It’s officially Summertime here in the Washington, DC area and that means one thing:-total chaos out on the multi use trails lots of people out enjoying the beautiful trails our area has to offer. As a biker, runner and driver I have witnessed some crazy and dangerous behavior out there the past few weeks.
I hate so many people out on the trails I love that so many people are out exercising and enjoying the lovely weather. For everyone’s safety and sanity, we can all share the roads and trails if we follow some simple rules of etiquette and safety.
Runners Etiquette:
1. Please remember to stay on the right side of the trail. If you are running in a group, please disperse as you see bikers coming in the other direction. I saw a group of 8 women obliviously running across the trail the other day as I was approaching on my bike. I had to yell 3 times for them to move over.
2. If you hear a biker yell, “On your left”, please move over to the right side and let them pass. It’s also courteous to give a wave so they know you have heard them.
3. If you run with headphones, please consider leaving one ear out so that you can hear the bikes approaching. This is for the safety of both of you.
4. If you are running with a dog, please make sure that your leash is short enough so that you can control your dog and keep him from running in front of bikers. In addition, please make sure your dog doesn’t freak out when he sees groups of runners approaching.
5. When you are coming up to an intersection and you see a large red octagonal sign, with the words “STOP” it means you. Please don’t assume that cars will stop for you or that they see you. Note this may require you to stop your Garmin and wait for a few seconds.
Bikers Etiquette:
1. Please give adequate warning when approaching runners/walkers by shouting, “on your left” or tooting your bike horn and then thank them for moving right as you whiz by.
2. Please take caution and care when deciding whether to pass another biker or a group of runners. If you are not sure whether you have time to pass them before crashing into oncoming bikers, please do not attempt to pass. It is very scary to see another biker coming at you in your direction.
3. If you are riding in a group, please disperse and drop back as you approach another biker or a runner. Note this often requires you to slow down for a few seconds.
4. If you are biking with small children, please consider keeping them to the far right and using yourself as a buffer for other runners and bikers. In addition, please make sure they understand what to do if they hear someone yell, “on your left”. Too many times they get frazzled and move left. It’s great that kids are wanting to ride their bikes & be active however it may not be the best idea to take them out if they are not ready.
5. When you approach an intersection and see the big red STOP sign, it applies to you as well. Please do not assume that cars will stop for you. Wait for some kind of signal from the driver that it is ok to cross. You may have to unclip and wait a few minutes.
Drivers Etiquette:
1. When approaching an intersection that frequently has bikers, please slow down and look to see whether there are any pedestrians or bikers. Not only is it good manners to allow them to cross, it is the law. Those big signs alerting you to pedestrians are there for a reason.
2. Consider making eye contact or waving to bikers and runners so that they know you see them.
I am pretty sure that we can all use the trails and paths without causing major incidents if we all practice a little smarts and a lot of manners.
What tips do you have for bikers and runners to get along?
Great tips! As a runner I always try to be mindful of drivers and bikers (though there are few less bikers on the roads where I run) and as a driver I am definitely mindful of other runners and bikers on the street! Thanks so much for linking up 🙂
It gets crazy out on our trails and I find I have to be very alert.
Yes. Please. Let’s be courteous in general. We are all getting somewhere, though for different reasons and in different ways. RESPECT THAT
From your mouth to everyone’s ears!! 🙂
Great tips! It’s so important for anyone on the road (bikers, runners, drivers, even people walking) to be aware and follow the same general guidelines! I’ve seen too many “almost accidents” .
Karen @karenlovestorun
Yes I know it can be scary out there!
Love this! We used to live on a trail that was always busy and I hated when people wouldn’t ‘play by the rules’ it honestly isn’t safe…I wouldn’t care a bit if it wasn’t for safety but the bottom line is when we play by the rules on trails/roads less people get hurt!
seriously it’s not that hard right?!
Yep, it’s that time of year again! Great reminders. My weekend run along the Chicago lakefront really was challenging, in this area!
I know it can get really dicey out there!
Great post from three different perspectives!
Thanks! It was nuts out there last weekend!
