Types of public rights of way

Public rights of way are paths, usually across privately owned land, which members of the public have a right to use, and include: 

Public footpaths - can be used by walkers only 

Public bridleways - for use by walkers, horse riders and cyclists, although cyclists must give way to walkers and horse riders.  

Restricted byway - can be used by walkers, horse riders, cyclists and other non-motorised vehicles

Byways Open to all traffic (BOAT) -  these routes are often called byways and may be used for walkers, horse riders, cyclists and vehicles including horse-drawn carriages, motorcycles and other motor vehicles. 

Other types of path 

Adopted highways - these are roads, footpaths or bridleways maintained at public expense. Unadopted roads are maintained at the owner's expense.

Permissive paths - where a landowner has given specific agreement for members of the public to use.

Green lanes - the term is used to describe lanes that have a grass surface and may be enclosed by hedges. Green lanes are recorded on the list of streets and have the same rights as BOATs (see above) unless traffic restrictions are in place