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Mountain bikers in Miesbacher Land: 1.5 meter rule causes protest!
There is a risk of a mountain bike ban on narrow paths in the Miesbach district. The DIMB defends itself against the 1.5 meter rule.
Mountain bikers in Miesbacher Land: 1.5 meter rule causes protest!
The mountain bike scene in the Miesbach district is in turmoil. A planned resolution that would ban cycling on paths less than 1.5 meters wide is causing controversy. This new regulation could have far-reaching consequences for leisure activities and the local economy. Loud Mercury The German Initiative Mountain Bike (DIMB) is forced to consider legal steps to take action against the restrictive requirements. The district office plans to set up a steering group to designate official trails, which is met with protest from the mountain bike community.
What is this project all about? As part of a new version of regulations on various landscape protection areas, including “Schliersee and the surrounding area” and “Tegernsee and the surrounding area”, the authorities want to strongly regulate cycling on alpine pastures and forest paths as well as on designated trails. A total of 35 previously approved exceptions are now no longer valid as they do not appear to be legally tenable. This means there are no important opportunities for mountain bikers in the region, who often feel comfortable on narrow paths.
Protests and resistance
The DIMB and the German Alpine Association (DAV) express sharp criticism of the planned changes. They argue that blanket closures are not only legally and practically untenable, but could also have significant negative impacts on the region's recreational value and tourism. It is particularly noted that narrow paths can also be safely navigated with an adapted driving style. Another point of criticism is the lack of clarity regarding the exact width measurements of the paths and the possibility for the district office to make closures without public notice, which is viewed as non-transparent.
An example of the relevance of this problem was the response of around 300 objections from mountain bikers during the first round of interpretation, which shows how strongly the community is resisting the planned measures.
Legal basis and regulations
What does it look like legally? In Germany, the federal states regulate mountain biking; This is also what it says in the Bavarian Nature Conservation Act, which says Alpine Club does not provide for any restrictive regulations for cyclists. The DAV and the DIMB call for the existing regulations to be respected and instead for solution-oriented cooperation.
The planned regulation that is being discussed in Miesbach could also affect recreational and everyday cycling. In addition, local businesses that depend on the tourism sector could suffer from the drastic restrictions. The associations are therefore relying on support from business and hope that the actors involved will finally come to an objective discussion.
The open concerns that should be received by the district office last until August 11, 2025. Clear and transparent communication as well as sustainable solutions for everyone involved are urgently required in order to perhaps avoid such a regulation and to be able to continue to successfully implement “Breeding season is closed season”, a campaign for considerate treatment of nature.