Editing Towpath (section)

==Modern usage==
Towpaths are popular with [[cyclists]] and walkers, and some are suitable for [[equestrianism|equestrians]]. In snowy winters they are popular in the US with [[cross-country ski]]ers and [[snowmobile]] users.

Although historically not designed or used as towpaths, [[acequia]] ditch banks also are popular recreational trails.

===Britain===
In Britain, most canals were built, owned and operated by private companies, and the towpaths were deemed to be private, for the benefit of legitimate users of the canal. The [[History of the British canal system#Road competition and nationalisation|nationalisation of the canal system]] in 1948 did not result in the towpaths becoming [[public rights of way]]. Subsequent legislation, such as the [[Transport Act 1968#Waterways|Transport Act 1968]], which defined the government's obligations to the maintenance of the inland waterways for which it was now responsible, did not include any commitment to maintain towpaths for use by anyone,<ref name=screen>{{cite web |url=http://www.waterways.org.uk/pdf/restoration/leisure_facilities_on_the_towpath |first=Andy |last=Screen |title=Leisure Facilities on the Towpath |publisher=Inland Waterways Association |access-date=2012-02-03}}</ref> however, some ten years later [[British Waterways]] started to relax the rule that a permit was required to give access to a towpath, and began to encourage leisure usage by walkers, anglers and in some areas, cyclists.<ref>{{harvnb |Cumberlidge |2009 |p=37}}</ref> The steady development of the leisure use of the canals and the decline of commercial traffic has resulted in a general acceptance that towpaths are open to everyone, and not just boat users.<ref name=jane11>{{harvnb |Cumberlidge |2009 |p=11}}</ref>

The concept of free access to towpaths is now enshrined in the legislation which transferred responsibility for the English and Welsh canals from [[British Waterways]] to the [[Canal & River Trust]] in 2012.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.defra.gov.uk/news/2011/09/12/waterways-charity-2/ |title=Government confirms commitment to create new charity to protect Britain's waterways |publisher=DEFRA |access-date=2012-02-03}}</ref> Cycling permits are no longer required by the Canal & River Trust.<ref>{{cite web|title=Cycling FAQs|url=https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/enjoy-the-waterways/cycling/cycling-faqs|publisher=Canal & River Trust|access-date=21 August 2017}}</ref> However, not all canal towpaths are suitable for use by cyclists, and conflicts can arise between the differing user groups, leading to campaigns such as Stay Kind, Slow Down. <ref>{{cite web |url=https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/news-and-views/our-campaigns/stay-kind-slow-down/ |title=Stay Kind, Slow Down |publisher=Canal & River Trust |access-date=2020-09-28}}</ref> Parts of some towpaths have been incorporated into the [[National Cycle Network]], and in most cases this has resulted in the surface being improved.<ref name=jane11/>