Nobody wants to startle a horse in stride, and we all yield to hikers and runners as they peruse the mountainside flower selection, but what about other mountain bikers? What do you do when you see another rider coming your way on the same piece of bi-directional singletrack?
IMBA has upheld an edict since the 1970’s that has been rewritten a few times, and now looks like this: “Most of the trails we ride are multi-use. Mountain bikers yield to horses and foot traffic, and descending riders yield to climbing riders. This yield triangle has been formally adopted by land managers since the late 1970s and is a significant reason why we have the access we do.” One of the ideas behind why downhill riders should yield is that it takes them less effort to get going again.
On the flip side, this policy doesn’t make sense to everyone. Some riders feel that folks who are descending should have the right of way, as it is far easier for the slower moving climbing rider to simply put a foot down and lean to one side than it is for the faster descending rider to come to a complete stop. Additionally, the climbing rider can hear the noises emanating from the descending rider’s bike long before they see each other, and has more time to safely move aside and stop. The rider on the descent side of the equation cannot hear the other rider, and if they meet on a sharp corner the downhill rider will not know that the climbing rider is there until they can see one another — which is sometimes too late.
Still, another group of riders would argue that no one should have to stop, and instead prefer to have both riders turn to the right just before they pass, letting their tires remain on the trail (or not) while their handlebars snake around one another. This way no one has to spend the energy to stop and restart, though it does require some amount of trust in your fellow shredders’ ability to slant their bike sideways and continue riding in a mostly straight line. Some ecosystems are home to very fragile plants and soil types, and any mistake in this passing maneuver can lead to the widening of trails and sad plant life.
How does this all work out when you encounter someone on flat ground? Nobody knows.
Based on these arguments, and those you have shared over beers with your crew, who do you think should yield the trail?
I’m glad there is a platform to complain about this…… In my opinion, the most sacred thing about mountain biking is descending.. Isnt that why we put ourselves through the climb? I think a descending rider having to stop and yield to someone barely making it up a hill is about as worthless as daylight savings time. if you see someone shredding down the mountain, get the hell out of the way and let them have fun, that’s what I do. it’s just a safety concern so the one with the most momentum and speed has to stop first. But in real life it just doesn’t work out that way. Shred on!!!
I will always yield unless the other rider yields first. I’m slow and can always use a break.
I usually suck at climbing, so no problem stopping and moving off trail for those enjoying the downhill! Really depends but most time gonna give way to the downhiller.
If a down hill rider is having fun why ruin it for him?
If it’s a tough climb and would be tough to lose mo and start again, the down hill rider should stop.
Common sense and courtesy dictates who yields.
How do you know the downhiller is having fun? I’ve never had a downhill rider call out, “I’m having fun! Make way.” Is that the standard for right of way, fun? Some people have fun climbing like when they are climbing up a once unclimbable hill. Does that fun not count?
I once had a descending rider skid right in front of me as I’m climbing a hill and yell out sarcastically, “Thanks for moving!” As i got my breath back I turned around to hear him cussing me out and flipping me off over his shoulder. F that guy.
I live in a very mountain bike centric place where the trails were built by riders. It is understood that the climbing rider yields unless it’s on one of the 2 “climbing” trails. In practice there is not climbing on the faster trails during busy periods. It seems to work well and everyone is courteous IME. Also hikers and runners generally yield to riders because they here them coming before they are seen. I usually come across hikers that have moved well off the trail by the time I see them.
I totally agree with most of what’s been said here. Especially in busy trail centers, IMO things work best when the primary downhill trails are labeled as yield-to-downhillers and everywhere else is both yield or yield to climbers (Kingdom trails in Vermont does an awesome job with this). In wilderness or backcountry areas, unless there is a very well-established downhill (i.e. Downieville, Wasatch Crest, Whole Enchilada, etc), I think both riders should yield; it keeps things safe, fun, and communicative between riders in the backcountry.
Personally, as both a mountain biker and trail runner – mostly a trail runner. I always yield to mountain bikers, especially when they are going down hill. It’s only fair. When running up steep hills, I generally pass riders or are about the same speed. If a mountain biker is gaining on my, I will wait for a clear place to move off trail and let them go buy and use them to pace me up the rest of the hill. Anyone who thinks it’s OK to demand right-away when a mountain bike is going fast down a hill is an idiot and one day will get knocked off the trail and hurt. Be wise and be respectful and responsible. Bikes should yield to horses, so the riders don’t fall off the horse.
