it's time to get out on the trail
   [Ethics & Such]

Warning: include(/home/.sam/rayford/sb-outdoors.org/www/docroot/index.left_frame1.php) [function.include]: failed to open stream: No such file or directory in /home/.abhorrer/riveray/sb-outdoors.org/www/docroot/Ethics/index.php on line 125

Warning: include() [function.include]: Failed opening '/home/.sam/rayford/sb-outdoors.org/www/docroot/index.left_frame1.php' for inclusion (include_path='.:/usr/local/php5/lib/php:/usr/local/lib/php') in /home/.abhorrer/riveray/sb-outdoors.org/www/docroot/Ethics/index.php on line 125
 
 
 
  

TRAIL ETHICS

“Responsibility deals with our respect for the total environment, including people. Responsibility is a basic attitude, our environmental style to put it in a slightly different perspective.”

Hank Barlow
Mountain Bike Magazine

Though most of this applies to all of the trails—whether local or not—I'm thinking mostly of the front country trails as I write this.

  • The these trails are incredibly popular. More than a hundred thousand people are out on the front country trails every year.
  • Many of these trails are extremely steep. They were built a century ago to meet needs long before us. A hundred years ago they met practical needs; now they afford us an escape from the urbanization and an opportunity to experience nature just a few minutes from our doorsteps.
  • Almost all of the trails haven't been kept up properly. The Forest Service can't do it and we are just beginning to take on the responsibility as a community.
  • There are not only increasing numbers of users but types as well, including extreme downhill bikers who thrill to the feeling of heading down the mountain really fast. As a result, user conflicts are increasing.

As a community, it is time for us to work together to resolve the conflicts and build a managment plan to support safe, sustainable and environmentally-friendly trails.

This begins with each of our individual actions. We can make a difference by practicing good trail etiquette, recognizing the rights of others, and understanding the impact we have.

Please help by doing your part.

Learning Ethics
 Personal Thoughts
Chainsaw Ethics

Dog Lovers
Basic Rules
Using the "Glove"

Mountain Bikers
Developing a Code
NORBA Code
Front Country Safety
SBMTV
Bike Bells
Bikes vs. Wilderness

Horses & Mules
Horse Sense
Horse Etiquette
Riding Ethics