Bicycle Directional Signs

Part A: Policy Statement - Bicycle Directional Signs

1. Policy Statement

Bicycle directional signs will be provided along routes that have been identified in the Perth Bicycle Network Plan as Principal Shared Paths (PSP).

Part B: Application and Approval Guideline - Bicycle Directional Signs

1. Definitions

Main Roads means Main Roads Western Australia Principal Shared Path (PSP) is a shared path that:

• is built along a principal transport corridor, being a major highway or freeway or along the rail corridor;
• must form part of the principal shared path network as defined by the Perth Bicycle Network Plan;
• is built to principal shared path standard; and
• should be at least 2 km long and continuous.

Perth Bicycle Network Plan is a comprehensive plan for the provision of cycling facilities within the Perth metropolitan area.

2. General

2.1 Introduction
Bicycle Directional Signs inform and advise cyclists of significant destinations on or along the route being travelled and along other roads or paths which intersect the route being travelled.

2.2 Purpose
The purpose of these Guidelines is to specify a series of principles on which the design and provision of bicycle directional signs are to be based.

The objectives of these principles are as follows:

(a) To maintain a degree of standardisation which will allow a cyclist encountering signs for the first time to immediately recognise them as navigational aids aimed specifically at cyclists;
(b) To ensure that bicycle navigational information cannot be misread by motor vehicle
drivers in situations where this could create a hazard; and
(c) To ensure that safety principles in the use of colour and sign reflection are observed.

3. Application

3.1 Applicable Routes
Bicycle directional signs need to convey clear and concise information which may consist of one or more of the following: road name, destination, direction and distance.

Destinations include the following:

• Major regional centres;
• Suburbs adjoining the PSP or of interest to cyclists;
• Shopping complexes;
• Swimming pools;
• Recreational centres;
• Train stations;
• Parks and recreational areas;
• Tourist destinations;
• University campuses; and
• TAFE Campuses

Distances to destinations less than 0.5 km are to be shown to the nearest 0.1 km. Distances between 0.5 km and 10 km are to be shown to the nearest 0.5 km. Distances over 10 km are to be shown to the nearest kilometre.

3.2 Sign Locations

3.3 Directional Pavement Markings
Pavement arrows and destinations may be used where the continuation of the PSP is unclear at intersections with roads and other paths. Refer to Part C: Technical Guidelines for Bicycle Directional Signs.

3.4 Conditions
Main Roads requires that the installations of Bicycle Directional Signs are in accordance with Part C of this policy: Technical Guidelines for Bicycle Directional Signs.

4. Approval

All proposed Bicycle Directional Signs must be approved in accordance with the Delegation of Authority prior to implementation.

Main Roads is responsible for the installation and maintenance of directional signage on paths under Main Roads control, while the relevant Local Government is responsible for local roads and paths.

Part C: Technical Guideline - Bicycle Directional Signs

1. General

1.1  Introduction

Bicycle directional signs are provided as a navigational aid to cyclists. In order to achieve this objective, they should maintain a degree of standardisation which will allow cyclists encountering the signs for the first time to immediately recognise them as navigational aids aimed primarily at cyclists. Moreover, their design should ensure that they cannot be misread by motor vehicle drivers in situations where this could create a hazard. This document provides technical guidelines for the provision of bicycle directional signs along routes that have been identified in the Perth Bicycle Network Plan as Principal Shared Paths (PSPs). These signs should also be used on other bicycle routes, where directional signs for cyclists are required. Local Bicycle Routes that are numbered should also be signed in accordance with these guidelines.

1.2  Scope

This technical document details the type of information required on the sign face of bicycle directional signs and provides details of the sign face layout in order to accommodate all the information. 

1.3  References

• Perth Bicycle Network Plan. Department for Planning and Infrastructure. 1996
• Australian Standard AS1742.9-2000 Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices, Part 9: Bicycle Facilities
• Austroads Guide to Traffic Engineering Practice, Part 14: Bicycles.  1999
• Main Roads WA Sign Specification 601
• Main Roads WA Pavement Marking Specification 604

2. Design Guidelines

2.1 Location

Bicycle directional signs are to be used on PSPs at the intersections with roads and other significant paths. For more details refer to Section 3.2 in the Approval and Application Guidelines.

2.2 Information Shown on the Signs

Bicycle directional signs need to convey clear and concise information which may consist of one or more of the following: road name, destination, direction and distance.

