Member spotlight: Hugh Cleary

Our members are dedicated to preserving our network of green lanes and we aim to recognise the contribution they make – whether this is through organising working parties to repair lanes, welcoming new members or liaising with police and local authorities. Our latest Member Spotlight is on Hugh Cleary, a keen trail rider who has been green laning since 1973 and a member of the Green Lane Association since 2014. He is also chairman of the Peak and Derbyshire Vehicle User Group (PDVUG) and rights of way officer at the Manchester 17 motorcycle club. Hugh was nominated for the work he has done to promote responsible green laning with both Cheshire and South Yorkshire Police. He has also given written and oral evidence in a number of public inquiries in and around the Peak District to preserve vehicular rights of way.

Q) Why did you want to get more involved with protecting green lanes?

A) We seem to be under threat and we need to keep an eye on what’s going on. Not everyone likes motor vehicles. I take it personally when someone says you can’t ride somewhere that I know you can. The liberty that I have enjoyed should be there for other people to enjoy. Closing off lanes isn’t going to stop the idiots that you get in any area of society they will still be out there but I feel that at the moment, the good lads are getting punished by the bad lads.

Q) You’ve given evidence to public enquiries – what’s this experience been like and what skills do you need to do this?

A) I don’t know that you need any particular skills. It’s more about attitude. I have a passion for the lanes and I’m interested in the history of the area and how it’s been used and that comes over when I’m at a public enquiry. I would recommend anyone to get involved with this sort of thing. It’s just a case of turning up on the day and saying what you believe to be true and not being put off by the people who think they know better than you. The first one I did I found intimidating but the more I sat there and watched what was going on, I saw it was not a case of speaking in legal terms, it was just a case of turning up and saying ‘I have ridden that lane’.

q) You’ve also taken part in a video project for the police – what was that about?

A) That was a promo for Cheshire Police and it was about rural crime. The PDVUG and the police have a WhatsApp group and if we see anything unusual, we use the group to raise the alert. In the film I spoke about rural crime and the importance of people keeping an eye out.

Q) Do you think things are getting better for green laners?

A) I do think that things have improved in the last five years – you no longer seem to get the sideways glances that you once did. I think that’s the nice thing about the Association – it’s for everyone that uses green lanes and I think that’s something we need to get over. For example, I wear an open face helmet and I carry a packet of Polos. If I pass a horse rider and their horse is worried about the bike, I turn the engine off and feed the horse a mint and they soon realise that the bike isn’t scary. The only downside is you do get a bit of slobber on your glove!