Warning Road Sign (W11-1)
Bicycle Crossing Ahead Sign Meaning & Driving Rules
Warns of a designated bicycle crossing, bike path intersection, or high-volume bicyclist activity area.
Required Driver Action & Right-of-Way Protocol
Scan bike lanes and sidewalk approaches. Give bicyclists at least 3 feet of clearance and yield before turning.
Detailed Overview & Purpose
The Bicycle Crossing sign (W11-1) alerts drivers to watch for bicyclists crossing or entering the roadway. Bicyclists have legal rights to share the road, and in crosswalks, they have right-of-way protections.
Motorists must leave at least 3 feet of clearance (mandated by law in over 35 states) when passing a bicyclist.
Key Standard & Origin: Over 35 US states have enacted '3-Foot Passing Laws' requiring motorists to give bicyclists at least 3 feet of space.
Where You'll Find This Sign
Trail crossings, urban bike routes, parkway intersections, and school commute paths.
Common Driver Mistakes to Avoid
Turning right directly across the path of a bicyclist traveling straight in the bike lane (the 'right hook').
How This Sign Appears on the DMV Knowledge & Road Test
Top written exam topic on sharing the road with vulnerable road users.
Legal Penalties and Moving Violations
Failing to yield to a bicyclist or violating 3-foot passing laws carries heavy moving violation fines.
Sign Variations & Related Types
Fluorescent Yellow-Green Version
High-visibility version used in school and pedestrian-priority zones.
When you encounter the official Bicycle Crossing Ahead (W11-1) on a roadway, what is your legal duty?
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