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Is it acceptable to mountain bike on narrow hiking trails?(Minnesota)
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I've recently been getting more into mountain biking. I like to take my bike out every so often onto unpaved trails, but the closest designated mountain biking trails in my area are not a short trip away.
However, there are several un-paved trails that are within my area that are not designated as solely hiking or biking trails. I've been taking my bike out on these trails recently, but am worried if what I'm doing is acceptable practice. A lot of the trails I tend to go on are narrow trails that are wide enough for a single bike to ride on. It feels that if there is a hiker on the trail, there is very little room for them to pass if I yield.
This made me wonder if there were any regulations on biking down these trails. I know that larger parks designate their trails for either biking or hiking, but is it right to assume that small parks that have no noted designation on their trails can be used as a shared trail?
mountain-bike
asked 2 hours ago
Russ Wilkie
1184
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Russ Wilkie is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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add a comment |Â
up vote
3
down vote
favorite
I've recently been getting more into mountain biking. I like to take my bike out every so often onto unpaved trails, but the closest designated mountain biking trails in my area are not a short trip away.
However, there are several un-paved trails that are within my area that are not designated as solely hiking or biking trails. I've been taking my bike out on these trails recently, but am worried if what I'm doing is acceptable practice. A lot of the trails I tend to go on are narrow trails that are wide enough for a single bike to ride on. It feels that if there is a hiker on the trail, there is very little room for them to pass if I yield.
This made me wonder if there were any regulations on biking down these trails. I know that larger parks designate their trails for either biking or hiking, but is it right to assume that small parks that have no noted designation on their trails can be used as a shared trail?
mountain-bike
asked 2 hours ago
Russ Wilkie
1184
New contributor
Russ Wilkie is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
1
Where are you? It's illegal in the UK, but may be permissible in France, for example, so a location should be in the question.
– Chris H
1 hour ago
Get in touch with the local IMBA chapter. They most likely know which trails in the area are open to biking. Also, phone apps like Trail Forks and MTB Project will show you mtb trails in an area. Usually what you see on those apps are trails you can ride without consequence, but don't take that as gospel--you should still check with the bike club or the land manager/owner.
– Kenneth K.
40 mins ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
3
down vote
favorite
up vote
3
down vote
favorite
I've recently been getting more into mountain biking. I like to take my bike out every so often onto unpaved trails, but the closest designated mountain biking trails in my area are not a short trip away.
However, there are several un-paved trails that are within my area that are not designated as solely hiking or biking trails. I've been taking my bike out on these trails recently, but am worried if what I'm doing is acceptable practice. A lot of the trails I tend to go on are narrow trails that are wide enough for a single bike to ride on. It feels that if there is a hiker on the trail, there is very little room for them to pass if I yield.
This made me wonder if there were any regulations on biking down these trails. I know that larger parks designate their trails for either biking or hiking, but is it right to assume that small parks that have no noted designation on their trails can be used as a shared trail?
mountain-bike
asked 2 hours ago
Russ Wilkie
1184
New contributor
Russ Wilkie is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
I've recently been getting more into mountain biking. I like to take my bike out every so often onto unpaved trails, but the closest designated mountain biking trails in my area are not a short trip away.
However, there are several un-paved trails that are within my area that are not designated as solely hiking or biking trails. I've been taking my bike out on these trails recently, but am worried if what I'm doing is acceptable practice. A lot of the trails I tend to go on are narrow trails that are wide enough for a single bike to ride on. It feels that if there is a hiker on the trail, there is very little room for them to pass if I yield.
This made me wonder if there were any regulations on biking down these trails. I know that larger parks designate their trails for either biking or hiking, but is it right to assume that small parks that have no noted designation on their trails can be used as a shared trail?
mountain-bike
mountain-bike
asked 2 hours ago
Russ Wilkie
1184
New contributor
Russ Wilkie is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
asked 2 hours ago
Russ Wilkie
1184
New contributor
Russ Wilkie is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
edited 1 hour ago
asked 2 hours ago
Russ Wilkie
1184
New contributor
Russ Wilkie is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
asked 2 hours ago
Russ Wilkie
1184
asked 2 hours ago
Russ Wilkie
1184
1184
New contributor
Russ Wilkie is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
New contributor
Russ Wilkie is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Russ Wilkie is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
1
Where are you? It's illegal in the UK, but may be permissible in France, for example, so a location should be in the question.
