SHARE THE ROAD (LEGACY) Sign Requirements
This guide summarizes the MUTCD requirements and practical application guidance for the W16-1 SHARE THE ROAD (LEGACY) sign. Use this resource to understand when it is required, how to place it correctly, and how to maintain clear visibility for safe operations.
When It Is Used
Legacy (2009 MUTCD-era) supplemental plaque below a W11-1 Bicycle sign
Where It Applies
Mounted directly below the W11-1 Bicycle sign it supplements.
Placement Basics
Mount at the standard height and setback for the roadway with clear sight lines.
Visibility / Reflectivity
High reflectivity and clear sight lines are essential day and night.
1. When a SHARE THE ROAD (LEGACY) Sign Is Used
The SHARE THE ROAD plaque (historically W16-1P) was a supplemental plaque mounted below a W11-1 Bicycle warning sign, reinforcing that motorists and bicyclists share the roadway. NOTE: this legend was deprecated and REMOVED in the 11th Edition MUTCD (2023); it is retained here as a legacy reference. The code W16-1P now designates a different sign — the "In Road" plaque (with W16-1aP "In Street") per FHWA SHS 2024 (B3-194/195) and the CA MUTCD 2026 draft (§2C.67).
- Legacy (2009 MUTCD-era) supplemental plaque below a W11-1 Bicycle sign
- Deprecated — removed in the 11th Edition MUTCD (2023); not in the CA MUTCD 2026
- Retained as a historical/legacy reference only
2. How and Where It Applies
In the field, W16-1 Share the Road (Legacy) is typically positioned at the mounted directly below the w11-1 bicycle sign it supplements. Common deployments include legacy (2009 MUTCD-era) supplemental plaque below a W11-1 Bicycle sign; deprecated — removed in the 11th Edition MUTCD (2023); not in the CA MUTCD 2026; retained as a historical/legacy reference only. Always confirm its size, retroreflective sheeting, spacing, and placement against the CA MUTCD 2026 and the reviewing agency before finalizing the traffic control plan.
3. Placement and Application Notes
Position W16-1 mounted directly below the W11-1 Bicycle sign it supplements.
- Place the sign where drivers have a clear, unobstructed view on approach.
- Mount at the standard height and setback from the edge of the traveled way.
- Do not mount with other signs on the same post unless space constraints require it.
4. Standard Sizes and Visibility Considerations
Typical minimum: 24" × 18" (supplemental plaque); sized to match the sign it supplements on higher-speed roadways.
- Choose size based on roadway speed, sight distance, and mounting location.
- Maintain high retroreflectivity for maximum night and adverse-weather visibility.
5. California Notes
This "Share the Road" legend is NOT in the California MUTCD 2026 — it was removed with the 11th Edition MUTCD (2023). It appears in legacy (2009 MUTCD-era) materials only. For current California use, refer to the treatments that replaced it; the W16-1P code now designates the "In Road" plaque.
Go to California Notes6. Common Field or Planning Mistakes
- 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.
Related Resources
View All W-Series Signs
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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