The middle-class Lehmann receives support from Pro Natura. Jacqueline von Arx, managing director of Pro Natura Graubünden, told the Swiss Press Agency SDA that these mountain bikes would bring even more people into the mountains. The consequences would be damaged paths and startled animals.

However, the situation with e-mountainbikes is not as lawless as Lehmann's motion might suggest. The law already states that e-bikes that can be ridden faster than 25 kilometers per hour have no place off-road. They are legally classified as mopeds or motorcycles that require a license and insurance. Riding on single trails is not permitted, and riding on forest roads where motorized vehicles are prohibited is also prohibited.Although Lehmann emphasizes that he does not want to ban e-mountainbikes but primarily wants a clear regulation, it is obvious against the background of the already existing legal basis that his action with the (unintentional) flank protection of Pro Natura clearly goes in the direction of a stronger restriction.

Supplementary links
Report in the NZZ: http://www.nzz.ch/nzzas/nzz-am-sonntag/kampf-den-e-bikes-in-den-bergen-1.18566406
Report in the Basler Zeitung: http://www.lehmann-markus.ch/images/pdf/baz_20150627_ebiker.pdf

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Note on our own behalf:
The Ride Mountain Bike Congress in Chur on 15 and 16 October 2015 will focus on the digitalization of mountain biking. The topic of e-mountain biking will also feature prominently. Representatives from Bosch will show the direction in which the development of their products is heading. This will be followed by in-depth sessions on how to deal with the topic of e-mountain bikes in tourism and local recreation.

Further information is available at www.ride-kongress.ch