Appenzell Innerrhoden – for decades, this was very difficult terrain for trail bikers. The federal law on bike paths now requires the canton to create a network for recreational use in addition to one for everyday traffic – meaning attractive routes for mountain bikers. The government of the canton in eastern Switzerland took this as an opportunity to enshrine the trail ban in law. "Outside of marked cycle paths, riding on hiking trails is not permitted," stated the draft of the "Introductory Act to the Federal Act on Cycle Paths." However, time and the popularity of mountain biking have not left this tradition-conscious canton unscathed. This article met with resistance in parliament, as reported by the Appenzeller Zeitung (paywall).

The responsible government councilor, Hans Dörig, promised that the ban would create clarity. New or existing bike routes could be "easily incorporated into the bike network." In other words, even the modest Innerrhoden bike route network would initially be illegal again. He further argues that the comprehensive ban is an incentive for the districts to establish an attractive leisure program. "First ban, then partially allow" The government clearly considers it important to set in stone a ban on riding on hiking trails, the parliamentarian continued. Another pointed out that this regulation would turn children into lawbreakers on their way to school and gave a specific example. According to the local newspaper, almost all of the 47 members of parliament present took the floor. According to the SDA news agency, some predicted that the cycle path law would be rejected by the Landsgemeinde due to the ban on cycling on hiking trails – the Innerrhoden electorate has the final say there.

Also noteworthy is the statement by State Councilor Hand Dörig that Appenzell Innerrhoden will not meet the deadline set by the federal government for presenting a recreational bike network. This deadline expires in 2027.

The vote in the Grand Council had to be repeated three times before the number of votes cast matched the number of voters present: 23 voted against, 22 in favor of the draft law with the bike ban, and two abstained.

In April, the introductory law will now be put to a vote at the Landsgemeinde – without the bike ban on hiking trails. For the time being, however, everything will remain as it is in Innerrhoden, namely that mountain bikers are only welcome on signposted routes. However, the new law allows more leeway to open narrow paths to bikers in the future.