Why The Iconic "Trail Triangle" Needs To Be Changed

Why The Iconic "Trail Triangle" Needs To Be Changed

We all know the trail triangle, seen at pretty much every multi-use trail system. Everyone yields to equines, mountain bikers yield to everyone. This is wrong, and for no good reason. Today, I will explain why and how it should be changed. Coming from a family of long time mountain bikers, hikers, and a horse rider, I gathered some input on how it should be changed.






First of all, everyone should yield to horses and other equines. After all, they are wild animals, and while generally they follow their riders’ command, they are easily spooked and can do what they want. They also, easily weighing over 1000 lbs, don't have as much stopping control as a person or a mountain biker. This is already at the top of the triangle, and for good reason. A spooked horse could easily maul someone, and that would be awful.





Next, would be mountain bikers. Although mountain bikes aren't wild animals, our speed is often uncontrollable. Riding and living in San Diego, I have little choice where I can brake. The terrain is often too loose or rocky to stop in a short distance, and with tight, blind corners, it's often easier for hikers to see us, than vice versa. Even with products from the likes of industry nine, and even bells, all of that noise is drowned out by suburban noise drone. Where I live, trails are built where houses can’t be. Steep canyons, along major thoroughfares, and near parks. Loud, gasoline lawn and tree equipment is run every morning, so that cancels out loud hubs as a viable option, although a great excuse to spend more on mountain biking. That brings me to bells. A standard push-to-ring bell only works on a straight, open road. Things like timber bells that constantly rattle don't work either, because the dense sage scrub serves as a sound dampening material. I have also had people straight up ignore my bell, or polite “excuse me!”, solely because they are higher up on the triangle. They then get mad when I ride through the thorn bushes at 2 miles an hour to pass them.





To clear things up, I don't hate hikers, but there is good reason why they should be at the bottom of the trail triangle. First of all, stand up. Notice that you can move yourself 360 degrees, all while being in the same small spot. Judging that the usual width of singletrack is about 2 feet and double track or fire roads are 3 or 4 times that, a hiker in the middle could move slightly off trail in just a few seconds, to make way for mountain bikers and horses. Other trail users build up more momentum than runners, making it harder and more annoying to stop and start, especially before a quick, punchy climb that you need speed to make it up. I don't think most hikers are trying to break land speed records, so they can move out of the way easier.





Now, I'm not saying to go rip out signs and pass people at mach 4. Trails are for all of us, and they are becoming rarer and rarer due to development and closure. As a 13 year old aspiring downhill racer, with a dad who has been riding since the late 80’s, I need these trails for my medical and physical health, but i'll save that story until this article gets enough publicity. Below, i have made a rough triangle so you can get an idea of a revised version.