With more folks on the trails than ever before, trail conflicts seem to be on the rise as well. Of course mountain bikers have been successfully sharing the trails for years, but that’s not to say everyone is perfect.
Should Trail Etiquette Training Be Required?
With more folks on the trails than ever before, trail conflicts seem to be on the rise as well.
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12 comments
12 comments
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12 Comments
Apr 19, 2021
Very interesting question and very interesting survey result!
One of our absolutely best trails here in NZ's South Island is the Old Ghost Road which was created and run by a Trust. Go to their website and read what it says about Trail Courtesy - NOTHING about who has rights or one group always giving way to another. It talks about leadership and courtesy: "Users respect each other and take the lead on courtesy and giving way – don’t expect or wait for someone else to. Help make others’ experience an enjoyable one."
More about that here: https://oldghostroad.org.nz/trail-courtesy/.
Point is: It works! Although the trail was built for mountain biking, the organisation recognises the value of the place for walkers as well. The huts are happy places in the evening and mornings, the trails also.
I love the photo of the sign-post that says "Be nice, say hi". It really is that easy. I'm constantly amazed at the number of walkers/hikers want to stop and have a chat. Who needs KOM when you can connect with all manner nice folk enjoying the hills and valleys out there!
Apr 21, 2021
Apr 22, 2021
Apr 19, 2021
Apr 22, 2021
His buddy rear ending you...come on...with typical recreational trail speeds being 7-10 mph on a mere 30 lb vehicle that, worse case, can completely stop in 5 ft after you clamp the brakes. If you’re traveling in the same direction then the closing speed is much less and there is even more time.
I’m all for interaction/conversation friendliness/sharing at the trailhead, intersection stops, break stops etc that’s just basic human decency and if your parents didn’t teach you that then a sign isn’t going to make it happen now but all the yapping in motion is a bit annoying to me.
Apr 18, 2021
Apr 19, 2021
Apr 18, 2021
Apr 22, 2021
balance that against the damage done by horse's hooves and of course the piles of horse shit equestrians refuse to clear from the trails... there is no answer but the need for commonsense on the trails... if cyclists make the effort to accomplish some parity among us and the other users we will at least show that we are aware and willing to change the dynamics of interactions and improve our chances of not being blindsided by wires and spiked traps...
Apr 25, 2021
Apr 25, 2021
BUT........we can use education more effectively too teach people to act responsibly (and humanely) to safeguard our MTB pleasure.
Apr 18, 2021