The origin of this story is still hilarious: The administration of the district of Miesbach in the Bavarian foothills of the Alps can no longer find the maps of the nature conservation areas. So their boundaries have to be redrawn. But then comes the unpleasant part: together with the redrawing of the nature conservation areas, mountain biking is to be restricted to trails that are at least 1.5 meters wide. There are exceptions on 35 defined narrower trails as well as bike trails - of which there are two, according to the local "gravity sports club". The district has just over 100,000 inhabitants.

The German Mountain Bike Initiative DIMB, together with the German Alpine Association DAV, is opposing the project. Their position is also supported by numerous restaurants and hotels, including the Bavarian Hotel and Restaurant Association and numerous bike, mountain and snow sports stores.

DIMB: "Almost nationwide ban on cycling"

For the DIMB, one thing is certain: "Due to the expansion of these protected landscape areas, this would amount to an almost nationwide ban on cycling in the district of Miesbach." In addition, a project is already underway under the leadership of Regionalentwicklung Oberland, which aims to create an attractive and needs-based mountain bike trail network "without a simultaneous ban policy". This project, at least according to the DIMB and DAV, is based on a completely different foundation than the 1.5-meter rule that is now in prospect.

The DIMB and DAV also argue that the 1.5-meter rule would restrict cycling and access to nature in general. Riding bans would create conflicts on paths where there are currently none. Nature conservation legislation and road traffic regulations already regulate mountain biking on narrow paths. In addition, it is often impossible to conclusively determine how wide a trail is. And finally, restricting mountain biking would put the district of Miesbach at a tourist and therefore economic disadvantage - which is reflected in the support given to the position of the two organizations by the restaurant and hotel industry. A detailed argument can be found here. 

Concerns can be submitted to the district authority until August 11th 

The district authority rejects all points of criticism from the DIMB and DAV in a statement.  The authority is also leading the regional development mountain bike project, which is working towards an attractive network of trails. The crux of the matter is what this means: a few official trails and routes or the general opening of the existing network of trails with individual bans where necessary.

DIMB and DAV are now calling on their members and other people to submit their concerns about the impending regulation to the Miesbach District Office in writing by August 11, 2025 as part of the consultation process. Neither residence nor the right to vote in the district or in Germany is required. Anyone who feels affected by the 1.5-meter rule can make their views known.