May 2025 - Hodgemoor Woods

E-bikes not allowed in Hodgemoor

19th May 2025Marcus Bicknell

Further to recent incidents in Hodgemoor Woods and enquiries from members of the public, we publish here the law which prohibits e-bikes in these Woods.

Section 34 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 (as amended by Schedule 7 Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000) states that it is illegal to ride or drive a motor vehicle on common land, moorland, Forestry Commission land or any land that is not forming part of a road without authorisation. There are a range of penalties available including heavy fines, and the power to confiscate vehicles and bikes which are used off-road in a manner which causes ‘alarm, distress and annoyance’ in s59 and s60 of the Police Reform Act 2002.

This applies on Forestry England land whether the bike is an ‘electrically assisted pedal cycle’ (EAPC) or not. Users of e-bikes are reminded that you must know the specification of your e-bike and whether it is an EAPC or not before setting out anywhere, including roads and pavements. Not certain? Check it out. Until the new bill comes out classifying e-bikes as motor vehicles for all legal purposes, the follow is the definition of an EAPC:

An EAPC (electrically assisted pedal cycle’ (EAPC)

must have pedals that can be used to propel it
can have more than 2 wheels, for example a tricycle
It can be propelled up to 15.5mph without pedalling but only if it’s been approved.
must have an electric motor with a ‘continuous rated power’ output of no more than 250 watts and
which must not be able to propel the bike at more than 15.5 miles per hour (mph)

Hodgemoor donation to Thames Valley Air Ambulance

15th May 202515th May 2025Marcus Bicknell

On Saturday 10th May the Thames Valley Air Ambulance, at their Stokenchurch HQ open day, received a donation for £500 from the Hodgemoor Riding Association, Frank Everest, Susie and Marcus Bicknell. Our photo shows, Nicola Bishop (Community Fundraising Manager) and Ruth Dunkin (Head of Community & Events) of the Thames Valley Air Ambulance with Marcus Bicknell (chairman) and Susie Bicknell (secretary) of the Hodgemoor Riding Association. £300 of the donation was from Frank Everest whose fee for maintenance work in Hodgemoor Woods he wanted to give to charity. Frank at Waylands Equestrian is a great support to the riding community. £200 was from Susie and Marcus.

We can strongly recommend you attend one of the open days of the Thames Valley Air Ambulance (Open Days 15 Aug & 12 Dec https://www.tvairambulance.org.uk/hq-open-days) where you can get to understand the extraordinarily high medical skills deployed by the organisation across Berkshire Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire on an average 9 times a day by helicopter and by car. Their objective and specialisation now is to co complete as much treatment as possible on the scene of the incident including surgical operations, setting wound fractures and administrating advanced drugs. Of their 3000 interventions per year 65 are equestrian related. We horse riders remain grateful for the knowledge that they can come to help if required.

The charity is totally funded by the community it serves, receiving no government or lottery funding – there are lots of way you can support from making a donation, taking part in an event or even leaving a gift in your will. In addition volunteering is a huge help to the charity, whether as a one-off or more regularly. The team would love to hear from you to discuss any of the above further and can be reached via fundraising@tvairambulance.org.uk

The Hodgemoor Riding Association has raised over £300,000 since 2000 to encourage horse-riders away from busy traffic and into the woods and horse trails in the Seer Green, Jordans and Chalfont area. www.hodgemoor.org.uk

Look at the media release or forward it in pdf: Thames Valley Air Ambulance Hodgemoor donation 10May2025

Philipshill Wood – an interesting hack from Chalfont St Giles

5th May 20255th May 2025Marcus Bicknell

Long leisurely hack to in the cool of Monday…. Two hours including the roadwork from the top of St Giles, through the village and up the other side on the Chorleywood road.

Philipshill Wood is delightful, nice clear bridle ways and a loop at the end round the fields. About 40 mins off road. Recommended for any quiet rider with a quiet horse. Not too much traffic today.