Rules of the Road
These "Rules of the Road" are not a legal document, but common-sense ways to enjoy the trail system and make it an inviting place for all users. The trail system in Fairfield County is regulated by a variety of government agencies, depending on where you are.
Periodically, sections of the trail system are closed for events (such as 5/10K runs, the Lancaster Festival, etc.), construction, or safety reasons (for example, high water on the trail at a bridge underpass). When FHTA has advance notice of closures, we will post a notice at the top of each page on this website, and mention it in our blog and on our Facebook page.
Please observe all detour and warning signs and enjoy the REST of the trails!
Individual trails are administered by various agencies. For example, the Lancaster Heritage Trail is mostly regulated by Lancaster Parks and Recreation, but sections are controlled by Lancaster City Schools, Fairfield County Board of Developmental Disabilities, or Ohio University - Lancaster on the portions on their properties.
The Pickerington Trails are administered by Pickerington Parks and Recreation, except for sections in Blacklick Woods Metro Park, controlled by Central Ohio Metro Parks. Here's a link to Pickerington's park rules and regulations (scroll down the page to see them). Click here for a link to Metro Parks' Rules and Regulations (it's a Microsoft Word Document).
Suggested routes on the maps on this site are just that, suggested routes, and not official routes or explicit parts of the trail system. Most of these use city streets, county/township roads, or even state routes. Observe all traffic regulations when using these areas. It's true that a bicycle is allowed the same access to public streets, roads, and highways as a motor vehicle, but you and your bike weigh at most a few hundred pounds, and you're going to lose if you go up against a ton-and-a-half automobile or truck. Courtesy and common-sense should prevail in these situations.
Finally, if you're in the mood to read extremely dense legalese (you should probably be out enjoying a trail instead!), click here for a link to the Ohio Revised Code and the laws regarding bicycles as vehicles and trail rules. REALLY, you should be out on a trail, instead of reading the Ohio Revised Code. Diff'rent Strokes For Diff'rent Folks, I guess!
These "Rules of the Road" are not a legal document, but common-sense ways to enjoy the trail system and make it an inviting place for all users. The trail system in Fairfield County is regulated by a variety of government agencies, depending on where you are.
Periodically, sections of the trail system are closed for events (such as 5/10K runs, the Lancaster Festival, etc.), construction, or safety reasons (for example, high water on the trail at a bridge underpass). When FHTA has advance notice of closures, we will post a notice at the top of each page on this website, and mention it in our blog and on our Facebook page.
Please observe all detour and warning signs and enjoy the REST of the trails!
- Keep right (just like driving a car)
- Announce yourself if you're passing a pedestrian or bicyclist ("ON YOUR LEFT!")
- Ride at a reasonable speed for the current conditions
- Wearing a bike helmet is optional for adults, but highly recommended. Some communities require children under the age of 16 to wear a helmet - they should be wearing one anyway.
- Pets should be kept on a leash -- keep the leash short and be aware of cyclists - nobody riding a bike wants to get tangled up in a pet's leash, and no pet wants to be jerked by the collar!
- Clean up after your pets
- Don't litter (did we REALLY need to tell you that?)
- If you see litter, feel free to pick it up and deposit it in an appropriate container if it's safe to do so - most parks have trash and recycling containers near the trail
- In general, trails are closed from dusk to dawn. In Metro Parks (Blacklick Woods Trail), an exception exists for commuting via the trail.
- In some parks, the trail adjoins a softball, soccer, or football field. During ballgames, spectators may not block the trail with chairs, carts, baby buggies, etc. Please keep the trail open for all users.
- No motorized vehicles are permitted on the trails except for those used by people with accessibility requirements.
- Most of the rules that apply to parks apply to the trails: Don't damage signs, park installations, etc. Don't pick flowers or mushrooms or cut firewood. Again, common-sense applies here.
- If you run into something on the trail that needs attention (something blocking the trail, mud/silt near a river or creek, etc.), use our Report a Trail Issue page to let the proper authorities know about it. If it's an urgent issue, phone numbers for the various agencies can be found on that page.
- If you have an EMERGENCY, dial 911 and get help. Give the dispatcher information about the nature of the emergency and the location. Don't try to use our Report a Trail Issue page!
Individual trails are administered by various agencies. For example, the Lancaster Heritage Trail is mostly regulated by Lancaster Parks and Recreation, but sections are controlled by Lancaster City Schools, Fairfield County Board of Developmental Disabilities, or Ohio University - Lancaster on the portions on their properties.
The Pickerington Trails are administered by Pickerington Parks and Recreation, except for sections in Blacklick Woods Metro Park, controlled by Central Ohio Metro Parks. Here's a link to Pickerington's park rules and regulations (scroll down the page to see them). Click here for a link to Metro Parks' Rules and Regulations (it's a Microsoft Word Document).
Suggested routes on the maps on this site are just that, suggested routes, and not official routes or explicit parts of the trail system. Most of these use city streets, county/township roads, or even state routes. Observe all traffic regulations when using these areas. It's true that a bicycle is allowed the same access to public streets, roads, and highways as a motor vehicle, but you and your bike weigh at most a few hundred pounds, and you're going to lose if you go up against a ton-and-a-half automobile or truck. Courtesy and common-sense should prevail in these situations.
Finally, if you're in the mood to read extremely dense legalese (you should probably be out enjoying a trail instead!), click here for a link to the Ohio Revised Code and the laws regarding bicycles as vehicles and trail rules. REALLY, you should be out on a trail, instead of reading the Ohio Revised Code. Diff'rent Strokes For Diff'rent Folks, I guess!
Enjoy the trails!