College Park introduces ordinance to ban parking or standing in bike lanes; Route 1 enforcement awaits state action

Council members voted to introduce Ordinance 25‑006, which would amend Chapter 184 (Vehicles and Traffic) to prohibit parking or standing in dedicated bike lanes on city-owned roads and add related penalties to Chapter 110 (Fees and Penalties).

Director of Public Works John Coker and the city attorney described the main provisions: definitions clarifying what counts as a bike lane, required signage, and a penalty structure that would start at $100 if paid within 15 calendar days and increase to $200 after 31 days (a smaller $10 escalation item noted in the draft mirrors language elsewhere in code and may be revised). Coker told the council that municipal parking enforcement officers and contract police would handle enforcement on city streets.

Council members flagged two operational points. First, several speakers asked how the ordinance would apply to the bike lane on Baltimore Avenue (US Route 1). Staff said the city’s ordinance would cover only city-owned roads; enforcement on Route 1 requires state authorization. Council member Whitney, who led the measure’s drafting and earlier advocacy, said the ordinance is intended as a “first step” to change driver behavior and to provide a model for county and state action. She noted that similar county and state proposals have been discussed but did not pass this session.

The council set a public hearing for the ordinance on August 6 at 7:30 p.m. and instructed staff to plan signage and public outreach ahead of enforcement. The ordinance was formally introduced at tonight’s meeting; no final vote on adoption was taken.