[quote=“Raoul, post:31, topic:92699, full:true”]UK has the concept of public footpaths (actually, it would need to be a bridalway to legally cycle on it, rather than just walk) that allow public access across private property.
TL:DR Absolutely ok to cross private property as long as you stick to the path as marked on the map. Landowners do not always help, and therefore lock gates, electrify fences, block stiles, etc. Perfectly legal to circumvent these illegal barriers.[/quote]
I think you’ll find it’s more complicated than that. 
- Scotland has an absolute right to roam, which I think includes bicycles.
- England and Wales (don’t know about N.Ireland) have a right to roam on uncultivated, unenclosed land (not farmland or private gardens, for example), on foot only - NOT bicycles. On cultivated, enclosed land, there may be public footpaths (no bikes) or a smaller number of bridleways, as you mentioned.
You’re right that illegal barriers on official footpaths can be circumvented (preferably by removing the barriers and/or reporting them), but bridleways tend to be more substantial and more difficult to block - my entirely unsubstantiated guess is that the cyclists were in the wrong here, technically.
