I THINK it's crazy that we are restricted using bicycles in the New Forest.

Anyone who walks in the Forest can see that most of the paths are churned up by horses and cattle, not bikes. Yet bikes are described as being terrible for erosion on the paths.

There are designated routes but they do not all link up and you have to drive into the busiest areas of the Forest, adding to congestion to be able to use them.

This is crazy as we are meant to be reducing our carbon footprint.

Surely it would be much more sensible to have open access to all paths with pedestrians given priority.

This would also reduce the number of cars going into the centre of the Forest and make it safer for families who could avoid going onto the narrow busy roads. Or is it a plot to make us use the bus?

I've lived in the Hythe area most of my life and have often broken the rules by riding in Dibden enclosure and now take my daughter on the same routes.

I am careful not to damage the tracks or disturb the wildlife, this is easy as I'm busy watching out for dog mess!

Hopefully the verderers will see sense and allow much more access to the Forest.

We have to be one of the least user friendly national parks in the country.

MATT PRINGLE, Hythe.