With Pete Stutz, Swiss Cycling is bringing an experienced mountain bike veteran on board. Stutz seems tailor-made to make the interests of mountain bikers in this country better heard. With "Cycleshark", Stutz runs the longest-serving bike store in Zurich, has a lot of trail building experience at home and abroad with his company Pumptracks and has a lot of know-how in dealing with the authorities thanks to his involvement with Bikepark Zurich. Stutz had already been working for Swiss Cycling and advising the association for around five years, and this cooperation is now being intensified.

According to Markus Pfisterer - Managing Director of Swiss Cycling - Stutz is tasked with driving forward political work and lobbying for mountain biking in Switzerland. Pfisterer mentions the concept of spatial development at regional and national level and explains that Stutz is responsible, among other things, for ensuring biker-friendly infrastructure and access to trails on public land.

Pfisterer also admits that it was discussed from the outset whether there could be conflicts of interest with the trail construction company Pumptracks, which Stutz runs with partner Fabian Vollrath. "If there are conflicts of interest, then Pete has to take a step back when it comes to awarding the contract for a construction project and is not involved in the decision-making process," says Pfisterer.

However, Swiss Cycling is not stopping with Stutz's involvement: negotiations are currently underway with a second employee who will also take care of the concerns of Swiss mountain bikers at the Swiss Cycling Federation in the future. This job holder - the ink is not yet dry on the contract - will be entrusted with looking after young talent and introducing children to BMX and mountain biking, for example by cooperating with schools.

www.swiss-cycling.ch