On a Trip in the DC area in July of 2024, I made a point of taking photos of Way-Finding signage I spotted along the trails.
The Washington DC area, has an expansive trail system for people to use for recreation and transportation. My son and his family live in Alexandria and he works in DC. He often takes his bike to work, about 8 miles one way, as it is faster than for him to take the metro trains. He and his wife only own one car.
Mount Vernon Trail
The trails in the area are under several jurisdictions and control. For example, one of the longest trails is the Mt. Vernon Trail, around 18 miles from Roosevelt Island in the north, to George Washington’s Home in Mt. Vernon at the southern end. It is maintained by the National Park Service. Signage along the trail is Brown with white lettering.
Once inside a city, like Alexandria, even though you are still using the Mt. Vernon Trail, the signage changes to Green background with white lettering, whihc is the standard for bike trails and routes. However, you may notice that there are several exceptions to this with some vertical signs with more information and full trail maps.
The W&OD Trail
I also rode along the W & OD rail trail. It is a paved trail with many underpasses. Since I was a tourist to the area, it was nice to see road name signs under practically every underpass. This is something lacking in the Omaha Metro trail system. Something as simple as road signs are an aid to transportation and safety concerns as well. This trail was also well marked with Way-Finding Signs for directions, trail connections, services, and more.
Way-Finding Manual
In 2017, the city of Omaha developed a Way-Finding sign manual. This covered a small part of central Omaha. Framed by UNO on the West, Benson to the North, The Missouri River on the East, and HWY 275 and the Veterans’ Memorial Bridge on the south..
This way-finding signage manual can certainly be utilized to develop a more comprehensive plan not just for Omaha, but for he entire metro area.
You can download a copy of the manual by clicking the image.
Way-Finding Photo Gallery
Click on any image to see it in full screen. Use arrows to scroll through images.
NPS Sign
Take the Four Mile Run Trail to connect to the W&OD trail. Gee how convenient.
Mt Vernon Trail in Alexandria
NPS directional sign
Along the Mt Vernon Trail
NPS sign near the airport
NPS sign
directional to airport, Washington and Crystal City. Plus a few Spin Scooters
Along the Mt. Vernon Trail
This was near the airport. Note the services at Crystal City.
Trail Sign
Trail sign in Crystal City
Potomac Yards Trail
Four Mile Run Trail
Richmond Hwy Directional sign
NPS sign
NPS sign along the Mt Vernon Trail
Mt Vernon Trail in Alexandria
Near Dangerfield Island. Note Services available
River Route sign
Directional sign
Notice the Green bike way paint on the road!
East Coast Greenway
Part of a larger Trail system.
Old Town Alexandria
Waterfront services sign, Restrooms, food, etc.
Old Town Alexandria
Directions. The next sign shows services.
City Marina sign in Alexandria
Old Town Alexandria
Old Town Alexandria info
This sign showed the trail in addition to features. A WW2 Torpedo Factory has been converted to an art center.
Bike Shop
Only 1 block to the left. Yes, you could see it once I noticed the sign. In Old Town Alexandria
Repair Station
AKA Bike Fix-it station to the left.
Alexandria along the Mt Vernon Trail
Jones Point NPS sign
Jones Park trail sign
Jones Point Park
Mt Vernon Trail in Alexandria
Along the Mt Vernon Trail in Alexandria. Here using Green and White. Note the large “directional compass” in the trail.
Alexandria Trail Sign
Inside Alexandria, full trail sign with information.
Oxon Hill signage
Along the National Harbor Trail.
Oxon Hill Directional Sign
Along the National Harbor Trail
Oxon Hill
Along the National Harbor Trail
National Harbor
Along the National Harbor Trail in Maryland
National Harbor Trail
Bike Route Sign In Alexandria
Bike Route Sign In Alexandria
Notice Four Mile Run trail direction, plus a Bikeshare station ahead.
Underpass sign
The trail moves onto during the underpass. It shows where a metro station is located as well as the Del Rey neighborhood in Alexandria.
Metro Station Ahead
Bike Route sign with a Metro Station ahead and the Del Rey neighborhood, take a right and then less than a mile.
In Alexandria
Anyone see how easy it is to find a metro station? The rail system allows bikes on the cars.
Another Bike Route Sign with a Metro station
This is along a street which is marked as a bike trail. Motorists seems to be very accommodating to cyclists.
Bikeway sign
Note: market square ahead and the waterfront to the right.
Dash Bus sign
With Bike way signage
Alexandria Bikeway
Directions and distances
