Crazy Regulations for Bikers in Germany

[Tilman]

I do not know, wether somebody of you will bike in southern Germany (state of Baden Wuerttemberg), but if somebody does so, he or she will have to notice, that biking in the forests is only allowed on paths with a width >2m

The German Mountain Bike Association (http://www.dimb.de) and some other organisations are now fightig against this regulation with an official petition to the parliament of Baden Wuerttemberg.

The petition can be found and signed under URL http://www.2m-weg.ecosport.de.

An english translation is attached (please excuse mistakes) find in http://www.petition-2m-weg.ecosport.de/2m_engl_139.png

 

[AndyPeace]

Isn't this the case in the UK? We are not allowed to cycle on footpaths but can use briddleways. I think they need to be a certain width too.

 

[Davidc]

AFAIK we can use footpaths (public right of way ones) if they don't have no cycling orders and signs, and if they do not run adjacent to roads, when they are classed as pavements. This was the outcome of a campaign by the CTC and others some years back.

Paths in woodland forests and across some heathland are often not rights of way, and cycling is governed by the byelaws for the land, or as allowed by the landowner. Canal towpaths are generally not rights of way either and are governed by the Canals and Rivers Trust byelaws which include no riding after dark and no riding at above 8 mph.

I'm not sure if the German response to silly and inconvenient laws is the same as the British one.

 

[PK99]

AFAIK we can use footpaths (public right of way ones) if they don't have no cycling orders and signs, and if they do not run adjacent to roads, when they are classed as pavements. This was the outcome of a campaign by the CTC and others some years back.

.

from an october 2012 briefing document from CTC:

• Cycling is legal on 22% of the Rights of Way (RoW) network in England and Wales . However, the legality of cycling on a RoW is not related to its suitability. There is no right to cycle on footpaths, even though many of them are perfectly suitable; whereas bridleways, which cyclists are allowed to use, may be unusable (see photo below). Creating a coherent, logical, off-road network for cyclists therefore requires a fundamental reform of RoW law and political will.

http://www.ctc.org.uk/sites/default/files/file_public/public-footpathsbrf.pdf

 

[Davidc]

OK, I must have read about Scotland.

Interesting though in the section on legality that it's not illegal, just a trespass against the landowner.

Can't say I'm personally concerned as nearly all my cycling is on roads and the rest on towpath or cycle paths, but I can see how it's more important for some people.

 

[Boon 51]

The Germans are a funny lot with rules.. They dont allow Scottoilers on motorbikes either..

 

[GilesM]

OK, I must have read about Scotland.

Interesting though in the section on legality that it's not illegal, just a trespass against the landowner.

Can't say I'm personally concerned as nearly all my cycling is on roads and the rest on towpath or cycle paths, but I can see how it's more important for some people.

For Scotland there is almost total access, just follow the not unreasonable guide lines here:
http://www.outdooraccess-scotland.com/outdoors-responsibly/

England and Wales, normally it's just Bridleways and By ways (sometimes called green lanes.

The German rules sound pretty strange, but that sums up Germany.

 

[Gravity Aided]

You can cross a golf course in Scotland? That is amazing. In America, most of the golf courses have pretensions to Scottishness, but not to that extent. As for MTB trails, there is no legislation overall, but rules apply to each site. I think at my nearest MTB Trail System, 2 trails do not permit Biking, due to nature concerns for beasties and flora
.http://www.mcleancountyil.gov/index.aspx?NID=356