The yielding hierarchy
Universal across IMBA, BC, IMBA UK, MTB Ireland:
- Horses have right of way over everyone. Stop, pull off the trail, talk to the horse and rider so the horse hears a human voice and clocks the bike as not a threat.
- Hikers have right of way over bikes. Slow down, greet, pass courteously.
- Climbing bikes have right of way over descending bikes. The climber is working hard; restarting a climb on a steep, loose pitch is a punishment.
- Uphill riders may wave a descender through if it's obvious the descender has the better line or speed — courtesy goes both ways.
This goes out the window on a one-way trail. On a designated downhill track at a bike park, you do not climb. On a designated XC loop with a marked direction, you do not ride against the arrows.
One-way trails — read the signs
Trail centres mark direction with arrows at every junction. If a trail is signed downhill-only, walking up it is also rude and dangerous — riders are coming at speed and don't expect a hiker around the corner. Use the climb track. Always.
Passing a hiker
- Slow to a walking pace 10 m out.
- Call out — "hello, mind if I pass on your left?". A bell is fine but a voice is better. Don't surprise them.
- Pass slowly with a thank you. Don't sprint past.
- If you're in a group, the front rider tells the hiker how many are behind ("three more behind me") so they can hold position rather than dart back and forth.
Passing other riders
If you catch a slower rider on a climb, hang back a few metres until you find a wide spot, then ask: "mind if I pass when you can?". Don't wheel-suck. Don't shout. On a descent, only pass when the rider in front clearly waves you through or pulls into a corner — overtaking on a descent without permission is dangerous and bad form.
Wet weather — when not to ride
Trails get destroyed by wet riding more than any other cause. Ruts form, berms blow out, water finds the rut and washes the trail away.
- If your tyres leave a sunken track more than a centimetre deep, the trail is too wet — turn around.
- Locked / closed bike-park days during heavy rain — respect them.
- After heavy rain, give the trail 24–48 hours to drain before riding the soft sections.
Leave no trace
- Take your gel wrappers home. The plastic doesn't decompose.
- Don't skid corners. That's a 2-second adrenaline rush in exchange for someone else having to dig out the corner next weekend.
- Don't cut switchbacks. The braided shortcut becomes a water channel; the corner falls apart within a season.
- Stay on the trail. Don't ride round wet sections — that's how trails widen into mud bogs.
- If you crash and your bike scuffs a feature, kick the dirt back into place before you carry on.
Closed or private land
In Ireland, much of the upland rideable terrain is private. Coillte forestry trails are open to public use. Sligo/Donegal hills are usually private with informal tolerance. Don't bin that tolerance — close gates, keep dogs leashed (if you've brought one), don't park blocking gateways. In the UK, England's CROW act allows pedestrian access but not bike access on most of the moors; Scotland's right-to-roam laws are more permissive. Know which country you're in.
IMBA Rules of the Trail (the long-standing six)
- Ride open trails. Respect closures and private property.
- Leave no trace. Be sensitive to the dirt beneath you.
- Control your bicycle. Inattention can cause injury.
- Yield appropriately. Use signals, voice or bell; pass courteously.
- Never scare animals. Wildlife or livestock — pass slowly, give them space.
- Plan ahead. Know your trail, your fitness, your bike and the weather.