Bicycle Signage
Whether for wayfinding, warning, access, or mere information, SABA’s mission to improve cycling in the Sacramento region has led it to push for more and more useful bicycle signage.
SABA has identified a number of problems with the current scarcity of signage, both on our major trails and on the roads. Without proper signs, it can be difficult to find access points for major trails like the American River Parkway trail or the Sacramento Northern Trail. At trailheads and access points, directions and trail rules are not clearly provided. Directions and egress points from the trail are poorly marked. There is no information on available services, whether on the trail or off. It is difficult to relate a cyclist’s trail position to their position in the greater street system. Trail hazards are poorly marked, if at all. Intersection rights of way aren’t always properly assigned and appropriately signed. Even the trail centerline on the American River Parkway trail fails to follow the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Device standards!
Signage guidelines
To facilitate better signage, SABA has put together the following recommendations.
Informational Signs
All trails should be named. Trails are part of the transportation system, like named streets and highways. These names help users identify a location and can link that location to our regional history.
Signs should be visible, clear, nonverbal when appropriate, vandal resistant, and consistent with the environment. As information sources, signs need to communicate effectively to the trail or road user, while reducing their maintenance cost and visual impact.
Trailheads should communicate trail rules. Sensible and easily-accessible rules will be easier to understand and enforce, while also reducing conflicts between users.
Place signs at trail-road intersections. Stops for bicyclists should be minimized and right-of-way should be assigned based on relative traffic volumes. That right-of-way should be made clear to users of both facilities to reduce conflicts and accidents.
Signs should be preferred over bollards to restrict motor vehicle access to bicycle facilities. Bollards may be difficult to see and avoid for bicyclists, and have been known to cause serious crashes. Wherever possible, they should be removed and signage can help replace them.
Warning Signs and Pavement Markings
Warning signs or pavement markings for bicyclists should be installed where appropriate at curves and other locations. Trail users need to be informed of curves, areas with poor visibility, or other hazards that might require them to take special action or care in proceeding. This would include warning signs or markings for upcoming bollards.
Centerline striping. The solid yellow centerline used on some bike paths is not consistent with the MUTCD or other on-street centerline striping.
Wayfinding
Because there is no signage pointing to trail access points or to the normal street system from the trails, it is possible for cyclists to get lost. Every trail user should have a reasonable idea of where they are, where access points are, and were those access points lead.
All intersections should be marked. Intersections are key decision points, and a poor decision can result in extra miles, lost time, and frustration.
Street overcrossings of trails should be signed with the street name. This will help trail users orient themselves in relation to the street system.
Distances should be provided. Signs should have distances listed to major destinations and mile markers should be installed to help inform trail users and emergency personnel.
There should be wayfinding signs on the street system to help direct cyclists to trail access points. Our bike trails are valuable regional assets, but access points to them are poorly marked if at all. The easier trails are to access and use, the more those trails will be used.
Last updated 2011-04-5 01:00:26 PM (EST). Please send corrections and revisions to our Webmaster.