– Chris H
1 hour ago
Get in touch with the local IMBA chapter. They most likely know which trails in the area are open to biking. Also, phone apps like Trail Forks and MTB Project will show you mtb trails in an area. Usually what you see on those apps are trails you can ride without consequence, but don't take that as gospel--you should still check with the bike club or the land manager/owner.
– Kenneth K.
40 mins ago
add a comment |Â
1
Where are you? It's illegal in the UK, but may be permissible in France, for example, so a location should be in the question.
– Chris H
1 hour ago
Get in touch with the local IMBA chapter. They most likely know which trails in the area are open to biking. Also, phone apps like Trail Forks and MTB Project will show you mtb trails in an area. Usually what you see on those apps are trails you can ride without consequence, but don't take that as gospel--you should still check with the bike club or the land manager/owner.
– Kenneth K.
40 mins ago
1
1
Where are you? It's illegal in the UK, but may be permissible in France, for example, so a location should be in the question.
– Chris H
1 hour ago
Where are you? It's illegal in the UK, but may be permissible in France, for example, so a location should be in the question.
– Chris H
1 hour ago
Get in touch with the local IMBA chapter. They most likely know which trails in the area are open to biking. Also, phone apps like Trail Forks and MTB Project will show you mtb trails in an area. Usually what you see on those apps are trails you can ride without consequence, but don't take that as gospel--you should still check with the bike club or the land manager/owner.
– Kenneth K.
40 mins ago
Get in touch with the local IMBA chapter. They most likely know which trails in the area are open to biking. Also, phone apps like Trail Forks and MTB Project will show you mtb trails in an area. Usually what you see on those apps are trails you can ride without consequence, but don't take that as gospel--you should still check with the bike club or the land manager/owner.
– Kenneth K.
40 mins ago
add a comment |Â
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
up vote
6
down vote
accepted
It depends on the local laws, both regional and countrywide. It's not really a question of acceptable or not.
e.g in England trails can be strictly footpath which means no bikes. Bridleways and BOATs can be ridden by bike with pedestrian priority.
Find out the local laws for your region.
If you do find that all your local trails are fair game it's still up to you to ride in control and with courtesy. Any person & bike collision will be your fault.
answered 1 hour ago
Warren Burton
551210
1
Thanks for that, looked up my local law(Minnesota). Looks like trails are usable for all recreational activities and only subject to change if there are enacted statues, rules, ordinances, or is prohibited by the commissioner.
– Russ Wilkie
1 hour ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
2
down vote
Russ, for the USA you would want to locate the landowner of this trail perhaps via Google Maps. If the land is is public (local town/city, county, state, federal) you can then look at their regulations online which should be easy. If there is no specific regulation for the land owner then you can probably assume cycling is OK. For example my town, Spokane, all trails (unless designated hiking only... and they are specifically marked that way) you are allowed to ride bicycles on them by default.
If the property is private, then tread lightly (I'm going to assume there are no signs indicating no trespassing here) and if you do encounter the landowner be polite no matter what... kindness might give you a "pass" and permission.
Finally in the USA, its best practice/proper etiquette for cyclists to yield to hikers and horses on trail.
answered 1 hour ago
Jeff Mergler
1213
New contributor
Jeff Mergler is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Welcome to the site! Your answer seems to cover the legal aspects well but I'm wondering if the question is as much about what is socially acceptable as what is legal.
– David Richerby
32 mins ago
add a comment |Â
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
up vote
6
down vote
accepted
It depends on the local laws, both regional and countrywide. It's not really a question of acceptable or not.
e.g in England trails can be strictly footpath which means no bikes. Bridleways and BOATs can be ridden by bike with pedestrian priority.
