R9-6 Bike Lane Sign
Designates a lane reserved exclusively for bicycle travel, indicating that motor vehicles must not use the marked lane.
MUTCD-style sign reference illustration. Always verify against the official CA MUTCD and Caltrans sign charts.
| Sign code | R9-6 |
|---|---|
| Federal code | R9-6 |
| Name | Bike Lane |
| Category | Pedestrian & Sidewalk Closure Signs |
| Shape | Rectangle (Vertical) |
| Color | White background, black legend |
| California status | Used in California per CA MUTCD |
| Typical CA minimum size | 24" × 12" to 24" × 18" (pedestrian sign) |
📥 Sign Files & References
Download this sign or open the official MUTCD reference.
Official source: FHWA Standard Highway Signs, 2024 (11th Edition) — Regulatory signs.
📚 Official Source Files
Source: FHWA Standard Highway Signs — Public Domain. California: CA MUTCD 2026 (effective Jan 18, 2026).
Files linked from FHWA are official government publications in the public domain. CA MUTCD and Caltrans links open official government websites. Always verify against the current edition.
What This Sign Means
Designates a lane reserved exclusively for bicycle travel, indicating that motor vehicles must not use the marked lane.
Field Use Notes
Designates a lane reserved exclusively for bicycle travel, indicating that motor vehicles must not use the marked lane. In the field, R9-6 Bike Lane is typically positioned at the at and in advance of the pedestrian/sidewalk closure. Common deployments include temporary bike lane designations through work zones; re-established bike lanes after lane shifts; multi-modal TCPs that maintain bicycle access. Always confirm its size, retroreflective sheeting, spacing, and placement against the CA MUTCD 2026 and the reviewing agency before finalizing the traffic control plan.
🟠 Public Ready Field Notes
Used in California work zones to re-establish or temporarily designate a bike lane where construction activity has shifted or closed the existing lane. Also used on TCPs that route cyclists through a work zone using a temporary bike lane.
Common field deployments
- Lane closure setups
- Shoulder closure advance warning
- Utility work zones
- Public right-of-way work permits
- Multi-phase construction staging
Agency review note
StreetsLA, LA County DPW, and Caltrans District 7 may require larger sizes or additional devices. Verify with the reviewing agency before finalizing the TCP.
Common TCP Context
- Temporary bike lane designations through work zones
- Re-established bike lanes after lane shifts
- Multi-modal TCPs that maintain bicycle access
California Size Requirements
Typical minimum: 24" × 12" to 24" × 18" (pedestrian sign).
Sizes are CA MUTCD minimums and vary by roadway classification and speed. Verify against the CA MUTCD 2026 (CA MUTCD Part 2B (pedestrian/sidewalk regulatory signs) and Part 6F), Caltrans sign specifications, and the reviewing agency.
Common Placement on a TCP
Where it sits: At and in advance of the pedestrian/sidewalk closure.
CA MUTCD reference: CA MUTCD Part 2B (pedestrian/sidewalk regulatory signs) and Part 6F.
Los Angeles Area Usage Notes
In Los Angeles, this sign must conform to CA MUTCD 2026. Work in City of LA right-of-way is reviewed by StreetsLA and the Bureau of Engineering (BOE); state highways in LA County are permitted and reviewed by Caltrans District 7; county roads are permitted by LA County DPW. Sizes, retroreflectivity, and placement must meet CA MUTCD minimums — local agencies may require larger signs based on roadway class, speed, pedestrian volume, and proximity to schools or transit.
Common Plan Review Comments
- Sign not shown at the correct advance distance for the posted speed.
- Advance warning sign missing or out of sequence on the TCP.
- Wrong size specified for the roadway classification (conventional vs. expressway).
- Sign sheeting / retroreflectivity class not noted on the plan.
Plan Review Notes
Confirm the temporary bike lane provides adequate width, surface condition, and is separated from live traffic appropriately. Public Ready reviews bicycle accommodation on the TCP.
Signs Commonly Used Together
These signs are typically deployed alongside R9-6 on a California TCP.
Rent or Purchase This Sign
Need a BIKE LANE (R9-6) sign for a California project? Public Ready can supply it and coordinate the bicycle routing plan.
Official References
- California MUTCD (Caltrans)
Free official resource — opens official government website
- Federal MUTCD — 11th Edition (FHWA)
Free official resource — opens official government website
- Caltrans Sign Charts
Free official resource — opens official government website
- FHWA Standard Highway Signs
Free official resource — opens official government website
Educational reference only. This is not an official Caltrans, FHWA, or local agency publication and is not legal or engineering advice. Always verify sign selection, size, placement, spacing, and application against the current CA MUTCD 2026, Caltrans sign specifications, Standard Plans, project documents, and the reviewing agency’s requirements.
Related Signs
Related Compliance Information
To understand the bigger picture around permits, agency review, lane closures, and pedestrian access for work zones using R9-6 Bike Lane, visit WorkZoneCompliance.com.
Need R9-6 Bike Lane for a California project?
Public Ready can help with R9-6 Bike Lane — including sign rental or purchase, work-zone signs, TCP sign legends, and permit coordination, and agency-review support for Caltrans District 7, the City of Los Angeles, and LA County.