I think we ALL should adhere to the rules of the road, whether we’re on feet, two wheels or four.
Totally agree! How can we get everyone else to do it?
Thank you for this post! This is why I really hate running in the summer…bikers and runners sharing the trail is SUCH a pain. I am constantly worried that I’m going to be clipped by an aggressive bike rider…most do NOT say “on your left”!
I know! I had some crazy “run ins” last week. The cars are too aggressive as well.
Great tips! I’ve been on those paths in DC and they are crazy!
They can get very crowded!
THANK YOU for this. I live/work on a very popular biking/walking trail and cyclists feel like they have the right of way. I’ve come close to getting mowed down tons of times, even if I’m way over to the left!
Cyclists do get a bad rep but some of the runners are just oblivious. As a biker and a runner I see both.
Haha I love this post. There are so many times I’m running and I’m like “Jeeze don’t these people know anything!!” But I guess it’s hard to know unless you’re a runner or biker : )
exactly! We all need to work together out there 🙂
AWESOME list here, Deborah — I seriously love this and hope that tons of people read it. I think you’re spot on with everything here. The one thing I may add is that the crosswalks for pedestrians and bikers aren’t always at trails, but are sometimes on streets in various neighborhoods and even downtown parts of DC, Arlington, and elsewhere. I (as a pedestrian) have waited at crosswalks, waiting for cars to stop and let me walk across for many minutes because the drivers ignore the signs that say it’s the law to stop for pedestrians. It’s a big pet peeve and also dangerous.
I know why can’t cars stop for pedestrians?
OMG! I wish everyone is my city could read this because people just don’t understand. I try my best to be respectful of walkers and slow down when needed. What kills me is when they clearly see me, on a bike and they just keep walking. I’m like “HELLO, I’m a bike, please step to the side.” They just don’t get it!
So true and it can be down right scary sometimes!
It can be really scary sometimes. It’s the kids on bikes that really freak me out!
Great tips…I’m on Long Island (the busy part, not the Hamptons/winery part) and it’s crazy. We have too many stories every year of cyclists getting hit on roads. Sadly, both parties are at fault at times. Cyclists need to follow the rules of the road and drivers need to be extra cautious and realize a small graze, or even just a scare, could send a bike out of control and into a dangerous situation. Thanks for reminding us all to be safe out there, and thanks again for linking up!
I totally agree we all need to be more aware and careful.
Great read. As a beginning runner, curvy girl, it was truly annoying to hear some bikers discussing my choice of running shorts (These big girls like to wear the bright shorts but they shouldn’t) as they whizzed by me chugging along at my 15 min pace. Really?!?! At least I’m off the couch and giving up the cookies for something healthier. Let’s share the trail and also support each other’s efforts to get/stay healthy. Rant over. LOL
Vicki so sorry this happened to you! I hope you wont’ let the rudeness of a few upset or deter you. I never really understood how saying something hurtful makes others feel good about themselves. I feel sorry for them. I appreciate your stopping by today and hope you have a fabulous day!
Love these tips! I’d stress that if there are designated lanes for runners, bikers and cars – stay in your lane!
I know seriously!
It is amazing that folks can’t use a little common sense and all those rules we learned in kindergarten 🙂 very nice post! Safe travels out there!
Thanks! And yes a little common sense would go a long way
Thank you, thank you, thank you!! Great reminders for everyone =)
I always try to give a wave of sorts when someone yells “on your left” because I do run w/ my headphones.
Stay safe y’all!
That’s great that you do wave and I think that really helps. Running with headphones is ok if you can still hear what is going on around you and respond. I’ve definitely seen some crazy behavior out there lately. Thanks for stopping in!
Yes these tips should be sent in the mail or people have to sign off that they understand. Why is exercise so difficult for some. Maybe we can all rally up and create a public service announcement for this 😉 Thanks for the great tips Deborah!
Sounds like a great idea to me! Thanks :0
It is crazy here in Belgium. Biking is big here and most cyclists think they are better than all the rest.
Great tips. Mutual respect is always the key.
