Farmer Knabl was pissing himself off with two Munich mountain bikers. Now everyone has met for a conversation. The conflict at the Taubenberg is not over yet.
Warngau - Mountain bikers have been clashing with hikers and property owners on the Taubenberg for years. As reported, there was a dispute between two Munich residents and Warngau farmer Hubert Knabl at the end of April. Mark Kohnke and his brother had cycled across Knabl's pasture, which lies below the Taubenberg. Then the 44-year-old confronted the two. Shortly afterwards the police were at his door.
In the meantime, the waves have smoothed out somewhat. Because everyone involved met for a clarifying discussion. But a solution is urgently needed for the Taubenberg.
Kohnke did not want to let the matter go by: "We cyclists are not always the bad guys," says the Munich native. That's why he and his brother are now speaking. The Kohnkes had filed criminal charges against the farmer. The 28-year-old now confirms to our newspaper that the announcement was for insult, personal injury and material damage. His bike was damaged when Knabl drove against it with his scooter. They wanted to clarify the situation by going to the police, says the Munich native. Knabl thinks the allegations against him are wrong. "I didn't hit anyone," says the farmer.
Knabl had struck back: he filed a counter-complaint with the police. The ads are now history. Because the brothers met the Knabls on their farm. "We apologized and said that we have to find solutions," reports Kohnke. At the same time, the cyclists expressed that they did not approve of Knabl's reaction to the incident. He did not apologize. "But we agreed that both sides would withdraw the ad," explains the mountain biker. He doesn't feel like legal stress himself.
Knabl confirms this. He also has no resentment against the cyclists. However, he does not yet consider the topic of leisure activities on the Taubenberg to be over. "I want there to be solutions for cyclists, but also for pedestrians and dog owners." He was well received by many people. He attributes the fact that nothing happens nonetheless to the fact that as an individual you are at a loss. He announced actions, there were already preliminary talks with the farmers' association. He is still skeptical about mountain biking on the trails on the Taubenberg. "They should drive on existing paths," says Knabl.
Richeza Herrmann, consultant for public law at the Bavarian Farmers' Association, sees things similarly. She emphasizes that, according to the law, mountain biking is only allowed on suitable paths. Trails in the forest were not one of them. However, she points out that forest owners can identify trails together with cyclists and local authorities. This could also regulate liability issues.
Till Eberle, an experienced mountain biker on the Taubenberg, has similar ideas. The Holzkirchner believes that politicians have a duty to provide trail parks. Forest areas with legally created routes for mountain bikers, as they exist in Baden-Württemberg or Austria. You can channel cycling in this way. "Before you ban, you have to offer alternatives."
The Kohnke brothers experience encouragement and headwind on the Internet. One reader comments: "I can 100 percent agree with the farmer." In particular, the environmental damage caused by the many mountain bikers is denounced. Kohnke confirms this: He heard that there are around 1,000 runs a day on the Taubenberg. That's why he won't be driving here anytime soon.
By Andreas Wolkenstein
