It Ain't Legal Is It?

Back in 2008 I became involved in an ad hoc effort to end parking in bike lanes. The prime violators were patrons of restaurants on Eastland Avenue in East Nashville especially those parking to dine at the Rosepepper Cantina.


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Eventually it was found that although parking in a bike lane was illegal in the Metropolitan Code, it was not listed in the appropriate section to give the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department authority to issue citations which pretty much gutted the law. Councilman Erik Cole took on the effort and passed legislation to rectify the problem. It passed unanimously.

It's Not Legal to Park in a Bike Lane in Nashville Tennessee

Since the law was changed it is my observation that such lawlessness has declined although I haven't done any surveys, scientific or otherwise. However, there is one household at 1318 Riverside Drive in Inglewood that does not obey the law.




I have complained to the authorities several times by calling the non-emergency police number. After the Great Flood of 2010 I ceased my efforts since MNPD had other issues of a higher priority. After a reasonable amount of time I complained to the before mentioned Councilman Cole who asked the police to investigate the situation. I'm sure they have better things to do but I doubt that any murders went unsolved while they were at the scene of this crime. Apparently the officer who witnessed this illegality (he told the Councilman that he is a cyclist) decided that this is not a violation of the law because this is not a bike lane. See the white stripe? That denotes a bike lane. However, there is a sign just down the road that says "Bicyle Lane Ahead" (it uses a symbol rather than the word bicycle). You can see it in this photo.




The officer believes that the bike lane does not begin until after the sign. The question before us is what delineates the bike lane, a sign or the white stripes or both? As you are riding the bike in this direction the street curves to the right and the striped lane begins at this point. I have posed this question to fellow bicycle advocates and intend to follow up with the appropriate experts to reach a resolution. I'm sure the officer honestly believes that his interpretation is correct I just happen to disagree.

P.S. You may be thinking who gives a flip about a little illlegal parking? Well I do, obviously. This truck is parked just past a blind curve. I think they are crazy to park there because they may get side swiped by some drunk coming around that corner.

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But any cyclist, including me, that comes around this curve and attempts to enter the bike lane will find it blocked when it should be available only for two wheel traffic. It forces the cyclist to enter the traffic lane and deal with automobile traffic which is less safe. After all, it's the law and I'm a law and order type guy.

P.S.S. I also reported it to mybikelane.com