It certainly is isn’t it! Thanks for stopping by
I hadn’t heard of the “on your left” until the past few years. I only really have to worry about drivers roaming around downtown each week. Last year I was almost run over when the light changed and the guy in the turn lane next to me sped out in front like I wasn’t even there.
Drivers are the worst! stay safe out there
Excellent tips and reminders!
As a runner, I prefer to assume all drivers are idiots on phones or texting and in a hurry and can never see me. What is sad is, I am right about 9 out of 10 times.
I don’t mind running around people, because these days far less runners know the “on your left” etiquette, so it’s easier most the time just to take the extra step or two and move around them:)
Also dog walkers, I love dogs but I get so annoyed with the humans walking them and letting them off their leases, they always give you the shout out as their dog is running full force at you, “don’t worry he won’t bite” I like to say, “you, he won’t bite you, but me he might..” I wish people would just realize that it’s for their dogs own safety that they are on a lease, it will keep them for having to get put to sleep if they go for an attack!
Great post though, I really could 2nd all of these!
Thanks! My friend actually got bitten by a dog out on a run today. Dogs scare me almost as much as kids on bikes. Stay safe out there!
Great tips!! I think it is so annoying when a huge group of walkers take up the whole path.
Share, people!
Seriously yes! I think they get caught chit chatting but that’s how accidents happen
Great tips, Deborah! I like the tip of waving to the biker to let him/her know that you heard the “on your left!”
I think it helps!
Deborah it’s awesome that you included driver’s etiquette! I want to print it on the back of a running shirt. Can you tell I don’t live in a runner/biker friendly area? Ugh!
Yes that’s a great idea! It does get crazy out there!
Amen! On the W &OD I am always impressed how often cars do stop and are patient to let cyclists and runners cross.
Usually yes but in the past week I’ve had 2 incidents of almost getting hit by a car in Vienna. I agree it’s better to go farther out of town when you can.
I definitely agree with all of the above. I always make sure to wave after I hear a biker warning me they are coming. To be honest I think it’s just common courtesy. And it annoys me to know end when people take up the entire trail!!
I think people get caught up chatting and become oblivious to what they are doing. I have to remind our ladies sometimes.
very good and timely reminders. Cyclists should realize that the W&OD is not the right place to try to do tempo and interval work. It is too crowded (unless you’re out at an off-peak time). Find some side roads to loop if you need to get the HR up!
I totally agree! Now we just need to let everyone else know 🙂
Love all of these Deborah. I am a runner who really takes “road” safety seriously. I find myself always looking behind me when I am crossing a road or on a bike trail I tend to look back every so often in case a bike is coming and I can’t hear. Stop signs always mean stop even for myself as a runner {I love to run in town a lot} Sonoma is such a pretty place to run that I can enjoy streets, neighborhoods, trails, and winery roads for my running.
Yes often runners don’t abide by the stop signs and we need to take some personal responsibility as well. Running through Sonoma sounds fabulous 🙂
Great tips! When I run I try to make eye contact with drivers as they pass me. Ihave had close calls though where I needed to jump to the side because a driver isn’t paying attention.
Me too! It can be quite scary
I’m embarrassed to say that most times when I hear “on your left” the only part that connects to my brain is left, which is then the way I go. Ooops.
Oops! Lol
Runner, signal to other runners as you pass them. I have been startled way to many times. We have a race team at one park that is usually 3-6 men. These guys wiz past without warning too. I hate that! Don’t get me started on the group of people walking in a straight line hogging the path and NOT moving when you hail them… LOL
Oh I hear you! I almost got knocked off my bike today too
These are so important. It drives me crazy when bikers don’t give me the warning they are coming up behind me. Even if I am way over on the right like I always am I like to know they are coming.
I know as a biker and a runner I try to always be thinking about sharing the trail. It can be so dangerous out there but doesn’t have to be!
One thing that really scares me is children biking towards you that DO NOT know while side of the road they don’t to stay on. Whenever they start zig zagging I pray they don’t hit me.
Kids scare me too! I usually yell something like, ” I am passing you stay where you are” and that tends to work.Have to be careful out there