MegaSack DRAW - This year's winner is user - rgwb
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People, who like crazy and oversized solutions for average sized problems should like the following version of bureaucracy too:
In the german state Baden Wuerttemberg a regulation can be found, that cyclist are not allowed to use paths in the forests, which have a width of < 2 meters. Offences could be punished with a fine.
But nobody from any public authority will tell the cyclists, how to measure those 2 meters.
See also [url] http://www.2m-weg.ecosport.de [/url] (may be signed in accordance with the goal of the petition freom everywhere), the english text can be found in [url] .png)
[/url]. Sorry for bad translation
Good luck with the petition. I have no idea whether you stand any better chance getting the <2m rule thrown out than we would trying to get a footpath re-designated a bridleway. The <2m rule is a pretty rubbish one though and when Ive ridden in the Black Forest it's been heart breaking to ride past sweet singletrack on dull forest tracks. I think by most peoples' definitions (even if it's not written down) the <2m rule would rule out 100% of the nicest forest singletrack.
Petition signed.
Its the same in Spain in the national parks and paraje naturals. Rarely enforced except for the biosphere areas or el chorro (which became overrun with bikes).
We live in the area and have signed the petition too. Feeling is generally that it should be overturned and its a matter of time.... We treat every ride as a cheeky one and just get on with it and deal with whatever or who ever we meet. This is btw, the advice of the local guides too.
Coming across from Scotland and its access agreement, its pretty draconian in Baden Wurtenburg..
Apologies for the mini-rant but people here are very happy to tell you what not to do
For instance, walking around the edge of a golf course, meeting a group of lady golfists:
"This is a golf course".
Yes I can see that
"Be careful, you may be hit by a golf ball"
Really ? You play a lot of golf?
Yes, all the time"
So your on the golf course a lot then
"Yes, two or three times a week"
That is a lot. Have you ever been hit by a golf ball if you are on the course so much?
Silence....
And the 2metre biking rule... record for being intentionally blocked behind a family who deliberately walked four abreast across a trail in Zermatt... 15 minutes.
@ Stoner
Let me add the information for all, that the german petition law is an "everybody-law". This means, that the support of everybody (not only in Baden Wuerttemberg, not only in Germany) has the same political and legal value for a petition.
In [url] http://www.thejournal.co.uk/news/north-east-news/cycling-neglected-rural-northumberland-says-5836094 [/url] a nice photo can be found, to rise the question about the width of the path < 2m or > 2m (including "green" surfaces or not etc. etc.).
Ihre Unterschrift wurde gezählt.
Vielen Dank, für Ihre Unterstützung!
Zermatt isn't even in Europe. It's in some rogue financial state I'd happily help to build an iron curtain around.
As for the 2m rule in Germany, I've never been challenged. I slow down and wait for a suitable place to give walkers a wide berth giving them a cheery greeting as I go by.