Destinations include the following:

• Major regional centres (refer to Appendix A)
• Suburbs adjoining the PSP or of interest to cyclists
• Shopping complexes
• Swimming pools
• Recreational centres
• Train stations
• Parks and recreational areas
• Tourist destinations
• University and TAFE campuses

Distances to destinations provide useful information to cyclists and pedestrians and should be shown on the supplementary plates where possible. Where the distance is not clearly defined (e.g. a path runs alongside a destination suburb), the distance should not be shown. 

Distances to destinations less than 0.5 km are to be shown to the nearest 0.1 km.
Distances between 0.5 km and 10 km are to be shown to the nearest 0.5 km.
Distances over 10 km are to be shown to the nearest kilometre. 

2.3 Signs

Bicycle directional signs used in Western Australia are listed in Table 1 and are included in the Main Roads Signs Index.

Sign	Sign Number	Lines of Text	Size (mm)	Drawing Number
Bicycle Route Marker	MR-GC-16	-	600 x 450	200731-0024
Bicycle Route Marker Supplementary Plate - One Direction	MR-GC-17A	1	600 x 120	200731-0025
Bicycle Route Marker Supplementary Plate - One Direction	MR-GC-17B	2	600 x 200	200731-0026
Bicycle Route Marker Supplementary Plate -Two Directions	MR-GC-18A	2	600 x 225	200731-0027
Bicycle Route Marker Supplementary Plate -Two Directions	MR-GC-18B	3	600 x 300	200731-0028
Bicycle Route Marker Supplementary Plate -Two Directions	MR-GC-18C	4	600 x 400	200731-0029
Bicycle Route Marker Supplementary Plate -Two Directions	MR-GC-18D	5	600 x 450	200731-0030
Bicycle Route Marker Supplementary Plate -Two Directions	MR-GC-18E	6	600 x 600	200731-0031
Local Bicycle Route Number Marker	MR-GC-19	-	600 x 250	200731-0061
Bicycle Route Marker for use on local bicycle routes only	MR-GC-20	-	600 x 200	200731-0062
Street Name Tag for Bicycle Directional Signs	MR-GS-11	1	600 x 80	200731-0032

Table 1: Bicycle Directional Signs used in Western Australia

Bicycle directional signs on PSPs shall consist of a minimum of a Bicycle Route Marker sign (MR-GC-16) along with a Bicycle Route Marker Supplementary Plate (MR-GC-17 or MR-GC-18). At major cross roads, a Street Name Tag for Bicycle Directional Signs (MR-GS-11) may also be used. These are illustrated in Figure 1 below.

FIGURE 1: Examples of Bicycle Directional Signs

If the destination shown on the sign is along a path with a Local Bicycle Route Number, then the Local Bicycle Route Number should be shown on the Bicycle Route Marker Supplementary Plate as indicated in Figure 2 and as detailed in Main Roads drawing number 200731-0063.

FIGURE 2: Example of a Bicycle Route marker Supplementary Plate with Local Bicycle Route Numbers shown

If the Bicycle Directional Sign itself is located on a numbered Local Bicycle Route, then the Bicycle Route Marker sign (MR-GC-16) shall be replaced by a "Bicycle Route Marker for use on local bicycle routes only" sign (MR-GC-20) as indicated in Figure 3 below.

FIGURE 3: Example of a "Bicycle Route Marker for use on local bicycle routes only" with Supplementary Plate showing Local Bicycle Route Numbers

