I often run the trails here in Phoenix. The trails are popular with runners, hikers, and moutain bikers. In many places on the trail, there is really no room to pass. It seems that most of the mountain bikers assume they have the right-of-way, I’ve even been nearly knocked over by an oncoming biker without even the slightest aknowledgement that I was there (yes, they saw me coming). If possible, I try to move over when approached from either direction by a moutain biker, but I feel this is just courtesy and not my duty. So, who does have the right-of-way? I believe in my home state of Colorado, there’s actually a law stating that those on foot have it, but I’ve been unable to find a similar law here.
when going up or down, uphill always has the right of way. On the flats, it is human, horse, bike. But then use common sense, of those three who is going to get hurt worse in a accident situation, always yield to the larger object.
The written rule of the park I am in most often is -
Horses
Runners
Walkers
MTN bikes - in that order.
runners/hikers have the right of way.
Don’t move over for them, they gotta learn!
I’m both a mountain biker and a trail runner and always yield to runners on my mountain bike. I almost always get a thank you.
When I’m running, if there is room I make room for the mountain biker, but if they make it clear that they aren’t going to allow me any room, then I hold my ground and will stay dead center.
If the mountain bikers stop I always make sure to thank them 
If they are rude and hit me with their handlebars I make sure to “educate” them on trail etiquette.
My general rule is that the more maneuverable object should be the one to move. I run on a lot of trails year round and cross paths with bikes, horses, walkers, dogs, hikers, atv’s, snowmobiles, trucks, etc.
Have had good and bad experiences with all of them. I don’t need a law to tell me that the rest of my day has a much better chance of turning out well if I get out of the way of someone doing their own thing who think they own the trail.
On twisty, technical singletrack I run faster than a lot of mtn bikes. I know if I’m out for a run on this type of trail that there’s a good chance I may get slowed down until I can make a pass. This is my favorite type of trail to run on and I accept the occasional slowdown as part of the experience.
In the winter, I always yield to snowmobiles/atv’s by stopping and stepping off the trail. Without them I wouldn’t have nicely packed trails to run on and I can hear them coming long before they know I am there.
Far more often than not, we exchange a courtesy wave and then we’re both on our way again.
Rob
I move out of the way of mtn bikers. They always look like they are going to fall so I assume the less they have to slow down or stop the better the chance they won’t break a collar bone. It really isn’t big deal in the grand scheme of things, most mtn bikers ride up the short end of a hill, have a 15 minute conversation while consuming 2 gels and a gatorade, and then ride down the long end of the hill and then repeat. I think moving to the side for them is better so they can at least get some consistent aerobic exercise.
I agree with you. Its just easier to get out of the way rather than fight for r.o.w
I do.
Just curious, where in Phoenix do you usually run? I trail run, hike, and mountain bike, 99% of the time in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve. As a MTBer, I know that I am supposed to yield to everyone, and try do so - however, from a practical perspective, most hikers and runners will yield by stepping off the trail before I even have a chance to yield to them. I am not that fast, am always courteous, and I am just an XC rider, so I don’t appear intimidating like some big diwnhiller with lots of armor, etc. People usually do this, and it works well. When they don’t, I yield.
Who cares about local, state or federal law. If you want to finish your ride/run/training on your two feet (or four legs) - common sens prevails. The people with MORE control must yield to the people with LESS control, regardless of uphill/downhill.
This signs is pretty much explanatory and should govern multi-use trails:
I’m pretty sure that last sign fits w/the trails i run on.
in general, things wind up a bit more fluid than the posted rules would indicate - runners have right of way over bikes, but if i’m running down hill i’ll make sure not to impeded the progress of a mtb going struggling uphill.
i’ll get out of the way of a mtb passing from behind, though, otherwise they won’t be able to pass.
I run at Papago Park in E. Phoenix a lot, where the trail is closed after dark. That doesn’t stop groups of mountain bikers from bringing their ridiculously blinding headlamps and bicycle lights (yes, both sometimes) and riding like the four horsemen bringing not famine and pestilence, but a cloud of dust and light pollution. I step aside grudgingly, usually at the last second, and usually after a theatrical display of bringing my hand to my face to shield my sensitive eyes from their light. Occasionally, I get a thank you, but usually I get ignored. Being the snob that I am, I know that the trail belongs to me, and if you need a light to ride in a closed park after dark, you should leave my park alone. If one of those bikes ever hit me, it would hurt him more than me since he has farther to fall from his seat, and anyone who needs a light and a helmet to do his sport is a pansy anyway. If any of you reading this happens to be one of those mountain bikers, I stand by my comments. The bikes do, however, provide a nice single-track trail for trail runners, although I like to think the trails exist because I run on them so much.
Rob.
I’m a mountain biker and a trail runner and I can tell you that mountain bikes are at the bottom on the list. We all yield to horses because they spook. Dogs too so you don’t hurt them. Runners and hikers come next and mountain bikes last. They are supposed to yield to everybody. The problem is that so many people get out of their way that they act like they own the trail. One time I hooked one of these kings of the trail right off his bike. My wife, Michelle was running behind me and I didn’t know if he could see her, but since he wasn’t giving us any courtesy, I had to teach him some. When I’m on the bike I slow for runners and move to one side. I do the same when I’m running, but if it’s another guy who thinks he own the trail, again we have a problem.
You are if you run with a big stick…
If seriously, even if you have the right-of-way and an idiot biker is heading straight on you then better to give up your right. This is what I normally do during my early morning bike commutes in NYC when slowing down in front a$$ hole drivers crossing streets in front of me on red lights…