland of the beaten track. A lot of what look like promising "trails" are on Forestry Commission land and access is prohibited for motorised vehicles

As a side note you can pick up a plastics damaged twist and go for about £200,like a bikes its the plastics that cost a fortune to replace, but it can still be mechanically sound.