Not for armchair adventurers
Bern, Switzerland (GenevaLunch) – The Swiss government has decided to table a bill that would have governed safety rules and responsibility at the federal (national) level in extreme sports. The government judges that existing and future cantonal legislation as well as the self-regulation of the extreme sports industry is adequate.
After several well-publicized accidents involving white water rafting, notably an accident in the Saxetbach in the Bernese Oberland 10 years ago, and bungee-jumping, there were calls in Parliament to establish a national set of rules for the different sports. The government notes in its message to Parliament that more than 60 percent of the sports practiced already have a certification procedure. In 2003, canton Bern pushed for the creation of the Foundation Safety in Adventure, which certifies businesses that offer extreme sports to the public.
Background:“Base jumping deaths raise questions” 11 October 2007, GenevaLunch
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News story, GenevaLunch, 27 August 2009.
Filed under: Society
Tags: Bern, Bernese Oberland, bungee jumping, certification, extreme sports, Parliament, rafting, Safety in Adventure Foundation, saxetbach, self-regulation, table bill