Bike parks run on clear rules for sharing the trail. Learn how to handle right of way, passing and blind jumps — for fewer crashes and more flow.
The most important bike park rule in one line: never stop in the landing zone of a jump or behind a crest. That's not courtesy but crash prevention — the rider coming from behind only sees you when it's too late, and botched jump landings are the most common crash cause anyway. Etiquette in the park is safety in action.
A bike park works like a ski slope: many people, different speeds, shared trails. For that to run without collisions there are clear, mostly unwritten rules — know them and you protect yourself and others and quickly earn a good name. And as a bonus, consideration keeps everyone in flow instead of braking each other.
Straight talk: in the park you're never alone — your behavior helps decide others' safety.
If you must stop, roll completely off the trail and stand in a visible spot — never behind a crest, in a landing or in a berm. Whoever can't see you can't avoid you.
A jump or edge whose landing you can't see, you do not ride blind. Get off and look at it. That protects not only you but also anyone who might be standing behind it.
The rider in front has priority — they don't know your line. If you want to pass, do it only at a clear spot, announce yourself friendly ("on your left!") and never push. On mixed trails the uphill rider often has priority over the downhill rider; when in doubt, consideration over rights.
Follow the lift rules, don't push in and secure your bike as required. Make room at tight spots and viewpoints. A park thrives on relaxed sharing in the queue as much as on the trail.
Stay on the marked lines, don't cut corners and don't rebuild anything on your own. Spare wet trails after rain by not plowing through braking. Take your trash with you. The park you leave clean and intact is the one you'll gladly come back to.
Etiquette and safety are the same thing in the park. Most collisions come from unexpected stopping at blind spots and from riding features blind — both avoidable with one rule: make yourself visible and only ride what you can see. Match your speed to conditions: with a full park, wet ground or fatigue, holding back isn't a sign of weakness but of skill. Remember that most errors happen tired at the end of the day — stop before your focus is gone. And respect closures: a closed trail is usually closed for a good (safety) reason.
Adopt the ski-slope mindset: just like skiing, the rider behind is responsible for avoiding and the one in front may ride their line. So when you pass or catch up, you are the one who must watch distance and safety. This single attitude solves 90 % of all etiquette questions on its own — and makes you someone everyone likes to share a line with. Train smart: consideration is a skill like braking.
Never stop in the landing zone of a jump, behind a crest or in a blind spot. The rider behind sees you there too late, and botched landings are the most common crash cause anyway. If you must stop, roll completely off the trail to a clearly visible spot.
Generally the rider in front — they don't know your line and may ride theirs. Like on a ski slope, the rider behind is responsible for avoiding and passing safely. On mixed trails the uphill rider often has priority. When in doubt, consideration over rights.
Only at clear, wide spots, never in corners, jumps or tight sections. Announce yourself in good time and friendly (like "on your left!") and keep enough distance. Never push or force anyone into a rushed maneuver — a forced pass quickly ends in a crash for both.
No, not blind. Get off and scout unknown jumps and edges first. Otherwise you know neither what the landing looks like nor whether someone is standing behind it. This one habit prevents a large share of serious park collisions and protects you and others.
Don't ride closed trails — the closure almost always has a safety or maintenance reason. Spare wet trails by not plowing through braking and not riding around puddles (that widens the track). That keeps the trails intact for everyone and shows respect for the shapers' work.
Corners & Berms: Fast and Safe Through the Turn