Find out the local laws for your region.
If you do find that all your local trails are fair game it's still up to you to ride in control and with courtesy. Any person & bike collision will be your fault.
answered 1 hour ago
Warren Burton
551210
1
Thanks for that, looked up my local law(Minnesota). Looks like trails are usable for all recreational activities and only subject to change if there are enacted statues, rules, ordinances, or is prohibited by the commissioner.
– Russ Wilkie
1 hour ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
6
down vote
accepted
It depends on the local laws, both regional and countrywide. It's not really a question of acceptable or not.
e.g in England trails can be strictly footpath which means no bikes. Bridleways and BOATs can be ridden by bike with pedestrian priority.
Find out the local laws for your region.
If you do find that all your local trails are fair game it's still up to you to ride in control and with courtesy. Any person & bike collision will be your fault.
answered 1 hour ago
Warren Burton
551210
1
Thanks for that, looked up my local law(Minnesota). Looks like trails are usable for all recreational activities and only subject to change if there are enacted statues, rules, ordinances, or is prohibited by the commissioner.
– Russ Wilkie
1 hour ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
6
down vote
accepted
up vote
6
down vote
accepted
It depends on the local laws, both regional and countrywide. It's not really a question of acceptable or not.
e.g in England trails can be strictly footpath which means no bikes. Bridleways and BOATs can be ridden by bike with pedestrian priority.
Find out the local laws for your region.
If you do find that all your local trails are fair game it's still up to you to ride in control and with courtesy. Any person & bike collision will be your fault.
answered 1 hour ago
Warren Burton
551210
It depends on the local laws, both regional and countrywide. It's not really a question of acceptable or not.
e.g in England trails can be strictly footpath which means no bikes. Bridleways and BOATs can be ridden by bike with pedestrian priority.
Find out the local laws for your region.
If you do find that all your local trails are fair game it's still up to you to ride in control and with courtesy. Any person & bike collision will be your fault.
answered 1 hour ago
Warren Burton
551210
answered 1 hour ago
Warren Burton
551210
answered 1 hour ago
Warren Burton
551210
answered 1 hour ago
Warren Burton
551210
551210
1
Thanks for that, looked up my local law(Minnesota). Looks like trails are usable for all recreational activities and only subject to change if there are enacted statues, rules, ordinances, or is prohibited by the commissioner.
– Russ Wilkie
1 hour ago
add a comment |Â
1
Thanks for that, looked up my local law(Minnesota). Looks like trails are usable for all recreational activities and only subject to change if there are enacted statues, rules, ordinances, or is prohibited by the commissioner.
– Russ Wilkie
1 hour ago
1
1
Thanks for that, looked up my local law(Minnesota). Looks like trails are usable for all recreational activities and only subject to change if there are enacted statues, rules, ordinances, or is prohibited by the commissioner.
– Russ Wilkie
1 hour ago
Thanks for that, looked up my local law(Minnesota). Looks like trails are usable for all recreational activities and only subject to change if there are enacted statues, rules, ordinances, or is prohibited by the commissioner.
– Russ Wilkie
1 hour ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
2
down vote
Russ, for the USA you would want to locate the landowner of this trail perhaps via Google Maps. If the land is is public (local town/city, county, state, federal) you can then look at their regulations online which should be easy. If there is no specific regulation for the land owner then you can probably assume cycling is OK. For example my town, Spokane, all trails (unless designated hiking only... and they are specifically marked that way) you are allowed to ride bicycles on them by default.
If the property is private, then tread lightly (I'm going to assume there are no signs indicating no trespassing here) and if you do encounter the landowner be polite no matter what... kindness might give you a "pass" and permission.
Finally in the USA, its best practice/proper etiquette for cyclists to yield to hikers and horses on trail.
answered 1 hour ago
Jeff Mergler
1213
New contributor
Jeff Mergler is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Welcome to the site! Your answer seems to cover the legal aspects well but I'm wondering if the question is as much about what is socially acceptable as what is legal.
