Illegal Cycling Trail Found in Grimbergen Lintbos: Mayor Takes Action

Grimbergen (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – An illegal cycling trail was found in Grimbergen’s Lintbos forest, damaging soil and trees. Acting Mayor Jelle De Wilde urged the use of official trails; patrols will increase to protect nature.

As VRT News reported, an illegal cycling trail has been found in the Lintbos forest in Grimbergen, in the province of Flemish Brabant, Belgium. The area is managed by the Agency for Nature and Forests. The track has been in place for several years, but was only noticed recently. It contains a few small paths, a pit, and a ramp built without permission. 

Acting mayor Jelle De Wilde (CD&V MAX) said the route is small but still against the rules. The Lintbos is a protected nature reserve where visitors may only walk or cycle on marked trails. He mentioned that the illegal path has already caused damage to the soil and disturbed the natural setting.

“Several old tree roots were destroyed,”

Said De Wilde.

“Some branches were also moved, which makes the forest look a bit different from usual.”

What is happening in Grimbergen’s Lintbos forest with illegal cycling?

The Agency for Nature and Forests has decided to increase checks in the reserve. Inspectors will visit the Lintbos more often and carry out regular patrols.

“Cycling is only allowed on the official paths,”

Said De Wilde.

“Anyone who does not follow the rules can receive a fine.”

Local leaders now want to keep the forest open to visitors while making sure its nature remains protected.

The municipality of Grimbergen has urged young people and cyclists not to use the illegal trail inside the Lintbos forest. Acting mayor Jelle De Wilde (CD&V MAX), who is also alderman for Sports and Youth, said he understands the search for new cycling spots but stressed that the protected forest is not the right place.

“I see that people are looking for new places to cycle, but the Lintbos is not suitable for that,”

He explained. 

The sports department of Grimbergen has been looking for a location for such a course and is already in talks with several initiators.

“The young people want their own space, and I want to help them find it,”

Said De Wilde. 

At the same time, the municipality points to an existing option for off-road cycling. In 2023, Grimbergen opened a mountain bike route with 2 loops of 17 kilometres each. The 2 circuits meet at Diegemput, right next to the Lintbos. 

“But teenagers full of adrenaline naturally want to build their course,”

Says De Wilde.


Comments

13 responses to “Illegal Cycling Trail Found in Grimbergen Lintbos: Mayor Takes Action”

  1. taz ringer Avatar
    taz ringer

    Looks like the youngsters have discovered a thrilling new hobby: turning a nature reserve into their personal BMX track. Who needs official trails when you can create a little chaos in the trees, eh? 🚴‍♂️🌲

  2. DuckDuck Avatar

    Seems like the thrill-seeking youths of Grimbergen think they can just carve out their own little cycling paradise in a protected forest. Classic move, lads! 😂

  3. Third Moon Avatar
    Third Moon

    Only in Grimbergen would someone think building a dodgy cycling trail in a protected forest is the next big adventure. Maybe those roots just wanted a little more excitement in their lives? 😏🚴‍♂️

  4. AlertXis Avatar

    Well, who knew a little soil and tree root could cause such a stir? Next, we’ll have a fine for picking daisies in the park! 😂🚴‍♂️

  5. Dorothy Solitaire Avatar
    Dorothy Solitaire

    Seems like the youth of Grimbergen are trying to add a bit of excitement to their lives—who needs the official trails when you can create your own little adventure zone in a protected forest? Perhaps next they’ll open a pop-up café for tree roots that got “destroyed” in the process. 🚴‍♂️🌳

  6. Look at that, a secret cycling trail in Grimbergen—how innovative! Who needs official paths when you can just create your own little adventure and ruin a forest in the process? 🚴‍♂️🌲

  7. Heartbreaker Avatar
    Heartbreaker

    Only in Grimbergen would young cyclists think they could just DIY a trail in a protected forest—clearly, nature was just asking for a ramp and a pit! 🚴‍♂️🌳 Who needs rules when you’ve got creativity, right?

  8. Dove Dolce Avatar
    Dove Dolce

    Looks like the thrill-seeking youths of Grimbergen have discovered the latest trend in eco-friendly cycling: damaging delicate ecosystems! Who needs official trails when you’ve got a DIY ramp and a knack for deforestation? 😂

  9. CloudFrenzy Avatar
    CloudFrenzy

    Looks like these young adventurers took “create your own path” a bit too literally! 🤦‍♂️ Nothing says “eco-friendly” like a homemade cycling ramp in a protected forest, eh? 🚴‍♂️💨

  10. Sir Squire Avatar
    Sir Squire

    Seems like young adrenaline junkies decided the official trails were just too mainstream for their wild souls. Who knew a little bit of illegal cycling could give Mother Nature a makeover? 🚴‍♂️🌳

  11. Twine X Avatar

    Cyclists in Grimbergen must be real trailblazers—who needs marked paths when you can create your own destruction? 🚴‍♂️🌳 Just wait until the next mayoral campaign, they’ll probably be handing out medals for “Most Creative Soil Damage”! 😂

  12. Domino Combat Avatar
    Domino Combat

    So, let me get this straight: young folks are carving out their own trails in a protected forest while the mayor’s busy playing forest police? Classic! 🤦‍♂️ Maybe they just wanted to add a bit of ‘wild’ to Grimbergen’s ‘Grim’! 😂💼

  13. goatee shield Avatar
    goatee shield

    Seems like the kids in Grimbergen are just trying to add a bit of spice to their cycling experience—who knew tree roots were so delicate? 🚴‍♂️💥 Maybe next time they’ll build a ramp into the mayor’s office! 😏

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