Being a “Roll Model”: Etiquette on Multi-Use Trails & in Bike Lanes

Trails

Trails are amazing, transformative spaces where people can ride, walk, roll, chat, skip – you name it! DC has more than 60 miles of fantastic multi-use trails – the key word here being multi-use. Here’s a quick refresher for trail etiquette when you’re out and about on the multi-use trail network: 

There’s a reason it’s called a multi-use trail! There are often joggers, people with strollers, people using mobility devices, people walking dogs, groups of people – you name it. 

Be respectful.

Keep to the right. 

Be careful at trail intersections and follow signage at road crossings. Yield to other trail users when you are entering the trail. 

Give others a warning when passing if you’re on a bike. It’s a multi-use trail, so trail users should be prepared to be patient on busy trails. If there isn’t space to pass, just wait! Ring your bell or call out, “On your left,” when passing slower moving people or groups. Multi-use trails become crowded, especially during peak commuting hours and the weekends; be prepared to be extra patient during those peak periods. If you’re frustrated by the crowds on trails, think about speaking up for more trails and other dedicated space for folks walking, biking, and rolling.

Dog walking? Make sure you’re mindful of where your dog is wandering and mind the leash when people are passing.

Headphones? It is a fineable offense to bike with headphones covering both ears: “Riding with a headset, headphones, or earplugs covering both ears (1201.9) [MPD Violation T826] results in a $50 fine.” You can read up about bike laws in WABA’s Guide to DC Bike Laws.

Standing and chatting? Be aware of people trying to get by if you’re standing on a multi-use trail. Step to the side or off the trail if you’re having a conversation.  

What about e-bikes? E-bikes are revolutionary, empowering many more people of differing ages and abilities to choose two wheels to commute, carry groceries, and transport kids and other cargo. However, all that power that allows e-bike users to navigate hills, accelerate after a stop sign, and carry kids and cargo with ease can pose a challenge on multi-use trails. Bikes – electric and traditional  – traveling too fast is a common concern and e-bike users in particular should be mindful of their speed, especially when passing. As they say, with great power comes great responsibility! 

And for other trail users concerned with trail crowding and speeds, we encourage you to get involved with speaking up for more dedicated spaces – bike lanes, sidewalks, and trails – so we can all have more room to get around safely. When all non-car users are crammed onto a few, precious safe routes, overcrowding is the inevitable outcome!  

In the meantime, we can all enjoy our shared trail spaces by being mindful, communicative, and practicing good trail etiquette.

Bike Lanes

Bike lanes are reserved for people riding bikes, e-bikes, and scooters. Bike lanes are another shared space where people might be traveling at different speeds. To pass someone in a bike lane, a bicyclist can wait until the next intersection, move into the road if possible and re-enter the bike lane after the pass, or if it’s a two-way bike lane, wait until there is no traffic in the opposing lane, move into the lane to make the pass, then re-enter the bike lane. 

Check out where you can ride in a bike lane or protected bike lane on DDOT’s 2024 Bike Map.

What if there is debris, broken glass, a parked car, or other obstacle in the bike lane? A bicyclist can move out of the bike lane into road traffic or move onto the sidewalk if outside the Central Business District (Bicycling is not allowed in the Central Business District in DC). There are no regulations in DC that state that bicyclists must use a bike lane when one is provided.

At stop signs, bicyclists in DC can use the Safety Stop (otherwise known as Delaware Yield). The Safety Stop allows people riding bikes to treat a stop sign as a yield sign – to slow down, look both ways, and roll through the intersection if clear rather than coming to a complete stop. Note the emphasis on slow, look, and if clear – the law does NOT give bicyclists permission to blast through an intersection willy-nilly. Also note that unlike in Idaho or some other states, the Safety Stop in DC does NOT apply to intersections controlled by red lights/traffic signals. For those intersections, bicyclists – like all users – must follow the lights.  

Construction work in the bike lane? Since 2015, any construction and utility work that closes a bike lane or sidewalk must provide a safe, equivalent accommodation. However, compliance and enforcement are inconsistent at best. A person on a bike has a right to have safe accommodation. To report a violation, use WABA’s form to report unsafe accommodation.

A reminder to drivers

When turning right across a bike lane, check for bicyclists first, then execute your turn. Different bikes have different speeds. It’s your responsibility to yield safely. Also remember that beginning in 2025, turning right on red will be illegal throughout DC (and is already not authorized at numerous intersections across the region).

Another reminder to drivers

Bike lanes are reserved for bicyclists. Do not park or drive in bike lanes.

To support these efforts, the Washington Area Bicyclists practices teaches trail and bike lane etiquette at all WABA educational classes and group rides. In addition, WABA continues to explore ways and channels to promote trail etiquette in our everyday work. 

Ways YOU can support – do it! Be a role model and practice good trail etiquette. When riding with your friends, encourage them to practice good trail etiquette as well.