Mountain Biking

Leave No Trace Mountain Biking

Plan Ahead and Prepare

Ensure your mountain bike is in good, working order. A properly maintained mountain bike reduces the risk of injury, a long walk out, or both.
Check with land managers, local bike shops, local cycling groups, and www.mtbproject.com for the most up-to-date trail information.
When riding in popular areas or at peak times, keep groups small.
Be self-sufficient and pack appropriately. A rain shell, multi-tool, spare tube, pump, and food all help ensure a safe and fun ride
Wear a helmet and other appropriate safety gear. It could save your life.

Travel on Durable Surfaces

For biking, durable surfaces include established trails, authorized slickrock areas, dirt roads, and pavement. Check local regulations to see if off-trail travel by bike is allowed.
Respect trail and road closures. Do not trespass on private land, and obtain permits to ride when necessary.
Avoid riding muddy, excessively wet, or city trails. When encountering patches of mud or ice, ride through it and not around to avoid trail widening.
Avoid skidding. Locking up your tires creates ruts or break bumps, increases erosion, and decreases your control.
Take someone new for a ride and teach him or her proper trail riding technique.

Dispose of Waste Properly

Pack it in, pack it out. Litter can potentially endanger wildlife, attract scavengers, and diminish other visitors' experiences. This includes toilet paper and other hygiene products.
Designate a pocket for litter, wrappers, and leftover food.
Use restroom facilities before hitting the trail. Otherwise, deposit solid human waste in catholes dug 6 to 8 inches deep at least 200 feet from water, camp, and trails. Cover and disguise the cathole when finished.
Urinate well away from water sources and out of sight of others.
Be cool. Leave a favorable impress, not waste.

Leave What You Find

Preserve the past: observe, but do not touch, cultural or historic structures and artifacts. Leave rocks, plants and other natural objects as you find them.
#mtbselfie: photograph yourself being a responsible mountain biker; take pictures of natural objects in the wild and leave them for future preservation.
Avoid introducing or transporting non-native species. Check your clothing, bike, and equipment before and after each ride for seeds. Wash your bike between rides.
Do not engage in unauthorized trailwork. Instead, look for opportunities to work on land manager-approved projects. You could unknowingly damage sensitive vegetation or contribute to further erosion and other trail damage.

Respect Wildlife

Stick to the trail. Wildlife accustomed to riders can predict actions, but riding off-trail confuses wildlife.
Observe wildlife from a distance. Do not follow or approach them.
Never feed animals. Feeding wildlife damages their health, alters natural behaviors, and exposes them to predators and other dangers.
Control pets at all times, or leave them at home.
Avoid wildlife during sensitive times: mating, nesting, winter, dusk, and dawn.

Be Considerate of Other Visitors

Respect other trail users and protect the quality of their experience. Always ride within your limits.
Be courteous. Yield to hikers and equestrians. Be prepared to stop and dismount if the trail is narrow or crowded. Yield to climbing cyclists when descending.
When encountering slower traffic, announce your presence with a friendly greeting or bell and avoid startling other visitors.
Reduce your potentially intimidating size by stepping to the downhill side of the trail when encountering pack stock.
Ride in small groups to avoid excessive dust and noise..
Racing on open trails can be dangerous and inconsiderate. Save your "beast mode" for race day between the tape.