Aldermen pass new bike lane enforcement ordinance
CHICAGO (CBS) – The Chicago City Council on Wednesday voted to crack down on drivers who block bike lanes by increasing fines, and allowing more city departments to issue tickets, rather than just police, among other steps.
The ordinance approved unanimously on Wednesday would allow the city's Finance Department and Department of Streets and Sanitation to issue tickets to drivers who block bike lanes, rather than just the Police Department.
Streets and Sanitation and the city's Department of Transportation (CDOT) also would be authorized to tow away vehicles blocking bike lanes, and CDOT could revoke city permits for anyone who blocks a bike lane.
Fines for parking in bike lanes without causing a crash would rise from $150 to $250.
The ordinance also would require signs to be posted when bike lanes are closed for permitted construction work, notifying cyclists about the bike lane closures, and warning drivers to yield to cyclists. Violations of those requirements could result in fines between $500 and $2,000, as well as having any city permits revoked.
The city also would be required to establish a pilot program to use cameras to enforce bike lane violations. The Department of Finance must propose an ordinance creating that pilot program by Feb. 15, 2023.
"In order to have safer bike lanes, and to save lives, we need proper enforcement to prohibit the blocking of our city's bike lanes by cars," Ald. Andre Vasquez (40th), the ordinance's chief sponsor, said ahead of the vote. "It is our belief here that the work isn't finished, but that this is a tangible start."