Collection: Bicycle Signs

Bicycle Signs Buying Guide

Bicycle signs help drivers, bicyclists, and pedestrians safely navigate roads, bike routes, shared-use paths, crossings, and temporary detours. Depending on the application, a bike sign may warn drivers about bicycle traffic, identify a trail crossing, regulate where bicycles can travel, or guide bicyclists around a work zone.

Choosing the correct sign depends on where it will be installed and what information road users need. For public roads and bicycle facilities, use the applicable MUTCD sign design, size, color, and placement requirements.

Types of Bicycle Signs

Bicycle signs serve several different purposes. Start by choosing the type that matches your application:

• Bicycle warning signs: Signs such as the W11-1 Bicycle Warning sign alert drivers to locations where bicycle traffic may unexpectedly enter or cross the roadway.
• Bicycle and pedestrian crossing signs: W11-15 signs are used where both bicyclists and pedestrians may cross, including shared-use path and trail crossings.
• Regulatory bicycle signs: Signs such as R5-6 No Bicycles and R5-1b Bicycle Wrong Way communicate restrictions or required direction of travel.
• Bicycle detour signs: Orange M4-9a and M4-9c signs direct bicyclists, or bicyclists and pedestrians, around temporary closures and work zones.
• Bicycle surface warning signs: Signs such as W8-10 warn bicyclists about slippery or potentially hazardous surface conditions.

Bicycle Warning Sign W11-1

The W11-1 Bicycle Warning sign uses a black bicycle symbol on a diamond-shaped yellow background. It is used to alert road users where unexpected bicycle traffic may enter or cross the roadway.

The MUTCD recommends using vehicular traffic warning signs where the entering traffic would be unexpected or where sight distance is restricted. The sign should not simply be installed at every location where bicycles might be present.

Bicycle Crossing and Trail Crossing Signs

Where a bicycle route or shared-use path crosses a roadway, the sign needed depends on who uses the crossing. The W11-1 sign identifies bicycle activity, while the W11-15 Bicycle and Pedestrian Crossing sign can be used where both bicyclists and pedestrians may cross.

A TRAIL X-ING W11-15P plaque may be installed with the W11-15 sign to identify a trail crossing. The TRAIL CROSSING W11-15A sign is another option for crossings used by bicyclists, pedestrians, and other trail users.

Advance Warning vs. Crossing Location

A bicycle warning sign can be used before a crossing or at the actual crossing location, but the sign assembly is different.

• Before the crossing: An AHEAD or distance plaque can be used to tell drivers that bicycle or trail traffic is coming up.
• At the crossing: When a Bicycle Warning or Trail Crossing sign is installed at the actual crossing location, the MUTCD requires a diagonal downward-pointing arrow plaque to identify the crossing point.

This distinction is important when laying out signs for bike paths, shared-use trails, parks, campuses, and roadway crossings.

Yellow or Fluorescent Yellow-Green?

Standard bicycle warning and trail crossing signs use a yellow background with a black symbol, legend, and border. The MUTCD also allows fluorescent yellow-green backgrounds for W11-1 Bicycle Warning, W11-15 Bicycle and Pedestrian Crossing, W11-15A Trail Crossing, and their related supplemental plaques.

Fluorescent yellow-green can provide greater daytime conspicuity in locations where additional visibility is desired. When fluorescent yellow-green is selected, the MUTCD recommends using the color systematically within the same area rather than mixing yellow and fluorescent yellow-green signs without a consistent plan.

Choose the Right Bicycle Sign Size

Bicycle sign sizes vary according to the sign code and whether the sign is being installed for roadway traffic or primarily for users of a bicycle facility.

• 30" x 30": The standard size for the W11-1 Bicycle Warning sign on many conventional roadway applications.
• 36" x 36": Used for W11-1 on multi-lane conventional roads and where a larger sign is appropriate.
• 48" x 48": An oversized W11-1 option for greater visibility or emphasis.
• 18" x 18": Used for certain warning signs installed specifically along bicycle facilities, including W8-10 surface condition signs.
• 30" x 24": Standard size for M4-9a Bicycle/Pedestrian Detour and M4-9c Bicycle Detour signs used in temporary traffic control.

Not every available size is appropriate for every public-road installation. Match the size to the specific MUTCD sign code, roadway type, and application.

Bicycle Regulatory Signs

Not all bike signs are warning signs. Regulatory bicycle signs communicate restrictions or required movements.

The R5-6 No Bicycles sign identifies a roadway or facility where bicycle traffic is excluded. The R5-1b Bicycle Wrong Way sign can face bicyclists traveling in the wrong direction to reinforce the intended direction of travel. Other bicycle regulatory signs may be used for shared-use paths, bicycle lanes, and roadway facilities depending on local conditions.

Bicycle Detour Signs

Temporary construction and maintenance work may require bicycle traffic to be redirected around a closed bike lane, path, sidewalk, or roadway segment.

Bicycle detour signs use the orange temporary traffic control color rather than the yellow used for standard bicycle warning signs. M4-9c signs direct bicycle traffic along the detour, while M4-9a signs can be used when the detour serves both bicyclists and pedestrians.

Reflective Sheeting Options

Reflective bicycle signs improve nighttime visibility and help approaching road users recognize the sign under vehicle headlights. Available options vary by sign and application.

• High Intensity Prismatic (HIP): A durable reflective option suitable for many roadway and facility applications.
• Diamond Grade DG3: Higher-performance retroreflective sheeting for increased nighttime visibility.
• Fluorescent reflective sheeting: Available for applicable yellow, fluorescent yellow-green, and orange signs where additional conspicuity is desired.

Aluminum Bicycle Signs

Our bicycle signs are manufactured from durable .080" aluminum for long-term outdoor use. Available options include multiple MUTCD sign designs, sizes, reflective sheeting types, and colors for roadway, trail, bicycle facility, and temporary traffic control applications.

Need help choosing the correct bike sign, MUTCD code, size, color, or reflective sheeting? Please contact us for assistance or for a custom quote.