For all the pedal pushers out there that love long distance cycling. There are no gear requirements and no 'minimum distances' here.
Have you ridden for a cheeky overnighter or a 3 year global trek? Doesn't matter, you're welcome here.
Have you got panniers, bikepacking bags or just a backpack with the essentials? Doesn't matter, you're welcome here.
Have you got the latest in carbon engineering or your dads old 10 speed from the 70's? Doesn't matter, you're welcome here.
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This is how it looks in 99% of Czech Republic.
It changes to terrain signs painted on trees sometimes but it is also standard. I found 2 other signs for cyclists, some cross border route that decided to make their own on both sides. And still most cross border routes use cz standard signage.
So how it looks where you live? Am I just too spoiled by standards for hiking and cycling signage?
In the Netherlands we have this: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Numbered-node_cycle_network
That works super well cause you can just follow the numbers. You can have those on a piece of paper if you need, or memorize the intersections where you need do something else besides following the next numbered node (so for example you go 25-26-27-28-51). You can just remember to keep following the next one until you need to go to 51.
Normal street signs look like this: Verkeersborden in Nederland https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/File%3ANederlands_verkeersbord_K7.svg
The color scheme indicates it's for cyclists. For motorized vehicles they're blue with white letters. In cities there are also signs for pedestrians which are black with white letters.
And there are also these for cyclists, in rural areas: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Padstool_%28signage%29
Came to the comments for this. The Dutch cycle node network is super simple and easy to use, it seems like a masterclass in clear signage and simple usage. Does anyone know of another system that tries to achieve the same?
Hmm here it has a system too, smaller the number, longer the route.
The lowest sign was replaced recently, it is route along the Vltava River. Used to be 12 and is changed to correspond with EV numbering scheme - 7 sun route.
The 4 digits are connection routes, 3 digits are usually regional and 1-2 digits are long routes.
If you look at OSM with bicycle paths overlay and zoom out, you will see that there is a lot of routes (cz gets blue or other color you have setted for bikepaths).
If I had to guess, I'd say you should go left.
This is how it looks where i live:
In other states in germany it looks different. We have partly copied some of the numbered system of the netherlands, but it is not as widespread.
We (Netherlands, Flanders and some neighbouring regions which are also adapting the system) are using a "bicycle knot points" network where individual routes are not marked, just the points with which you can make your own route.
https://www.fietsknoop.nl/planner
An example sign:
There are also separate (mountainbike) routes within nature that are not marked this way. Those just use the classic colored stripes and little signs for directions.
I think you're supposed to go left.
For real, this happens because no single entity designs and maintains the bike infrastructure, but multiple. That's federalism for you; nothing to be done about it. 🙄
In CZ it is maintained by KČT, first routes for hikers were painted in 1880's by them (and we were the same country).
So in 100+ years their signs became standard here. Some routes aren't maintained by KČT but still they use the same signs, for example A/CZ partnership routes or south Moravia vineyard routes.
I was talking about Austria. Some of those signs are municipality, some are nation, some are union, and some might be privately funded.
But yeah, it's a mess, and most of the signs are a real eye sore.
I know there is this reason, but I just say that it is not only one entity that uses them.
