Liguria asks mountain bikers to pay

Kostenpflichtige Trails

What until now has been more of a theoretical nightmare scenario for the mountain bike scene will soon become reality in places like Finale: from 2026, mountain bikers in Liguria will have to buy an access ticket for trails as a contribution to financing trail maintenance. Particularly controversial: only out-of-town bikers are affected, while hikers and locals are not.

The new regional law affects mountain bike hotspots such as Finale Ligure, Imperia, Genoa and Levanto. In future, anyone wanting to use the trails there will need a paid ticket. According to the official justification, the money collected will be used to ensure the maintenance of the trails. Regional consortia consisting of authorities and associations will be responsible for this. They will not only organize the maintenance and construction of new routes, but also the issuing of access permits.

Shot in the foot

However, the model has a double bottom. Only half of the revenue actually goes towards road maintenance. The other half is used for digital steering measures, advertising campaigns and events - in other words, for measures that often restrict or regulate access in practice. This is colloquially known as shooting yourself in the foot.

The region emphasizes that these will initially be pilot projects in Savona and Imperia on heavily frequented trails in the hinterland. However, the law leaves open how far the regulation will be extended later - and whether classic, non-specifically built single trails will also be affected. It also remains unclear how high the ticket prices will be and how controls will be carried out. Will there be armed carabinieri at the Natobase in future to regulate access? Or chases after "fare dodgers" on the Kill Bill Trail?

Hot debates

The development raises an old question anew: should mountain bikers finance their trails themselves? In many regions, this is a recurring debate. Proponents see the model as an opportunity to create legal, well-maintained infrastructure and secure it in the long term. Critics, on the other hand, warn of a split in the scene and a commercialization of free access to nature. And of a considerable backlash, as in Liguria. Pedestrians will be spared, as will other sports. Footballers do not finance their own pitches. Neither do racing cyclists. Neither do track and field athletes, hikers or motorcyclists. Only mountain bikers are now expected to pay - for public paths that they not only use, but in many cases also maintain themselves.