TO: Mayor and Members of City Council
THRU: Adam Lindsay, ICMA-CM, Assistant City Manager
FROM: Sheila Thomas-Ambat, PE, Public Services Director
Brian McGill, PE, PTOE, Interim Assistant Public Services Director - Traffic Services
Virginia Small, Transportation Planner
John McNeill, PMP, Senior Project Manager - Traffic
DATE: June 2, 2025
RE:
Title
Bicycle Lane Ordinance Clarifications and Recommendations
end
COUNCIL DISTRICT(S):
Council District(s)
All
b
Relationship To Strategic Plan:
Goal IV: Be a highly desirable place to live, work, and recreate.
Executive Summary:
Council requested staff review the current Code of Ordinances for bicycle lane vagueness. Staff have returned with recommended amendments to reflect bicycle lane practices based on a peer-review of Charlotte and Greensboro, North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) information, and NC state ordinances. Staff have also included the definition of a multi-use lane to provide clarity on their intended use.
Background:
History of Bicycle Lanes:
- 2011 - FAMPO Bike and Walk Plan is completed.
- October 2017 - Council authorizes application for NCDOT Bicycle and Pedestrian Planning Grant initiative.
- March 2018 - Staff receive notification that the grant submission was selected for funding.
- May 2018 - Council authorizes municipal agreement with NCDOT to develop Comprehensive Bicycle Plan.
- February 2019 - Staff notify Council of restriping Langdon Street between Murchison Road and Trinity Drive to include Bicycle Lanes due to street resurfacing project and alignment with Draft FAMPO Sandhills Regional Bicycle Plan.
- August 2019 - FAMPO Sandhills Regional Bicycle Plan finalized.
- March 2020 - Fayetteville Bicycle Plan finalized and adopted.
Based on review of records, the creation of multi-use lanes, and conversion of bicycle lanes to multi-use lanes, are not currently submitted to Council for approval. Bicycle Lane approval is provided through the City’s adoption of the Bicycle Plan. These treatments are often identified and performed through one of two means:
1. From reviewing the resurfacing list, a road is about to be re-paved and lane markings are going to be replaced. In this instance, where roads are wide enough and the surrounding land use is appropriate, we strive to include multi-use lanes.
2. In response to citizen concerns/requests, we consider applying multi-use lane markings or converting bicycle lanes to multi-use lanes.
The history of how the bicycle lanes and multi-use lanes started pre-dates current staff and is believed to have begun around 2010 per conversations with former City staff. Multi-use lanes originated in Haymout and began being installed as a CIP project that continued through the years. With the initial CIP project, a list of roadways to receive multi-use lanes was provided, however through the years the list was no longer maintained due to the plethora of roads being included. Anecdotally, per former City staff, previous Council direction has been to install the multi-use lanes wherever possible.
The most recent conversion of the bicycle lane on Hilliard Drive to a multi-use lane was due to the road being placed on the City’s resurfacing list. By converting this lane from a bicycle lane to a multi-use lane, we have expanded the allowed uses on this neighborhood road.
The City’s Code of Ordinances does not explicitly define a bicycle lane. The Code of Ordinances defines vehicles to include bicycles under Chapter 16, Article I, Section 16-1. Further, Chapter 16, Article X, Section 16-294, explicitly prohibits the parking of vehicles so “…as to interrupt or interfere with…other vehicles.” Further, Chapter 16, Article IX, Section 16-263 states “All vehicles operated on any roadway which has been clearly marked with lanes for traffic…shall not be removed from such lane until the driver has first ascertained that such move can be made with safety.” Staff have interpreted this as saying a bicycle lane is part of the roadway which “…has been clearly marked with lanes for traffic…”, and to interfere with the passage of the vehicle (a bicycle in this case) by parking in their lane is prohibited. It is through this interpretation of the ordinances which currently prohibit parking in bicycle lanes.
Multi-use lanes can be considered as a traffic calming measure and are generally installed in neighborhoods. They’re normally installed where the road is wide enough for one/two multi-use lanes while still allowing two-way traffic on the road. Their purpose is intended as an area for pedestrians to walk, bicyclists to ride, and for on-street parking. Multi-use lanes are typically installed in-place of sidewalk, as sidewalk is more costly and could require land purchase / easement from citizens for construction. The City’s Code of Ordinances do not currently define these multi-use lanes.
