Sharing the Trails: What Every Rider Should Know

One of the best things about riding in Edmonton is that nearly all the trails are shared.

You’ll pass hikers and walkers moving at a wide variety of speeds, runners, dog walkers, kids on bikes, and riders at every level. It’s part of what makes the river valley feel alive and welcoming. The trails aren’t built for just one group of people (except the usually well-marked cross-country skiing trails in the winter—don’t mess around there, it’s so easy to damage those ski tracks).

Shared trails also come with a bit of a learning curve.

Nobody hands you a guide when you buy your first mountain bike. And while it would sure be nice if we had more informative signage in the river valley that explained all of this, we aren’t there just yet.

You can figure some of it out as you go. Sometimes by watching others, and sometimes by getting it wrong and feeling a bit awkward about it after.

That “wait… why did that person give me that look? What did I even do wrong here?!” feeling sucks.

The good news is that most of it isn’t all that complicated. But it can feel complicated when someone gives you a thumbs down and you’re left wondering if you should be thumbs downing them right back.

There are a handful of pretty well-understood norms that make the experience better for everyone out there. Knowing them doesn’t just help you avoid uncomfortable moments, it helps keep the trails safe, accessible, and enjoyable for the whole community.

For you: a one page guide to sharing Edmonton's River Valley trails

We put together a one page Edmonton Trail Etiquette Guide you can share with anyone using Edmonton’s trails (not just riders!). You can grab the PDF, send it around, or print it for a classroom, condo, or office lobby—anywhere people might benefit from a quick refresher on how to share trails in our city!

A key rule for Edmonton’s singletrack trails

Rule number one: please check the trail conditions.

This is one of the most important things to understand about using singletrack in Edmonton, and one of the easiest ways to accidentally go wrong.

The short version:

• If your tires or shoes are leaving deep marks, it’s too wet to ride or walk

• Avoid singletrack for at least 24–48 hours after heavy rain (sometimes longer)

• When in doubt, choose gravel or paved paths instead

Edmonton’s trails are built on clay-based soil. When it’s dry, it’s fast, grippy, and incredibly fun to ride. But when it gets wet, it turns into a heavy, sticky, “peanut butter” kind of mud that clings to your tires and shoes and makes a mess of everything.

More importantly, it becomes extremely vulnerable to damage. All that mud and guck you carry away with you also contributes to erosion over time.

Riding or walking on wet trails creates deep ruts and footprints that don’t just disappear when things dry out. They harden in place, leaving behind uneven, sometimes dangerous surfaces that take real time and effort from volunteers to repair.

Clay soil also holds onto water longer than you might expect. Even after the rain stops, trails can stay soft for a day or two—or longer, depending on the conditions. During spring thaw or after a big storm, the ground can lose its structure entirely, which means riding isn’t just messy, it can cause long-lasting damage (and be genuinely dangerous).

Here’s a good rule of thumb: if it looks wet, it probably is. And if you’re leaving marks, it’s definitely too wet and it’s time to turn around.

The good news is that Edmonton has plenty of great gravel paths and paved routes that are perfect for those in-between days. Giving the singletrack time to dry means it’ll be in much better shape when you come back to it.

It sucks sometimes, but there’s a certain kind of camaraderie around here that comes from asking—and being asked—“yo, are the trails dry?” after every summer storm. The Edmonton Mountain Biking Facebook group is a great place for those conversations.

Good trail etiquette means more good times

Now that you know how to care for our very specific (and sometimes very messy) Edmonton soil, let’s talk about how we care for each other out there.

Because once the trail conditions are sorted, the rest comes down to how we share the trails and paths.

Who yields to whom (and when)

One of the most common questions people have is who’s supposed to yield to who.

The short version:

• Mountain bikers yield to hikers, runners, and horses

• Downhill riders yield to uphill riders

• Trails in Edmonton are multi-directional, so you should always expect people coming toward you

If you’re riding toward a hiker or runner, slow down, give them space, and let them pass safely. A quick hello or thank you goes a long way here.

Horses are a bit different. Taller, more legs, etc. If you come across one, it’s best to stop, move off the trail, and let the rider guide you on what to do. Horses can be unpredictable, so giving them extra space is always the right call. If you see a horse without a rider, well… probably you should call 311.

The uphill vs. downhill one can feel less intuitive. If you’re riding downhill, you might feel like you have the right of way via your momentum, but the person climbing has worked hard to get there, and it’s much tougher for them to restart after stopping. So downhill riders yield.

It’s also worth remembering that Edmonton trails aren’t one-way. Even if it feels like you’ve been riding solo for a while, someone could be coming toward you around the next corner. In the lush green part of summer, sight-lines can be almost non-existent, so a quick shout or a bell ring as you approach helps alert anyone heading your way.

If you’re ever unsure what to do, the safest move is this: slow down, communicate, and give people space. Nobody’s ever upset about someone being too considerate out there.

Communicate clearly and kindly

A lot of awkward or dangerous trail moments come down to one simple thing: communication.

The short version:

• Give a heads up when you’re approaching someone from behind

• Use a bell or your voice (or both)

• Listen for others and let faster riders pass when it’s safe

• If you’re riding in a group, tell the person you pass how many to expect behind you

• Call out or ring before blind corners

When you’re coming up behind someone, a quick heads up makes all the difference. Something like “on your left,” “just behind you,” or even a friendly “hi there” lets people know you’re there and gives them a chance to move safely off to the side.

Bells can be really helpful too, especially on busy, multi-use trails. A quick ring before you reach someone is often less surprising than a voice right behind them. Okay, okay, we know… Not everyone responds to your bell the way you expect, and sometimes it takes more than one (sometimes more than seven) rings.

