If you’re a skier, chances are you’ve seen crossed skis (or poles) on the piste when someone has gone down or had an accident and is getting assistance. If you’re a rider, and your friend has gone down on the trail in a vulnerable spot, what do you do? Have you ever seen upside down bikes on the trail?
For example, as riders, you may look to the Countryside Code or the IMBA Rules of the Trail for guidance, but how much do we really think about our responsibilities?
If you see this on the trail, be considerate and don’t ride around. Note: The bikes are before the lip of the jump, the injured rider was on the other side. Photo: Al Shaw.
Responsible Trail Use
Obviously, as with everything, there’s always an element of common sense but where do we stand with an overall, widely known set of standards or overall trail safety and etiquette? The Developing Mountain Biking in Scotland’s ‘Do the Ride Thing’ guide to responsible mountain biking in Scotland is a great starting point with a comprehensive breakdown of things to think about.
We’re not saying that there’s a need to be fully up on the latest guidance. After all, when you go out for a ride you want to get away from everything. However, there is definitely a need to open up the narrative to think about our individual and collective responsibility when it comes to each other, our trails, and where mountain biking is going. There are more of us out there than ever before so the chances of coming across a trail incident are increasing week by week..
Guidance
If you want to do further reading, here are a few other resources on cycle codes and guidance:
So what should we do in this situation? What if it’s not possible to turn around or you’ve come across it on a section of blind trail? Most of us would likely see if there’s anything we could do, but the circumstances will differ depending on where you are, who you’re riding with and the situation itself.
Most of us would likely know what to do, but for new riders or those who haven’t been out in a while, they may not be aware. It’s a good idea for all of us to know what something means if we come across it. The picture above was taken last weekend at Leeds Urban Bike Park. The rider, Darren was on the ground for over an hour before the emergency services arrived. He suffered a broken hip and pelvis in the accident and couldn’t be moved from the trail.
His friends placed their bikes on the lip of the jump to warn other riders. Despite what many of us may think of as an obvious sign of caution or at least that something is amiss, there were riders who simply rode around the single bike that was placed on the trail at first. This lead to the group adding another bike to fully block the trail. One bike, or two – makes no difference. The signal and message is the same. Put the brakes on and prepare to either get out of the way or offer help.
See an upturned bike across the trail? Put the brakes on and be prepared to stop and help if you can.
Crossed skis = Red Triangle = Upturned bike = CAUTION, HAZARD.
Darren laying on Hannah’s leg. Unable to be moved from the trail.
Darren’s friend (and cycling guidebook writer), Hannah Collingridge is trying to raise awareness of what this upside down bike signal means if you see it out on the trails.
Crashes happen and sometimes the casualty is badly enough hurt that they can’t be moved until the professionals arrive. The last thing you need when you are dealing with one incident is more trouble landing on you, either literally or figuratively. So protect yourselves by setting up a warning further up the trail. The simplest and quickest tool for this is the one you have with you – your bike. Turn your bike upside down and place it across the trail in a place it can be seen by oncoming riders.
Hannah Collingridge
Try to place things in such a way that it will give them adequate time to slow down where possible. Don’t inadvertently create a new hazard.
In future, if you see this on the trails you’ll know what to do. The main thing to take from this is to be aware and if you see this, slow down and go around.
Are there any other unwritten rules or trail etiquette points that you think not many people know? What have you seen out on the trails that people need to be more aware of?
Singletrack Merch
Issue 150
What’s Inside Issue 150? This issue’s cover is by James Vincent. Hike-a-bike on the front cover… part of a big adventure, or a reminder you don’t need that mountain biking…
Singletrack Sponsored Features
This category can only be viewed by members. To view this category, sign up by purchasing Singletrack Membership.
Kit Guide For New Riders | How To Have Safer, Happier Bike Rides
We bring you a kit guide to help you figure out what you need to get the most from your bike rides. Published in association with… You’ve got your bike……
Featured Premier Partner
WildBike MTB Holidays
WildBike is all about rocks and summits and flow and wildness. And cake. Amid the most stunning scenery in the UK and further afield. WildBike was established in 2011 and…
Join our mailing list to receive Singletrack editorial wisdom directly in your inbox.
