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Biker Fair Play & Legal Rights

Biker Fair Play Rules

Here we provide information about the Biker Fair Play rules and the legal framework surrounding mountain biking in Austria's forests.

With common rules, the forest will remain a unique recreational and living space for everyone in the future. Fairness and mutual consideration form the basis for coexistence and the preservation of the diverse interests in the forest. Thank you for adhering to the following principles:
1. The use of marked cycle routes is only permitted during the contractually agreed periods:
  March, October: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  April, September: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
  May to August: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
2. Please treat landowners, gamekeepers and forestry staff with respect!
3. Be considerate of other forest users!
4. Drive at a controlled speed with half visibility!
5. Exercise caution around machinery, timber or potholes on the road, grazing livestock and motor vehicle traffic!
  (Forest roads are operational areas and workplaces)
6. Observe the road traffic regulations!
7. Be considerate of the cleanliness of the natural environment!
8. Check your equipment and wear a helmet!
9. Cycling off the routes and outside the permitted times is illegal. Observe driving bans and closures!
10. Use the cycle routes at your own risk!

Legal framework

Mountain biking in the forest is prohibited by law under the 1975 Forestry Act and is only permitted on explicitly designated routes. The right of free access for recreational purposes only applies to access on foot. Any other use, such as cycling (including bicycles, mountain bikes and e-bikes), is only permitted with the consent of the forest owner and, in the case of forest roads and paths, with the consent of the path owner.

In order to provide a good legal range of MTB trails in the Vienna Woods, Wienerwald Tourismus concludes contracts with landowners, regularly checks the trails and ensures that they are signposted and prepared online and on maps. Participating municipalities provide the funding, and dedicated voluntary associations and cyclists such as Wienerwald Trails and Sportunion Hinterbrühl are project partners. This legal network of trails and all associated services are currently provided to mountain bikers free of charge.

Mountain bikers vs. hikers
Fairness and mutual consideration are enshrined in Biker Fair Play and form the basis for coexistence and the preservation of diverse interests in the forest. How can mountain bikers and hikers successfully share recreational areas? Shared trails enable shared use on foot and by bike. When selecting such shared trails, attention is paid to choosing wider and flatter routes wherever possible. Where possible and on popular descents, single trails are used to minimise disruption to hikers. Read an article on this topic in Drahtesel 2/2020.

Liability
Riding on the trails is at your own risk and in compliance with biker fair play! No liability is accepted for accidents or damage to property. The instructions of the trail and forestry staff must be followed. Closed trails or sections of trails (signposted or online) are strictly off limits. Children under the age of 12 must.

Forestry work

Please observe the closures – for your own safety and that of all forest dwellers!

Even during the mountain biking season, forestry work is often necessary in the forest. During such work, the forest is closed to visitors without exception and the closed areas are marked with legally required closed area signs. This prohibition on entry protects recreational users from the dangers of forestry work and allows forestry workers to concentrate on their already dangerous work. The landowners make the forest available to us for biking – please thank them and respect the closures. Foresters and landowners not only use the forest, they also maintain it and ensure its health.