Tips for keeping life courteous, safe, and clean on the Eastside Trail

We’re extremely pleased with the large numbers of people using the Eastside Trail on a daily basis and are encouraged to see the high level of positive interaction between trail users. It is creating a new sense of community that is helping to transform Atlanta.

In the spirit of ensuring that everyone helps foster a courteous, safe, and clean experience, we’ve put together a few guidelines:

  • Mind the centerline. 
    There is a centerline that runs the length of the trail cut into the concrete, which functions as a painted stripe does on other trails. Please stay to the right of the centerline in the direction you’re traveling. Just like we drive our cars on the road, slower traffic should always stay to the right and allow for faster traffic to pass on the left. If you are on a bicycle, skateboard, rollerblades, or other human-powered, wheeled device and approaching a pedestrian, politely call out “on your left” to let them know you’re approaching.
  • Watch your speed.
    Most people are surprised to see just how quickly they can get from Piedmont Park to Inman Park and Old Fourth Ward on a wide path, uninterrupted by road crossings. Whether on foot or on bicycle, people are reducing their trip times. Because you’re already getting from point A to point B so much faster, there’s no reason to blow by people and weave around foot traffic. Whether you’re a cyclist or fast runner, please be mindful of other trail users and slow it down around others.
  • Know your place (and your pets’).
    Pedestrians always have the right of way, and trail users on bicycles or other non-motorized forms of transport must yield to those on foot. Pets should always be leashed and kept close by. Taking your dog for a walk should not involve clothes-lining fellow trail users because you are on one side of the path and your dog is at the end of his leash on the other side.While the trail can accommodate big groups, we encourage people to walk two side-by-side. When large groups spread out across the trail, it makes it difficult for others to pass. We would like to avoid the all-around frustration that such scenarios cause.
  • Children at play.
    For kids’ safety, and everyone else’s, parents or caregivers should help their children follow the trail rules and etiquette, and all trail users should be mindful of small children.
  • Don’t litter.
    Please pick up after your pet and be sure to throw your own litter away in the trash cans. Litter and recycling bins are now installed at trail access points at Monroe Drive, Greenwood Avenue, Angier Springs, Elizabeth Street, and Lake Avenue / Irwin Street.
  • Call it in.
    See a maintenance issue on the trail that needs attention? We have a “fix it line” for that! Just call and leave a detailed message at 404.477.3687. If possible, take a photo and send it to us at fixit@atlbeltline.org. Atlanta Police Department asks everyone to be mindful of their personal safety and surroundings at all times. Please call 911 to report suspicious activity!
  • Say hi!
    Atlanta may be a busy metropolis, but we still take the time to nod hello or wave to strangers as we pass by – it just comes naturally to us. Let’s continue this practice and make the Eastside Trail the friendliest path in Atlanta! And when you do stop to talk to your neighbors and friends on the trail, we encourage you to step off of the path for a moment to allow room for others to pass.

Signs are posted at trail entrances with the following trail rules:

  • Report illegal activities to 911
  • Place all litter and recycling in receptacles
  • All pets must be on a leash; pick up after your pet
  • No horses are allowed at any time
  • No motorized vehicles allowed (except for wheelchairs)
  • No tents or canopies allowed, except by special permit
  • No equipment that calls for independent power, except by special permit
  • Games and activities that could harm the landscaped area are prohibited
  • No glass containers allowed
  • No amplified music allowed, except by special permit
  • No selling of food or other items, except by special permit
  • No alcoholic beverages, except by special permit
  • Absolutely no drugs or illegal substances allowed

See you on the Atlanta BeltLine!

11 thoughts on this article. Join the discussion below

  1. Clarification: “No motorized vehicles of any kind are permitted…”

    Please note: The term “Motorized Vehicles” used above does NOT include electric assisted bicycles as defined in GA 40-1-1.

    GA 40-6-294 – “e) Electric assisted bicycles as defined in Code Section 40-1-1 MAY be operated on bicycle paths.”

    For more, see: http://www.lexisnexis.com/hottopics/gacode/Default.asp
    or
    https://georgiabikes.org/index.php/resources/35/76-ga-bicycle-laws

  2. I’m not sure if it’s a beltline rule, but it’s a silver comet rule that is one of the most important:

    If you’re going to stop (to rest, wait on someone, take a picture), please stop off of the trail.

    When people walking have to move to the left lane to pass standers, it makes it unsafe for runners to pass the walkers, cyclists to pass runners, etc. It just all around horrible for traffic.

  3. I’d like to add to the first rule…

    If you’re on foot and hear someone say “On your left!” be mindful and move to the right for that person to pass!

    Please don’t move to the left, stop in the path of travel, or ignore the warnings of those approaching at a higher rate of speed. Just as large vehicles can’t stop as quickly as smaller ones, cyclists cannot stop as quickly as those on foot.

  4. Sandy from Kingston, Massachusetts here! I am an admirer of your trails and this informative site and materials. Common courtesy works well for all of us and I intend to share these tips for open space and trail users in Kingston. Hi neighbor and keep up the great work!

  5. I would assume that electric skateboards would fall under the same regulations as electric bicycles – as long as they aren’t >1,000 watts, they don’t go over 20mph, and the electric assist cuts out when the brakes are applied – that they should be treated the same as electric bicycles.

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