The agreement aims to keep cyclists and walkers apart

The agreement between cyclists and the Snowdonia National Park Authority is now entering its third year.

People are urged to take notice of the agreement to avoid the need for a formal regulation of mountain use.

However, cyclists have said they would prefer some routes to be kept open for their use.

"On the whole the agreement has been well observed, and seems to be working," said Barbara Jones, manager of the national park authority's warden and access service.

I think it is regrettable that certain routes are not made available for cyclists Graham Mills, Cyclists Touring Club

"Wardens on patrol approach the few people who choose to ignore it, and explain the background to the agreement, and our figures show that fewer people disregard the agreement every year.

"We also advise bikers of the many other opportunities for mountain biking in Snowdonia nowadays - notably the trails that have been created by the Forestry Commission," Ms Jones added.

The voluntary agreement was revised in 2003 by Cyclists Touring Club Cymru (CTC), the Welsh Cycling Union and the International Mountain Bicycling Organisation.

During 2005, 1,073 cyclists and 72,183 walkers used the Llanberis path on Snowdon.

Day trips

Graham Mills, president of Chester and north Wales CTC said he would have preferred if certain paths were kept open for cyclists to use during summer.

"I think it is regrettable that certain routes are not made available for cyclists, it is in effect reducing bridleways to footpaths," he said.

"Not everyone can ride early in the morning or evening, especially those who travel there for the day," he added.

But park authorities said they believed the present agreement was the best solution.

"The reality is that cycling on Snowdon, when there are hundreds of walkers on the paths, can be a nuisance, frustrating and inconsiderate for others," Ms Jones added.