Until now, mountain bikers in North Rhine-Westphalia have been allowed to ride on "roads and fixed paths" - a formulation that included many nature trails and is to be changed due to its legal vagueness. In future, it will only be permitted to ride on roads and "tracks". The term "tracks" includes paved or natural farm tracks that can be used all year round by two-lane, non-off-road vehicles. Anything less than approx. 3.5 metres wide - the standard for forestry tracks - would therefore be taboo.
Single trails only with double approval
In addition, riding on explicitly authorised trails will be permitted. However, in future, trail clearance will be subject to several conditions:
- the forest owner must agree
- the forestry authority must give its consent
- the trail must be officially marked
The additional involvement of the forestry authority in terms of trail clearance serves to protect the forest.
New bans and higher penalties
The draft not only tightens the definition of routes, but also the regulatory law:
- Trail building becomes an offence in its own right: Berms, kickers, north shore elements or even small embankments are prohibited - regardless of whether anyone is riding there.
- Fines increase from €25,000 to up to €50,000
- S-pedelecs, Segways and e-scooters completely excluded - even on wide paths.
Why is NRW doing this?
The state government cites several reasons to justify a change in the law. At the centre is the protection of the forest floor. This suffers, among other things, from cyclists travelling off paved forest paths. The law is also intended to counteract the increased use of forests due to the e-bike boom.
Further arguments are the above-mentioned lack of clarity in the current legal situation and the reduction of Potential for conflict between cyclists and hikers and other recreational users. The consequences of climate change, such as bark beetles and drought, emphasise the need for greater control of forest use.
Conclusion
NRW is planning one of the strictest bike regulations in Germany. The combination of narrow trail definitions, authorisation requirements and high fines means that free mountain biking on single trails would practically no longer be possible.
Lukas Niebuhr
Working student
