(photo credit-Jimmy Daly/RunWashington)
Ah the official start to summer in Washington means everyone returns en masse to the trails. Being both a biker and a runner I saw some crazy behavior out there this weekend. If we all follow some Simple Rules of Etiquette, we can peacefully coexist on the beautiful trails surrounding our Nation’s Capital. I’ve definitely been guilty of violating a few of these rules myself but for everyone’s safety and sanity let’s all try to be more aware.
My top 10 gentle Reminders of Trail Etiquette:
Runners:
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.
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 above bikers. 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, saying “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 watch and wait for a few seconds.
Bikers
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. If you are riding in a group, please disperse and drop back as you approach another biker or a runner. Note this may require you to slow down for a few seconds.
3. 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”.
4. 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.
5. Please make sure that when you pass other bikers/runners that you have adequate time to do so without nearly taking out another biker coming in the other direction.
If we all take the time to follow basic rules of etiquette and safety, I am pretty sure that bikers and runners can co exist on the same trails.
These are my top 10 Safety Rules for bikers & runners. Did I miss anything? What’s the craziest thing you’ve seen a biker or runner do?
Great list! Adding one for trail runners that share the trail with horses: when you see horses approaching, stop running and walk slowly until you are past the horses. This is for the safety of both the riders and the runners.
Ah yes I did forget about the horses out there in the outer burbs! Good tip thanks. I kept meaning to ask you what your blog name was and now I have it so I am subscribing. Thanks for stopping by!
This is solid! There’s a huge loop around one of our local lakes, and I see blunders all the time from people not paying attention or abiding by your rules. I should blow these up and post them there 😉
Thanks and feel free to share. I am sure it applies to runners and bikers everywhere.
Great post, Deborah! A girl in my town got killed by making a u-turn while running on a running/biking trail and getting hit by a biker, so I have to add … ALWAYS check behind before you u-turn! Thanks for sharing.
Wow that’s so scary and tragically sad. You’re right important to remember that as well. I am sure I have been guilty of doing that myself. Thanks for sharing.
All good points. I find that bikers can be extremely rude on the trails. I always wave after I hear them tell me they are coming, but telling me when you are 5 feet behind me and then calling me a “bitch” when I don’t move fast enough is not called for. Now, that doesn’t generalize every biker of course, a lot are courteous, but a lot aren’t.
Well I have encountered similar situations while running. You’re right bikers need to give adequate and courteous warnings to runners. I’ve also been guilty of running in a pack and taking up more of the trail than I should. Being both a biker and a runner I’m on a mission to bring peace to the trails!
The park was packed yesterday and it was frustrating just walking around! Not one biker signaled, walkers wouldn’t move out of the way, parents wouldn’t move their kids (that one was a close call- that one bike did say something many times!) and there was a man on a bike with a WILD puppy on a long leash criss crossing in front of him. It was a mad house! I even commented to my husband about no heads up calling or people just being plain inconsiderate. We always stay to the right even when there is no one around. It’s just habit for us I guess.
It can be really frustrating! I saw some crazy things this past weekend too. People need to be careful or more of us will get hurt.
Great tips Deborah! As a biker/runner I agree with every single one of them. When I use to train with my old running group – the last person in our line would usually signal to the group once he heard the biker say on the left “Bike back” or “Bike up”
That’s a good idea too-I will pass it along. Thanks for stopping by!
Thank you for pointing out the leash issue! I can’t stand when I’m running and a doggie plows me over because I can’t run by them. Don’t get me wrong – I love dogs – but not when I’m goal making in my head to run to the next tree … or maybe they are trying to get to the next tree too and we’re really in a race…never thought about that. 🙂
Fabulous tips, Deborah!
It’s true I’m all for dog walkers but I almost got taken out on my bike by a leash that was too long. Wouldn’t have ended well for either of us. Thanks for stopping by!
YES!! Can you please post this in Rock Creek Park , on the mall, everywhere!!
Lindsay yes it would be great if everyone followed these simple guidelines. Feel free to share! Thanks
I couldn’t agree more! I think everyone needs to be reminded of this whether you’re the one out there exercising or whether you are the one behind the wheel of a car approaching bikers/runners. Thank you for the reminders! #wowlinkup
True! Drivers need to be aware as well and not assume bikers and runners will stop. It’s complicated!
These are great and remind me of my city running days– it’s not like this now that I am in the burbs! Great points
Thanks Laura! The suburbs of DC seem to get pretty crowded on the weekends when everyone is out and about. Glad you can run & bike more peacefully.
Great tips Deborah! I love running on paved trails but it definitely be a little harrowing when there is heavy traffic and a little etiquette would go a long way. #wowlinkup
agreed a little more etiquette on both sides would be great! #wowlinkup
I want to write a post like this every time I go out for a bike ride! I think it all boils down to being aware of others and being courteous to share the trail, but it’s amazing how many people are oblivious or rude!
It is crazy the things people do and don’t do out there! It can be so dangerous too. I feel like it’s gotten worse.
Ah, thank you so much for posting this! Now we just need every one to follow it.
I swear bikers think they own the road just because they go much faster than runners and that cars have to stop for them. Makes me so frustrated when they almost run you over while you’re running and then dart out in front of you while you’re driving! [off soapbox] But I’m sure that not all bikers are like this, just the ones I encounter 😉
Seriously though, these are great tips. Thanks for posting!!
Yes bikers seem to be rather aggressive lately but I think if we all follow these guidelines, we can peacefully co exist. Good luck out there!
Great list Deborah. I get a little nervous about the dogs on the long leashes too, especially when the dog is bigger than the person walking it! I haven’t had any bad mishaps yet, but I guess I have been lucky. And I always act as a buffer between my kids and other people. #wowlinkup
The dogs are kind of scary sometimes. I almost got knocked off of my bike last week!
These are excellent tips. I used to run on the NCR Trail in Hunt Valley and there were runners and bikers alike. Everyone on that trail were pretty courteous. I am fortunate – I have not had a crazy run-in with a biker or runner for that matter thank goodness.
Glad you have not had a crazy encounter while running or biking. Seems to happen quite often around here!
I will add one. Runners if you stop and turn around, please look to see if any traffic is coming from the same direction. I can’t stop if I’m on my bike LOL. Thanks for the tips you so right about them. Visiting from the #wowlinkup
You’re right about that. I’ve been guilty do that myself a few times and it really is hard for bikers to stop like that. Thanks!
Great tips, especially the giving a warning one. Thanks! #wowlinkup
Thanks if everyone could now just obey the rules we’d all be better off! LOL Thanks for stopping by!
Great tips as a walker I can totally use some of these tips. I walk neear my home but there are some people who are dangerous here.
Yes definitely applicable to walkers as well! You have to be careful out there. Thanks for stopping by!
Thank you so much for this post! We have a running path that covers 7 miles of scenic river views here in Chattanooga. And I hate running on it sometimes either from runners who have no clue or bikers who bike on the running path and have no clue what the rules of the road are.
I think that happens everywhere. It is really frustrating and dangerous though. Feel free to share the list with your buds too. Thanks for stopping by!
Your rules were a little more gentle than mine! Of course mine were prompted by a snub…