Please don't cycle on the Common
Thu 02 Jul 2026
A number of incidents have been highlighted recently and the Vale Commons Council discussed it at its latest meeting because a Vale Douzenier who approached a cyclist to remind them politely that it was illegal to ride on the grass was abused for doing so.
What made the incident worse, council members heard, was that the bike rider would have known, from a position they hold, that riding there was not permitted.
Vale Senior Constable John Niles said he was concerned a Vale douzenier seeking to be a good citizen like this could be abused when they were just trying to remind people of the restrictions on cycling other than on proper paths.
Habitat
"No one wants to get difficult over this," he said, "but the restrictions are there for a purpose. Coastal grassland – which comprises much of the Common – is a rare and fragile habitat in Guernsey and cycling damages it unless it is confined to surfaced areas. It really is as simple as that."
He added that the council tried to make the Common as accessible as possible to everyone of all ages and so indiscriminate cycling could, quite literally, impact other users.
"If everyone sticks to the rules, everything's fine," he said. "Basically, I'm just asking people to be sensible about that and remember that the cycling restrictions are there for the benefit of the majority."
What are the rules?
Give Way: Pedestrians and horse riders always have the right of way.
Speed Limits: You should travel at an appropriate, safe speed (not exceeding 10 mph) to avoid conflicts with walkers.
Designated Paths Only: Do not cycle across the open grassland, sand dunes, or the golf course. If you are using a local rental bike, be aware that many hire companies explicitly prohibit riding on the common, beaches, or cliff paths.
For more about the Common:
The Guernsey Velo Club (GVC) uses L'Ancresse Common by prior arrangement with the Vale Commons Council as a venue for off-road cycling, including the challenging Cross-Country (XC) Island Games circuit and various Gravity Enduro series.