Greenlaning & 4x4s

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Tue 20 Jul 2004 19:13
Greenlaning & 4x4s - NowWheels
Are 4x4 enthusiasts and tree huggers mutually exclusive?


I hope not! 4X4s are a very useful tool for all sorts of rural purposes.

Unfortunately they also have inappropriate and destructive uses, such as the \"greenlaning\" you mention, or as Chelsea tractors ... but that doesn\'t mean that those who dislike those uses hate the vehicles in general.
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Tue 20 Jul 2004 19:38
A 4x4 Is Born - Adam {P}
aaaaaarrrrrrggghhhhh!!
Adam
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Tue 20 Jul 2004 19:50
A 4x4 Is Born - NowWheels
aaaaaarrrrrrggghhhhh!!


Adam, if the scream was in response to my post, maybe I should have added that I wasn't trying to open any wider discussion, just to agree with the point that lottsa tree-huggers also like 4X4s. Dunno whether I'm a tree-hugger (never tried it), but I used to drive a 4X4 myself, on a farm.

And that's all I'll say in this thread!
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Tue 20 Jul 2004 19:53
A 4x4 Is Born - Adam {P}
;-) Sorry NW!
Dunno whether I'm a tree-hugger (never tried it), but I used to drive a 4X4 myself, on a farm<<


You have redeemed yourself :-)


Adam
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Tue 20 Jul 2004 19:45
A 4x4 Is Born - Mark (RLBS)
I must admit I don't really understand "greenlaning".

I have had 4x4s for years and have used them to the limit of their capacity and ability in a variety of environment. That's part of what they're for.

But I really can't see doing it for the sheer hell of it. Its not comfortable - a 4x4 makes things possible, but mostly it doesn't make them very pleasant.

However, that's me and whilst I wouldn't bother to do it, that's no reason for others not to.

Where I really get lost is why people think they have a *right* to do it all over the country side - and that applies to bikes, horses and bicycles as well. And walkers for that matter - although typically walkers are more annoying and sanctimonious than they are damaging.

Blasting over the countryside is damaging and needlessly so. And there is no point in saying that you or I don't damage anything - a single vehicle or horse won't cause any relevant damage. But however careful you are 200 of them will.

There are places it should be ok to do it, and places where it should not be. And neither 4x4s insisting on their "rights" to do it everywhere nor others trying to blanket ban it everywhere will actually help at all.

More on topic, that damned vet really gets my goat. How come he's got that job and I sit in an office all day ? [sulk]
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Tue 20 Jul 2004 20:10
A 4x4 Is Born - Sofa Spud
I agree with your comments about greenlaning. I've done a bit in my old Land Rover 90, which is now virtually 'retired'. But I find walking or cycling more rewarding and enjoyable ways of exploring rural rights of way.

To drive greenlanes 'sympathetically' re. both the surface and vehicle, one needs to go slowly, and it's bumpy too.

Most rights of way are footpaths or bridleways, where one doesn't have the right to drive a vehicle. Green lanes (or byways) form only a small proportion of the rights of way network. I wouldn't want to ban vehicles from green lanes in general.

I've seen green lanes that have been made impassable by irresponsible use of 4x4's, but I've also seen bridleways that have been turned into a quagmire by horses.

Cheers, Sofa Spud

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Wed 21 Jul 2004 08:59
A 4x4 Is Born - Colin M
>I've also seen bridleways that have been turned into a quagmire by horses.

Or rather you've seen bridleways that have been turned into a quagmire by people on horses.

It is people's attitude or lack of consideration to our environment that is the problem, not the method they use to destroy it.

I enjoy cycling and avoid roads as much as possible, preferring towpaths and bridleways. I am happy to share with others but just don't see the fun in "green laning". I guess the owners just want to park a muddy agricultural vehicle on their suburban drive once in a while to publicly justify the ownership.






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Wed 21 Jul 2004 14:56
A 4x4 Is Born - GrumpyOldGit
A green lane is a public road. 4x4 drivers (I am not one) have every right to use them, as do any of us. If a town dweller has a 4x4, where else can he drive it off-road if he wants to? Why would anyone want to stop him from doing so? I don't get it. Envy? Nannying? If the track becomes churned up, the council surely has a responsibilty to repair it like any other road.

We're talking about a very small amount of land here. There is a huge length of public footpath and bridleway where vehicles are not allowed. Aanyone who doesn't want to see vehicles in the country has plenty of space to go where they won't be seen.

I've had far more problems with ramblers than drivers where I live. Not generally a pleasant group of people I'm sorry to say. Almost always noisy, frequently arrogant and often rude.
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