Cycling SAFELY

Cycling and mountain biking are endurance sports that place positive demands on the heart, circulation and muscles. To benefit fully, you need good health and a realistic sense of your own capabilities. Avoid time pressure and increase the intensity and duration of your rides gradually.

Overestimating your strength and fitness can raise the risk of accidents and reduce the enjoyment of mountain biking. If you’re unfit, unwell or older, a sports medical check-up can help you better assess your limits. And remember: regular endurance and strength training significantly boosts both safety and enjoyment.

Specialist literature, maps, online resources and local experts are all valuable tools when choosing a bike tour that matches your fitness level and ability. Always tailor your route to suit the group, the weather forecast and current trail conditions. Lone riders should take extra care – even a minor incident can quickly become a serious emergency.

Keep a close eye on the weather, as rain, cold and heat can significantly increase the risk of accidents. Technical difficulty ratings are not standardised for mountain biking, so it’s best to start cautiously in unfamiliar terrain to ensure you have enough energy for any surprises along the way. When riding in a group, make sure all participants are physically and technically capable of completing the tour without being pushed beyond their limits.

Do not cycle cross-country to avoid erosion damage. Only use suitable roads and official cycle paths and respect local closures and regulations to avoid conflicts with landowners, path owners and other nature users.

Please note: Cycling in the forest (including forest roads and other forest paths) is generally prohibited. It is only permitted with the consent of the forest or forest road owners. Consent to ride bicycles or mountain bikes in the forest for the general public can be recognised by the signage.

Shortcuts and detours off the beaten track are prohibited and absolutely "uncool", as they destroy our nature experience.

Check the brakes, air pressure, tight fit of the wheels, suspension and gears of your bike before every ride. Annual maintenance by a specialist workshop ensures that your bike is in perfect technical condition. Make sure your riding position is healthy and ergonomic.

Warm clothing, rain and wind protection, a repair kit and a first aid kit all belong in your rucksack – along with a mobile phone (EU emergency number 112), a light, and enough food and drink. Gloves and goggles protect your hands and eyes. A map or GPS device is also a valuable aid for orientation.

Uphill and downhill, always wear a helmet! In the event of a fall or collision, a helmet can prevent head injuries or even save your life. Protectors can protect you from injury.
Make sure your helmet fits properly and check that it is fastened before every ride. Back protectors to prevent spinal injuries are usually already integrated into modern bike rucksacks. For more technically demanding trails, it is also advisable to wear knee and elbow pads. Remember that you are often travelling faster on a bike than in a car when descending forest tracks - but without a seatbelt and airbag!

Show consideration for pedestrians by announcing your arrival in good time and reducing your speed. Stop if necessary. A friendly greeting promotes acceptance. Ride in small bike groups and avoid paths that are heavily frequented by hikers. Be polite and respectful to others - a brief message about how many others are coming after you and a "Thank you!" are particularly good for your karma.

Adapt your speed to the situation at hand. Ride attentively and be ready to brake, as unexpected obstacles can be expected at any time. You can learn riding and braking techniques on mountain bike courses. Pedestrians and animals move slower than you, so always ride on sight. Bear in mind that the braking distance on loose, gravelly surfaces is longer and the braking process more difficult than you think.

By braking in a controlled manner so that the wheels do not lock, you prevent soil erosion and damage to the road. Take your rubbish with you and avoid noise. Sensitive braking is of course also relevant to safety. Experts teach the correct riding and trail-friendly braking technique in mountain bike courses. Packing your own rubbish is a matter of course, taking other people's rubbish down into the valley is particularly exemplary.

Dogs
Please use the dog waste bags along the cycle paths to avoid soiling the pasture areas and nature. Help to keep the countryside clean. To avoid problems with pedestrians - please keep dogs on a lead!

The twilight phase is the time for wild animals to feed. Therefore, drive in daylight to avoid disturbances. Approach animals at walking pace and close pasture fences after driving through them. Avoid fast and hasty movements. Behave quietly in the forest and do not make unnecessary noise.