Eroding Richmond Park

Yeah I would challenge anyone doing anything which directly affected me, or the life or well-being of another person (provided they didn't look like an asshole).

I wouldn't challenge someone:

-doing graffiti
-smoking weed
-touching a horse
-eroding a footpath or park
-paying for an item over the value of £1 with copper coins

This is because, I have other things to do and life is too short to worry about this kind of stuff.

Nor would I brush it off to the police, BUT, if it meant so much to this guy in the park - maybe he should have reported it to the police rather than getting confrontational.

You would not challenge but this man is clearly annoyed enough to challenge. Your first post stated that he should not have challenged now you are saying he should only do so through the police. He challenged in the wrong manor but if he felt comfortable to challenge someones actions. He is within his rights.

Points one and two conjure up the picture of a hoodied youth and so slightly intimidating to many people and being a teenage most defiantly erratic, teenagers being what they are, trying to find their place e.t.c Interesting move to try and lump that in with riding off th bike trail in R.P.

We all make judgments as to peoples appearances and some guy on a MTB riding around is pretty nonthreatening and similarly so is some guy walking a dog, hence why Harris decided to engage with with the man. If you are doing something wrong be prepared to explain yourself / justify if you think the rule is wrong or except and apologies. Harris seemed happy to do this as he engaged politely and rode off when he could tell the man had no intention of listening of engaging in a constructive argument. He made the judgment that this was not going anywhere. A good choice.

Your issues seem to be at one point with someone even questioning Harris then the way in which he was questioned. Now the man from all accounts did seems rude but he has every right to challenge what he sees as bad behavior at it's source.

These days you have to question whether it is worth getting stabbed for moaning at someone about cycling on a piece of ground they shouldn't be...

See above we make judgments on peoples behavior and looks. If it's a fair comment and you feel comfortable raising the issue raise if you don't discuss it on internet forums. :)