Bid to overturn motorbike ban fails

A bid to allow motorbikes to use a lane reserved for walkers, cyclists and horseriders has been blocked after decisionmakers declared it would be against policies aimed at encouraging health and wellbeing.

A campaign group called the Trail Riders Fellowship (TRF) had contested a move that banned motor vehicles from using Rydon Lane, which stretches for 2.5 kilometres between Mill Lane in Exton and Globe Hill in Woodbury.

The decision to prevent vehicles using it was taken in 2024 because of the lane’s narrow nature, lack of passing places, and poor visibility.

The southern half of Rydon Lane then became an official ‘Green Lane’, allowing the likes of walkers, cyclists and horse riders to use it without having to navigate traffic.

But the TRF had claimed the traffic regulation order (TRO) – the official process used to prevent motor vehicles from using the lane – had been made without sufficient evidence that it would be dangerous for motorbikes to use the lane alongside pedestrians and cyclists.

The group lodged a judicial appeal, but had agreed to pause the proceedings while the East Devon highways and traffic orders (Hatoc) committee explored potential options.

But while officers were recommending the Hatoc committee amend the regulations to allow motorbikes and impose a 20 mph speed limit, the proposal was rejected.

Members of the public and Hatoc committee members questioned the logic of allowing motorbikes to use the lane, queried how the 20 mph speed limit would be enforced, and worried that so-called active users – such as walkers and cyclists – would probably be discouraged from using it if motorbikes were permitted.