But don't we have enough trails in Switzerland where we can have fun? One would have to assume so, but they are not available everywhere and the trails certainly do not always meet the needs. On the one hand, the desire and ability to bike on single trails does not stop at old age, on the other hand, the younger generation of mountain bikers would like some airtime and more extreme lines. Unfortunately, no hiking trail offers this, and always referring to the bike parks doesn't work either, apart from the fact that the parks are not yet open in spring.

It is therefore obvious that new trails or even trail centers are needed in urban areas. And often it doesn't take much: a piece of forest in a local recreation area where interested parties can dig their own jumps and lines. Or much better: the municipality takes care of it itself and becomes a park shaper, but more on that later.

Nothing has happened

It would be up to the municipalities to respond to the growing number of mountain bikers. Rather with sustainably built infrastructure than with closures or bans. Local and legal trails are more important than ever - for the young and older population and also against the proliferation of trails. And the latter, as everyone can see, is bad for flora and fauna.

This hasn't just been happening since the current boom, but that's also why hardly anything has happened. It's still the usual suspects that offer fun trails close to the cities. Kids won't stay on the great pump tracks forever, which are becoming more and more numerous, and not just in this country.

In addition, mountain bikers have previously campaigned for their needs through associations and interest groups, which is fine as far as it goes. The fact that they then also have to pay for the financing of construction and maintenance is definitely no longer in keeping with the times.Showcase park for 20 years

It would be easy, as the example of Bikepark Bülach shows, and has been for almost 20 years. Built in 2001, the mini bike park has a small but excellent infrastructure. To date, it offers two attractive single trail circuits, as well as descents with drops, banked turns and various jumps, so that almost all ages and skill levels can have fun.
Today, the bike park in Bülach is a popular attraction for many mountain bikers from the region, but also for younger, gravity-oriented mountain bikers who come from all over German-speaking Switzerland.

Originally used by Barbara Blatter, the then Olympic silver medallist in the Sydney cross-country race, as a training town, the park is made freely available to all users by the town of Bülach. Since 2015, the park has been maintained by the Bülach forestry operation, i.e. by the town. Forest warden Nils Honegger is an enthusiastic mountain biker with a penchant for fun descents and big jumps. Even if it only amounts to a few weeks a year, Honegger's working hours include building and maintaining the bike park in addition to woodcutting and forest maintenance. With this contribution, the town of Bülach not only offers a modern facility for mountain bikers of all ages, it also makes an important contribution to combating the proliferation of trails. Why not do the same in other municipalities?

Imitation desired

While bike infrastructure is in place in many mountain cantons with hiking trails and bike parks, it is largely lacking in the lowlands. It would therefore be high time for the municipalities to meet these needs. There should be no shortage of experts in trail construction and planning in this country.

Perhaps the respective sports departments need a little push from outside. However, as already mentioned, it is not the responsibility of clubs or private individuals to finance and maintain infrastructure on public land. Or do the footballers mow and fertilize their pitches themselves?

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