The bike ban comes into force today and lasts for five months

Mountain bikers and cyclists are being asked to observe a voluntary ban on Wales’s highest mountain from today.

The five-month peak-time ban applies to bridleways on Snowdon and is put in place annually between May and September to avoid accidents when paths are at their busiest.

Snowdonia National Park Authority says the voluntary scheme, which was first introduced 10 years ago, is a way of avoiding the introduction of a traffic regulation order.

Cyclists are asked to stay off the paths from 1 May to 30 September between 10am and 5pm.

The voluntary cycling agreement was revised and agreed in 2003 by CTC Cymru, the Welsh Cycling Union and the International Mountain Bicycling Organisation, and requests mountain bikers avoid using the bridleways on the mountain at these specific times.

Llanberis Community Council, which raised its concerns with Gwynedd Council – responsible as the highways authority – and the Snowdonia National Park Authority, remains keen that mountain bikers continue to honour the agreement, for the sake of their own and walkers’ safety.

Mair Huws, head of the park authority’s warden and access service, said: “Cycling on Snowdon, when there are hundreds of walkers on the paths, can be a nuisance, frustrating and inconsiderate for others.

“We are eager to manage the situation and therefore are asking for cyclists’ cooperation in respecting the hours which are included in the agreement.

“We also advise cyclists of other paths which are suitable for mountain biking in the national park as there are more opportunities to do in Snowdonia these days.”

Further details on cycling in Snowdonia can be found on the national park authority’s website.