People in Albert Lea know golf etiquette: Replace your divots, let faster golfers go ahead of you, don&8217;t drive carts on the greens, yell &8220;fore&8221; when you hit your ball toward people, and so on.

People in Albert Lea know boat etiquette: Be responsible for your wake, don&8217;t drive over a ski rope, pass to the right when meeting another boat head on, tie your boat to the dock pole using a clove hitch, and such and such.

But it seems quite a few people don&8217;t know trail etiquette. Yes, there is such a

thing.

Here are some guidelines when walking, running, biking, wheelchairing, baby-strollering, skating, what have you, on the Blazing Star Trail or any shared-user trail:

– Be friendly and courteous. This is why trail users are always nice to each other. It&8217;s the way it is.

– Stay to the right. Allow faster users to pass to the left. (Don&8217;t force others onto the the grass. The trail is wide enough for everyone.)

– When meeting users head on, pass to the right.

– When fast users overtake slow users, signal them by saying &8220;On your left&8221; or dinging your bike bell. Slow users should be alert for warnings and move to the right. (In fact, it is common for slower users to say &8220;Thank you&8221; after faster users say &8220;On your left.&8221;)

– Be predictable. This allows other users to gauge your traveling path.

– Blocking the trail &8212; for instance, four pedestrians wide &8212; can be dangerous if the users aren&8217;t paying attention. Be ready to move to the right when other users approach.

– Bikers and skaters yield to runners, walkers and wheelchairs. Runners yield to walkers and wheelchairs. Walkers yield to wheelchairs.

– Downhill users yield to uphill users (for example, when one bike rider meets another on a slope).

– When in doubt about who yields, yield.

– Help a fellow trail user if there has been an accident or if a health condition strikes.

– Pick up your pet&8217;s droppings. Be sanitary. (Someday, it might be you who stops beside the trail for a rest and accidentally sits in it.)

– Leave no trace. Pack out your litter.

– Respect private property adjacent to the trail.

– Respect the natural beauty along the trail. Don&8217;t create footpaths.

– Bikers and skaters should wear helmets.