Each newsletter is headed up by an exclusive editorial from our team and includes stories and news you don’t want to miss.
Upside down bikes don’t mean anything. Its not a recognised sign and people put bike upside down all the time
So if you saw a bike or two, across the trail like in the article, you’d carry on, at full speed, into whatever lay ahead? Would you still, having read it? What would you have done in the same situation, should you have been trying to look after an injured, immobile, rider?
Reeksy, we’re not talking about a bike upside down at the side of the trail, we’re talking about one across it, trying to block it as best as possible.
I wasn’t aware, glad I read it. Don’t feel bad about the article tone. Who cares, the information has been passed on successfully.
Thanks
In the panic of a really bad off, you might not think to do it.
@Northwind summarises my feelings perfectly, I’ve been riding MTBs and reading the mags/forums since the late 80s and I don’t recall a single time that anyone has ever mentioned this.
I agree it’s a good idea, but universally recognised? /shrugs
I am not the only one who has never heard of this. therefore it is NOT a recognised signal. I don’t ski and I knew about the crossed sticks – because that is a reecognised signal
don’t ski and I knew about the crossed sticks – because that is a reecognised signal
Interested to know how you found out about this. I absolutely did not know this when I first went skiing.
It became blindingly obvious the first time I saw it, probably on my first day.
Being a wide blue run and me moving slowly I was easily able to work it out.
The usage numbers and trail width on bike single track mean you could go years without coming across this, where it would only act as a physical barrier.
Blimey, this thread has gone into repeat mode.
OP has already said “just wanted to open the discussion. Didn’t mean for things to come across like this is the rule and everyone should know. As I admitted, I’ve never seen it myself. Hopefully we don’t see it often, but perhaps it can be adopted where sensible if there’s a need to block the trail.”
I think the confusion is along the lines of;
A. What is a recognizable signal there may be a problem up ahead
Or
B. What is a universally recognized signal there may be a problem up ahead.
Cycling along a trail, outwith a competition or a guided run,2 bikes that have been deliberately placed across the track, is a recognizable signal, rather than a universally recognized signal, that something is amiss up ahead, especially when the information to hand shows a blind summit where the road/trail leads that you cannot see forward enough to plan.
It’s either a sign that there’s a problem or its an ambush 😆
Common sense should tell you to slow down, maybe even stop, call out, go have a look see.
Never heard of it either, I’ve seen it plenty of times, but usually just nitwits fixing their bikes.
It will certainly be effective, first step of your DRSABC is Dangers, so as long as you have either someone to position the bikes, or your casualty does not require all consuming attention, then go for it.
And now you know because today, TJ, you’ve learned something new. Cool eh?
What I have learned is that some folk think this is a recognised signal. It isn’t
Stay special TJ.
It’s pretty common in the resorts in Switzerland and France and so on, no real surprise as it’s similar to the crossed ski thing. As bike parks become more common in the UK, and folk tend to ride in groups, perhaps we’ll see it more here too, at the very least it slows on coming riders up (even if they sometimes try to get around bikes planted across the trail) Out on BW and in the hills, it’s probably less useful
I’m with others that say you can’t get annoyed if people don’t understand your own made up code – the article says at first it was just one bike which is even less obvious. It would be a good clue that something was up but with all these people passing did nobody think to ask one of them to walk back up the trail stopping people at a junction? Not much point stopping everyone at the two bikes for an hour if there is nowhere to go.
I’ve seen the ski and snowboard thing before though.
But that is 1. Taught by every ski school worldwide; 2. On signs, posters on lifts and in books; 3. Used by ski patrol; 4. Not something that’s easy to confuse with ordinary muppetry!
The article, or at least it’s headline were a bit click baity – yes it’s obvious there is a problem even if it might just be a couple of folk walking the next section but to complain that people were passing it is niaive – half the moan actually seems to be that these people weren’t stopping to offer support, presumably the author is aware that on skitrails not everyone stops either if people seem to have it under control why form a crowd. If you need help you only need to shout “can I get some help here” and the timid will step forward – it’s the next level of the bystander effect, once someone else has stepped forward you can retreat into your bubble.
