Voluntary Speed Limits and Trail Etiquette Campaigns: Examples and Best Practices
Overview
As e-bike and e-scooter use has surged on shared-use paths, municipalities across North America have grappled with how to balance the needs of faster riders with pedestrian safety. Traditional enforcement-based approaches face significant practical challenges: most cyclists don’t have speedometers, police resources are limited, and rigid speed limits don’t account for varying trail conditions.
In response, many communities have adopted education and etiquette-based campaigns that emphasize voluntary compliance, courtesy, and context-appropriate speeds. This report summarizes examples of these approaches and identifies common elements of successful programs.
The Enforcement Challenge
The Rails to Trails Conservancy, a national nonprofit organization focused on trail development, has noted the fundamental difficulties with speed enforcement on shared-use paths:
“Such speed restrictions on trails are complex to put in place and difficult to enforce. Additionally, most bicyclists do not have speedometers and would be unaware as to whether or not they were speeding.”
The organization also notes that the AASHTO Guide for the Development of Bicycle Facilities does not specify a maximum speed for bicyclists along trails. Instead, it recommends that shared-use paths be designed for speeds “at least as high as the preferred speed of the fastest common user”—typically 18 mph on flat segments and up to 30 mph on hilly terrain.
Source: Rails to Trails Conservancy. “Trail Conflicts and User Speeds.” Trail Building Toolbox.
https://www.railstotrails.org/trail-building-toolbox/trail-conflicts-and-user-speeds/
Case Studies
Portland, Oregon: Share the Path Campaign
Portland’s approach has become a model for other communities. Rather than imposing formalized speed restrictions, the city’s “Share the Path” campaign emphasizes trail etiquette and context-appropriate behavior.
Key elements:
- Guidelines advising users to “use safe speeds at all times”
- Messaging that “slower traffic has the right of way”
- Emphasis on faster users’ responsibility to slow down and be mindful of others
Why it works:
The Rails to Trails Conservancy notes that this approach “allows for more flexibility, and it accommodates the varying traffic of the trail throughout different seasons, times and days. It does not restrict fast riding entirely, but instead allows for higher speeds when the conditions are appropriate.”
Source: Rails to Trails Conservancy. “Trail Conflicts and User Speeds.” Trail Building Toolbox.
https://www.railstotrails.org/build-trails/trail-building-toolbox/management-and-maintenance/trail-conflicts-and-user-speeds/
Eugene, Oregon: Multi-Phase Path Etiquette Campaign
Eugene implemented a comprehensive, phased approach to trail etiquette education beginning in 2022.
Program phases:
- Phase 1: Initial messaging and community engagement
- Phase 2 (Summer 2022): Improved messaging, community events, pop-up temporary signage along paths, development of permanent signage, and direct education to users with prohibited vehicles
- Phase 3 (Fall 2022): Installation of permanent path etiquette signs throughout the trail system
- Ongoing: Additional outreach and direct education continuing through 2023 and beyond
Core messages:
- “Paths are for everyone — show courtesy to all path users”
- “Stay right, pass left — travel on the right-hand side and pass on the left”
- “Give warning when passing — call ‘passing on your left’ or ring a bell”
- “Go a safe speed — 12 mph or less is best when others are present”
- “Slow down around curves”
- “Follow the speed limit — only go the max speed (20 mph bikes/e-bikes, 15 mph for e-scooters) if alone on the path”
Notable feature: The advisory speed guidance is contextual—12 mph when others are present, with higher speeds acceptable only when alone on the path. This acknowledges that a single speed limit doesn’t fit all conditions.
Source: City of Eugene. “Path Etiquette.”
https://www.eugene-or.gov/4890/Path-Etiquette
Marblehead, Massachusetts: Education-First Approach
Marblehead, a coastal community north of Boston, provides a particularly relevant example for Massachusetts municipalities. In 2025, the town’s Traffic Safety Advisory Committee addressed the surge in e-bike use with a deliberate decision to lead with education rather than regulation.
