The usual lines of demarcation surfaced again at a recent meeting of towpath users when British Waterways announced that it intends to revise its cycling policy.
IMBA has long been urging BW to open the whole network to cyclists, but boat owners and anglers object, viewing cyclists as freeriding on the back of their costly permit schemes.
BW now accepts that cycle permits are unenforceable and unworkable, but boat owners feel only they should be allowed unfettered use of towpaths, to cycle to the next pub or lock!
IMBA will continue to work with BW to find a workable compromise, but in the meantime a charm offensive towards other users may eventually pay dividends.

www.imba.org.uk