There are quite a few people who oppose mountain biking, not least in Baden-Württemberg, where MTB phobia has become law in the form of the “two-meter rule.” Mountain bikers have been explaining for years that this rule solves neither problems nor conflicts. A 61-year-old hunting leaseholder from Hardthausen shares this view—but for entirely different reasons.

The Dachstrail runs through his hunting grounds—an unauthorized trail that has grown in popularity in recent years. At some point, no later than the summer of 2024, he began stretching wires across the path. However, these wires snapped without stopping the riders.

The hunting leaseholder ultimately felt it necessary to resort to heavier artillery—or, more precisely, to a wire rope. Stretched across sloping terrain at a height of 120 centimeters and covered in green sheathing, it was barely visible, according to the indictment. Nevertheless, mountain biker Michael Weik spotted the trap just in time to brake. He then removed the cable. He provided detailed information to SWR in 2024.

At first, he had only discussed it with his friends; then they noticed that wires and ropes had been stretched across various locations for quite some time, and that scraps of wire were repeatedly found on the forest floor. The report does not specify who ultimately alerted the police; in any case, the Heilbronn Public Prosecutor’s Office began an investigation.

Public Prosecutor’s Office Files Charges of Attempted Murder

Even Baden-Württemberg, which is critical of mountain biking, takes a zero-tolerance stance on vigilante justice. The public prosecutor’s office charged the trap setter with attempted murder. The trial began last week at the Heilbronn Regional Court. The hunting leaseholder stated in court that he had sought to talk with the mountain bikers, but that it had all been to no avail. It is not known what form this offer to talk took. However, it appears that the mountain bikers did not approach the situation with much sensitivity either. Just hardened positions, as it were.

In such cases, it no longer matters whether a route has been approved and was intended to ease the situation. Nails and wires have also been found on such trails in recent years. It is unknown whether the defendant had anything to do with this. The indictment merely states that he set traps on the Dachstrail in at least three instances.

In court, the 61-year-old described the act of stretching wire rope—which was proven against him—as a mistake. It apparently took pretrial detention and a murder charge to bring him to his senses. It’s hard to fathom how anyone could set a life-threatening trap for other people. The State Hunting Association also condemns the hunter’s actions without reservation.

The verdict against the defendant is expected at the end of July.