Syracuse drivers can now be fined specifically for blocking bike lanes, following a unanimous vote by the Common Council to update the city’s traffic code. The new legislation, passed 9–0 this week, was championed by City Auditor Alexander Marion, who has long advocated for stronger protections for cyclists.
“This gives cyclists the treatment they deserve and will keep our streets safer,” said Marion. “Syracuse is a twenty-first-century city on the move—we need modern rules and infrastructure to match.”
Until now, vehicles parked in bike lanes could only be ticketed for broader violations like standing in no-parking zones. The updated code creates a standalone $60 fine for blocking a bike lane, a move Marion recommended in his reports, Park at Your Own Risk and Incomplete Streets.
The change comes as Syracuse continues to expand its bike lane network. Officials say blocked lanes pose a major hazard, often pushing cyclists into traffic or onto sidewalks—especially in busy areas like Downtown, where drivers frequently use bike lanes as makeshift loading zones.
Marion also thanked Councilor Corey Williams for his leadership in advancing the legislation.
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