W20-5b Bike Lane Closed
Warns that the bicycle lane is closed ahead, with the word legend BIKE LANE CLOSED (a distance line is added on the advance version), so bicyclists can prepare to merge or follow a signed alternate route before reaching the work.
- Sign Name
- Bike Lane Closed
- General Meaning
- Warns that the bicycle lane is closed ahead, with the word legend BIKE LANE CLOSED (a distance line is added on the advance version), so bicyclists can prepare to merge or follow a signed alternate route before reaching the work.
- MUTCD Code
- W20-5b
- Typical Use
- Advance warning area, ahead of the work.
- Sign Category
- Warning Signs
Specifications
- Standard Shape
- Diamond
- Background Color
- Orange
- Legend / Symbol
- Black legend
- Border
- Black
- Reflectivity
- High Intensity (for nighttime visibility)
- Compliance
- MUTCD / CA MUTCD
Standard Sizes (inches)
- 30 in Diamond30" × 30"
- 36 in Diamond36" × 36"
- 48 in Diamond48" × 48"
- 60 in Diamond60" × 60"
Material / Application Notes
Bike-lane closures for roadway and utility work. Confirm placement and supplemental plaques against the applicable CA MUTCD standard.
View this sign on the Federal MUTCD (FHWA)California Notes
California-specific application notes and adoptions may differ. Review California requirements where applicable.
What It Means / When This Sign Is Used
In the field, W20-5b Bike Lane Closed is typically positioned at the advance warning area, ahead of the work. Common deployments include bike-lane closures for roadway and utility work; advance sign carries a distance line (e.g. X FT / AHEAD); paired with bicycle merge or bike-detour guidance. Always confirm its size, retroreflective sheeting, spacing, and placement against the CA MUTCD 2026 and the reviewing agency before finalizing the traffic control plan.
Learn more about Bike Lane Closed sign requirementsWhen & Where It's Used
- Bike-lane closures for roadway and utility work
- Advance sign carries a distance line (e.g. X FT / AHEAD)
- Paired with bicycle merge or bike-detour guidance
Placement on a Traffic Control Plan
- Where it sits
- Advance warning area, ahead of the work.
- CA MUTCD reference
- CA MUTCD Part 6 (Temporary Traffic Control), Chapter 6F; warning-sign design in Part 2C
- Typical minimum size
- 48" × 48" on conventional roads; 60" × 60" on expressways and freeways
California / Field Use Notes
Used in California where a work zone closes a bike lane, alerting bicyclists in advance of the closure and directing them to merge with traffic or follow a signed detour per the CA MUTCD.
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
- Merge direction on the sign does not match the open lane in the field.
- Taper begins before the lane-closure warning is reached.
- Sign spacing not adjusted for the posted speed.
- Wrong size specified for a multilane facility.
Confirm bicyclists have a safe, signed path around the closed bike lane and that advance spacing meets CA MUTCD requirements. Public Ready reviews bike-lane closure signing.
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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. Local jurisdictions may impose additional requirements, and final selection, placement, and dimensions may require engineering judgment or agency approval. Written against California MUTCD 2026 (effective January 18, 2026) and the Federal MUTCD 11th Edition. Official sources last verified June 2026.
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