Riding freely in the forest: mountain bikers are still generally allowed to ride trails in most federal states. The new Federal Forest Act is due to be passed by the Bundestag in spring 2024. The special thing about it: For the first time in the history of the Federal Republic of Germany, it will apply uniformly in all 16 federal states.
This also applies to access rights for cyclists. Goodbye 2-metre rule as in Baden-Württemberg? At the moment, everything remains open. "In the worst-case scenario, mountain biking will be banned on trails, as in Austria. In the best-case scenario, mountain biking will remain legal on trails," says DIMB consultant Heiko Mittelstädt.
This is what the Nature and Biodiversity Conservation Union (NaBu) demands
Associations of forest owners, nature conservation organisations and others have now sent in their proposals. These serve as the basis for possible draft legislation. In the NaBu position paper, the nature conservation organisation makes its position clear.
In it, the NaBu demands that mountain biking should only be permitted on specially designated trails. In addition: "Hikers and skiers should not leave the trails, as this causes additional stress for forest animals" In other words, this would also significantly restrict the right of access for mushroom pickers, for example.
With regard to mountain bikers, the NaBu:
"The experience of nature and the appreciation of the forest as an ecosystem should be the guiding principles when visiting the forest. Sportspeople must therefore subordinate themselves to this goal and not regard the forest as a 'sports arena' for leisure activities. Hikers and skiers should therefore not leave the paths, as this causes additional stress for forest animals. Sporting activities such as mountain biking or horse riding may only be practised on specially marked trails. E-mobility (with the exception of ambulances) should also be restricted in the forest in favour of nature." (Excerpt from NaBu basic principles programme p.64)
As is usual for claims in position papers, sources are cited. They are intended to substantiate the claim with facts and arguments. Here, however, no German source was given, but a Study from Switzerland that was carried out during the Covid lockdown.
The effectiveness of this study can be questioned, but it can also be interpreted positively. Among other things, it states: "People felt less disturbed than usual when visiting the forest, not even by the biking that usually disturbs many recreationists - a sign of mutual understanding and cohesion in times of crisis?"
The other associations are holding back when it comes to access rights for mountain bikers. Only the association of "hunting landlords is calling for a ban on riding at night".
No justification for the NaBu demand, says the German Mountain Bike Initiative (DIMB)
"I'm surprised that the NaBu's demands are based on a Swiss study. There are good studies from Germany," says DIMB consultant Heiko Mittelstädt. Mittelstädt is referring to a study from Freiburg im Breisgau, for example.
Recreationists in the Freiburg city forest have generally perceived more disturbances during their forest visits than usual. Encounters with other people during their last visit to the forest were rated by
60 % of respondents were exclusively or predominantly positive, one third "neutral" and not even 5 % negative. (Extract from the study during the Corona lockdowns)
Tolerance towards other people in the forest is very high overall. What is decisive for the course of encounters is above all how people meet each other. From the respondents' point of view, inconsiderateness is the most common reason for feeling disturbed by one another. Accordingly, approaches that focus on further promoting mutual understanding seem promising. The great similarities between people travelling on foot or by bikeprovide a concrete starting point for corresponding dialogue processes and information campaigns. (Extract from the FVA study)
Who is the Nature and Biodiversity Conservation Union (NaBu)?
Naturschutzbund Deutschland e. V. (NaBu) is a German non-governmental organisation with the aim of protecting nature and the environment. The NaBu realises concrete nature conservation at home and abroad. This includes the preservation of rivers, oceans, forests and many other ecosystems as well as the protection of individual animal and plant groups and species. The registered organisation has been in existence since 1899 and has over 700,000 members. (Source: Wikipedia)
NaBu statement in response to BIKE enquiry:
We contacted the nature conservation organisation and wanted to know: Why does the NaBu want to ban mountain bikers from trails and paths - despite the lack of studies and arguments? Mrs Birte Cordts from NaBu responded to our enquiry as follows:
"We welcome the fact that many people are discovering the forest and its nature by bike. We see that many cyclists are very considerate and responsible when travelling through the forest. Our criticism is primarily directed at illegal trails that disturb the forest ecosystem. We therefore call for trails specifically designated for cycling so that the forest ecosystem remains protected and can recover. This prevents ruts, for example, which favour soil erosion. Young trees on the ground, which play an important role in natural regeneration, are not destroyed, nor are microorganisms on the ground, such as insects and smaller vertebrates. Retreat areas are also created for wildlife living in the forest, where they can move around undisturbed. The Forest Policy Programme therefore demonstrates this: To ensure that visiting the forest can remain a recreational and natural experience in the future, this sensitive ecosystem needs to be treated with respect and appreciation."
Birte Cordts, Officer for Forest Conservation and Sustainable Forest Use, NaBu
This is what BIKE says about the NaBu statement:
In its first statement in response to BIKE's enquiry, Naturschutzbund Deutschland e. V. explains that its criticism is "primarily directed at illegal trails". However, we as BIKE believe that the NaBu should have formulated this in the same way. This is because the wording chosen in the basic programme is what counts and this suggests that, according to NaBu, the existing trail network may no longer be shared.
What the DIMB says
"For those of us (German Mountain Bike Initiative e. V.In addition to the sub-group of mountain bikers represented by mountain biking, current surveys show that mountain biking is practised frequently by 3.8 million people in Germany and occasionally by 12.2 million. This makes mountain biking a firmly established popular sport in society and the subject of numerous scientific studies.
It should be noted that mountain biking has comparable effects to hiking in terms of nature and landscape compatibility. Our core concern is therefore to change the previous formulation '... permitted on roads and paths' to be maintained. This is short and to the point, ensures legal clarity and corresponds to current practice. The concept of a route is also sufficiently clarified in legal terms."
Comment
"The various nature conservation organisations represent important interests for all nature lovers. This is important, because we mountain bikers also enjoy being out and about in unspoilt nature. So far, however, our impression has been that the nature conservation organisations respect the general right of access of the public. However, the NaBu association is overshooting the mark with its demand that mountain bikers should only be banned from designated routes.
The NaBu does not cite any studies showing that mountain bikers harm nature on trails. No wonder, as these show that cyclists and hikers have a comparable disruptive effect. Even the most famous forester in Germany, Peter Wohlleben, says in the BIKE interview"If MTB riders stay on the existing trails, everything is fine. That doesn't just affect the trees, but also the wildlife."
In addition to the demand in relation to mountain bikers, NaBu wants to prohibit people from entering the forest off the trails. That would mean Mushroom picking and children playing in the forest are history. I doubt whether the NaBu will help the interests of nature conservation to gain more acceptance in this way. I would have liked to have seen better coordination with the recreation associations."
Heiko Mittelstädt, DIMB consultant
I am a mountain biker and a NaBu member. What can I do?
Nabu members who do not agree with the aforementioned demands of the Nature and Biodiversity Conservation Union can contact nabu@nabu.de and express their opinion.
What happens next?
All associations sent in their proposals at the end of March. There are four subject areas for the new Federal Forest Act. These include Forestry and hunting, environment and nature conservation, timber industry, recreation, sport and health - the right of access falls under the latter. The interest groups comment on this as follows B.U.N.D, Deutscher Naturschutzring, Bund Deutscher Radfahrer, DOSB, DIMB. The proposals are collated and examined by the Ministry. Draft legislation on the Federal Forest Act will then be prepared. The German Bundestag is expected to pass the law in spring 2024.
Please also read these articles on the subject of nature conservation:
Laurin Lehner
Editor
