Trail Safety and Trail Etiquette

Most public MTB trails (as in "you don't pay to get in") are maintained by volunteers. That means trail maintanence is low or it doesn't exist. Doing your part to not damage the trails is important. So:

Stay On The Trail! Don't cut corners. Irresponsible use of a mountain bike presents potential to do damage to nature.

Don't Lock Up Your Brakes! Again, irresponsible use of a mountain bike increases the potential to do damage to the trail. Ripping up sod is very bad for the trails and it DOES NOT improve your braking. Just as in your car, sliding causes a loss of control, a loss of traction. While it may seem like you are stopping faster, YOU AREN'T. Brake as hard as you can without locking up your brakes.

Don't Litter! For goodness sake! Put any litter you generate (wrappers from energy gels or energy bars) into a pocket, water backpack or seat pack. It's a tiny thing to ask, the outdoors stay beautiful, and no cute furry little creatures will choke and die on your wrappers/garbage.

Leave Wildlife Alone! Don't chase animals on your bike. Don't feed wildlife.

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Also, most public trails are not rated for different types of riders and are NOT one way. Meaning, it's normal to travel in either direction on the trail. Having an unknown number of riders of all different levels whipping around trails with blind corners going in different directions is a frightening prospect for sure. But the whole group pretty much agrees on the following general rules to make it all work out.

Passing Someone Going the Same Direction
When passing other riders, announce your intentions to pass and the side you will pass on. A simple "Rider. Passing on Left" is good. Always try to pass on their left. Give the slower rider some time to move over to the right of the trail and pass leaving them as much room as you can. Chances are they are less skilled than you, don't push them off the trail because they just might fall on you. By the same token, if someone wants to pass you, be courteous and move off to the right of the trail and leave the faster rider as much room as you can.

If you are passing a rider and are leading a group, announce to the slower rider that there are more behind you. Also yell out to your group that they will be passing someone. If you are being being passed by a group, it's easiest just to stop on the side of the trail and let them pass. Passing a slow group is a pain in the rear. Just be patient as you pass. We all have to share the trails. Remember, you were slow once too. If the slow people really bother you, go to a professional MTB park, bite the bullet and pay to get in.

Passing Someone Going in the Opposite Direction
When you come upon a rider going the other way, call out "Rider!" unless the other rider does so first. That way you each know the other is there. Stay to your right and leave whatever room you can for the other rider.

If the other rider announces there are more behind, consider slowing down and watching for them or stopping and leaving the trail open. If you are leading a group (or are just in a group), Shout "Rider/s" to let the oncoming rider and your group know there are oncoming riders. Then announce to the oncoming rider that you have more people
behind you by saying "Four Behind!".

Entering a Trap
A trap can be considered any obstacle you have to somehow get over/across/under whatever. A fallen tree, a deep ravene, a steep climb. If you know you are entering a "trap" that can only accommodate one rider at a time, always try to shout out "Rider!" to let any other riders in the area know you are entering that trap. You can add more information such as, "Rider Coming Up!" for a steep climb for example. Remember if two riders are approaching a jump etc from two directions on a blind trail (heavy foliage and neither can see the other around a bend), they may end up in a head on collision in the air. There is no escape. It's best to shout out and warn oncoming riders. Don't be shy.

With these things in mind, I have only had one head-on collision in about fourteen years. That one time, the terrain was more like a BMX race track. I was jumping a set of "rollers". A rider came into the rollers from the other direction just as I was launching into the air. Neither of us had announced we were entering the obstacle and unfortunately nothing could be done. I smashed right over the poor guy in mid-air. Course I stopped to make sure he was okay. He was wearing a helmet, so I didn't leave tire prints on his head.

Most Importantly!! Always offer help to a downed rider. Loan a tool, hold their bike while they work. Give directions. Stopping your ride for a short time won't hurt you and could make all the difference for someone else. Some day you may have a flat or get lost and you'll appreciate the same treatment. Don't get me wrong, if they look scary, don't risk it. But by and large, you'll find mountainbikers are a right nice lot of folks.

My Personal Thoughts on Trail Safety and Etiquette
When riding in public areas I generally can assume that I won't meet many riders that are faster/better than me. There will be some, yes. There will be some that are my equal, yes. But mostly the riders won't be as good. Therefore, I feel it is my duty to watch out for everyone else. Many expert riders feel everyone else should just get out of their way. But those people are jerks and they make everyone else unhappy. Don't be one of them. I always try to pass folks when it is most convenient to them (wide trail). I slow down so I can come up on them closer to their pace, ask to pass, wait till they have moved aside and pass quickly while leaving them as much room as I can. I am extra careful around kids. I was a kid once. You were too, right? If some rude jerk had yelled at me and ran me off the trail at a young age, I probably wouldn't be riding now. I WANT more people riding, even though they might clog up my favorite trails and perhaps force me to slow down. If I want to go fast, I know where to go that there won't be any beginner riders. I want everyone to enjoy this sport. So always give kids EXTRA consideration when passing.

Finally, please don't litter!