City Council and NS-type Trails in Germany

Mic · 01-20-2003, 09:04 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

)

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

Happy Trails wherever you are

Mic

but

is the place 2 be....

Mic · 01-21-2003, 10:06 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, 12:23 PM

That bike park is sick!!!

David · 01-21-2003, 04:50 PM

soooooo sweeet

Mic · 01-23-2003, 02:07 PM

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

just wanna go there someday...

LostBoyScout · 01-27-2003, 02:38 AM

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, 02:09 PM

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, 09:15 PM

Trust me on this one ... bureaucracy is slow wherever you go ...

Kn.

burke_rider · 03-08-2003, 12:16 AM

we dont ask for permision from city council, we just build em'

billop · 03-08-2003, 01:27 AM

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, 08:25 PM

shut up symon

Mic · 03-10-2003, 09:26 AM

Quote:

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, 04:09 PM

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, 09:22 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

billop · 03-12-2003, 12:14 AM

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

. Still, I think most people realize that life in BC is awesome. I know I wouldn't want to live anywhere else!!

01-20-2003, 09:04 AM	#1
Mic The Diaper Diaries Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Plantation Nation Posts: 11,164 Rep Power: 6830686	City Council and NS-type Trails in Germany 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 ) 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 Happy Trails wherever you are Mic but is the place 2 be.... __________________ "You don't learn from experience. You learn from reflecting on the experience." - Kristen Ulmer

01-21-2003, 10:06 AM	#2
Mic The Diaper Diaries Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Plantation Nation Posts: 11,164 Rep Power: 6830686	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.) __________________ "You don't learn from experience. You learn from reflecting on the experience." - Kristen Ulmer

01-21-2003, 12:23 PM	#3
switch two foot hucker Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Old Buck Posts: 30,091 Rep Power: 13897290	That bike park is sick!!! __________________ It is easy to dodge our responsibilities, but we cannot dodge the consequences of dodging our responsibilities. - Josiah Stamp Every time I see an adult on a bicycle, I no longer despair for the future of the human race. - H.G. Wells

01-23-2003, 02:07 PM	#5
Mic The Diaper Diaries Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Plantation Nation Posts: 11,164 Rep Power: 6830686	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 just wanna go there someday... __________________ "You don't learn from experience. You learn from reflecting on the experience." - Kristen Ulmer

03-07-2003, 02:09 PM	#7
Mic The Diaper Diaries Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Plantation Nation Posts: 11,164 Rep Power: 6830686	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. __________________ "You don't learn from experience. You learn from reflecting on the experience." - Kristen Ulmer

01-21-2003, 04:50 PM	#4
David hmmmmmm Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: burnaby Posts: 5,518 Rep Power: 5411	soooooo sweeet

01-27-2003, 02:38 AM	#6
LostBoyScout Hello. Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: East Van Posts: 534 Rep Power: 1885332	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

03-07-2003, 09:15 PM	#8
KenN I'm with the pedalphiles Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: eNVy Posts: 12,428 Rep Power: 18749929	Trust me on this one ... bureaucracy is slow wherever you go ... Kn. __________________ When one person suffers from a delusion, it is called insanity. When many people suffer from a delusion, it is called religion.

03-08-2003, 12:16 AM	#9
burke_rider squatch Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: PoCo Posts: 92 Rep Power: 0	we dont ask for permision from city council, we just build em'

03-08-2003, 01:27 AM	#10
billop Spandex Boy Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: whistler jea Posts: 873 Rep Power: 0	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!!

03-08-2003, 08:25 PM	#11
burke_rider squatch Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: PoCo Posts: 92 Rep Power: 0	shut up symon

03-10-2003, 04:09 PM	#13
billop Spandex Boy Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: whistler jea Posts: 873 Rep Power: 0	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?

03-11-2003, 09:22 AM	#14
Mic The Diaper Diaries Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Plantation Nation Posts: 11,164 Rep Power: 6830686	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 __________________ "You don't learn from experience. You learn from reflecting on the experience." - Kristen Ulmer

03-12-2003, 12:14 AM	#15
billop Spandex Boy Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: whistler jea Posts: 873 Rep Power: 0	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. Still, I think most people realize that life in BC is awesome. I know I wouldn't want to live anywhere else!!

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