Board of Directors
Denyse Trepanier
President
Brian Fowler
Treasurer
Tim Beloney
Secretary
Cyndy Johnsen
Board Member
Maria Piper
Board Member
Lucy Gigli
Founder, non-voting
June 2, 2025
RE: Item 7-C: Master Fee Schedule Amendments
Dear Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft, Members of the City Council, and Staff, We knew this update to the Master Fee Schedule would include the new violation for parking in daylit zones, but were very happy to also see the addition of a violation for blocking bike lanes. This is a much-needed update for our city. Thank you.
Keeping bike lanes unobstructed is not just about convenience; it’s about safety and respect for vulnerable road users. When a driver parks or idles in a bike lane, it forces people using bike lanes into moving traffic, creating dangerous and sometimes deadly situations. Protecting bike lanes also encourages mode shift. When bike lanes are reliably clear, more people feel safer biking, or letting their kids bike, supporting our mobility and climate goals. Other benefits include improved data collection and analysis to better track hotspots, repeat offenders, and enforcement trends.
Including this violation in our Master Fee Schedule underscores the important role of bike lanes and represents a meaningful step toward safer, more accessible, and greener streets.
That said, we respectfully ask the Council to consider increasing the fine from $75 to $100.
Why an increase makes sense:
● Safety First: A blocked bike lane isn’t just an inconvenience — it’s a safety hazard. A $100 fine aligns more closely with the risk imposed on the public.
● Consistency with Peer Cities: Many cities with robust bike networks impose fines of $100 or more for this offense ( Oakland’s fee is $105 ). A higher fine places Alameda among those taking transportation safety seriously.
● Equity in Enforcement: Pedestrians, children, and cyclists from all communities — especially those without access to cars — deserve the same level of safety and dignity as drivers. Fair, well-calibrated fines help support this goal.
Thank you for your efforts to improve street safety and move us closer to our Vision Zero commitment . We hope you will consider this one adjustment to strengthen the policy further.
Bike Walk Alameda Board