More consideration on field paths – this is what the farmers’ association in Bavaria is promoting. Especially when the weather is nice and close to the city, the paths are also in demand among those seeking relaxation, as Klaus Pieroth, managing director of the farmers’ association in Schweinfurt, has observed. And then there is often a lack of mutual understanding. Hikers, cyclists and dog owners are angry at the farmers, their large machines and the dust they stir up. Conversely, the farmers are not happy when, for example, paths are blocked up or dog droppings are found on the verge.
In Stadtlauringen, the Schweinfurt Farmers’ Association, together with the municipality, installed a pictogram on a path on Wednesday – under the motto “Consideration makes paths wide” it shows a tractor, a cyclist and a walker with a dog. Pieroth emphasized that with mutual consideration, the conflicts on the roads could be easily resolved. “Our appeal is: everyone be considerate.” Then the paths could be used easily and peacefully by everyone. After all, agriculture also contributes to the maintenance of the paths.
The pictograms already exist in some places in other Bavarian municipalities – for example in Hausen in Upper Franconia (Forchheim district) for a year now. If both farmers and recreational athletes slow down and take evasive action, cooperation will also work, the community and farmers’ association said together.