Riding Safely and Responsibly

Using Courteous Trail Etiquette

• Ride only where permitted. Don’t cut corners, and stay within the trail markers.
• Be courteous to other riders and hikers on the trail.
• Ride on the right side of the trail.
• When riding downhill, yield to uphill traffic. Uphill traffic may have difficulty starting again after stopping.
• When you see others coming towards you, slow down and proceed with caution.
• If you meet skiers, horses, or hikers on snowshoes coming from the opposite direction, slow down, pull over, and yield the right-of-way.
• If you stop to talk to others on the trail, be polite and remove your helmet. A helmet masks your features and can be intimidating.
• Be safe and considerate when you stop along the trail. Never stop side-by-side, in the middle of the trail, at the crest of a hill, or around a corner on the trail. Also, never block an intersection. Remember to shut off your engine.
• Leave gates as you find them.
• Report downed trees and trail maintenance needs to land managers or snowmobile clubs.
• Report illegal riding.
• Carry out what you carry in.

Operating Safely in Darkness

• Slow down and watch for others at night or in low-light conditions.
• Be cautious on overcast days.
• Establish a point of reference when riding on large, open fields after dark. Estimating distances and directions may be difficult.
• Read more about night riding in Chapter Two.

Obeying All Trail and Road Restrictions

• When planning a trip, always plot your route on a map and review any travel restrictions. Travel restrictions protect natural resources and provide non-motorized recreational opportunities.
• Don’t assume a route is open because you see tracks on the trail. They may have been left by uninformed or deliberate violators.

Encountering Horses on the Trail

• Approach slowly, pull over, and turn off the engine.
• Avoid sudden movements.
• Wait until the horses have passed, and then ease back onto the trail.