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Frequently Asked Questions - Part 9 Traffic Controls for Bicycle Facilities

The following list of questions relates to the MUTCD Part 9 Traffic Controls for Bicycle Facilities:

1. Should the word LANE be used with the bicycle symbol markings to designate a bike lane?
2. Should traffic signals be timed specifically for bicyclists?
3. Our city wants to encourage bicycling and has designated certain streets as bike routes, but some of the streets aren't wide enough to have a dedicated bike lane striped on them. So the bikes share the roadway with motorized vehicles, and we've seen some problems with bicyclists colliding with doors of parked cars as they open unexpectedly. Are there standard signs and markings that can be used to warn bicyclists for this condition?

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Part 9 Traffic Controls for Bicycle Facilities: Frequently Asked Questions

1. Q: Should the word LANE be used with the bicycle symbol markings to designate a bike lane?

A: The Figures in Chapter 9C show examples of the application of pavement marking lines, word messages, and symbols on bikeways. Figure 9C-6 illustrates the word and symbol markings required for on-street bike lanes by the text of Section 9C.04. It shows "BIKE LANE", two variations of bicycle symbols, and a directional arrow. Either of the two bicycle symbols or the two-word "BIKE LANE" message may be used, but they should not be intermixed.

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2. Q: Should traffic signals be timed specifically for bicyclists?

A: Section 9D.02 states that, on bikeways, signal timing and actuation shall be reviewed and adjusted to consider the needs of bicyclists. Because bicycles typically move more slowly than motor vehicles, it is important that the timing of the green interval and associated yellow change interval applicable to bicycle traffic be given specific attention. The MUTCD text is a general statement regarding the need to consider bicyclists' needs when setting signal timing. No warrants or guidelines have been provided in the MUTCD.

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3. Q: Our city wants to encourage bicycling and has designated certain streets as bike routes, but some of the streets aren't wide enough to have a dedicated bike lane striped on them. So the bikes share the roadway with motorized vehicles, and we've seen some problems with bicyclists colliding with doors of parked cars as they open unexpectedly. Are there standard signs and markings that can be used to warn bicyclists for this condition?

A: The bicycle warning (W11-1) sign, supplemented with a SHARE THE ROAD (W16-1) plaque, can be used to warn motorists to watch for bicyclists traveling along the road. No markings for this purpose are currently provided in the MUTCD. A variety of experimental pavement markings intended to warn both motorists and bicyclists and to help bicyclists position their bikes far enough away from parked cars to avoid being "doored" have been studied. It is expected that a standard marking for this purpose will be considered for a future update of the MUTCD.

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