search menu flickr twitter phone angle-left angle-right angle-up angle-down file-pdf link-ext doc-inv sitemap location map calendar credit-card clock facebook-squared minus plus cancel ok instagramm download inkwell

Case Study

Bicycle Wayfinding Signage, Berkeley, CA

City: Berkeley
State: CA
Associated Publication: Urban Bikeway Design Guide

In 2002-03, the city of Berkeley undertook a comprehensive bicycle signage initiative to make way-finding easier on the city’s new and existing bikeways and bicycle boulevards. Since many of the boulevards followed residential streets with few distinguishable landmarks or checkpoints, the city wanted to better distinguish these thoroughfares and provide more adequate guidance for bicyclists. The city opted to use a non-standard purple sign indicating key destinations and with a prominent and recognizable logo. Planning and placement was determined using four parameters—Destination, Direction, Distance, and Distinction—and signs were located at key decision points along the routes. In addition to these four parameters, the city used a “bread-crumb” approach to develop the system. Signage was painted on both sides, with one side offering directional assistance and the other a purple backdrop with a logo to reassure cyclists along the correct route.

Below is a basic synopsis of the Berkeley signage specifications and methodology:

Seven Sign Types:

  • Type 1A identifies route to motorists and cyclists
  • Type 1B provides destinations, directions, distances, & route name
  • Type 1C provides type 1B info plus intersecting route name(s)
  • Type 1D provides direction when route changes
  • Type 2 directs cyclists on parallel arterials to the bikeway
  • Type 3 identifies the boulevard, replacing traditional street sign
  • Type 4 notifies motorists that they are crossing a bicycle boulevard; placed in advance of intersection

Destinations: various, including schools, shopping districts, BART stations & Amtrak, adjacent jurisdictions, trails & bikeways, parks, libraries, and post offices

Sign Layout & Design

  • Design Standard: Original design

Sign Dimensions:

  • Types 1A-D: 20” wide x 30“ high
  • Type 2: 17” wide x 14“ high
  • Type 3: standard street sign sizes
  • Type 4: 48” wide x 10“ high
  • Typeface: Helvetica Regular, mixed case
  • Cap Height: 1.94” (140 points)
  • Colors: White legend on Pantone Violet C background

Sign Placement

  • Generally, Type 1A (Identity) Signs are placed on the bikeway at major street crossings, on the far-side of the intersection.
  • Type 1B and 1C (Way_nding) Signs are placed at every midblock along the bikeway
  • Type 3 (Street Identi_er) Signs are placed at every corner along the bikeway
  • Types 1D and 2 are located as necessary.

City of Berkeley Bicycle Boulevard Information.