To create opportunities for active living and healthy eating for everyone, centered around Spartanburg County.
EIN: 54-2111221
Dan Trail System: Safety & Etiquette Guide
Our trails are shared spaces meant to be welcoming, safe, and enjoyable for everyone. Whether you’re walking, running, biking, or exploring with friends (two or four-legged), a little courtesy goes a long way. PAL is committed to creating trail spaces that are safe, inclusive, and enjoyable for all users. The following safety and etiquette guidelines help protect our trails, our neighbors, and each other so we can all keep enjoying the outdoors together.
SAFETY & PERSONAL SECURITY
The Buddy System: Whenever possible, always be on the trail with someone else.
Share Your Plans: While walking, jogging, or biking on any park or trail, make sure a responsible person knows your plans, where you will be, and when you expect to return.
Carry Identification: Carry identification that includes your name, phone number, pertinent medical information, and emergency contact.
Stay Connected: Take a cell phone and make sure you can quickly make a call in case of an emergency or see any suspicious activity.
Visibility: * During daytime hours: Wear bright colors.
- At night: Wear light-colored clothing or a reflective vest.
Know the Rules: Know the operating regulations of the park or trail. Normally they open at sunrise and close at dusk or 10 p.m.
Listen for Others: Make sure that the music from your cell phone or listening device isn’t too loud so that you can hear people passing or approaching while you enjoy the park or trail.
Protect Your Valuables: Do not leave valuables or items visible in your vehicle when leaving your vehicle parked. Store valuables in the trunk of your vehicle or other secure location while you are on the trail.
Stay Aware: Know your location at all times. Choose or plan your routes for paths most frequently used by walkers, joggers, and bikers.
EMERGENCY PROCEDURES
Suspicious Activity: If a suspicious person appears to be following you, create some distance and prepare to react by calling 911 or moving to a secure location. Acting alert and aware can deter bad guys.
Prioritize Safety: If an incident occurs, do not risk your safety to protect things that can be replaced. Afterward, call 911. If you call 911, stay on the phone until help arrives.
Report Everything: For any Suspicious Activity, dial 911. When in doubt, have law enforcement check it out. Still call 911!
TRAIL ETIQUETTE
Pass on the Left: Just like out on the road, faster trail users should pass slower users on the left. Give an audible warning with a bell, or call out “Passing on your left!”
Pets: Pets on the trail should be on a leash and under control.
Volume Control: Make sure the volume on your headphones does not keep you from hearing others approach or calling out.
Litter: Do not litter along the trails. There are trash receptacles at most intersections.
SPEED GUIDE: "WHEELS YIELD TO HEELS"
It is the nature of trails that users are moving at different speeds. With a mix of speeds, there’s a need to understand where you fit in and whom to yield to.
Trail Use for Walkers and Runners
- Walk on the right side of the trail; slowest traffic keeps right; pass on the left.
- At busy areas on the trail, avoid walking three abreast. Two people walking side-by-side fills up a lot of trail.
- When faster traffic comes up from behind, switch from walking abreast to single file to give them room to go by you safely.
Trail Use for In-Line Skaters
- Stay on the right side of the trail. You should not skate down the middle.
- When approaching slower traffic, move to the left side of the trail (pass on left only) and say loudly: "On Your Left."
Trail Use for Bicyclists
- Bikes are the fastest traffic on the trail. Very fast riding is inappropriate for the trails during high usage times.
- At busy areas on the trail, avoid riding two abreast.
- Riders should take it slow when passing pedestrians; they can be unpredictable.
- Warn Others: Sound your bell or call out loudly before you get to the other traffic: "On Your Left." Don't wait until you are right next to the walker or runner; give enough time for them to react.
- Road vs. Trail: If your preferred speed or style of cycling is inappropriate for trails due to design limitations, look for better-suited alternative street routes.
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