I believe in most cases, the downhill rider should yield to the uphill rider. Sure, it may be easier for the UH rider to stop, but its sometimes impossible to get going again. The DH rider just has to release his brakes to get going.
Also, I’ve heard the argument ” we are ruining the flow of the DH rider”, has anyone ever thought that UH riders might have flow or be in a zone? If a DH rider can’t control his speed they probably shouldn’t be riding on a multi-use, up/ down trail in the first place.
On a ride last week, we have this singletrack trail which is pretty much up with very little in the way of down( unless you ride the other direction of course} I had around 15 riders that I came across, but only 3 that yielded. Out of the rest, 2 were on ebikes( which are not permitted on this trail) the others were mostly XC racers training for a upcoming race. I held my ground, but still had to either stop or alter my course. Yes, I let them know of the yielding rule.
Believe me, I like descending more than I like climbing, but I always yield coming down.
One thing to consider-from a legal standpoint if a crash between two bikers were to happen, who would be found at fault? The downhill rider everytime because that is the accepted community standard and universal regulation for most trails except those clearly marked as downhill only. We can make all the arguments why uphill vs downhill should yield, but in the end, standard in America and rest of the world is downhill yields…whether you are working on your Strava PR or not…
Just don’t be a dick. Simple.
If I’m climbing, I’ll almost always get out of the way so I don’t ruin the stoke for the downhiller. But not always. If I’m in the middle of an interesting techy climb then I’d prefer to be given the right of way.
If everyone is generally courteous to each other, it all works out imo. Nobody likes the guy that insists on taking up the whole 4′ trail cause he’s the climber.
How does the descender know you are finding it an interesting techy climb? I guess by your not getting out of the way is one way? But it ought to be a general rule that most experienced riders agree on and going by this forum, that’s climbers yield! Then there can be exceptions where there is no compromise of safety.
I tend to yeid regardless. If I see someone grinding on what I know to be a steep incline I’ll yield/ stop so they don’t have to stop and walk up.
Normally I would have said descending riders yield. However… we have some trails in my area, Golden CO, which really should be downhill directional trails, but getting that approved is difficult to say the least. Yet, it is pretty obvious the trails are designed for downhill travel and there are numerous other options to climb at these locations.
In this case I tend to begrudgingly pull over but really anyone who rides here regularly should know and accept these trails are better done as a descent. However we still have people climbing happy to put themselves smack in the middle of a bermed corner and not even acknowledge you if and when you yield to them.
Our society is becoming so oblivious and self centered its surprising anyone yields in any situation any more.,
Agreed that sometimes uphill travelers can hear that descender coming far before they see each other. Agreed : don’t be a dick. Common courtesy and friendliness to fellow travelers should work itself out while attempting to abide by the age old custom of descent gives right of way. You know why? Because they are going faster. It is safer than the expectation that uphill; all winded and spent, will get out of the way fast enough and fully out of the way. But I usually yield to downhill as well when ascending as climbing is not so much my bag.
That said, I’d love to see conversation related to right of way in same direction. My experience has been that very slow riders almost always stop and allow pass. My other experience is that; while clipping right along quite steadily and speedily, I’ve experienced those who are slightly faster demanding to pass on singletrack. Once yelling out ‘Strava!’
Unfortunately the trails I ride are crowded with different user groups. I need to be ready and able to stop for anyone at anytime. I believe the downhill rider should yield to uphill just like they have to yield for everyone else. It not the most fun option but it makes sense since the downhill rider Is going to need to be prepared to yield for any other user. Personally I always yield to downhill riders because I don’t want to ruin the fun of the downhill and I hope people do the same for me.
I’m always working on the climb so I’d prefer to try to stay on my bike. A downhill rider is usually just “cruising” and should be looking ahead for others on the trail and it’s easier to get going again so they should yield. I used to ALWAYS yield no matter which direction I was going, but now that I’m getting better and working on my skills I would prefer for others to make the effort from time to time. A “rule” of downhillers yielding seems sensible.
