A long‑term motorcyclist and Nürburgring enthusiast has launched a crowdfunding campaign to take legal action against the circuit’s controversial decision to ban motorcycles from public tourist laps on the famed “Green Hell” Nordschleife.
The effort follows a petition that has collected over 5,000 signatures from riders and fans who oppose the rule change.
What Changed at the Nürburgring?
In early 2025, the management of the Nürburgring announced that motorcycles would no longer be allowed to participate in Touristenfahrten sessions, the open tourist drive days where anyone with a road‑legal vehicle can pay to lap the 20.8 km Nordschleife.
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The track cited safety concerns as its main justification, saying that differences in dynamics between two‑wheel and four‑wheel vehicles could lead to misunderstandings and accidents.
This shift is one of the most dramatic in decades to the track’s public access policy. For nearly a century, motorcycles and cars could share the track under the same sessions, a tradition going back to the first Touristfahrten in 1927.
The Response from the Motorcycle Community
The exclusion of motorcycles has sparked significant pushback from riders worldwide. Opponents argue that the safety argument does not hold up when cars of varying skill and performance share the tarmac with bikes.
Critics also point out that the Nürburgring already implemented separate bike sessions and guided experiences but has taken away the freedom that enthusiasts valued most.
One leading voice in this resistance is veteran rider Ralf Bollinger, who has toured the Nordschleife regularly for thirty years. Bollinger started the petition and now aims to pursue legal recourse, arguing that the ban violates a Rhineland‑Palatinate law on non‑discriminatory access that was set out during the circuit’s privatization.
A Crowdfunding Campaign for Legal Action
Because legal challenges require funds, Bollinger has turned to crowdfunding to raise the estimated €10,000 (around $11,900) needed to commission expert reports and mount a formal legal challenge. The GoFundMe page is asking for €3,500. He has already secured a law firm with relevant experience to assist in the case.
The goal reaches farther than just bringing back mixed Touristenfahrten; it reflects a broader effort to challenge what Bollinger sees as unequal application of access rights at a historic venue used by the public for generations.
Track officials cite multiple factors behind the ban. They emphasize that inconsistent skill levels among both cars and bikes have contributed to dangerous situations during combined sessions. Historical accident data shows that motorcycle incidents tend to lead to longer session interruptions and can put additional strain on medical and safety crews.
The Nürburgring has attempted to address safety concerns by providing motorcycle‑specific sessions, guided rides, and organized training days, but these occur only on selected dates and often require participants to follow professional guides. Riders see this as a limited compromise that does not replicate the freedom and tradition of the original Touristfahrten.
Now What?
The outcome of this legal effort could have ripple effects for enthusiasts and public access motorsport venues more broadly. It spotlights questions about how iconic tracks balance historical tradition with modern safety standards and commercial priorities.
If the ban is overturned, it could set a precedent for other venues facing similar disputes with user communities.
At the same time, if the ban holds, it could deepen divisions between the track operators and a passionate segment of the global motorcycle community. Riders hope to see more inclusive solutions, whether that comes from legal pressure or through dialogue with the Nürburgring’s leadership.
As of February 2026, the crowdfunding effort is underway, and the petition continues to grow. The next key steps will include raising the funds needed to advance the legal challenge and formally filing actions that could prompt court consideration of the ban under regional and German law.
Sources: Visordown, Motorcycles.News