Etiquette – Walk, Bike, Horses & Dogs

Trail Guidance for All

• In an emergency, dial 911
• You are responsible for your own safety at all times.
• No motorized vehicles, aside from electric assisted bikes and wheelchairs.
• Share the trail and respect other users.
• Respect private property and stay on the trail.
• Use caution at all intersections.
• Maintain passing room on your left.
• Continually watch for other trail users.
• Keep speeds low when overcoming other trail users.
• Slow down when sightlines are poor.
• Clean up after your pets.
• Keep pets under control.

Yielding Guidance

• Yield the right of way to those passing you from behind.
• Bicyclist yield to runners, hikers and horses.
• Walkers and runners yield to horses.
• Horses yield to passing trail users.

Pedestrian Guidance

• Pedestrians and runners should always stop and step to the side of the trail when they meet horses on the trail. Ask for guidance if necessary.
• Maintain passing room to the left of your party.

Bicyclists Guidance

• Always maintain passing room to the left
• Use caution at all intersections.
• Pull to the side of the trail far enough for horses to pass safely as soon as you see them. If terrain isn’t level, move to the downhill side of the trail if possible.
• When approaching horses from behind, stop, call ahead and make yourself known to the rider.
• Ask them if it is OK to pass and the best way to do so.
• Horse riders may pull to the side of the trail if they hear a bicycle approaching but this does not necessarily mean it is safe for you to ride by. Stop and wait for instructions.

Equestrian Guidance

• Not all ODT Trail Sections are open for Horses – City of Sequim does not allow horses on the ODT.
• Be sure you can control your horse within a shared use environment.
• Be alert and aware of the presence of other trail users. If possible, pull to the side of the trail when you hear bicyclists and other trail users approaching from behind.
• Be prepared to let other trail users know what needs to be done to keep you, the horse and others safe when meeting on the trail.
• Less experienced riders should ride behind more experienced riders.
• If you are ponying a horse, go slow and never take a loose horse on the trail.
• The Trail is not suitable for cantering or galloping.

Canine Control – Clallam County

The are no specific ordinances on the ODT or OAT, but Clallam County ordinances apply on both trails.

• Inflicting a bite on a human or animal (except poultry, rabbits, and cats that are allowed to roam off their owner’s property);
• Running at large PLEASE KEEP YOUR DOGS ON A LEASH!.
• Not being under control while off the owner’s property.
• Entering any place where food is stored, prepared, served or sold to the public, or any public building or hall. This section shall not apply to any dog serving the blind or deaf; or dogs used by armored car services, private security companies, or law enforcement agencies.
• Being accessible to other dogs, while in heat, for purposes other than controlled or planned breeding.
• Chasing, running after or jumping at vehicles using public roadways.
• Snapping, growling, snarling, barking in a threatening manner, jumping upon, chasing or otherwise threatening persons while the dog is not restrained and is off the property of the owner.
• Howling, yelping, whining, barking, or making other noises in such a manner as to disturb any person or groups of persons to an unreasonable degree except that working dogs as defined in section 17.01.015 are exempted.
• Entering upon another person’s property without the authorization of that person.
• Being kept, harbored or maintained and known to have a contagious disease unless under treatment of a licensed veterinarian.
• Damaging or destroying the property of another person, including destroying wildlife that has purposefully been attracted to the person’s property.
• Being staked, tethered or kept on public property for longer than one (1) hour without prior consent of the Animal Control Officer.
• Injuring or killing any poultry, rabbits or cats that are on their owner’s property.