Mit dem neuen Jagdgesetz droht ein Singletrail-Verbot
Discussions in the run-up to the vote on the new hunting law in Switzerland have primarily revolved around the wolf and the treatment of protected animal species. Secretly, however, the new hunting law also includes a ban on mountain biking on single trails.
In its "explanatory report on the amendment to the Ordinance on Hunting and the Protection of Wild Mammals and Birds", the Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN) states clearly: "With the exception of use for agricultural and forestry purposes and by wildlife protection bodies, it is prohibited (in wildlife protection areas) to drive on alpine and forest roads with motorized vehicles and to use vehicles of any kind on class 6 footpaths and off roads as well as forest and field paths; in justified cases, the cantons may provide for exceptions."Class 6 footpaths specifically refer to single trails. This explicit ban is new, even though gamekeepers have always talked about biking bans in game reserves, but have never been able to produce the necessary legal paragraphs. With the new Hunting Act, this is now to be secretly introduced. It is against this background that the amendment to the Bafus should be understood: "The previous bans on riding on the terrain or paths in wildlife reserves will be reorganized and regulated more clearly. In principle, nothing has changed in terms of content, but this has been clarified. In particular, it is now clear that cycling, including with mountain bikes, is not permitted on class 6 footpaths"
This would not spell doom for mountain bikers, but some important trail areas are directly affected. The Valais and the canton of Glarus are particularly hard hit. But the Bernese Oberland is also significantly affected by the ban on biking in the Kiental and Rosenlaui valleys. Overall, the new forest law would result in a ban on mountain biking in the following regions:
On September 27, the Swiss population will be called upon to vote on the new hunting law. Mountain bikers should include this secret introduction of the ban on single trails in game reserves in their verdict on the new hunting law.
Further information
- Bafu, Explanatory report on the amendment of the Ordinance on Hunting and the Protection of Wild Mammals and Birds (page 59):
admin.ch/ch/d/gg/pc/documents/3125/Hunting_Ordinance_Explanatory_Report_en.pdf - Swisstopo, cartographic representation of all game reserves in Switzerland:
geo.admin.ch/8ba3a4aadd