For years there have been conflicts between mountain bikers and farmers on the Taubenberg near Warngau. For Hubert Knabl, two examples have now taken it to the extreme.
- The Taubenberg is popular with hikers and mountain bikers.
- A farmer now came into contact with two mountain bikers.
- The rush has increased since Corona, he says.
By the way, the most important things from the region are now available in our new weekly Holzkirchen newsletter.
Warngau - The Taubenberg is popular as a destination for hikers , but also for mountain bikers . This has been causing conflict for years. And brings problems for residents. For farmer Hubert Knabl, two examples have now taken it to the extreme.
It was not the first conflict that Hubert Knabl had with cyclists. But he won't forget it anytime soon. The Warngau farmer owns a pasture below the Taubenberg . When he was doing work there last week, two mountain bikers rushed past him. “They came from the forest and just drove across my pasture,” recalls Knabl. He shouted to them that this was forbidden. But the mountain bikers just went on. "Then I followed them with my scooter and put them to the test."
Mega rush since Corona? Situation between farmer and mountain biker escalates
Here too the reaction was not as Knabl wished: "They just meant: What do you want me for?" One word may have given the other, because Knabl admits: "I was a little excited." An hour later the police stood at the Warngauer's door: the cyclists had reported the incident. Knabl does not get an advertisement.
The behavior of the cyclists is incomprehensible to the farmer. What also annoys him is the fact that the number of mountain bikers has increased significantly in recent years. "It's slowly dying out," he says. He speaks of thousands a day and says Corona has made it even worse.
Leisure cyclists on the Taubenberg: Not only the mass of cyclists causes conflicts
Thorsten Schär, Managing Director of the Alpine region Tegernsee Schliersee (ATS), also confirms that the number of recreational cyclists on the Taubenberg is growing steadily. The municipal company has been measuring the number of people using special sensors in a model project since 2017 . "It is precisely in this area that the pressure is very high," explains Schär, who does not believe in general "locking out" mountain bikers. The aim of the measurements is also to get mountain bikers to be guided.
Because not only the sheer mass of cyclists causes conflicts . The trails, the routes that the mountain bikers take on the Taubenberg, also cause problems. Farmer Knabl: "They drive all over the forest." He warns: "A trail through the woods is not suitable." The mountain bikers loosen the soil and could be washed away. And the game living on the Taubenberg will be brought to a standstill if, as is often the case this year, driving is also carried out in winter.
Ten simple rules: How considerate enjoyment of nature works
Taubenberg near Warngau: Forest management almost impossible due to trails
The ten to 15 currently existing trails would like to be reduced to two, explains Schär the view of the ATS. He is confident that this is possible. "If the quality of the new trails increases, there is a chance to significantly limit the overgrowth." He refers to the municipality of Warngau , which must take the next steps.
There you know about the problems on the Taubenberg . Normal forest management is almost impossible given the many trails, Warngau Mayor Klaus Thurnhuber explains. He knows the concerns of forest owners when it comes to liability and traffic safety. But one should not demonize the cyclists, says Thurnhuber. He announces that the next step will be to meet the owners to see if there are trails through the forest. However, there are no specific dates yet. The aim is to find solutions that everyone can live with.
Mountain bikers on the Taubenberg: Farmer wants specific measures
Georg Smolka, chairman of the Holzkirchner Radsport- und Laufclub ( RSLC ), can also agree. "From a club perspective, we are fully committed to channeling mountain biking on the Taubenberg," said Smolka. He doesn't like driving wild in the area. Anton Sieber, mountain bike specialist at the Bavarian Cycling Association , insists on mutual understanding . "There is a lot of unity when you talk to each other," he says.
Hubert Knabl tried to talk - unsuccessfully. He therefore wants specific measures for the future : “Trails must be closed. You may also have to check. "
Read also: Community wants to tame Wildparker am Taubenberg
aw
Holzkirchen newsletter: everything from your region! Our brand new Holzkirchen newsletter regularly informs you about all the important stories from the Holzkirchen region - including all the news about the Corona crisis in your community. Sign up here.
