Outdoor Ethics for Urban Biking
The Leave No Trace Seven Principles are reprinted with the permission of the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics. For more information, visit www.LNT.org.
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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. mtbproject.com for the most up-to-date trail information.
- Schedule your trip to avoid times of high use and ride in small groups of 3-4.
- 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.
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Travel on Durable Surfaces
- For biking, durable surfaces include established trails, dirt roads, and pavement. Off-trail travel by bike is not often allowed. Check local regulations.
- Respect trail and road closures. Do not trespass on private land and obtain permits when necessary. Bicycles are not permitted in areas designated as state or federal Wilderness.
- Avoid riding muddy, excessively wet, or icy 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, increases erosion, and decreases your control.
- Take someone new for a ride and teach him or her proper trail riding technique.
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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 other riders.
- Be cool. Leave a favorable impression; not waste.
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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.
- Unauthorized trailwork, like berms, bridges, ladders, etc. is not recommended. You could unknowingly damage sensitive vegetation or contribute to further erosion and other trail damage.
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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.
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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 to 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 recreational trails is dangerous, inconsiderate, and never in style.
Gear & Services
Dick’s Sporting Goods
- Biking, Conventional/Spin Fishing, Fishing, Hiking, Hunting, Shooting
Sierra Trading Post
- Biking, Camping, Climbing, Fishing, Fly Fishing, Hiking, Hunting, Ice Climbing, Mountain Biking, Pikes Peak APEX, Rock Climbing, Skiing/Snowboarding, Snow, Snowshoeing, Stillwater Canoeing, Stillwater Kayaking, Stillwater SUPing, Street Cycling
- Biking, Mountain Biking, Pikes Peak APEX, Street Cycling
- Biking, Mountain Biking, Pikes Peak APEX
- Biking, Mountain Biking, Pikes Peak APEX
- Biking
- Biking
- Biking, Climbing, Conventional/Spin Fishing, Fishing, Fly Fishing, Hiking, Mountain Biking, Pikes Peak APEX, Rock Climbing, Skiing/Snowboarding, Snow, Snowshoeing, Water, Whitewater Kayaking
- Biking, Climbing, Hiking, Mountain Biking, Pikes Peak APEX, Rock Climbing, Skiing/Snowboarding, Snow, Stillwater Canoeing, Stillwater Kayaking, Stillwater SUPing, Street Cycling, Water, Whitewater Kayaking, Whitewater Rafting
- Biking, Mountain Biking, Pikes Peak APEX, Street Cycling
- Biking, Mountain Biking, Pikes Peak APEX, Street Cycling
Walmart
- Archery, Camping, Conventional/Spin Fishing, Fishing, Hiking, Hunting, RVing, Shooting, Street Cycling
- Biking, Mountain Biking, Pikes Peak APEX, Street Cycling
- Biking, Street Cycling
- Biking, Mountain Biking, Pikes Peak APEX, Street Cycling
- Biking, Mountain Biking, Pikes Peak APEX, Street Cycling
- Biking, Mountain Biking, Pikes Peak APEX
- Biking, Mountain Biking, Pikes Peak APEX, Street Cycling
- Biking, Street Cycling
- Biking, Camping, Climbing, Hiking, Mountain Biking, Pikes Peak APEX
- Adventuring, Biking, Climbing, Falconry, Fishing, Fly Fishing, Geocaching, Hiking, Mountain Biking, Paintball, Rock Climbing, Ziplining
- Biking, Mountain Biking
- Biking, Mountain Biking, Pikes Peak APEX, Street Cycling
Rentals
- Biking
- Biking, Mountain Biking
E-Bike Tours & Rental Manitou Springs
- Biking, Mountain Biking
- ATV/UTV, Biking, Mountain Biking, Off-roading, Pikes Peak APEX
- Biking, Mountain Biking, Pikes Peak APEX, Street Cycling
Rock- E Mountain Bike
- Mountain Biking
- Biking, Mountain Biking, Pikes Peak APEX
- Biking, Climbing, Conventional/Spin Fishing, Fishing, Fly Fishing, Hiking, Mountain Biking, Pikes Peak APEX, Rock Climbing, Skiing/Snowboarding, Snow, Snowshoeing, Water, Whitewater Kayaking
- Biking, Mountain Biking, Pikes Peak APEX, Street Cycling
- Biking, Mountain Biking, Pikes Peak APEX, Street Cycling
Routes Outfitter & Sendicate Ski
- Biking, Cross Country Ski Rentals, Hiking, Mountain Biking, Skiing/Snowboarding
Classes
- Biking, Climbing, Conventional/Spin Fishing, Fishing, Fly Fishing, Hiking, Mountain Biking, Pikes Peak APEX, Rock Climbing, Skiing/Snowboarding, Snow, Snowshoeing, Water, Whitewater Kayaking
Routes Outfitter & Sendicate Ski
- Biking, Cross Country Ski Rentals, Hiking, Mountain Biking, Skiing/Snowboarding
Phoenix Multisport
- Biking, Climbing, Hiking, Rock Climbing, Street Cycling
Rock- E Mountain Bike
- Mountain Biking
Guided Adventures
- Biking, Climbing, Conventional/Spin Fishing, Fishing, Fly Fishing, Hiking, Mountain Biking, Pikes Peak APEX, Rock Climbing, Skiing/Snowboarding, Snow, Snowshoeing, Water, Whitewater Kayaking
- Biking, Mountain Biking, Pikes Peak APEX
American Adventure Expeditions
- Adventuring, ATV/UTV, Biking, Jeep Tours, Mountain Biking, Off-roading, Pikes Peak APEX, Water, Whitewater Kayaking, Whitewater Rafting, Ziplining
Colorado Mountain Club
- Adventuring, Biking
- ATV/UTV, Biking, Mountain Biking, Off-roading, Pikes Peak APEX
Lost Paddle Rafting
- Biking, Mountain Biking, Pikes Peak APEX, Water, Whitewater Kayaking, Whitewater Rafting
Colorado Xplorer
- Adventuring, ATV/UTV, Biking, Climbing, Hiking, Horseback Riding, Mountain Biking, Off-roading, Pikes Peak APEX, Rock Climbing, Skiing/Snowboarding, Snow, Water, Whitewater Rafting
- Adventuring, Biking, Climbing, Falconry, Fishing, Fly Fishing, Geocaching, Hiking, Mountain Biking, Paintball, Rock Climbing, Ziplining
