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Council hears update on curbside management study; members back bicycle‑lane protections
Summary
Staff told council the curbside management study scope is nearly finalized; the study will take about 12 months once procurement is complete with results expected in spring/early summer 2026. Council members also supported a bicycle‑lane protection ordinance (Item 26) aimed at prohibiting parking in bike lanes and addressing enforcement methods.
Councilmembers on Feb. 13 discussed plans for a citywide curbside‑management study and voiced support for a recent bicycle‑lane protection measure.
Louis Leff, assistant director of Transportation and Public Works, said the city is finalizing the study scope and evaluating purchasing options; he estimated the procurement and start process would take “2 to maybe 4 months depending on the purchasing approach” and the study itself would be about 12 months, with results anticipated in spring or early summer 2026 if the schedule holds.
Several councilmembers praised the bicycle‑lane prohibition (Item 26). Council Member Paige Ellis said the measure responds to advocates’ complaints about conflicts that force cyclists into traffic lanes and described it as “fantastic information that will help make everyone in Austin a bit safer.” Council Member Gregorio “Joe” (Siegel) cautioned that automatic ticketing via license-plate scans should be narrowly limited to exceptional circumstances (for example, safety or extreme weather) so it does not disproportionately affect low‑income residents.
No final procedural vote on the curbside study was recorded in the excerpt; Item 26 (the bicycle‑lane prohibition) was on the consent agenda and was adopted as part of consent.
Why it matters: curbside use has grown more complex with delivery services and ride‑hailing; a study is intended to help the city prioritize curb uses (loading, short‑term stops, transit, bike safety) and inform future code or operational changes.
Next steps: staff will finalize procurement for the study scope and return results after the study period. Council requested updates before any automated enforcement expansion.
