New trails in the Würmtal: Mountain bikers can look forward to it!

New trails in the Würmtal: Mountain bikers can look forward to it!

A fresh wind blows through the forest in Würmtal! The mountain bike trails on the Würmhochufer between Starnberg and Gauting are now officially open. Six exciting routes invite both beginners and professionals to test their driving skills. The new trails offer a variety of challenges, including jumps, steep turns and root sections. Merkur reports that the legalization of the routes is seen as a successful compromise after conflicts arose between the forestry industry and the biker scene two years ago “illegal” trails were triggered.

Approval for the trails was granted in February after intensive coordination between various authorities. A particularly outstanding highlight is the newly installed flow trail, which enables a fluid driving experience with minimal braking and pedaling. Particular emphasis was placed on family-friendliness, so that even handbikers and children can have fun without any problems.

A step in the right direction

Sonja Schreiter from the German Mountain Bike Initiative (DIMB) emphasizes that protecting the interests of forest owners and at the same time providing attractive trails for mountain bikers do not have to be a contradiction. She and other representatives of the DIMB, including board member Roland Albrecht, emphasize the need for routes close to home for the local population. The exchange and cooperation with the biker community is also of great importance for Emil Hudler, the head of the Munich forestry department.

The topic is more relevant than ever. A new federal forest law that regulates cycling in the forest could further improve the framework for such initiatives. According to Tagesschau, this law stipulates that cycling is only permitted on suitable paths, although a ban on cycling in the forest is excluded. In a country where about a third of the area is forested, the discussion about mountain bike trails is particularly important.

• Die wichtigsten Punkte des neuen Gesetzes:
  • Bundesländer entscheiden über geeignete Mountainbike-Wege.
  • Mountainbiker verlangen Anerkennung ihrer Trails wie Wanderwege.
  • Geplante Novellierung des fast 50 Jahre alten Bundeswaldgesetzes.

The DIMB, supported by large manufacturers such as Shimano, which is investing ten million US dollars in sustainable mountain bike trails, sees potential for positive developments in the region. A well-designed and safe trail network can meet both the needs of bikers and the conservation interests of nature.

Those responsible emphasize the need to hold trail operators accountable, especially when it comes to traffic safety obligations. As DIMB states, specially created MTB trails should be maintained regularly and well signposted. The operators are obliged to mark dangers on the routes and to develop appropriate safety concepts so that the fun of biking is not at the expense of safety.

We will be curious to see how these developments will continue to unfold in the region and whether the new legal framework can actually lead to a better coexistence of nature and cycling. One thing is certain - the fun of mountain biking has arrived in the region, and the new flow trail will certainly delight many adventurers on two wheels.