Since 2026, the canton of Zug has had an official mountain bike network. Mountain bikers have had to give up some of their favorite trails. This makes it all the more shocking to see what has become of the Felsentrail, which is part of the network. The canton is now retroactively conducting a building permit process. But the damage has already been done.

On November 24, the Zug mountain bikers lost their fight against the forest law at the ballot box. The result shows the balance of power and should serve as a warning to other mountain bike organizations: We are too few to win votes. And also not important enough.

The referendum launched by Zug mountain bikers against the new Zug Forest Act has no chance. 72.8 percent of voters want to leave it as it has already been enacted by parliament. More single trails for bikers are not an argument for them to reject the revised regulations.

Mountain bikers in Zug have launched a referendum against the new forest law. This only allows biking on a strictly defined network of paths. A victory for the bikers at the ballot box would be a big surprise. Nevertheless, IG-MTB-Zug President Manuel Siegrist does not see trail biking on the brink of collapse.

Illegal trails are usually made unrideable without much ado. In Steinhausen ZG, the forest association is now threatening the creators of 200 meters of trail with fines. And on November 24, the people of Zug will vote on the Forest Act, which threatens to massively restrict mountain biking in some areas.

The canton of Zug now only allows mountain biking on roads and designated bike routes. It is not yet clear which routes may be used. Mountain bikers fear far-reaching bans and are now collecting signatures against the new forest law.

The official trails on the Höhronen have been in place since summer 2022 and are intended to make the illegally shoveled trails superfluous. After one season, those involved are satisfied. But from December 1, the trails will be closed until March 31.

In the canton of Zug, mountain bikers, forest owners and the forest authority are working together to define a network of trails on which cycling will be permitted without any doubt in future. The process is tough, but could produce a good result.

Central Switzerland declares itself a "bike cooperative". In recent months, however, a trail project was voted down and a newly paved path was closed to bikers. How much support do the bike cooperatives have in Central Switzerland, Thomy Vetterli?

Swiss television ventured onto the trail in the "Rundschau" programme and addressed mountain bikers' demands for modern infrastructure and recognition. The report shows how mountain bikers are increasingly being met with understanding by the authorities, but how things are not always easy. Especially not when, as in Andermatt, they are guided by 600-year-old laws.

A fresh mountain bike wind is currently blowing through Central Switzerland. The new volume of Singletrail Books fits the bill perfectly. The book, which has just been published, contains the 25 best singletrail tours between Gotthard and Einsiedeln. As always with the Singletrail Books: richly illustrated and with route maps for each tour.

With the "MTB Zentralschweiz" project, the tourism organizations in Central Switzerland want to give their region a boost in terms of mountain biking. The brains behind it: Thomy Vetterli. He will explain the background to the project at the Ride Congress in September, but has already outlined the direction in an interview with Ride.

Something is happening in Central Switzerland! A workshop with the region's certified mountain bike guides was the start. Now the aim is to further develop the bike destination of Central Switzerland together.

The bike fair in Zug will be held for the fifth time on 24 and 25 March: the event, which has something to offer for all bike enthusiasts, will focus on the numerous test options from mountain bikes and racing bikes to e-bikes. The particle accelerator and a bike fair will also be taking place at the Velomesse Zug.