In the United Kingdom, any route over which the public has a right to pass is called a "right of way" or "highway". This includes everything from the quietest footpath to the busiest motorway. However, when we think of rights of way we generally imagine quiet country routes.
Five distinct rights can exist over any right of way or highway.
The right to walk, the right to cycle or ride a horse, the right to drive animals, the right to use a non-motorised vehicle (such as a horse and cart) and the right to drive a motorised vehicle such as a motorbike or 4x4.
Bridleways have a right to walk, ride a horse and ride a bicycle. They may also have a right to drive animals although this is not recorded anywhere. Before 1981, there were some bridleways without the right to ride a bicycle. This is no longer the case but those cyclists must now give way to horses.
As it is virtually impossible to know which bridleways require cyclists to give way to horses, we suggest that cyclists do so in all cases where they encounter a horse rider. It is also polite and respectful as well as remaining within the rules.
Vehicles, including non-motorised vehicles, are not permitted on bridleways unless they are a "usual accompaniment" which is the topic of another article.
For any public right of way, a Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) can limit the use either by time or any other criteria. So, in theory, walkers could be prohibited from a bridleway but we are unaware of anywhere this actually happens.
There is another type of bridleway. A permissive bridleway. This is not strictly a public right of way as the public to not have an inherent right to use the way. They have been granted permission by the landowner who can revoke that permission at any time. Again, it is possible in theory to give permission for people to use the route on horseback but not on foot but this doesn't happen in practice.