Download a British waterways cycling permit

[Dave]

Well I never knew you needed a permit to cycle on a towpath.  As others have pointed out, there are loads of cyclists on the canals, no doubt without these permits.  Most of them seem very considerate and responsible towards walkers.  Although they can sometimes give you a surprise when they creep up behind - the 'Two Tings' on the bell, as recommended on the website, is a very good idea.  It's surprising how few cyclists use a bell nowadays. 

But overall it does seem a bit pointlessly bureaucratic.

[stockport road]

get a grip please.... The Horses and groups of 15 or so 60+ old hikers who refuse to move cause more problems than any mountain bikers 

[tonyjones]

Having just looked at the waterscape.com site for the Peak Forest Canal, under the heading "Cycling along the Peak Forest Canal" it says that 'The towpath is not open to cyclists.'

So, faced with a group of youths on mountain bikes do I:

Stand to one side and let them pass and complain to British Waterways.

Stand my ground and if knocked down sue them.

Ask them to stop and inform  them that cycling is not permitted on the towpath

[tonyjones]

Which brave/foolish person is going to check that the youths cycling down the towpath as fast as they can have the required permit.
And what will hapen to the cyclist if they do not ?

[wolfman]

Before cycling on some towpaths owned by British Waterways, you will usually need to obtain a free cycle permit. This includes most canals

http://www.waterscape.com/things-to-do/cycling/permit