The Uetliberg ruling has given bikers in the canton of Zurich a boost, including in Winterthur. There, they were able to motivate a group of members of parliament to submit a question to the city council about single trails in the forests surrounding Switzerland's sixth largest city.
In an interpellation, parliamentarians ask the city government questions to which it must respond with a well-founded answer. Their actions must correspond to these answers. This sounds a little abstract now, but will become clearer later.

1. does the city council recognize that mountain biking should not take place in a legal grey area?

2. is the City Council prepared to create attractive routes and involve mountain bikers in the planning process?

3. if necessary, will the City Council also stand up to the canton and for mountain bikers when it comes to riding on trails?

4. how much is the City Council prepared to invest in the creation of mountain bike infrastructure?

5. does the city support the bike clubs in achieving low-conflict coexistence on trails?

6. does the City Council recognize the view of the Uetliberg ruling that all paths may be used without a riding ban?

The City Council's answers will therefore determine, among other things, how it will legally regulate mountain biking on narrow paths and whether it believes in coexistence. However, it is also possible that the answer to certain questions will be to commission further clarifications.

Six of the seven parliamentary groups and 35 of the 60 members of Winterthur's city parliament support the interpellation. This does not mean that they support the concerns of the trail bikers, but that they want the city council to answer the questions posed. Only the SP parliamentary group is not one of the signatories, although it does not oppose the request. It is preparing for the discussion following the city council's response. "Incidentally, we are very curious when it comes to approving the additional costs and who else will be on board from the middle-class parties such as the SVP or FDP," writes Markus Steiner, President of the Winterthur SP.

An EPP parliamentarian as an advocate for mountain bikers

The first signatory is Daniela Roth-Nater EPP, who says she took up the issue of mountain biking around a year and a half ago. "I have heard from mountain bikers in my environment that they are fed up with the uncertainty as to whether they are on a trail legally or illegally. We are asking the city council to clarify this, and we are aware that the canton must also take a stand. Because you can quickly ride your bike beyond the city limits." The EPP politician is also concerned about the more than 100 young people who are out and about in the woods every week in training sessions run by Winterthur's cycling clubs.

Daniela Roth-Nater is committed to coexistence on paths, even as a runner. She has no problem sharing the trail with mountain bikers. Tom Meister from IG Biketrails Winterthur adds that the other signatories of the interpellation also have a positive attitude towards the concerns of the trail bike community. The interest group advised the interpellants on the content, which can be seen in some of the questions.
Winterthur's executive must answer the six questions by August 7 at the latest.