What I absolutely HATE is the folks that won’t yield but just ride out into the desert and create a NEW TRACK! That track will be there forever! Please do NOT ride off the trail (in the forests it’s different but the desert is fragile). I will always yield if I think the other guy is about to go off trail.
To everyone saying the uphill rider should yield because the downhill rider can’t stop, or would have a more difficult time stopping….
…. apply that same reasoning to running into a hiker or trail runner ore equestrian (who is going to be going about the same speed up a steep or techy climb). See where that gets you.
We must all be able to safely stop within line of sight or we’re wrong, no matter who we run into.
You want carte blanche to bomb downhill without fear of liability, collision, or etiquette breach? Go to a bike park or designated downhill trail.
I’m going to use a quote from the article we just read to give us the answer,
”The rider on the descent side of the equation cannot hear the other rider, and if they meet on a sharp corner the downhill rider will not know that the climbing rider is there until they can see one another — which is sometimes too late.”
So what this tells me,
Is If a descending rider does not have the time to yield or stop on the trail, they are not in control of their bicycle.
The person around the corner could be a mid trail medical emergency, a family with children, a group of horse riders.
Therefore not having the ability to stop is incredibly dangerous.
We have bike parks for this purpose where everyone is free to ride as fast as their hearts content.
This is the sole reason why uphill climbers get the right of way. It’s not because we want climbers to have more fun then downhillers, it’s simply because if someone on the descent is unable to stop,
They are a danger to the other users on the trail.
So in essence, it’s a moot point. Ride your bike on a mixed use trail so that you can stop in time to avoid a collision. Regardless of the incline or decline.
Well said.
I live in an area where the trails are generally directional loops (or direction by day). So it is not a big issue at my local trails. The etiquette is to let the guy who catches you pass.
It is nice to have a consistent expectation if you are riding a new place, similar to driving on the same side of the road. But I respect the local trail managers setting up what’s best for their trail network. If the expectation is well marked
If I see oncoming traffic, be it on horseback, foot, or 2 wheels, I yeild if they haven’t already. Similar to Legbacon’s experience hikers have already stepped aside before I see them most of the time.
Some bikers don’t seem to look very far ahead from what I’ve experienced. Two different times I’ve pulled over and been completely stopped when the approaching rider didn’t notice anyone was on the trail until the last second and then panicked, grabbed a handful of front brake, and OTB they go. This is why I always yeild 1st and don’t expect the other rider to know and adhere to a set of standards they may not even be aware of.
Common sense and common courtesy..if it makes sense to yield because the terrain is steep, then yield..if someone doesn’t want to yield it they will cause havoc on the trail…if any rider EvEr has a twinkle of a thought if they should yield, go with that thought!..keep the trails safe and live to ride another day!..not worth the fight or getting injured..
Everyone should yield. We are all responsible for each others safety.
I think descending riders should yield to climbing riders unless you can both pass each other. It is hard to stop when you are climbing and restart.
If you are ascending on a “popular” or “regular” descent route climber needs to move and vice versa. Do not be a clown and climb on a known descent…Viagra(Blue Diamond).
Clearly, hard rules don’t always work.
With experienced riders there’s rarely a problem.
The problem is always with the less experienced or fool hardy on bidirectional trails.
Inevitably, these risers are going too fast conditions and their eyes are staring 3 feet in front of their front tires.
Clearly, hard rules don’t always work.
With experienced riders there’s rarely a problem.
The problem is always with the less experienced or fool hardy on bidirectional trails.
Inevitably, these riders are going too fast conditions and their eyes are staring 3 feet in front of their front tires.
Manwell, I totally 100% agree. I see the problem with obstinate hikers who think they own the trail, people listening to music while hiking or running, and inexperienced mountain bikers. Normally, there isn’t a problem. I’ve never had a problem and find MOST mountain bikers alert and quite respectful. I always say hi, they are always friendly. We all love the outdoors.
The graph that represents the results of the survey is not correct…the percentage for each bar graph should be based on all responses gathered not just the responses for the one question. Right now it shows the second answer as 47% of all responses, yet there is only one response so that artificially makes that answer the highest.
Weird. I think the vote counts for the individual questions are wrong, but the percentages are correct. If you add up the responses to each question, it’s nowhere near the total (3,000+ and counting).