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More and more people are cycling and also mountain biking in Bonn. Mountain bikers use often forests - but they ride off the public trails and build their own trails, which has a negative impact on animals and plants. These are regulatory offenses that are punished with fines.
Unauthorized trails are an increasing problem. The Ennert nature reserve and the protected landscape areas in the Kottenforst are particularly affected. Mountain bikers create steep curves and build ramps and jumps with the help of stones, trees and earth. This has a negative impact on nature and its function for the climate as well as on the habitat of wildlife.
The City of Bonn therefore asks for mutual consideration and urgently appeals to mountain bikers to use only the designated public paths in the forests.
One possibility to practice the MTB type "dirtbike" is for example the dirtbike park of the "Radsportclub Sturmvogel Bonn" in Dottendorf, which can be used with a membership. The club is looking forward to accepting new members.
Other types of MTB, such as "downhill", are allowed only on official forest trails.
Feasibility study for route at Venusberg available
In order to relieve the forests and reduce illegal trails, the city of Bonn has commissioned a feasibility study for a possible mountain bike trail on the Venusberg. This should meet the sporting demands of the riders and satisfy their desire for variety and challenge.
In the study, different variants of official mountain bike trails were examined, compared and evaluated. The aspects "environment and nature" and "planning" were particularly relevant. Based on the study, the city recommends a corridor to be released as a mountain bike trail. The impact on the environment and nature could be limited by a fixed location if the trail was accompanied by regular regulatory controls and a successful dismantling of illegal trails. In the next step, the study will go through the political committees. Citizens* and associations are also to be involved with citizen participation. Part of the planning will also be the clarification of the ownership of the affected forest areas.
Why does it harm nature when mountain bikers ride "cross-country"?
Similar to heavily used illegal trails, the forest soil in the area of the frequently used trails becomes very compacted, so that rainwater can no longer be absorbed there and runs off superficially. Thus, the trees cannot utilize the water, which is problematic in view of increasingly frequent dry phases.
In addition, root damage can prevent trees from absorbing important nutrients, causing them to die. When trails are created, branches and smaller trees are often removed to allow the trail to be used. However, when branches are removed, it can cause permanent damage to trees. Natural regeneration in particular - the next generation of trees - are the losers here.
In addition, wildlife is disturbed: Some are so shy that they no longer pass through the frequently used and constantly changing trails, reducing their habitat. Most animals are nocturnal and crepuscular and need quiet protected areas, especially during the day. The wildcat, for example, is a particularly protected and disturbance-sensitive species in Bonn's forests that needs contiguous and undisturbed forest areas. Areas such as the Kottenforst and the Ennert as part of the Siebengebirge are even under European protection as part of the "Natura-2000" network of protected areas due to their special features.
What is the city doing about off-trail riding and trail building?
The urban forestry service regularly dismantles the illegal trails, but this is not a permanent solution. In cooperation with the Office for the Environment and Urban Greenery, the City Regulatory Service and the Regional Forestry Office Forest and Wood, there are action days with controls - flyers are distributed to educate people and make them aware of the issue. Mountain bikers who ride on illegal trails will receive a fine of 55 euros.
You use the forest for recreation, have suggestions around the topic of mountain biking in Bonn and would like to get involved?
We look forward to your feedback and engagement! Feel free to write to us at mountainbikenbonnde