MR-GC-16	The Bicycle Route Marker sign (MR-GC-16) is used to indicate routes which are most appropriate for cyclists. This sign is 600 mm x 450 mm in size and shall consist of a white symbol on blue background. This sign shall only be used in conjunction with a Bicycle Route Marker supplementary plate. A Street Name tag may also be added on top of this sign. (Note: This sign was previously designated as sign G8-14C in Australian Standards, but was withdrawn as an Australian Standard sign in the year 2000. Since this sign is still used in WA, it has been assigned the Main Roads Signs Index number MR-GC-16.)
MR-GC-17A MR-GC-17B	The Bicycle Route Marker Supplementary Plate (MR-GC-17) shall be used to indicate destinations in one direction only. This sign shall consist of blue legend, arrow and border on a white background. The sign is 600 mm in width. Depths are as indicated in Table 1. This sign shall only be used in conjunction with a Bicycle Route Marker sign or a "Bicycle Route Marker for use on local bicycle routes only" sign. (Note: This sign was previously designated as sign G8-15 in Australian Standards, but was withdrawn as an Australian Standard sign in the year 2000. Since this sign is still used in WA, it has been assigned the Main Roads Signs Index number MR-GC-17.)
MR-GC-18A MR-GC-18B MR-GC-18C	The Bicycle Route Marker Supplementary Plate (MR-GC-18) shall be used to indicate destinations in two directions only. The more common versions used are illustrated here. This sign shall consist of blue legend, arrow and border on a white background. The sign is 600 mm in width. Depths are as indicated in Table 1. This sign shall only be used in conjunction with a Bicycle Route Marker sign or a "Bicycle Route Marker for use on local bicycle routes only" sign (Notes: This sign was previously designated as sign G8-15 in Australian Standards, but was withdrawn as an Australian Standard sign in the year 2000. Since this sign is still used in WA, it has been assigned the Main Roads Signs Index number MR-GC-18.)  Signs MR-GC-18D and MR-GC-18E (not illustrated), containing five and six lines of text respectively, shall only be used in exceptional circumstances.
MR-GC-19	The Local Bicycle Route Number marker (MR-GC-19) shall be used to identify those significant paths that are part of the Local Bicycle Route Network and to which a route number has been assigned. This sign is 200 mm x 250 mm in size and shall consist of white symbols, text and border on a blue background.
MR-GC-20	The "Bicycle Route Marker for use on local bicycle routes only" sign (MR-GC-20) is used to indicate routes which form part of the local bicycle route network. This sign is 600 mm x 200 mm in size and shall consist of a white symbol and text on a blue background.  This sign shall only be used in conjunction with a Bicycle Route Marker supplementary plate.
MR-GS-11	The Street Name Tag for Bicycle Directional Signs (MR-GS-11) is used to indicate major cross roads. This sign is only used in conjunction with the Bicycle Route Marker sign and Bicycle Route Marker supplementary plates. This sign is 600 mm x 80 mm in size and shall consist of black legend on a white background.

 

2.4 Sign Layout

The following rules apply in designing the sign layout:

• Letter height is to be 40 mm. EM (preferred) or DM series letter are to be used on the Street Name Tags and DN (preferred) or CN series letters on the Supplementary Plates.
• The legend is to fit within the standard plate sizes (Table 1).
• The Supplementary Plate should desirably have a maximum of four lines of text. Six lines of text is the absolute maximum. 
• A maximum of two destinations in each direction is preferable with an absolute maximum of four destinations. Where the path runs past several suburbs, the nearest and final destination suburbs shall be shown on the sign.
• Destinations should be grouped and make use of single arrows if it is not obvious or if a change of direction is required.
• Distances are to be shown between the destination and the arrow. 

•  

2.5 Materials and Manufacture

Signs faces are to be manufactured using Class 1 retroreflective sheeting material.

Sign blanks are to be cut from 2 mm thick aluminium standard plate sizes. 

Protective Overlay Film (POF) is to be applied onto the face of the signs to provide protection against graffiti and weathering.

The materials and manufacture of the signs are to be in accordance with Main Roads WA Sign Specification 601.

2.6 Mounting of Signs

Bicycle directional signs are to be mounted on Brunswick Green powder coated rectangular hollow section posts 75 mm x 50 mm x 2.5 mm. Posts, powder coating and fixing details are to be in accordance with Main Roads WA Sign Specification 601.

2.7 Placement and Installation of Signs

Sign placement is to be such that it does not interfere or cause a hazard to cyclists or pedestrians. The sign should be offset a minimum of 0.6 m from the edge of the path and mounted 2.0 m from the ground to the underside of the sign. Where the sign is perpendicular to the path and within 0.6 m of the edge of the path, the sign height is increased to 2.5 m. Refer to Main Roads Sign Specification 601 and Main Roads Standard Contract Drawing No. 9548-0106.

2.8 Directional Pavement Markings

Pavement arrows and destinations may be used to supplement bicycle directional signs where the continuation of the PSP is unclear at the intersections with roads or other paths. The destinations shall match those shown on the signs. Details are provided in Main Roads standard drawing no. 200731-0038.

3. Major Regional Centres

The following major regional centres should be used as destinations in addition to the destinations indicated in Section 2.2: 

Strategic Regional Centres

• Armadale
• Cannington
• Fremantle
• Joondalup
• Midland
• Morley
• Rockingham
• Stirling

Regional Centres

• Alkimos
• Amarillo
• Belmont
• Booragoon
• Claremont
• Ellenbrook
• Karrinyup
• Maddington
• Mirrabooka
• Subiaco
• Thomsons Lake
• Warwick Grove
• Whitfords City
• Yanchep