Bicycle crossing sign: what it means

Bicycle crossing sign: a yellow diamond with a black bicycle
Drawing: Drivoku, based on MUTCD sign W11-1. Simplified; real signs follow the FHWA Standard Highway Signs specifications.

The Bicycle warning sign tells you to watch for bicycles entering or crossing the road ahead, often where a bike path crosses.

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What does the bicycle crossing sign mean?

MUTCD Section 2C.54 lists it with the Vehicular Traffic Warning signs, used where unexpected entries into the road by bicycles might occur. Bicycle warning signs may also be fluorescent yellow-green (Section 1D.05).

Quick quiz

What does the sign at the top of this page mean?

  1. People may be crossing ahead.
  2. Watch for bicycles entering or crossing.
  3. Bicycles are not allowed.

Show answer

B. Watch for bicycles entering or crossing. Warns of bicycles entering or crossing the road (MUTCD Section 2C.54). Source: MUTCD 11th Edition, Chapter 2C, Warning Signs and Object Markers: Section 2C.54, FHWA; MUTCD 11th Edition, Part 1, General: Section 1D.05, FHWA; MUTCD 11th Edition, FHWA

Where will you see it?

Where bike paths or trails cross a road, and on roads used often by cyclists.

What should you do?

Slow down and look for cyclists. Give them room when you pass.

What do people get wrong?

Expecting cyclists to stop for you at a trail crossing. Look for them and be ready to slow down.

Common questions

Why are some bicycle signs yellow-green?

MUTCD Section 1D.05 assigns fluorescent yellow-green to pedestrian, bicycle, playground, school bus and school warnings.

Is this the same as the No Bicycles sign?

No. That is a red circle and slash. This one warns of bicycles.

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Sources

Checked on 3 November 2026 against the MUTCD 11th Edition (FHWA), Sections 1D.05 and 2C.54.

  1. MUTCD 11th Edition, Chapter 2C, Warning Signs and Object Markers: Section 2C.54, FHWA
  2. MUTCD 11th Edition, Part 1, General: Section 1D.05, FHWA
  3. MUTCD 11th Edition, FHWA. FHWA lists the current version as the 11th Edition with Revision 1, dated December 2025

Sign pictures are our own simplified drawings of the MUTCD designs, which are in the public domain (MUTCD Section 1D.06). Sources and image credits.

This text was written with AI help, checked against the MUTCD and approved by Fri Vei AS. Last updated .

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