CanalCuttings - Your FREE online-world British Inland Waterways, Narrowboat, River Cruiser, Canal Boat Magazine, Info Source and Britain's & Narrowboat Holiday Guide.

Over 500 Pages of Information and Features about canals and their usage - We're not just a Narrowboat Magazine. The website includes River and Inland Waterways information.

Towpath Talking Points

Towpath Cycling - Cycling around the Inland Waterways of the UK – Bike Trails and the Waterways cycle permit.

There are literally hundreds of miles of riverside and canal towpaths, lakeside tracks and riverside walkways that are available for use by the cyclist with a water way cycle permit.

The surfaces will vary considerably, from concrete and tarmac or asphalt to bare soil, grass or stony path surface, and you're likely to find a mixture of these on any waterway bike trail. It is recommended that cyclists use ‘mountain bike’ type tyres on towpaths in rural areas as these are not suitable for thin racing bike tyres.

Before cycling on any towpaths owned by British Waterways, you will usually need to obtain a water way cycle permit. Cycle permits are free to obtain.

You can download a water ways cycle permit as a PDF file ready to print off. By accepting the British Waterways cycle permit, you are agreeing to follow the Waterways Code, and to cycle only on those stretches of towpath classified as open to cyclists.

The Waterways Code aims to protect everyone’s safety on and around the inland waterways of the UK, to safeguard the ecology and environment, and to avoid disturbing the enjoyment of other users of the waterway and towpath.

There is no public right of way for cyclists on canal towpaths, and British Waterways reserves the right to withdraw the waterway cycle permit from users who disregard the rules.

Want to know where you can cycle on the towpath?

British Waterways ~ Waterscape.com has a selection of popular recommended cycle routes. These take in waterside towpaths. You can also plan your own journey along the towpaths of Britain. Not all towpaths are open for cycling, either because of the width or surface, or because cycles would cause a real danger to other users.

• Tow Path Talking Points..
• Canals and Inland Waterways
• Canal and river fishing
• Waterways code for boaters
• Waterways cycle permit