It’s always worth a quick thank you when someone steps aside to let you pass. When you’re riding in a group, it helps even more to let them know how many riders are coming.

Something like, “Thanks! There are three more behind me.”

And if you’re the last rider, let them know they’re in the clear with a quick, “Thanks so much, that was the last one.”

It takes two seconds, and there’s nothing worse than thinking you’re clear to continue your peaceful bird watching and then… surprise, more bikes.

The goal isn’t to rush people or push them out of the way. It’s just to avoid that moment where you appear out of nowhere and everyone feels a bit startled. People can be just as unpredictable as the horses we mentioned—you really don’t know which way they’ll move if they’re surprised.

It’s also important to listen for riders behind you. If someone lets you know they’re there, try to find a safe spot to pull over and let them pass. Everyone’s moving at different speeds, and giving each other space helps keep things flowing.

And like we mentioned above, communication matters just as much when you can’t see what’s ahead. Around blind corners or in thick summer foliage, a quick shout or bell ring can help prevent those unexpected face-to-face moments.

It doesn’t need to be complicated. A few words, a bell, and a bit of awareness go a long way toward making the trails feel safer and more comfortable for everyone.

Don't be a trail obstacle

A lot of the frustration and danger on our trails doesn’t come from big mistakes. The risk often comes from small things that interrupt the flow.

The short version:

• If you stop, move off the trail

• Don’t block corners, features, or narrow sections

• Let faster riders pass when it’s safe

• Be aware of how much space you’re taking up

If you’re stopping for a break, checking your phone, or regrouping, please move off to the side so others can pass safely. Even a quick stop in the middle of the trail can catch someone off guard, especially on narrow or winding sections.

The same goes for corners, trail features, and descents. These are spots where people are focused and carrying speed, so it’s best not to linger right in the middle of them.

It’s also worth paying attention to what’s happening behind you. If someone’s moving faster and lets you know they’re there, finding a safe place to pull over helps keep things moving for everyone.

Most of this just comes down to awareness. The more you pay attention to your surroundings, the easier it is to avoid being in the way, and the smoother the experience is for everyone out there.

Speaking of obstacles on the trail…

Attention photographers photographing people in front of spring cherry blossoms or fall foliage AND attention people being photographed by photographers in front of spring cherry blossoms or fall foliage:

You don’t universally have the right of way. You are a stationary object on a path designed for movement. When you hear a bell or a shout from a rider, runner, or walker, it is not the time for anyone to strike a pose and smile, it is time to move off the path please.

Ride in Control

Riding in control is one of those things that sounds obvious, but matters more than you might think, especially on Edmonton’s multi-use, multi-directional trails.

The short version:

• Ride at a speed where you can safely stop

• Slow down at blind corners, trail exits, and junctions

• Expect other people (and dogs) at any time

• Choose trails and features that match your ability

Even if a trail feels quiet, you should always assume someone could be around the next corner. Between winding singletrack, thick summer foliage, and mixed trail use, it’s not uncommon to come face-to-face with someone when you least expect it.

That’s why speed control matters. You don’t need to ride slowly—you just need to be confident that you can stop safely if something (or someone) appears in front of you.

Blind corners, trail exits, and intersections are especially important places to ease onto the brakes a bit. A small adjustment in speed can make a big difference in avoiding close calls.

It’s also worth being honest about your comfort level. Edmonton trails have a wide range of features and difficulty levels, and it’s always okay to stop and take a look before riding something new, or to skip it entirely.

Riding in control isn’t about holding yourself back. It’s about making sure you, and everyone around you, can have a safe and enjoyable time on the trails.

Respect the trails (and the people who build them)

The trails don’t just magically exist and then groom themselves. They’re built, maintained, and improved by people who care deeply about them.

The short version:

• Don’t skid or intentionally damage the trail

• Respect closures and trail work signs

• Don’t build your own features or alter trails

• Pack out what you bring in

• Be kind to the people you encounter out there

Small actions have a big impact on trail quality. Things like hard braking and skidding can quickly wear down sections of trail, especially on corners and descents. Riding smoothly and in control helps keep trails in better shape for longer.

If you come across a trail closure or a “trail work in progress” sign, it’s there for a reason. Respecting those signs helps keep both riders and builders safe, and ensures the trail will be better when it reopens.

It can also be tempting to “fix” something on the trail or build a new feature, but unsanctioned changes can create safety issues and undo a lot of careful planning. That root you hacked out because you were having a hard time clearing it? You didn’t do yourself or anyone else any favours. During our next rain storm all that soil the root was protecting might wash away, creating a dangerous situation.

If you’re interested in contributing, joining a trail day is a great way to be part of the work in a meaningful way.

And beyond the physical trails, there’s our vibrant (and growing!) community to think about. A quick hello, a bit of patience, or offering help if someone needs it all contribute to the kind of environment that makes Edmonton’s trail network so enjoyable.

Want more good times? Get involved

Taking care of the trails—and each other—is what keeps this whole system working. We all get to enjoy the river valley singletrack because people care for this space. Doing your part helps make sure it stays that way for everyone, now and in the future.

If you want to help people have more good times on the trails, the Edmonton Mountain Bike Alliance (EMBA) is a big part of making that happen. They host trail days and volunteer opportunities throughout the season, and it’s a great way to meet people, learn how the trails come together, and be part of keeping this good thing going.

In case you missed it at the top, here is our Edmonton River Valley Trail Etiquette Guide.

See you on the trails!