Nobody writes down trail etiquette. You just pick it up—or you become the person everyone complains about at the trailhead. These are the rules that keep trails open and keep mountain bikers from getting banned from shared spaces.
Yielding: It’s Not About Who’s Faster
Technically, bikes yield to hikers, everyone yields to horses. In practice? Read the situation. A hiker stepping aside and waving you through? Say thanks and roll past. A family with kids spread across the trail? Slow way down, stop if needed, let them sort themselves out.
Horses are a special case. They’re 1,200-pound prey animals that can spook unpredictably. Stop. Speak calmly so they know you’re human, not a weird silent predator. Wait for the rider to tell you when to pass. This isn’t about courtesy—it’s about not getting kicked.
Stay on the Damn Trail
Cutting switchbacks is how trails get closed. One shortcut becomes a rut, the rut becomes erosion, erosion gets the whole trail shut down. Same goes for “just going around” a muddy section—now you’ve widened the trail and killed the vegetation.
If the trail’s too wet, the trail’s closed. Ride something else. Post-rain tires carve ruts that take months to repair. Local trail associations will tell you when conditions are rideable—check before you go.
Don’t Be the Strava Guy
We’ve all seen him: bombing down the trail, KOM attempt in progress, zero regard for anyone in his path. Don’t be that guy. A trail segment time isn’t worth running someone over. Save the hard efforts for empty trails or organized events.
Pack Out Your Gel Wrappers
Nothing says “I don’t respect this place” like a Gu packet on the trail. Stuff it in your pocket, stuff it in your jersey, tuck it in your shorts. Just don’t drop it. Same goes for tubes, CO2 cartridges, and anything else you brought with you.
Better yet: pick up other people’s trash when you see it. Karma’s real, and trails stay open when they stay clean.
Pass Like a Human
When you’re catching someone, don’t just silently materialize behind them—that’s terrifying. Call out “rider back” or “on your left” with enough warning that they can find a safe spot to move over. Then thank them. Every positive interaction with another trail user is a vote for keeping trails open to bikes.
This stuff isn’t complicated. Be cool, protect the trail, don’t scare people. That’s basically it.
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