No cycling sign: what it means
The no cycling sign means riding a pedal cycle is not allowed past the sign. You may still push a bicycle, unless other signs say otherwise.
What does the no cycling sign mean?
A red ring means a prohibition. Know your traffic signs describes this one as “riding of pedal cycles prohibited”, so it bans riding, not pushing.
Quick quiz
What does the sign at the top of this page mean?
- Riding a bicycle is not allowed.
- A route only for pedal cycles.
- Cars and motorcycles must not go in.
Show answer
A. Riding a bicycle is not allowed. A red ring with a bicycle means riding of pedal cycles is prohibited (Know your traffic signs). Source: Know your traffic signs: bus and cycle signs and road markings, GOV.UK; Know your traffic signs: regulatory signs, GOV.UK; Traffic sign images, Department for Transport, GOV.UK
Where will you see it?
At the entrance to footpaths, pedestrian areas, narrow bridges and some subways.
What should you do?
Cyclists: get off and walk with your bicycle, or take another route.
What do people get wrong?
Confusing it with the blue circle with a bicycle, which marks a route for cycles. Red ring: no cycling. Blue circle: cycles only.
Common questions
Can I push my bike past a no cycling sign?
Yes. The sign prohibits riding a pedal cycle; it does not ban pushing one.
Does a no cycling sign apply to electric bikes?
The sign bans riding pedal cycles. Check the local rules for other vehicles.
Compare with
Route for cycles only signA route only for pedal cycles.
No motor vehicles signCars and motorcycles must not go in.
Want to test someone else? Play a road-sign quiz with friends and family.
Sources
Checked on 3 November 2026 against Know your traffic signs (bus and cycle signs and road markings; regulatory signs).
- Know your traffic signs: bus and cycle signs and road markings, GOV.UK
- Know your traffic signs: regulatory signs, GOV.UK
- Traffic sign images, Department for Transport, GOV.UK
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Traffic sign images are Crown copyright, from the Department for Transport. Sources and image credits.