The new coalition agreement in Baden-Württemberg opens up new perspectives for near-natural mountain bike offers. Bündnis 90/Die Grünen and the CDU want to provide more support to local authorities in future to introduce single trails and develop solutions together with all stakeholders via round tables. Although the controversial two-metre rule remains in place, the political will for pragmatic implementation is growing.
Against this backdrop, the Mountain Bike Forum Deutschland e. V. is organising the 9th German Mountain Bike Congress at the KulturBahnhof Aalen from 16 to 18 June. Around 150 experts from local authorities, tourism, forestry, administration and associations will come together to promote legally compliant, nature-friendly and high-quality bike offers.
Two-metre rule: where new leeway is created
Since 1995, the two-metre rule has only permitted cycling in forests on paths that are at least two metres wide. Baden-Württemberg is therefore an exception nationwide. A political expert panel at the congress will shed light on the scope for local authorities, clubs and destinations. Discussions will include support models from the state, simplified authorisation procedures and ways to reduce bureaucratic hurdles.
Specialist programme with three focal points
The three-day congress programme is divided into three subject areas:
Law, administration and implementation
A new guideline on the duty of care for MTB trails is intended to create more legal clarity and facilitate authorisation processes. Practical reports from Rhineland-Palatinate, Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria show how mountain bike infrastructure can be successfully integrated into forestry practice.
Quality, financing and data
The focus here will be on financing models for bike infrastructure, the data requirements of local authorities and the MTB Monitor 2026. The Swabian Alb Tourism Association will also be presenting its BIKE quality concept.
Community, target groups and images of the future
The third topic area is dedicated to the gravel target group, digital offers, international exchange of experience with Switzerland and Austria as well as the social perception of mountain biking.
Destination Aalen as a practical example
Schwäbische Alb Tourismus and the city of Aalen act as destination partners. On a specialist excursion, Aalen shows how cooperation between the municipality and the local MTB community works in practice.
Premiere for the BIKE SPIRIT AWARDS
The Mountain Bike Forum Germany presents the BIKE SPIRIT AWARDS for the first time. Projects in the categories of trail building, diversity and bike experience will be honoured. An expert jury and a community vote will jointly decide on the winners by 31 May.
Exchange, tours and new formats
In addition to panels and presentations, the congress offers numerous networking formats: an (e-)MTB excursion, guided MTB, e-MTB and gravel tours as well as a moderated networking evening. New to the programme is a Women Ride Out, organised in cooperation with Women in Cycling Germany and Women in MTB.
Nico Graaff, Managing Director of Mountainbike Forum Deutschland e. V., emphasises:
"The congress is a central platform for actively shaping the future of biking. In addition to technical know-how, it is above all the encounters and open dialogue that provide lasting impetus for our own projects."
The Mountain Bike Forum Germany e. V. sees itself as a non-profit think tank and dialogue platform for the professionalisation of mountain bike tourism in Germany. It networks tourism, local authorities, forestry, administration, industry and civil society and develops quality standards, concepts and political impulses on the basis of research and practice.
Josh Welz
Editor-in-Chief
