Trail Etiquette

Useful Biking Gear for Trails—Plus A Few MacGyver Tips!

Posted 03/30/18 by Amy Kapp in America's Trails, Trail Use, Health and Wellness | Tagged with Biking, Encouraging Trail Use, Gear, Health and Active Living, Healthy Aging, How-to, Mapping and Technology, OpeningDay, Sojourn Series, Trail Etiquette, Trail Use Tips, Walkability and Bikeability, Why Use Trails?

2017 Opening Day for Trails on the Three Rivers Heritage Trail in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | Photo by Amy Kapp

To prepare for Opening Day for Trails, I asked my colleagues at Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, some of America’s most experienced trail riders, what equipment they’ve found super useful.

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Golden Rules: Six Things You Need to Know for Trail Season

Posted 06/13/17 by Suzanne Matyas in America's Trails, Trail Use | Tagged with Encouraging Trail Use, How-to, Trail Etiquette, Trail Use Tips

You, me, and other trail users agree: It’s officially primetime for trail season. And whether you’re a commuter, a caregiver or a long-distance rider, it’s important to know and practice good safety and trail use etiquette. Here’s our list of must-knows to make the trail safe, fun and a good time for everyone!

Eastside Trail, part of the Atlanta BeltLine | Photo by Jim Brown

The Results Are In from Our 2016 Share the Trail Poll!

Posted 09/01/16 by Suzanne Matyas in Trail Use | Tagged with How-to, Safety and Law Enforcement, Trail Etiquette, Trail Use Tips

As RTC wraps up a second summer of our Share the Trail campaign, we wanted to thank everybody who pledged to be unofficial trail ambassadors. Special thanks to those of you who participated in our Share the Trail polls on social media. We were excited to see the poll results, and we have shared them here with you!

GHS Swamp Rabbit Trail in Greenville, South Carolina | Photo by Ian Curcio

RTC Wants YOU (to Take the 2016 Share the Trail Challenge)!

Posted 06/10/16 by Amy Kapp in Trail Use, Taking Action | Tagged with Safety and Law Enforcement, Trail Etiquette, Trail Use Tips

My colleague Katie—an avid trail cyclist—once wrote: “I know that every time we hit our favorite pathway, we have the power to lead by example and create a trail culture we want to be part of.” (And proud of!) As part of the 2016 Share the Trail Campaign, RTC is challenging everyone this summer: Be the best you can be on America’s trails. Here's how to get involved!

Burke-Gilman Trail in Seattle, Washington | Photo courtesy King County Parks | CC by 2.0

Keep Right, Pass Left—Please!

Posted 08/11/15 by Mary Stutzman in Trail Use | Tagged with How-to, Safety and Law Enforcement, Trail Etiquette

I learned to ride bikes at Champoeg State Park ... when I was growing up. Four years old and foolhardy, I thought I owned the trail. To try and keep up with my older brothers (I hate being left behind!), I had to go fast, but there were all these people in the way. So my dad taught me how to pass and what to say.

Photo courtesy John Gresham | CC by 2.0

Five Common Types of Trail Use Rules (Everyone Should Know)

Posted 07/21/15 by Amy Kapp in Trail Use | Tagged with Safety and Law Enforcement, Trail Etiquette, Trail Use Tips

When you’re out on the trail, knowing and following the rules seems easy enough, but these rules can vary from trail to trail. Some rules are universal, while others differ by state and municipality. Although it’s impossible to list the rules for every trail in the United States, we spoke with RTC’s national Trail Development Manager, Jim Brown, who helped us break them down into five simple categories that all trail users should be familiar with.