Riding Etiquette on multi-use trails (Goose etc.)

[mfarnham]

The following was posted to our FB page last Wednesday, presumably before or after Cross Club at Juan de Fuca Rec:


/quote
"Hello, this afternoon one of your adult cycling teams was practicing bad trail etiquette on the [galloping] goose near the rail bridge over 6 mile. They took up the entire left side of the trail and were passing other cyclists and pedestrians in groups of 2 and 3 and did not give any warning. One of the cyclists came within two inches of my bike. Please either get them off the shared trail or talk to your leaders and team members. When I was a member of a local triathlon team we did not cycle on the goose. We stuck to other roads."
/end quote


I've heard other negative anecdotes (not necessarily about Tripleshot, but riders generally) from the Colquitz Trail after Cross Club at Layritz a couple weeks back. The commute is in full swing when we're heading to Cross Club, so the Goose is congested. And it's a big shock to the system to suddenly have 70+ post-race, jazzed up cyclists pouring onto our local multi-use trail system at dusk after Cross Club. This is usually a quiet time on the trail when people are out for evening walks. This doesn't mean that cyclists shouldn't be there--just that we should be sensitive to the fact that groups of fast-moving cyclists can be startling/unnerving to walkers on the trail. Some things to keep in mind when using the Goose and other such trails when heading to or returning from rides or races:

1) The ride/race either hasn't yet started or is finished. Slow down, relax, and share the trail politely with other users.

2) Break into small groups. Note that even groups of 2-3 can be disruptive or scary to walkers. Slow down.

3) Give notice (bell, friendly call out) that you're approaching.

4) Be friendly. A wave, friendly nod, and "Thanks!" or "Good evening!" go a long way to maintaining good relations with other users. Just dinging your bell and zooming by isn't very social behaviour.

5) Remember that walkers (and most bike commuters) don't know how skilled you are handling your bike. What seems like a wide berth to you may seem alarmingly close to them. And other users sometimes do unexpected things. Slow down and give more room than you think you need.

6) Please encourage the riders around you to also act as good ambassadors for cycling.

Thanks.

Martin