Why Can’t King Charles III English Coast Path (ECP) be used as a cycle route?
The ECP in our area has not been set out to link communities and in some sections goes over difficult terrain such as sand dunes, is subject to erosion, and requires access through gates, stiles and steps (such as near Silecroft, below).
Some of the sections of the ECP go through protected habitats (such as Sites of Special Scientific Interest, SSSI) for which there are substantial restrictions for surfacing that would be needed to allow wheeled transport.
Also, the ECP has been designated as a Footpath and so access for anyone other than pedestrians on Footpath sections is not allowed. Upgrading a footpath to a bridleway (to allow cycles, equestrians) is a legal process that needs landowner agreement and involves time and expense.