BNM’s activities in 2024 – the year in overview
In 2024, the BIKE NATURE MOVEMENT began various activities to promote mountain biking in Germany.
Establishing the legal framework on the federal and state levels
In 2024, the German federal forest act (Bundeswaldgesetz, BWaldG) was to finally be comprehensively reformed after around 50 years. The background to this planned reform were the changed framework conditions, particularly with regard to climate change and the need to protect biodiversity. In recent years, many associations have been able to contribute to the exchange during the dialogue on the future of forests (Zukunftsdialog Wald) and via the federal platform on forests, sport, recreation and health. The same was the case of the consultation initiated in November 2024 on the draft bill to amend the federal forest act (BWaldG). The proposed legislation was subsequently halted in early November 2024 when the governing coalition fell apart.
Despite this, the BIKE NATURE MOVEMENT still submitted a statement to the hearing of the associations in order to continue the dialogue on future developments and framework conditions and to among others advocate for:
Due to the legislative period being cut short and the current federal political situation, the amendment was not finalised. We regret this, as a comprehensive reform of the federal forest act (BWaldG) would have taken the changed framework conditions into account so that forests could continue to fulfil their forest functions and also be safeguarded in the future.
Despite this, the BIKE NATURE MOVEMENT still submitted a statement to the hearing of the associations in order to continue the dialogue on future developments and framework conditions and to among others advocate for:
- the equal status of the recreational and protective/productive functions
- possibilities for legally sound, nature-friendly cycling in forests
Due to the legislative period being cut short and the current federal political situation, the amendment was not finalised. We regret this, as a comprehensive reform of the federal forest act (BWaldG) would have taken the changed framework conditions into account so that forests could continue to fulfil their forest functions and also be safeguarded in the future.
Regional development and commitment on the state level
The DIMB and MTF were actively involved in regional development in various federal states through their respective association work. In addition to submitting a statement on the MTB strategy for Thuringia, initiated by the FDP Thuringia on behalf of all associations, as well as participating in the discussion of Baden-Württemberg’s parliamentary cycling group on safe cycling in forests, the experiences and commitment of the individual associations on the state level were also incorporated into the BNM’s work.
Events, networking and PR work
Parliamentary evening (Berlin, January 2024)
The event brought together members of the Bundestag, decision-makers from administration, associations and the forestry industry as well as other relevant stakeholders to address key topics such as cycling in forests and the recreational function of forests within amendment to the federal forest act (BWaldG). The aim was to advocate the concerns of mountain bikers as important participants in nature-based recreation during the political decision-making process and to draw attention to and discuss problematic wording in the federal forest act that was leaked in November 2023,
For more information on the BNM Parliamentary Evening, see here »
MTB expert discussion (Berlin, October 2024)
With its latest expert discussion, the Bike Nature Movement once again managed to initiate an important exchange between legal, industry and policy experts on pressing issues relating to cycling in forests and nature. In addition to a welcome address from the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (Bundesministerium für Ernährung und Landwirtschaft, BMEL) and plenty of opportunities to network, the symposium agenda also covered:
Support for the 8th German mountain biking congress of the MTF (Annweiler/Pfalz, June 2024)
At the MTB Congress , the associations of the BNM took part in presentations and a panel discussion with experts from the BMEL, the federal association of German low mountain ranges, Rheinland-Palatinate’s state forestry office and BUND RLP on the framework conditions for good cooperation in forests. We were also able to sponsor the MTB Sommerabend event and community tickets to foster an exchange and knowledge transfer.
Other events involving the BNM
The event brought together members of the Bundestag, decision-makers from administration, associations and the forestry industry as well as other relevant stakeholders to address key topics such as cycling in forests and the recreational function of forests within amendment to the federal forest act (BWaldG). The aim was to advocate the concerns of mountain bikers as important participants in nature-based recreation during the political decision-making process and to draw attention to and discuss problematic wording in the federal forest act that was leaked in November 2023,
For more information on the BNM Parliamentary Evening, see here »
MTB expert discussion (Berlin, October 2024)
With its latest expert discussion, the Bike Nature Movement once again managed to initiate an important exchange between legal, industry and policy experts on pressing issues relating to cycling in forests and nature. In addition to a welcome address from the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (Bundesministerium für Ernährung und Landwirtschaft, BMEL) and plenty of opportunities to network, the symposium agenda also covered:
- working together for nature-friendly mountain biking – opportunities and challenges
- the various facets of mountain biking
Support for the 8th German mountain biking congress of the MTF (Annweiler/Pfalz, June 2024)
At the MTB Congress , the associations of the BNM took part in presentations and a panel discussion with experts from the BMEL, the federal association of German low mountain ranges, Rheinland-Palatinate’s state forestry office and BUND RLP on the framework conditions for good cooperation in forests. We were also able to sponsor the MTB Sommerabend event and community tickets to foster an exchange and knowledge transfer.
Other events involving the BNM
- IMBA Europe Summit 2024, Mödling/Austria: Participation and presentation of the BNM’s work on the BWaldG
- Velo-City 2024, Ghent/Belgium: BNM stand reception
- Eurobike 2024, Frankfurt/Main: BNM stand, consultation hours and participation in the panel discussion on the German federal forest act (BWaldG) during the Bike Travel Forum
Communication: aufsRadsetzen.de
The aufsRadsetzen.de information platform featuring content on cycling in forests and nature in general evolved from a planned communication campaign on the federal forest act (BWaldG). The website can be expanded at any time with specially developed modules for themed specials.
The platform also shares positions, photos and a scientific database. In addition, articles on fundamental topics such as good cooperation during trail building, the health benefits of mountain biking and bicycles as game changers in low mountain ranges are continuously being prepared and made available on the website.
The platform also shares positions, photos and a scientific database. In addition, articles on fundamental topics such as good cooperation during trail building, the health benefits of mountain biking and bicycles as game changers in low mountain ranges are continuously being prepared and made available on the website.
Positions, papers and expert opinions
Various expert reports have been commissioned and position papers prepared as a basis for the BNM’s work
- preparation and evaluation of three expert reports to analyse the legal situation regarding the right of access by bicycle on the federal level and a comparison with deviations on the state level. The expert reports were commissioned in winter 2023 and summer 2024. They related to the respective draft reports that were in circulation at the time and served to formulate positions, proposals and exchange ideas with other stakeholders.
- development and provision of a factsheet providing facts and background information on cycling in nature based on the BNM Parliamentary Evening
- drafting of a position paper on the legal situation and the right of access in preparation for the federal election in February 2025: ZIV position: Free right of access to forests
About the initiative
In 2022, the ZIV began coordinating the joint work with the German initiative for mountain biking (DIMB) and the Mountain Bike Forum Germany as well as its supporters active in the bicycle industry. In their mountain biking vision for 2030, the parties involved in the movement set themselves the goal of safeguarding and expanding the opportunities for mountain biking in nature.
Support from the bicycle industry
The BIKE NATURE MOVEMENT’s work would not be possible on its current scale without the tremendous commitment of countless companies. Hence the BIKE NATURE MOVEMENT is always on the lookout for further corporate partners to actively support the initiative and its goals.
Is your company perhaps interested in joining the BIKE NATURE MOVEMENT? Then Svenja Golombek at the ZIV looks forward to hearing from you.
Our thanks to all the BIKE NATURE MOVEMENT partners:
Is your company perhaps interested in joining the BIKE NATURE MOVEMENT? Then Svenja Golombek at the ZIV looks forward to hearing from you.
Our thanks to all the BIKE NATURE MOVEMENT partners:
