Title
Introduction of Ordinance Amending the Alameda Municipal Code by Adding Section 8-8.10 (No Parking in Bicycle Lanes) to Article 8-8 (General Parking Regulations) of Chapter VIII (Traffic, Motor Vehicles and Alternative Transportation Modes), to Prohibit the Parking of a Vehicle in Any Designated Class II, Class III, or Class IV Bicycle Lane within the City of Alameda; and
Adoption of Resolution Amending the Fiscal Year 2026-27 Master Fee Schedule to Add Fine Amounts for New Parking Violations. (Public Works 26541643)
Body
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Gerry Beaudin, City Manager
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Staff recommends revisions to the Alameda Municipal Code adding Section 8-8.10 (No Parking in Bicycle Lanes) to Article 8-8 (General Parking Regulations). This ordinance will make it unlawful for any person to park a vehicle in any designated Class II (bike lane), Class III (bike route or bike boulevard), or Class IV (separated bike lane) bicycle lane within the City of Alameda (City).
The City's current enforcement authority under California Vehicle Code (CVC) Section 21211 applies only to Class I bikeways (shared-use paths). No equivalent state law prohibition exists for Class II, III, or IV bikeways, leaving a gap in the City's ability to consistently enforce parking restrictions across its bicycle network. This ordinance closes that gap, strengthens bicycle safety, and aligns Alameda's enforcement program with those of comparable public agencies.
This ordinance benefits not only people riding bicycles, but all users of the public right-of-way: when vehicles block bicycle lanes, cyclists are forced to swerve into adjacent vehicle travel lanes or onto sidewalks, creating hazardous conditions for drivers and pedestrians as well.
Staff also recommends City Council adopt the accompanying Resolution Amending the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026-27 Master Fee Schedule to Add Fine Amounts for new Parking Violations.
BACKGROUND
The City has a network of bicycle lanes and bikeways that serve people riding bicycles across the City. The network includes four classes of bikeways, as defined under California Streets and Highways Code Section 890.4:
• Class I - Bike paths or shared use paths, which provide a completely separated right-of-way designated for the exclusive use of bicycles and pedestrians with crossflows by motorists minimized.
• Class II - Bike lane, which provide a restricted right-of-way designated for the exclusive or semi exclusive use of bicycles with through travel by motor vehicles or pedestrians prohibited, but with vehicle parking and crossflows by pedestrians and motorists permitted.
• Class III - Bike route, which provide a right-of-way on-street or off-street, designated by signs or permanent markings and shared with pedestrians and motorists.
• Class IV - Cycle tracks or separated bikeways, which promote active transportation and provide a right-of-way designated exclusively for bicycle travel adjacent to a roadway and which are separated from vehicular traffic. Types of separation include, but are not limited to, grade separation, flexible posts, inflexible physical barriers, or on-street parking.
California Vehicle Code Section 21211 prohibits stopping or parking in a Class I bikeway. However, state law does not extend this prohibition to Class II, III, or IV bikeways. As a result, the City has had to rely on alternative parking citation bases to address vehicles parked in these lanes, including: parking prohibited all times, no double parking, and out-of-marked-space violations. These workarounds are not uniformly applicable across the City's bicycle network. This enforcement gap does not only affect cyclists: when bicycle riders are forced out of blocked bicycle lanes, they must merge into motor vehicle travel lanes or onto sidewalks, creating conflict points that put drivers and pedestrians at risk as well.
For example, double parking and out-of-marked-space citations can be applied in downtown business districts where Class II bike lanes are common, but those citation bases do not apply citywide, leaving many bicycle lanes without an effective enforcement mechanism.
The California Vehicle Code authorizes local authorities to adopt additional traffic regulations not in conflict with state law. A number of comparable public agencies have adopted local ordinances related to parking in all classes of bikeways. Adopting a local ordinance will give the City clear and consistent authority to enforce parking restrictions across all classes of bikeways.
DISCUSSION
The proposed ordinance adds Section 8-8.10 to Article 8-8 (General Parking Regulations) of Chapter VIII of the Alameda Municipal Code (AMC).