I’m pretty sure I won’t be able to, but last I was out in Morzine (2008), I helped guides do it and saw a couple of kids do this on two separate occasions, and once in Verbier also (in 2015/6 something like that). Get out of the wee bubble of UK biking and into Europe, and I’ll bet your money that folks would have a different view on the article.
Just because there’s no “official document” (and what does that even mean?) doesn’t exclude the idea that something is common. Like a said, in ski resorts where they have a biking summer, it’s well known, here not so much. For pretty much obvious reasons.
Now I know you don’t frequent bike parks, and it’s use on general trails isn’t going to be that important, on high(ish) speed man made trails, a bunch of folk will now have a wee light go off in their heads if they ever see this at say BPW or Glentress…
I’m on Team TJ: I’ve never seen it in nearly 20 years of riding in Spain, either, so I find it hard to say it has a recognised meaning.
And while I don’t think it’s that bad an idea, it doesn’t work anything like as well if you block the trail with just one bike – the first thing I’d think if I saw that was that it was a muppet who’d left his bike in the wrong place.
And if there’s a group of you I’d say a much better idea is to send someone up the trail to warn people in person.
Interested to know how you found out about this. I absolutely did not know this when I first went skiing.
FWIW (and that’s not a lot), I was told about the crossed skis (or boards) thing by three different instructors in three different countries, Norway, Italy and France.
To catch on, it’ll be important to teach riders NOT to put their bike anywhere near this position fixing a puncture etc…otherwise it might start causing confusion, and hesitation, when they’re going gonzo.
So then nickc – its not a recognised meaning then like the crossed ski poles? I have ridden in Morzine and Les gets and no where did I see anything telling me this
I have ridden in Morzine and Les gets and no where did I see anything telling me this
1, I’ll willing to bet money that you’d not follow the instructions on anything blindly anyway, so let’s call that moot. 2. I don’t think the locals in ski resorts have to be told, I think they just swap poles for bikes come the summer.
Well I do vaguely recall hearing this in the past, but it wouldn’t have been my first thought, so it’s a useful article to remind / suggest that.
It does remind me of that slightly creepy wave that did the rounds last year in presenting something as “This is a thing, you should already know about this thing” – see also What 3 Words. There’s a fine line between “option / convention” and “standard”. See also:
I’d say depending on context, any deliberate attempt to block a trail (upside down bike, pile of Camelbaks, jacket tied between trees) would see me proceed with caution – even if it’s kids / NIMBY dog walkers making obstructions, they may have made a bigger one round the next fast corner.
That said, it does strike me as more likely to be innocuous than say, the crossed skis, which it’s hard to imagine being done without deliberate meaning. I certainly wouldn’t be calling mountain rescue just from seeing an upside down bike.
It’s a good idea common sense idea – why the bloody bell are folks still arguing over it?!
Some of us know this or some of us know that. We don’t all know the same bloody thing. Let’s just agree that this is a pretty good idea whose sole intent is to make the trails safer…
Why does there need to be any kind of argument around it??
Really good, well written article drawing attention to a widely used signal (particularly in bike parks) which many people are not necessarily already aware of.
1, I’ll willing to bet money that you’d not follow the instructions on anything blindly anyway, so let’s call that moot
I would always follow instructions – but never blindly
so lets see – nothing I saw in Morzine or les Gets on bike park trails said this was a signal. Lots of other info about what to do in a crash but not this
Really good, well written article drawing attention to a widely used signal (particularly in bike parks) which many people are not necessarily already aware of.
Not too good about writing about myself, but not so bad at writing about other things. There was a time that I hated bikes, but then they became my life. Wouldn't be the person I am if I hadn't been on this journey. Here's to bikes, drinking tea and everything that comes with life on two wheels.
I'm Lauren, I like bikes and writing about them. Always trying my best and up for adventures.
Posted 2 years ago
