If you’ve recently purchased a bike, it’s conspicuous that you’ve decided to embark on a cycling journey. But have you ever thought to yourself, “What does a bicycle sign mean?”
Before you go any further, understanding road bicycle signs is of utmost significance. Let’s look at the different types of bike signs and ways you can communicate with your peers to ensure a safe and harmonious ride for everybody.
Understanding The 3 Types of Bicycle Signs
Think of a bicycle road sign as a light that guides you to stay on the right side of the law and prevents any collisions. They can tell you what’s legal and what isn’t and can indicate different meanings. These are essential as they ensure your well-being and safety.
Here are some types of messages that the bike traffic signs in your area could be trying to convey.
Directional Signs: These point bike users in a certain direction that takes them to important places like schools and parks.
Warning Signs: These alert you about potential dangers ahead like dead ends, construction zones, and sharp turns.
Regulatory Signs: These road signs tell you about the rules set by local ordinances for bikers.
Regardless of the shapes, sizes, color, and purpose, these signs are meant to make your ride safer. But what do each of these signs specifically mean? Read the next section to find out!
1. Restriction Bike Traffic Signs
Restriction signs warn motorists and cyclists about which modes of transportation are allowed to be ridden in an area and which ones aren’t. A big red circle without anything in it means all vehicles, including motor and pedal ones, are prohibited in that area.
Conversely, a circle around the painting of a bike means that motor vehicles are permitted but bicycles aren’t.
2. Bike Lane Signs
When you’re out using a bike lane, it’s important to understand the signs along the road. Here are the various types of bike route signs and what they mean.
I. Standard Bike Lane Sign
Have you ever seen a sign on your bike lane with solid lines running down either side of the bicycle symbol? This indicates that that particular road is designed for bicycles. It’s important to move in the same direction as the traffic when using a bike lane unless a sign says otherwise.
Also, don’t forget to stay within the lines of this sign to maintain adequate distance from car and motorcycle users.
II. Advisory Bike Lane Sign
Advisory signs are usually located in narrow, low-volume streets. Akin to a solid-lined sign, they give space to cyclists and motorists some area to avoid traffic.
Bicyclists ought to be aware of them unless they want to be involved in an accident they could’ve avoided.
III. Buffered Bike Lanes
Think of buffered bike lanes as those that have a safety zone. Their main purpose is to give bike users ample elbow space when required.
This extra space is denoted by dotted lines and can be crossed by cars with caution.
IV. Protected Bikeways
These sections are meant only for bikes and are marked appropriately as per the traffic rules of local authorities.
They’re called protected as they’re lined with physical barriers. These exist to make sure motor vehicles stay in their lane and give bikes some safety from them.
3. Sharrows
Sharrows are areas with shared-lane markings. These can be identified by a bike symbol and two chevrons pointing forward. They can either be green or white in color, meaning the same thing.
4. Green Bike Lanes
Sometimes, you may notice bike lanes with bright green road markings. These represent areas where motorists can merge into or turn across a bike lane.
The reason why they’re green is to emphasize the significance of staying alert when crossing to avoid hitting or running a bicyclist over.
5. Bike Boulevards
Using a bicycle boulevard is perhaps the most luxurious and comfortable way for a bicyclist to travel. Denoted by a bike symbol with the text “BLVD”, this sign informs bikers about where low-traffic roads begin and end.
These roads prioritize bikers and prohibit motorists from entering. In fact, they’re required to keep a 3-feet distance from the cyclists. But cyclists too, are expected to abide with the traffic rules and follow them to the tee.
6. Colored Bike Signs
Bike signs with different colors may have varying meanings as well.
For example, yellow often means that bicycles and cars need to be aware of each other and share the road.
On the flip side, blue typically indicates that a route is only for bicycles.
Finally, a green bike symbol, ordinarily located on scenic routes or low-traffic roads, indicates that the path is recommended for cyclists.
7. Shoulder and Rumble Strips
Shoulders are grooves that run along a road. They are meant for emergency use and stationary vehicles. Although it is not necessary, bicyclists can ride on these if they want to.
Some have rumble strips, a road safety feature that’s installed to alert motorists of potential danger by sending vibrations from the car’s wheels to its interior.
However, bicyclists must use caution when entering or exiting a shoulder around these strips. The vibrations might be too rough, which could cause bike users to lose balance and fall off their rides.
Thankfully, shoulders with rumble strips often have gaps. Cyclists can use these to maneuver their way around them and use the lane safely.
8. Bike Boxes
A bike box is an area in which cyclists can stop at the front of traffic queues. This ensures that they’re visible to all motorists and avoids any unforeseen accidents. This crossing sign comprises of a stop line for motorists and a marked space for bike riders.
This is an essential safety consideration since certain motorists, especially those riding larger vehicles, might struggle to view what’s in front of them. When the light turns red, bicyclists are required to wait inside these boxes while the motorists wait before the line.
This helps maintain proper order by thwarting any confusion from arising on the road.
9. Roundabout Signs
A roundabout is a circular road that motorists follow to avoid traffic build-up. What may come as a surprise to you is that, like motorists, bicyclists can use roundabouts, too.
They can either do so like a motorist or pedestrian typically. When using it in a way that’s similar to a motorist, bikers must center themselves in the lane. This helps make them a lot more visible to everybody else.
10. Bicycle Hand Signals
When you’re on the road, proper communication with other road users is essential. This is where using hand gestures comes in.
Here are some basic bicycle hand signs you could use to convey vital messages to others on the road.
When you want to turn left, simply stick your left arm straight out to the side.
Conversely, signaling a right turn can be done in two ways. One way is to stick your right arm straight out. Another way is to hold your left arm up at a 90-degree angle with your hand flat.
Finally, if you want to inform others that you’re about to stop or slow down, extend your left arm out and bend it down at the elbow to make an inverted “L” shape. Alternatively, you could place your right hand at your back and clench your fist.
Now You Know What Every Bike Road Sign Means
And with that, we can finally wrap up this guide to understanding what every traffic and bicycle lane sign indicates. I hope you’ve grasped the true concept behind adhering to these signs in the first place.
Remember, it doesn’t matter if you’re using an electric bike to travel across Class III roads like sharrows or bike boulevards or a traditional one to use a regular bike lane. There is no excuse for not following your local road rules and laws set by the authorities.
So pay heed to these bicycle lane signs and enjoy a safer and more organized commuting experience!
