Starting April 30, the stretch from the Sudelfeld summit to Bayrischzell will be off-limits to motorcycles. Riders can still approach from the Inn Valley via Oberaudorf or Brannenburg, but the descent to Bayrischzell is now restricted. An exception applies only to light motorcycles with engines up to 125cc.
High Speeds, High Risks
The Sudelfeldstraße is favored for its flowing curves and picturesque setting, but it has become notorious for dangerous riding behavior. From 2018 to 2024, 97 motorcycle accidents were recorded on the road—resulting in two fatalities, 40 serious injuries, and 58 minor injuries. Despite increased police patrols, speed limits, and road modifications such as rumble strips, the danger persisted.
The area around the Tatzelwurm car park became a popular loop for riders pushing their limits, repeatedly racing between the pass and the parking area. The final weekend before the partial closure saw bikers flocking to the route—some riding cautiously, others filming high-speed maneuvers at so-called “show curves.” Riders acknowledged the problem, with many admitting that a small group—around five to ten percent—were responsible for most of the dangerous behavior.
Statistical Basis for One-Way Ban
The Rosenheim and Miesbach district authorities stated that about 61 percent of motorcycle accidents occurred while traveling downhill toward Bayrischzell. Repeated traffic checks revealed that many riders looped the same stretch multiple times, increasing the accident risk. The partial closure is designed specifically to curb this behavior.
Authorities Defend the Tough Decision
Rosenheim District Administrator Otto Lederer (CSU) called the partial ban a difficult but necessary step. “The protection of life and physical safety must come first,” he stated. Authorities see no viable alternative, as previous attempts failed to curb the accident rate meaningfully.
Two-Year Trial Period
Officials plan to evaluate the measure over a two-year trial period. They will monitor whether accidents decrease—or whether risky riding simply shifts to alternative routes, including the toll road from Brannenburg or the county road from Oberaudorf to the Tatzelwurm area.
A spokesperson emphasized that careful monitoring will determine the long-term future of the restriction, noting: “This is about more than just one road—it’s about effective, lasting road safety.”
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