Mountain bikers in Miesbach are defending themselves against impending cycling bans!

Mountain bikers in Miesbach are defending themselves against impending cycling bans!

In the Miesbach district, one of the most popular regions for mountain bikers in southern Bavaria, cyclists' leisure activities are in jeopardy. The district is planning a nationwide ban on cycling on paths that are less than 1.5 meters wide. This measure could have far-reaching consequences for the local biker community and leisure tourism. Bike magazine reports that these regulations could not only have an impact on cyclists, but also on the implementation of the right of entry anchored in the Bavarian Nature Conservation Act.

The German Mountain Bike Initiative (DIMB) and the German Alpine Club (DAV) have already expressed their concerns. They warn that the new regulations could actually restrict the legally guaranteed right of entry. Affected citizens and groups have until August 11, 2025 to comment on changes to the regulations that can be found in public displays. DIMB explains that the relevant areas that are affected include, among others, the popular landscapes around Tegernsee and Schliersee.

Fear of precedent

The effects on other districts in Bavaria are of particular concern. If the ban is enforced, similar measures could follow in other regions. In the Miesbach district alone, five out of six landscape protection areas would be affected. The only exception is the “Egartenlandschaft around Miesbach”. This has led to a movement among cyclists trying to raise their voices against the new regulations. Bike magazine reports that the local associations are opposing the plans that have been decided and are pointing out the need for dialogue.

The DIMB points out that narrow paths less than 1.5 meters wide are attractive for many mountain bikers and play an important role in the sport. However, the planned regulations would limit the offer only to designated paths and special trails, which are extremely rare in the district. In order to clarify their position, the associations are asking for statements that highlight personal connections to Miesbach and the bike routes. Comments can be sent by email to Umweltrecht@lra-mb.bayern.de.

Similar developments at the federal level

Parallel to the situation in Miesbach, mountain bikers could also face further restrictions at a higher level in Bavaria. A leaked draft of a new federal forest law stipulates that riding bicycles without an operating license is only permitted on roads and suitable paths. Experts like mountain bike trainer Matthias Lenk are concerned and are calling for mountain bike trails to be treated equally with hiking trails. BR documents that the traffic light government is trying to amend the Federal Forest Act, which has existed for over fifty years.

In the current debate, various stakeholders, from tourism experts to environmentalists, show that a common solution must be found in the interests of nature and leisure activities. It is up in the air whether the planned regulations will support the framework for harmonious coexistence in the forest or will lead to the displacement of mountain bikers.