The ordinance makes it unlawful for any person to park a vehicle in any portion of a designated Class II, Class III, or Class IV bikeway within the City, as that term is defined in California Streets and Highways Code Section 890.4, as that section now exists or may be amended from time to time.
The ordinance establishes an initial Parking Penalty of $79.00 for violations of AMC Section 8-8.10, with modifications to that amount subject to City Council resolution.
The accompanying resolution amends the FY 2026-27 Master Fee Schedule, adopted by City Council on June 2, 2026, to add the new violation. Exhibit A to the resolution adds a violation of the new Section 8-8.10 AMC, including the initial parking penalty of $79.00 and a late penalty of $53.00. California Vehicle Code Section 40203.5(a) authorizes agencies to establish and standardize parking penalties and late payment penalties for parking violations.
Adoption of this ordinance will allow parking enforcement staff to issue citations directly for parking in bicycle lanes citywide, without relying on alternative citation bases that do not apply uniformly. Adoption of the resolution will establish the initial Parking Penalty and Late Penalty amount.
Together, both actions will improve enforcement consistency, reduce hazardous conditions created when vehicles are parked in bicycle lanes, and promote safe and efficient travel for people riding bicycles.
ALTERNATIVES
• Introduce the ordinance and adopt the resolution as proposed.
• Introduce the ordinance with revision that can be incorporated into the second reading; and adopt the resolution with or without revision.
• Do not accept the ordinance and do not adopt the resolution, which means staff will continue to rely on existing State and local law for enforcement purposes.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
It is not the primary purpose of this ordinance to generate additional revenue for the City. However, to the extent that vehicles do not comply with the ordinance, the City would earn revenue from citations issued for those violations.
MUNICIPAL CODE/POLICY DOCUMENT CROSS REFERENCE
This action helps fulfill Active Transportation Plan (2022) program recommendation P.11, which calls for updates to AMC including to, “discourage motorists from parking or idling in bike lanes.” The Active Transportation Plan establishes a vision and concrete actions to provide safe, comfortable, and accessible ways for people of all ages and all abilities to get around Alameda by biking, walking, and other active modes.
This action is also consistent with the City's Vision Zero policy (2019) and Vision Zero Action Plan (2021), which aim to eliminate traffic deaths and serious injuries. Vehicles parked in bicycle lanes force people riding bicycles into vehicle travel lanes or onto sidewalks, creating hazardous conditions for all road users. This ordinance supports safer streets by enabling consistent enforcement of bicycle lane parking restrictions Citywide.
It also meets the General Plan Mobility Element (2021) Policies ME -14, U-2, LU-3, OS-7, OS-8, and CC-7, which support creating a city where people of all ages and abilities can safely, conveniently, and comfortably walk, bike, and roll to their destinations. The Transportation Choices Plan (2018) also supports the expansion and protection of the City's bicycle network as part of a broader strategy to provide safe, convenient, and equitable transportation options for all residents.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
In accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), this project is exempt from CEQA review under CEQA Guidelines sections 15308 (not a project).
CLIMATE IMPACT
The Climate Action and Resiliency Plan Update (2025) found that transportation accounts for 54% of the City’s greenhouse gas emissions (GHG), and that moving people out of automobiles is paramount to reducing transportation-related emissions. Protecting bicycle lanes from vehicle parking supports the safety and usability of the City's bicycle network enabling more people to choose bicycling over driving for everyday trips and reducing greenhouse gas emissions from private vehicles.
RECOMMENDATION
Introduce an Ordinance Amending the Alameda Municipal Code by Adding Section 8-8.10 (No Parking in Bicycle Lanes) to Article 8-8 (General Parking Regulations) of Chapter VIII (Traffic, Motor Vehicles and Alternative Transportation Modes), to prohibit the parking of a vehicle in any designated Class II, Class III, or Class IV bicycle lane within the City of Alameda; and adopt a Resolution Amending the FY 2026-27 Master Fee Schedule to adjust Public Works Parking Violations Section.
Respectfully submitted,
Erin Smith, Public Works Director
By,
Ricardo De La Torre, Parking Manager
Financial Impact section reviewed,
Ross McCarthy, Finance Director