The "Trailnet" association is at the forefront of the fight against the revision of the Forest Act. In a three-page letter, they set out in detail why the planned amendment to Article 22 should be dropped. "From our many years of experience, practice speaks a different language and it is therefore important to us to promote gentle measures instead of repressive measures before we get that far," they say in response to the arguments of the Canton of Bern.

"Trailnet" does not question the protection of nature, but user groups must be included and not excluded. Conflicts of use should be prevented through clever measures and communication; bans are merely sanctions of last resort and a clear sign of unsuccessful disentanglement. "Trailnet" also points out that there is a national trend towards the co-existence of hikers and mountain bikers, which the canton of Bern should not ignore.

Not to stand idly by
The Bernese Oberland, where mountain bike tourism is an important part of the summer business, also wants to defend itself. Rahel Mazenauer from Jungfrau-Region Marketing AG told the newspaper "Bund" that this change in the law will certainly not be accepted without action. The Bernese Oberland Destinations Association is likely to submit a statement against the new forest law.

Criticism has also come from foresters in the city of Bern. They do not understand why a law is being created that cannot be enforced. Foresters are not going to regulate traffic in the forest, and the police probably have better things to do. Instead, they see a future in constructive cooperation with bikers rather than a strategy of making them illegal.

Statement from "Trailnet":
www.trailnet.ch

Report in the "Bund" with reactions:
www.derbund.ch