Mobility & Curb Rules in Fresno, CA

Fresno maintains 184 local ordinances across all categories, and 2 of those deal specifically with mobility & curb rules. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where Fresno falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.

Bike Lane Rules

Fresno bars motor vehicles from driving or parking in a marked bike lane except for a short list of reasons: entering or leaving the roadway, a right turn within 200 feet of the intersection, or authorized parking, street work, and public-utility vehicles.

Key details: Bike lane driving: Prohibited except 8 listed exceptions. Right-turn merge distance: Within 200 feet of intersection. Bicycle path driving: Prohibited except emergencies. Section retitled: Ord. 2025-061, eff. 1-30-26. Bicycle parking (no rack): Against curb, or sidewalk without obstruction.

Driving or parking a motor vehicle in a bike lane outside the enumerated exceptions is a citable infraction under FMC § 14-811, issued by Fresno Police traffic officers; a driver who fails to merge into the bike lane within the 200-foot zone before a right turn, or turns wide of the curb, can be cited under § 14-812 in conjunction with Vehicle Code §§ 21209 and 22100.

Shared E-Scooter Rules

Fresno Municipal Code Article 34 requires any operator renting out shared e-scooters, e-bikes or similar devices in the public right-of-way to first obtain a City permit and franchise, label every device that sidewalk riding is prohibited, and geofence no-parking zones such as Fashion Fair Mall and Fresno State. The article was written as a pilot capped at six months or June 30, 2020, and its own text says it 'is hereby repealed' once that pilot ends.

Key details: Permit required: City permit and franchise before renting devices. Permit term: 6 months, renewable. Sidewalk label: 1-inch warning riding on sidewalks prohibited. Pilot sunset: Article text self-repeals after 6 months/6-30-2020. Adopted: Ord. 2019-034, eff. Nov. 11, 2019.

Operating a shared mobility device fleet without the required permit and franchise is enforced as an infraction under Section 9-3407, and any device offered for rent without a permit is subject to immediate impoundment under Section 9-3406(b). A device blocking the right-of-way or an ADA path can be removed on the spot; permit revocation under Section 9-3409 carries a six-month wait before reapplying.

The Bottom Line

Fresno's mobility & curb rules rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Fresno is broadly strict or permissive.

All of the above reflects Fresno's municipal code as of our last review. If you need specifics on fines, exemptions, or filing requirements, the detailed ordinance pages linked above have the full breakdown.