Conflicting Paths: Debating Mountain Bike Regulations in Miesbach District
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Limited Access: Discussion over Prohibiting Mountain Bikes - European lawmakers have approved the mentioned report.
Alpine trails and biking enthusiasts don't always see eye-to-eye, and tension simmers between cyclists and landowners. The Miesbach district is contemplating restricting mountain biking substantially.
The revalidation of regulations for six landscape protection areas calls for a ban on alpine and forest trails as narrow as 1.5 meters. This revelation was first reported by the "Süddeutsche Zeitung."
Criticism from mountain biking associations – potential total prohibition? The German Alpine Association (DAV) and the German Initiative Mountainbike (DIMB) have expressed strong disapproval of the plans. Initially, they spoke of a ban on paths up to 2.5 meters wide. "This would effectively impose a near-complete cycling ban in the Miesbach district due to the extent of these landscape protection areas," the associations argue in a position statement.
Even if it's only 1.5 meters, that doesn't mute their criticism, they claim. Some designated paths and special MTB trails would be exempt from the regulation.
Questions arise over school routes "The cycling bans will primarily impact local residents," the paper states. Limiting access could also affect school and shopping routes.
The district office firmly denies this assertion. "We will not deprive any schoolchild of their school route," a spokeswoman stated. The aim is to strike a balance between landowners and cyclists, with future trails for mountain bikers in the horizon.
The north and Leitzachtal regions remain unscathed. Popular tours on forest roads, such as the Erzherzog-Johann-Runde, the Wallberg-Runde, Auer Alm, Neureuth, or Valepp, remain viable.
Landowners' rights The district office must address the rights of landowners. "Without landowners' consent, for instance, not a single pure MTB trail can be designated in natural areas," argues Josef Faas from the Lower Nature Conservation Authority.
The decision on the new regulations awaits the district council's review in July, with a decision expected in October.
Width as a determinant: Bavaria's innovative precedent
According to Thomas Holz from DIMB, only a handful of trails would remain in the district under the new regulation. With this, Bavaria would set a new precedent, enforcing a ban based on the width of the path – a practice similar to that of Baden-Württemberg, where it's led sportspeople to resort to wild trails.
Holz also refers to an administrative guideline of the Ministry of the Environment for the implementation of the Bavarian Nature Conservation Act: "Rejecting a minimum width of a path based on constitutional grounds, as narrow paths are not inherently unsuitable, is generally discouraged," the guideline suggests. Instead, factor in various circumstances, such as the path's condition, potential long-term harm to natural spaces, erosion risk, and pedestrian safety.
Consider each case individually: New solutions for old conflicts
"Each case must be handled individually," says Nicolas Gareis of the DAV. A steering group for mountain biking – comprising representatives from the district office and both associations – aims to develop targeted offers and address cyclists' needs accordingly.
- Mountain Biking
- Miesbach District
- Miesbach
- DAV (German Alpine Club)
- SZ (South German newspaper)
- DIMB (German Initiative Mountainbike)
- The Miesbach district, contemplating restricting mountain biking substantially, has been met with strong disapproval from the German Alpine Club (DAV) and the German Initiative Mountainbike (DIMB).
- Despite the proposed ban on alpine and forest trails as narrow as 1.5 meters in six landscape protection areas, some designated paths and special MTB trails may be exempt from the regulation.
- If the new regulations in Miesbach district are implemented, they could significantly impact local residents due to potential restrictions on school and shopping routes.