– David Richerby
32 mins ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
2
down vote
Russ, for the USA you would want to locate the landowner of this trail perhaps via Google Maps. If the land is is public (local town/city, county, state, federal) you can then look at their regulations online which should be easy. If there is no specific regulation for the land owner then you can probably assume cycling is OK. For example my town, Spokane, all trails (unless designated hiking only... and they are specifically marked that way) you are allowed to ride bicycles on them by default.
If the property is private, then tread lightly (I'm going to assume there are no signs indicating no trespassing here) and if you do encounter the landowner be polite no matter what... kindness might give you a "pass" and permission.
Finally in the USA, its best practice/proper etiquette for cyclists to yield to hikers and horses on trail.
answered 1 hour ago
Jeff Mergler
1213
New contributor
Jeff Mergler is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Welcome to the site! Your answer seems to cover the legal aspects well but I'm wondering if the question is as much about what is socially acceptable as what is legal.
– David Richerby
32 mins ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
2
down vote
up vote
2
down vote
Russ, for the USA you would want to locate the landowner of this trail perhaps via Google Maps. If the land is is public (local town/city, county, state, federal) you can then look at their regulations online which should be easy. If there is no specific regulation for the land owner then you can probably assume cycling is OK. For example my town, Spokane, all trails (unless designated hiking only... and they are specifically marked that way) you are allowed to ride bicycles on them by default.
If the property is private, then tread lightly (I'm going to assume there are no signs indicating no trespassing here) and if you do encounter the landowner be polite no matter what... kindness might give you a "pass" and permission.
Finally in the USA, its best practice/proper etiquette for cyclists to yield to hikers and horses on trail.
answered 1 hour ago
Jeff Mergler
1213
New contributor
Jeff Mergler is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Russ, for the USA you would want to locate the landowner of this trail perhaps via Google Maps. If the land is is public (local town/city, county, state, federal) you can then look at their regulations online which should be easy. If there is no specific regulation for the land owner then you can probably assume cycling is OK. For example my town, Spokane, all trails (unless designated hiking only... and they are specifically marked that way) you are allowed to ride bicycles on them by default.
If the property is private, then tread lightly (I'm going to assume there are no signs indicating no trespassing here) and if you do encounter the landowner be polite no matter what... kindness might give you a "pass" and permission.
Finally in the USA, its best practice/proper etiquette for cyclists to yield to hikers and horses on trail.
answered 1 hour ago
Jeff Mergler
1213
New contributor
Jeff Mergler is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
answered 1 hour ago
Jeff Mergler
1213
New contributor
Jeff Mergler is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
answered 1 hour ago
Jeff Mergler
1213
answered 1 hour ago
Jeff Mergler
1213
1213
New contributor
Jeff Mergler is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
New contributor
Jeff Mergler is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Jeff Mergler is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Welcome to the site! Your answer seems to cover the legal aspects well but I'm wondering if the question is as much about what is socially acceptable as what is legal.
– David Richerby
32 mins ago
add a comment |Â
Welcome to the site! Your answer seems to cover the legal aspects well but I'm wondering if the question is as much about what is socially acceptable as what is legal.
– David Richerby
32 mins ago
Welcome to the site! Your answer seems to cover the legal aspects well but I'm wondering if the question is as much about what is socially acceptable as what is legal.
– David Richerby
32 mins ago
Welcome to the site! Your answer seems to cover the legal aspects well but I'm wondering if the question is as much about what is socially acceptable as what is legal.
– David Richerby
32 mins ago
add a comment |Â
Russ Wilkie is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
Russ Wilkie is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
Russ Wilkie is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
Russ Wilkie is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
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1
Where are you? It's illegal in the UK, but may be permissible in France, for example, so a location should be in the question.
– Chris H
1 hour ago
Get in touch with the local IMBA chapter. They most likely know which trails in the area are open to biking. Also, phone apps like Trail Forks and MTB Project will show you mtb trails in an area. Usually what you see on those apps are trails you can ride without consequence, but don't take that as gospel--you should still check with the bike club or the land manager/owner.
– Kenneth K.
40 mins ago