Trail Sign Idea

[fisherbikefreak]

There always seems to be a lot of complaining about people riding trails when they aren't supposed to and generally riding in a way that damages dry and settled trails (i.e. skidding). Here's an idea.

Why not post pictures and a story of the trail being built and maintained explaining how much work goes into these trails? The story can show the benefits of proper trail building and how many hours of volunteer labor goes into each trail. The medium for the story/pics can be a large sign, like national parks have for their points of interest. Maybe I'm looking through rose-shaded glasses... I think people would be more conscious of their actions if they knew what went into the trail. Plus it shows everyone that reads the sign the great things that MORC and it's members do for the community.

I know the cost of such a sign is high, but it might just pay off in the long run.

Just an idea.

Sean out.

[Magic]

All the signage in the world will not help some people. Trail poachers will ride no mater what is in Black and White right in front of their eyes. These people have no regard for others and the work they do. It's an "all about me" factor. We can put up signs, talk to riders all we want. But there will always be the bad apples in the bunch. We as responsible riders will just keep fighting the good fight knowing that this will always be a problem. Just my thoughts.:etard:

[seberly]

Here is an example of a pretty neat sign - from Hillside park - they also have one telling you to keep your weight over the back wheel - good advice in some situations anyway.

http://www.morcmtb.org/trailreviews/metro/images/hillside/hill12.JPG

[funky-funky-chicken]

Here is an example of a pretty neat sign - from Hillside park - they also have one telling you to keep your weight over the back wheel - good advice in some situations anyway.

http://www.morcmtb.org/trailreviews/metro/images/hillside/hill12.JPG

Good intention with the sign @ hillside. It would be nice if whoever had it made would have left out "extremly" for two reasons.

Printing up a sign with a spelling error makes people laugh at you.
How about simply saying: "Do not ride when wet."

[manual63]

I know there are some riders who will ride past a sign and have no respect for the trail, but that's a small few.

Most of the time I think people just don't know better and since there is usually no obvious sign posted at most trails, note obvious, people ride them not knowing any better. If they saw a sign with maybe a brief reason for not riding, they would obey it.

[fisherbikefreak]

How many heartless athletes can there be in this world? I was hoping that people would have a little heart if they actually saw pictures and an explanation of how much work it is to build these trails that people enjoy so much. I'm hoping that people ride the trails not "thinking" about the consequences. A good heartfelt story about trail building might help them think about it a little more.

I'm probably giving people too much credit here.

How about posting newspaper clippings (behind plastic of course) about all of the trail closings throughout the country and then briefly mention that their actions could cause us to have our beloved trails closed down... still too much credit.

DUMB freakin' people. :mad: It's frustrating.

[Brick]

A good heartfelt story about trail building might help them think about it a little more.

I'm probably giving people too much credit here.



Sadly, it seems that the more you give someone to read, the less likely they are to actually read it.

e.

[Trevize1138]

I'm seeing too many extreme opinions here: people seem to think they're either too trusting that others will read the signs or too cynical to believe anyone would read the signs.

For the most part, I think people who ride the trails when wet or closed are good-natured and would read signs explaining why and come away with a better understanding and respect.

Yes, of course, some people are just buttheads and there's nothing you can do about them. But, a sign would certainly not *hurt* and I believe it would educate more people than no sign at all and achieve it's goal: curbing trail use when wet or closed.

Just because we won't stop ALL riders with a sign like this doesn't mean it's not worth doing.

[Danimal]

Just shoot them :)

[Danimal]

Just Kidding :)

[FSSS]

Just because we won't stop ALL riders with a sign like this doesn't mean it's not worth doing.

EXACTLY!

Educate.

Some will be open to it, some won't.

[Tetreves]

I'm seeing too many extreme opinions here: people seem to think they're either too trusting that others will read the signs or too cynical to believe anyone would read the signs.

I think what is meant by people not reading the signs is simply that if it's too long, many people won't take the time to read more than the first line. The sign at Hillside looks good. I would stop and take twenty seconds to read it if it was placed right at the trailhead. But a large display with pictures and explanations of trail building techniques is a bit much, and makes me think of something I would see at a museum, zoo, or national landmark. Unless you came to "gaze" at the trail, (like you would gaze at Mt. Rushmore or something), I don't think the majority of riders would read an in-depth sign if it took more than about thirty seconds to read and understand it. You go to a trail to ride it, not to stand around reading all the caution signs about how you could possibly damage the trail. It's a great idea, just keep it simple.

[homebrewbiker]

The best and most implest is "Closed" or "Open". But someone would have to get out there to change it when conditions warrant. The closed sign could have a description of why. Maybe you could have a general sign above describing why it is bad to ride when the trail is wet. And the Closed or Open below it in really big lettering.

Maybe you could get the Parks Staff to devote some staff to updating the Closed and Open status?

[SPR]

:D What we need is an electronic sign like they have on the freeways. Seems when they're on people practically stop to read the message, meanwhile traffic backs up. I guess folks can't read and drive at the same time.:crazy2:
Anyhow with one of these signs they could be monitored by a remote computer.:etard:

[trogolodyte16]

Here is an example of a pretty neat sign - from Hillside park - they also have one telling you to keep your weight over the back wheel - good advice in some situations anyway.

http://www.morcmtb.org/trailreviews/metro/images/hillside/hill12.JPG

Too bad their website don't work..... :eyeroll:

[Panman]

Too bad their website don't work..... :eyeroll:
Yeah, yeah, I'm working on the new one this weekend.