Committee approach:
- Stopped short of recommending new regulations
- Signaled strong support for public education, trail etiquette guidelines, and signage
- Focused on balancing safety for riders and pedestrians
Proposed elements:
- Advisory 15 mph speed limit signage (not mandatory)
- Reminders for riders to yield to pedestrians
- Outreach campaigns encouraging safe and courteous use
- School-based bike safety sessions through the school resource officer
- Review of approaches taken by neighboring towns
Police perspective on enforcement:
Police Chief Dennis King acknowledged the practical limits of enforcement: “There’s not a situation where we have the ability to enforce, generally speaking, people going 15 or 20, um, on an e-bike or 25 miles an hour or scooter or the like.” Instead, police focus on “bad bike behavior that is reckless” and intervening when they can do so safely.
Community support:
Incoming committee chair Rick Smyers endorsed the education-first approach: “The behavior kids are able to do on these e-bikes is sometimes beyond their capabilities to do safely. Education is a great way to fill that gap until they get more experienced and are able to operate more safely.”
Source: Marblehead Current. “Traffic committee prioritizes e-bike education, trail etiquette amid ridership surge.” September 22, 2025.
https://marbleheadcurrent.org/2025/09/22/traffic-committee-prioritizes-e-bike-education-trail-etiquette-amid-ridership-surge/
Coon Rapids, Minnesota: “Happy Trails” Campaign
Coon Rapids, a Minneapolis suburb with 40 miles of trails, launched a branded safety campaign addressing the increased diversity of trail users.
Program framing:
“Safe Trails Make Happy Trails: a trail etiquette and education campaign for proper trail behaviors and tips for using trails safely and respectfully.”
Core guidelines (“Trail Truths”):
- Stay to the right
- Pass on the left
- Call out when passing
- Go a safe speed
- Limit e-bike and e-scooter speeds to 15 miles per hour
- Share the trail
Messaging approach:
The campaign uses positive, inclusive language: “Whether you are on foot or wheels, do your part to practice courtesy in every step, safety in every ride.”
Community engagement:
The program includes a “Happy Trails Crew” pledge mechanism to encourage voluntary commitment to trail etiquette.
Source: City of Coon Rapids. “Trail Etiquette.”
https://www.coonrapidsmn.gov/1554/Trail-Etiquette
Northern Virginia: W&OD Trail
The Washington & Old Dominion (W&OD) Trail, a 45-mile rail-trail in Northern Virginia, represents a more structured approach with posted speed limits backed by park authority enforcement.
Key features:
- Posted 15 mph speed limit on most trail segments
- Management by Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority (NOVA Parks)
- Class 1 and 2 e-bikes permitted; gas-powered vehicles prohibited
- Expectation that all users obey posted speed limits and yield appropriately
Enforcement and community role:
The Fairfax Alliance for Better Bicycling encourages riders to “ride responsibly and safely” and “set the example for others.” The organization also provides mechanisms for reporting illegal or dangerous activity to NOVA Parks or local police.
Rationale for community engagement:
“Unchecked misuse of our trails isn’t just a safety risk—it undermines the long-term viability of biking and walking as healthy, low-carbon alternatives to driving. If families and new riders don’t feel safe, they won’t use our trails and support for more trails and trail improvements will dwindle.”
Source: Fairfax Alliance for Better Bicycling. “Safe Trails for All: Know the Rules, Report Misuse, and Speak Up.” September 28, 2025.
https://fabb-bikes.org/safe-trails-for-all-know-the-rules-report-misuse-and-speak-up/
Ottawa/Gatineau, Canada: National Capital Commission “Share the Path”
The National Capital Commission (NCC) manages an extensive network of multi-use pathways in the Ottawa-Gatineau region and runs a comprehensive “Share the Path” program.
Permitted devices:
- Electric power-assisted bicycles (“e-bikes”) with operable pedals that resemble conventional bicycles
- Electric power-assisted cargo bicycles for personal use
- Motorized mobility aids, including powered wheelchairs and scooters
Safety guidance:
- Cyclists: Wear a bicycle helmet
- In-line skaters: Use wrist guards, elbow, knee, and head protection
- Watch out for cracks in the asphalt
- Familiarize yourself with the pathway and know your route
- Stay on designated multi-use pathways
Community engagement:
The NCC operates seasonal outreach: “This summer, stop by one of our NCC tents along our pathways and parkways for free safety gear and valuable information about staying safe on the trails!”
Source: National Capital Commission. “Share the Path.”
https://ncc-ccn.gc.ca/places/share-the-path
Greater Washington, D.C. Region: Coordinated Multi-Jurisdictional Approach
The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (MWCOG) coordinates bicycle and pedestrian planning across Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia through the Transportation Planning Board (TPB).
