"Absolutely ridiculous": Kesselberg residents despair of motorcycle noise - but he can't do anything about it

Created: 08/03/2022 05:32

By: Veronika Mahnkopf

Sebastian Wagner (33) lives right on Kesselberg, Bavaria's motorcycle race track.

He would like to erect a protective wall against the noise - but he is not allowed to.

Kochel - Sebastian Wagner's place of residence is actually pure idyll.

Kesselbergstraße in Kochel, the Kochelsee within walking distance around the corner, mountains all around, lots of greenery, a campsite nearby.

There, where others go on vacation, as the saying goes.

But appearance is deceptive.

Wagner, his wife and little daughter live in decibel hell.

It starts in April, at least until October, from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.: Hundreds of motorcyclists race up the nearby Kesselberg, lean into the curves, meet in the so-called show curve in the immediate vicinity of Wagner's house.

You try to outdo each other, who dares to take the curves a little faster, even more daringly?

These bikers are called knee sliders.

They regularly have accidents, often ending fatally.

Kesselberg: Motorcyclists thunder past the house – residents were aware of the noise

Sebastian Wagner robs the bikers on the Kesselberg of their last nerves.

Many a person has already told him straight out in a personal conversation: "But you haven't chosen a nice place to live there." But the motorcyclists - most of the knee grinders wear earplugs themselves, according to Wagner, because their machines are too loud for them - are still there not even the main problem of the Kochel family.

"We knew it would be loud here when we bought the house," says Wagner.

What he didn't realize was that he couldn't protect himself against it.

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Some time ago, Wagner applied for a noise barrier.

Four meters high, green.

It was intended to make life on the Kesselberg more bearable and the garden usable.

The answer from the responsible district office, according to Wagner: It's not possible.

Firstly, because of the outside area, where building permits are virtually impossible - unless you are privileged, such as farmers.

The other reason is an animal one: the great mouse-eared bat.

The bat species is in the area and can then no longer fly unrestricted.

Kesselberg: A species of bat prevents the construction of a noise barrier

"I've never seen this bat with us," says Wagner.

He does not mow his meadows specifically to preserve insect habitats.

Richly laid table for the bat - if it were there.

Wagner finds the district office's justifications "absolutely ridiculous".

And he's not the only one who thinks so.

Neighbors, the operators of the nearby campsite, "actually everyone in town, because everyone is somehow affected by the noise and traffic", everyone can understand the desire for noise protection.

According to Wagner, something similar had also been approved in other districts of Kochel.

But not outdoors.

According to Wagner, Kochel's mayor Thomas Holz has pledged his support and is trying to do a lot.

But the decisive authority is the district office.

Mayor Holz emphasizes this again when asked about

.

"As a community, we have no room for maneuver," said the mayor.

Kesselbergstraße is a section of federal highway 11, for which other offices are responsible.

"Due to these clear rules on competences, we as a municipality cannot order our own measures or make any regulations," said Holz by email.

However, they are in close contact with the authorities and “always bring our suggestions to the table”.

For example, an overtaking ban, a parking ban for motorcycles and a rumble strip have been enforced.

Because you want to "continue to keep our community livable and lovable for its citizens".

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Kesselberg: Residents expect “political statement” from the mayor because of motorcycle noise

Motorcyclists on the Kesselberg make life difficult for residents Sebastian Wagner.

A noise barrier was forbidden to him.

© arp

Wagner also appreciates that.

But at the same time he wonders why the municipality is considering the designation of a new residential area very close by if the new residents cannot be provided with noise protection.

Here he expects a “political statement” from Mayor Holz.

He defends himself: "They only thought about where the community of Kochel a.

See could grow in the next ten to 30 years.” So not all that serious yet?

In any case, one thing is certain for Wagner: moving away is not an option.

In the meantime he had piled up a small mound of earth.

And hired a lawyer, considering an expert opinion to show that the Wagners are allowed to protect their property.

He often hears the argument: It's your own fault, why are you moving there?

“I come from the district of Miesbach.

Nothing is affordable there.

We have to live somewhere.” And anyway: He doesn't ask for anything big.

No money, no measures, no bans.

Just “that I can build this noise barrier, for us, with our money.

And now."

You can find even more current news from the region around at Merkur.de/Bad Tölz.