In England and Wales, a statutory bridleway (or bridle path) is a designated route that grants the public a right of way for various activities, including horseback riding, leading horses, walking, and, since 1968, cycling. Additionally, some bridleways allow for the driving of animals, and certain ones also grant private access rights for motorised vehicles. Cyclists on bridleways must yield to pedestrians and equestrians.
As horse riding decreased and motorised transportation became more prevalent in the 20th century, many bridleways were converted into roads. Consequently, when the 1949 National Parks and Countryside Act mandated the recording of public rights of way, many bridleways were classified as roads or footpaths. However, the demand for bridleways has increased over time, with estimates indicating a rise from 100,000 horse riders per week in 1967 to 3.5 million in 1995.
Statutory bridleways are protected rights of way and must remain unobstructed and unchanged. They are officially recorded on the Definitive Map and Statement, which is maintained by local highway authorities and constitutes part of the local highway network. Permission may be sought to alter or remove them by applying to the local authority.
Landowners are responsible for ensuring that statutory bridleways remain clear of obstructions and have appropriate gates. The local highway authority typically handles surface maintenance and markings. There is no legal requirement to accommodate cyclists on bridleways.
Permissive bridleways, on the other hand, are not statutory rights of way but are paths that landowners permit the public to use for specified activities. These paths may be temporarily closed to prevent them from gaining formal right-of-way status.
In Scotland, there is no legal differentiation between footpaths and bridleways.