Scope:
- Approximately 800 miles of shared-use paths (paved or packed crushed stone)
- Goal of 1,700+ miles by 2045
- Walking and bicycling account for 11% of all trips in the region
- Capital Bikeshare program with ~5,000 bicycles at 600+ stations
Collaborative structure:
The Bicycle and Pedestrian Subcommittee meets six times per year, with each agency sending their bicycle and pedestrian planners. Importantly, each jurisdiction can customize plans based on their needs—including setting speed limits for their area’s shared-use paths.
Key insight:
The project works because agencies have different needs and roles and can customize their approaches accordingly. This suggests that a one-size-fits-all approach may be less effective than allowing local customization within a common framework.
Source: National RTAP. “Shared-Use Paths.”
https://www.nationalrtap.org/Resources/Best-Practices-Spotlight/shared-use-paths
Additional Resources
State and National Organizations
Bicycle Alliance of Minnesota: Rules for Paths & Trails
Provides a concise guide for trail etiquette and safety, including:
- Always wear a helmet and use safety gear
- Ride to the right, single-file when other users are present
- Always yield to slower path users
- Avoid headphones or devices that reduce awareness
- Control your speed and use caution when approaching or overtaking others
- Announce intentions by saying “on your left” or ringing a bell
https://www.bikemn.org/mn-bicycling-handbook/rules-for-paths-trails/
Wisconsin Bike Fed: Trail Etiquette
Developed in partnership with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and East Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission. Includes a graphic summary designed to encourage all users to share trails equitably and courteously.
https://wisconsinbikefed.org/advocacy/trail-etiquette/
American Trails: Signs and Etiquette for Shared-Use Urban Trails
Photo gallery of signage examples from trails across the country, including:
- San Diego Mission Bay Trail
- Town Lake, Austin, TX
- Liberty Park Trail, Salt Lake City, UT
- Midtown Greenway, Minneapolis, MN
- Cherry Creek Trail, Denver, CO
- Tennessee Riverwalk, Chattanooga, TN
https://www.americantrails.org/resources/signs-and-etiquette-for-shared-use-urban-trails
Federal Highway Administration: Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center
Provides resources on trail development, safety, and operations, including the “Evaluation of Safety, Design, and Operations of Shared Use Paths” research report.
https://www.pedbikeinfo.org/topics/trailsandpaths.php
Common Elements of Successful Programs
Based on the examples reviewed, effective voluntary speed and etiquette programs tend to share these characteristics:
1. Contextual Speed Guidance
Rather than a single hard limit, successful programs provide context-appropriate guidance:
- “12 mph or less when others are present” (Eugene)
- “Go a safe speed” with higher speeds acceptable “when conditions are appropriate” (Portland)
- “Use safe speeds at all times” (Portland)
2. Clear Yield Hierarchy
Consistent messaging that faster users yield to slower users:
- “Slower traffic has the right of way”
- “Yield to pedestrians”
- Bikes yield to walkers; all yield to horses (where applicable)
3. Positive Framing
Emphasis on courtesy and sharing rather than prohibition:
- “Share the Path” (Portland, Ottawa)
- “Happy Trails” (Coon Rapids)
- “Paths are for everyone” (Eugene)
- “Courtesy in every step, safety in every ride” (Coon Rapids)
4. Multi-Channel Communication
Effective programs use multiple touchpoints:
- Permanent signage at trailheads and key locations
- Temporary/pop-up signage during high-use periods
- Community events and tabling
- School-based education
- Social media and digital outreach
- Partnerships with cycling clubs and advocacy groups
5. School-Based Components
Several programs specifically target young riders:
- School resource officer involvement (Marblehead)
- Partnerships with principals on bike safety sessions
- Age-appropriate messaging for children
6. Acknowledgment of Enforcement Limits
Successful programs are realistic about what can and cannot be enforced:
- Focus on “reckless” behavior rather than minor speeding
- Rely on voluntary compliance for routine behavior
- Use community reporting mechanisms for serious violations
7. Signage at Critical Points
Strategic placement of reminders:
- Trailheads
- Blind curves
- Intersections with roads or other trails
- High-traffic areas (near schools, parks, commercial districts)
- Narrow sections
Report compiled January 2026