The Rights of Way Survey Team (ROWST) is a user focused group dedicated to preserving access to the highways and byways of England and Wales, in association with TreadLightly! through a range of campaigns, stewardship and education.
What it is not: it is not a legislative organisation like GLASS, nor a greenlaning club like All-Terrain UK.
It aims to preserve access to the highway network for all users, by discouraging the abuse of the network and anti-social behaviour of a minority of users through campaigns and education with opportunities for all user groups to get involved.
TREAD PRINCIPLES
Responsible recreation is in your hands. Learn how to tread lightly on land and water with our tips.
Travel Responsibly
By staying on designated lanes, trails and area. Go over, not around, obstacles to avoid widening the trails. Cross streams only at designated fords. When possible, avoid wet, muddy trails.
Respect the Rights of Others
Including private property owners, all recreational highway users, campers and others so they can enjoy their recreational activities undisturbed. Leave gates as you found them. Yield right of way to those passing you or going uphill.
Educate Yourself
Prior to your trip by obtaining travel maps and regulations from public agencies. Plan for your trip, take recreation skills classes and know how to operate your equipment safely.
Avoid Sensitive Areas
Such as meadows, lake shores, wetlands and streams. Always ride and drive with caution any time water is present. Wet soils are more susceptible to damage. Riding or driving along river and stream beds causes erosion and habitat destruction. Stay on designated routes. This protects wildlife habitats and sensitive soils from damage. Don’t disturb historical, archeological or paleontological sites.
Do Your Part
By modeling appropriate behavior, leaving the area better than you found it, properly disposing of waste, minimizing the use of fire, avoiding the spread of invasive species and repairing degraded areas.