PDA

View Full Version : City Council and NS-type Trails in Germany




Mic
01-20-2003, 12:04 AM
Hi there,

as some of you may have noticed, I'm from Germany and I've forwarded some ideas concerning the building and maintaining of North Shore-type stunts and trails to my local city council.

At first, via email, but when things got a bit more "sound and safe", I prepared a written kind of portfolio describing what I am up to, the main problems which I think need attention and some pictures from the NSMB gallery and the trail building tips from the folks at NSMBA as a back-up.

I had the meeting last friday, and I've spent nearly two hours there. I talked to the person already in control of planning a net of trails together with a Bikepark similar to the ones already found in the South of Germany (www.bikepark.net).

The person has collected some material already, has the maps that show which area is designed for building/which one is restricted due to endangered habitat and who is on board this project.
The general idea is to enhance and improve "Mountainbike-Tourism" from the big cities that are quite near to "our" place. We are living on the fringe of the most populated area in Germany, check a map, it's in the Middle-West, in the province of Northrhine Westphalia (hope that's correct spelling in English :S)

One person that is part of this group is a guy that hs his own MTB-school, teaching everything from basics to Hardcore Freeriding.

Since my ideas are limited to a certain area, and I even highlighted the parts where I want to build stunts and trails on the maps, I will probably be the responsible person for this corner.
The biggest problem is that there are a lot of politicians on board that do not really have a clue about Freeriding - therefore I prepared that portfolio.
The contact person is pissed off because everything takes sooo fucking long, typically German.

The next steps will be for him:
Forwarding my presentation, speaking with the individual Departments, i.e. Forest, Land and
Recreation (all different....say "difficult"),. After this, he will contact the persons owning the land I want to build on.

As usual, I have mentioned all the probable and most likely points of conflict: Considering the use of the forest of other groups, that is hikers and riders, the circumnavigation of designated "game reserves" (where the little animals have some relaxation) and wilderness areas - and the use of dead wood, NOT living trees and the like.

I think that it will only be a matter of time since I can send you guys some pictures from the building and riding of the trails.

I want to thank ALL the folks here on the BBs, Cameron for maintaining that site and keeping it up and running (and for having written that article on the Shore, it's in Trail Tales...take a look), the nsmba for having some very useful links even if you are not living on the Shore.
Nsmb really is THE e-zine covering my favorite type of riding, and I sincerely hope that everything will work out fine.
Without the links, ideas and input from others and the pictures, my idea would never have gotten THAT far.

THANX EVERYBODY :woot:
Happy Trails wherever you are ;)

Mic
:germany: but :canada: is the place 2 be....:rocker:




Mic
01-21-2003, 01:06 AM
PS: I had the impression that it is very important to know the pros and cons of Mountainbiking in general - issues such as soil damage, erosion, potential conflicts between other recreational users and the possible disturbance of game have to be adressed when forwarding a request for building.

Sharon asked me quite a while ago to let everybody know how it turned out.

The contact has to get the impression that you are not dumb, but know what the general developments and issues are. Requesting and forwarding such an issue is confronting one with politics on a very small and local level, but its politics nevertheless.

If you should try something like that, prepare yourself, stay reasonable and calm no matter what the persons opposite of you have to say. Be creative and strategic in your preparation.

Give the politicians the feeling that you are there to enrich the communities life. You are part of it, not an enemy (Hmm, hope you get the point. I sometimes have difficulties expressing my p.o.v.)

switch
01-21-2003, 03:23 AM
That bike park is sick!!! :drool:

David
01-21-2003, 07:50 AM
:eek: :eek:
soooooo sweeet :drool:

Mic
01-23-2003, 05:07 AM
Haven't ridden there - yet. Still am waiting for my ride. But if I am, which I surely will this year, I'll post the pics.
Of course nothing compared to Joyride...this is sick :drool: just wanna go there someday...:high:

LostBoyScout
01-26-2003, 05:38 PM
Great work! The peace of mind knowing that the municipality supports what you're doing is certainly REALLY good to have! Good luck, and I can't wait to see some pictures :)

Mic
03-07-2003, 05:09 AM
At the Race Down, I met one of the persons involved in this whole thing. He is responsible for the building of the Olympic XC-track, has a bike school (www.bikeride.de) and used to race DH.

He said that it is quite unlikely that my idea will be realised, even though he thinks it is really great and well-stated and well-planned with attention to details etc...but the insurance issue will be the one that is crucial, he said.
And he said that he will support the idea of the NS-stuff....patience. And more patience. The German authorities can be a drag sometimes.

KenN
03-07-2003, 12:15 PM
Trust me on this one ... bureaucracy is slow wherever you go ...

Kn.

burke_rider
03-07-2003, 03:16 PM
we dont ask for permision from city council, we just build em'

billop
03-07-2003, 04:27 PM
Shhhhhh!!! No one's supposed to know that lots and lots people have built tons of stuff on Burke. It's one huge secret. So SHH!!

burke_rider
03-08-2003, 11:25 AM
shut up symon

Mic
03-10-2003, 12:26 AM
Originally posted by burke_rider
we dont ask for permision from city council, we just build em'

Hmm. Would agree IF the woods were as huge as they are in Canada. Have you ever been to Germany, the chance of running into a guy from the Froestry Dept. while building or even checking out potential spots.
You COULD build illegal trails, but I don't wanna be dragged in front of a court or sumthing like that.

billop
03-10-2003, 07:09 AM
Yea I have been to germany and I have seen the size of the woods. Good luck!! I hope they allow you to build some awesome trails. Maybe the next time I'm in germany I'll come and check them out. Where in germany will this be?

Mic
03-11-2003, 12:22 AM
Between Cologne and Dortmund, a small town called Ennepetal. I will keep you updated as soon as I get some news. I think it'll take some more time to go....but it would be rad riding around with a guy from Port Coquitlam...BC is soo nice :D

billop
03-11-2003, 03:14 PM
A large group of people take this place for granted. They don't realize just how lucky they really are to live in BC. That they can build just about whatever stunt they want, just about anywhere on the Mountain. And then there are those who just do whatever they want and expect no consiquences, but that's another story:rolleyes:. Still, I think most people realize that life in BC is awesome. I know I wouldn't want to live anywhere else!!

Broken Fusion!
03-11-2003, 10:43 PM
I'm comin to Germany for that bike park.
Look out Mic!
I'll bring you some furniture too.

Mic
03-12-2003, 01:16 AM
Send me an Email/Pm me a week or two before you come over - and I'll sort everything out for ya, BFusion.

Right now I'm trying to find a used frame....since I'll have the bucks for the :scream: in August.
I have 900 Can$ to spend.

billop
03-12-2003, 08:04 AM
Wait...$900 can get you a scream in Germany? I'm trying to save up $900 for a morphine frame set!!

Pioter
03-12-2003, 05:08 PM
:lol: $900 German i think is like around $1500 Canadian. But that still is a deal compared to prices here.

billop
03-12-2003, 05:14 PM
Read carefully. He said $900 canadian. I think I may consider importing the frame.:lol: Probably not. Still, $900 german is pretty close to 1100 canadian.

Mic
03-13-2003, 02:06 AM
No no no guys. I have 900Can$ to spend, the :scream: is about 1300 Euros which equals around 1800Can$...so no bargain, szymon.

I'll buy a HT with a nice sc-fork.
That would cost me 450 Euros including a headset...just add wheels and brakes and handlebar and stem - and ready to go.:D