New York Ponders How to Stop Cars from Parking in Bike Lanes

You can write all the tickets in the world but you can't stop drivers from parking in bike lanes.

1 minute read

September 27, 2016, 7:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Blocking the Bike Lane

Dave Winer / Flickr

According to an article by Katie Hinds, "the city [of New York] announced it would exceed its original target and install a record-setting 18 miles of protected bike lanes this year, rather than the 15 it had originally planned."

The announcement attempted to change the narrative after an increase in cyclist deaths inspired a protest ride in the city earlier this month. There bike safety narrative in the city has also focused recently on the common sight of cars parked in bike lanes. According to Hinds, "in fiscal year 2016 NYPD traffic enforcement officers issued 71,423 tickets to drivers who blocked bike lane according to city data. That's about on par with 2015, when 72,206 tickets were written. And yet to gauge from the experience of the average cyclist, it would seem that tens of thousands of tickets are both not enough — and can't prevent drivers from encroaching upon bike lanes."

In addition to pushing for more bike infrastructure, some advocates are also pushing ideas like citizen reporting mechanisms of bike lane blockers.

Friday, September 16, 2016 in WNYC

Sweeping view of Portland, Oregon with Mt. Hood in background against sunset sky.

Oregon Passes Exemption to Urban Growth Boundary

Cities have a one-time chance to acquire new land for development in a bid to increase housing supply and affordability.

March 12, 2024 - Housing Wire

Aerial view of green roofs with plants in Sydney, Australia.

Where Urban Design Is Headed in 2024

A forecast of likely trends in urban design and architecture.

March 10, 2024 - Daily Journal of Commerce

Cobblestone street with streetcar line, row of vintage streetlights on left, and colorful restaurant and shop awnings on right on River Street in Savannah, Georgia.

Savannah: A City of Planning Contrasts

From a human-scales, plaza-anchored grid to suburban sprawl, the oldest planned city in the United States has seen wildly different development patterns.

March 12, 2024 - Strong Towns

Aerial View of Chuckanut Drive and the Blanchard Bridge in the Skagit Valley.

Washington Tribes Receive Resilience Funding

The 28 grants support projects including relocation efforts as coastal communities face the growing impacts of climate change.

March 18 - The Seattle Times

Historic buildings in downtown Los Angeles with large "Pan American Lofts" sign on side of building.

Adaptive Reuse Bills Introduced in California Assembly

The legislation would expand eligibility for economic incentives and let cities loosen regulations to allow for more building conversions.

March 18 - Beverly Press

View from above of swan-shaped paddleboats with lights on around artesian fountain in Echo Park Lake with downtown Los Angeles skylien in background at twilight.

LA's Top Parks, Ranked

TimeOut just released its list of the top 26 parks in the L.A. area, which is home to some of the best green spaces around.

March 18 - TimeOut

News from HUD User

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Call for Speakers

Mpact Transit + Community

New Updates on PD&R Edge

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.