Some people dispose of their waste in the forest, others leave "equipment and machines" there, mountain bikers are off the official paths. This is how the media release from the Department of Construction and Environment of the Canton of Thurgau summarizes the conditions in its forests. The cantonal forest law of 1994 has basically proved its worth, but "various challenges have become more acute", the report continues.

"One of the main objectives of the revised law is to strengthen enforcement," states the explanatory report on the amendment to the Forest Act. The police have other priorities and are therefore not present enough in the forest. "As an alternative, the bill therefore provides for certain bodies of the forestry service to be given police powers," says the report.Mountain bikers could then also come into contact with these forest police officers if they are caught off the official forest paths. The Schaffhauser Nachrichten quotes the head of the cantonal forestry service, Daniel Böhi. He considers a fine of 100 francs for mountain bikers on the wrong track to be appropriate.St. Gallen sends its regards

Fines for bikers in Eastern Switzerland - it sounds familiar. In fact, the canton of St. Gallen has caused a stir with similar announcements in recent years. Ride has made several attempts to find out whether bikers have already been financially penalized - nobody knew about it. So it can't be many. However, many are still riding on unofficial trails.

The threat of bike fines in the canton of Thurgau is also an issue for the organization Biketrails Ostschweiz and its chairman Philipp Mayer. "For bikers, it is usually not clear and not visible on site which trails could be illegal. If the authorities only try to control bikers with fines, they will fail. Rules are needed that are also comprehensible in the forest. And above all, attractive offers are needed. If such proposals are put forward, then bikers must be involved. That's exactly why we founded our organization."

The consultation runs until May 2. The canton is inviting municipalities, parties, corporations, clubs and associations to comment. It is also offering "all interested parties" the opportunity to comment on the proposed changes to the Forest Act and make suggestions at https://e-vernehmlassungen-dbu.tg.ch/de/teilrevision-waldgesetz-waldg/participant. This would be an opportunity to put alternatives to bike buses up for discussion.