Is the sport of mountain biking, as it is currently practiced, environmentally friendly?
The sport as a whole, most athletes and most facilities are probably environmentally friendly. The biggest problem lies in the current almost nationwide boom in sport. Tourist destinations, event organizers and municipalities are responding to this need with more and more offers and infrastructure.

If this development continues, what will nature look like in 20 years' time?
The trend has been going in one direction for 30 years: more and more people are using more services in more areas. This is because the population has grown and people are more mobile, have more leisure time and more money for leisure. It is to be feared that these and other developments will push uninfluenced nature back to ever smaller refuges.

According to the position paper, the masses are the problem. How can tourism destinations generate revenue without harming nature?
There is a gold-rush atmosphere at the moment. Many destinations see mountain biking as an opportunity to find a replacement for winter tourism, which is declining in many places. Planning must encompass the entire destination or even several. However, they also need to consider whether they will actually benefit from the sport of biking or whether it is better to focus on an alternative.

Many people see "Pro Natura" as a spoilsport that always has something to complain about. However, most of the points in the paper sound plausible. Does the paper also dispel such prejudices?
We want to show that we question certain things critically and find others less problematic. We do not reject mountain biking, but accept it as a legitimate need. Together with others involved, we want to look for ways to keep the sport on an environmentally friendly path. In many cases, people are still thinking too locally and too short-term.

Where is it necessary for Pro Natura to use the heavy artillery of an objection?
The aim of an objection is always to check the legality of a project, which we believe has been violated. I can't give any success figures specifically for mountain biking. But overall, the success rate of our complaints is around two thirds. In these cases, it was confirmed in court that the original project violated the applicable law in at least one respect.

How is the exchange between Pro Natura and construction companies, destinations and municipalities?
Cooperation with trail builders and bike planners is well underway. However, our exchange has not yet been tested everywhere in an "emergency". In terms of destinations and municipalities, there are some good examples. In many cases, however, the exchange should have started earlier in the planning process and become more intensive in order to lead to a joint solution.

How should tourism destinations and municipalities lead the way so that trail users don't put their freedom above nature?
Destinations and municipalities need to be aware of their own natural values. Then they can pass these on and explain recommendations or rules in a meaningful way. This is a long and difficult path, and Pro Natura can help. Of course, you will never convince everyone this way, but for many mountain bikers the following also applies: "You only love what you know - you only protect what you love".

Dr. Andreas Boldt is project manager for recreational activities at Pro Natura. Together with other nature conservation organizations, he has drawn up a position paper on mountain biking (download position paper at sl-fp.ch). Boldt is taking part in the Ride Congress as a speaker and panelist in a program focus on the topic.

Further information on the Ride Congress on September 19 and 20, 2019:

ride-congress.ch