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Council approves ordinance to ban parking in bike lanes citywide; $79 fine set
Summary
Council approved first reading of an ordinance prohibiting parking in Class 2, 3 and 4 bikeways citywide and adopted a resolution adding a $79 fine to the master fee schedule; staff said the change closes a state‑law gap that only explicitly prohibits parking in Class 1 bikeways.
The Alameda City Council voted unanimously to introduce an ordinance that makes it unlawful to park in designated Class 2, 3 and 4 bikeways citywide and to adopt a companion resolution adding the new violation and a $79 fine to the master fee schedule.
Parking Manager Ricardo Dela Torre told the council the change fills an enforcement gap because California’s Vehicle Code explicitly prohibits parking in Class 1 (shared‑use) bikeways but does not clearly extend that prohibition to other bikeway classes. "The proposed ordinance makes it unlawful for any person to park a vehicle in any portion of a designated class 2, 3, or 4 bikeway," Dela Torre said, and staff proposed an initial penalty of $79 to match existing fines for similar curb violations.
Public Works Director Erin Smith and staff said commercial loading zones exist throughout Park Street and other corridors and can be modified if needed; staff emphasized that loading zones are designed to allow trucks to access curbside areas without stopping in bike lanes. The council approved the ordinance’s first reading and adopted the fee resolution; final passage is scheduled as stipulated in the city’s ordinance calendar.