During the City Council Meeting on January 6, 2025, it was requested of staff to clarify the bicycle lane ordinance vagueness. It was further requested to provide recommendations in the code to reflect who can park where and when with regards to bicycle lanes.
Staff reviewed the bicycle lane ordinances for the cities of Charlotte and Greensboro, as well as reviewed information from NCDOT and NC state Ordinances. To reduce vagueness surrounding bicycle lanes, as well as to define multi-use lanes and their uses, staff propose the following:
Chapter 16, Article I, Section 16-1 ‘Definitions’
Add, or revise existing, definitions to the following:
• ‘Bicycle’ means a human-powered vehicle with two-wheels tandem, a steering handle, one or more saddle seats, and pedals by which the vehicle is propelled.
• ‘Bicycle lanes’ A bicycle lane is a portion of the roadway that has been designated by striping, signing, and pavement markings for the preferential and exclusive use of bicyclists. The street or portions of streets designated for traffic are established as bicycle lanes for the use of bicycles.
• ‘Multi-Use Path’ A shared-use path, greenway, or multi-use path is a pathway designed to accommodate the movement of pedestrians, cyclists, and other active lifestyles.
• ‘Multi-Use Lane’ A Multi-Use lane is a portion of the roadway that has been designated by striping for the preferential use for motor vehicle parking, pedestrian walking, and recreating.
• ‘Operator’ means a person who travels on a bicycle seated on a saddle seat from which that person is intended to and can pedal the bicycle.
• ‘Passenger’ means a person who travels on a bicycle in any manner except as an operator.
Chapter 16, Article IX, Section 16-263 ‘Driving on Roadways Laned for Traffic’
Add the following to the existing ordinance:
Notwithstanding any other ordinance, no person shall drive a vehicle on or across a designated bicycle lane in such manner as to interfere with the safety and passage of people operating bicycles thereon. Pursuant to N.C.G.S. §14-4(b) a violation of this section shall be an infraction with a penalty of not more than fifty dollars ($50.00).
Chapter 16, Article X, Section 16-320 ‘Blocking or Obstructing Public Bicycle Lanes’
Create this section as a new entry under Chapter 16, Article X, with the information below.
1. When official traffic signs are in place designating a bicycle lane, it shall be unlawful to operate, drive, stop, stand or park a motor vehicle on or across a designated bicycle lane, except when it is reasonable and necessary:
a. To enter or leave a driveway; or
b. To enter or leave a legal curbside parking space; or
c. To cross an intersection; or
d. To make a turn within an intersection; or
e. To comply with the direction of any law enforcement officer or other person authorized to enforce this rule; or
f. To avoid an obstacle that leaves fewer than ten feet available for the free movement of vehicular traffic.
2. When official traffic signs are in place, designating a bicycle lane, it shall be unlawful for any person to drive, enter, stop, stand or park any motor vehicle within a bicycle lane. Pursuant to N.C.G.S. §14-4(b) a violation of this section shall be an infraction with a penalty of not more than fifty dollars ($50.00).
By adopting the recommendations, what is prohibited in a bicycle lane should be clearer. By defining what a multi-use lane is under Section 16-1, their intended use should now be clearer as well. Notwithstanding further requests, staff recommend adopting the amendments to the Code of Ordinances as outlined above.
Issues/Analysis:
The City’s Code of Ordinances is vague in relation to bicycle lanes and multi-use lanes.
Budget Impact:
N/A
Options:
Option 1 - Approve the Code of Ordinance amendments and place them on Consent Agenda for adoption.
Option 2 - Do not approve the recommended changes and provide further direction.
Recommended Action:
Option 1 - Approve the Code of Ordinance amendments and place them on Consent Agenda for adoption.
Attachments:
Chapter 16 Ordinance Amendments.pdf
FayOrdinance_16-263.pdf
FayOrdinance_16-294.pdf
Bicycle Lane Ordinance Presentation.pdf