Albany, NY Mobility & Curb Rules: Bike Lane Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Governs
- paths, lanes, shoulders, slopes for bikes
- Citation
- City Code § 359-24
- Exceptions
- crossings allowed under § 359-23
- Last amended
- 2025, Ord. No. 24.81.24
- Enforcement
- ticket, tow/impound under § 359-26
Summary
Albany's City Code bars operating or parking any motor vehicle on a street path, lane, shoulder, or slope portion the City has designated for bicycle use, with only narrow crossing exceptions.
Except as provided in § 359-23 above and § 25.05 of the Parks and Recreation Law, no motor vehicle shall be operated or parked on a path, lane, shoulder or portion of a slope that has been designated for the use of bicycles.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4873446; v61 updated 2026-03-18; through 03-18-2026).
Full Breakdown
Section 359-24 of the Vehicles and Traffic chapter says that except as allowed under § 359-23 (emergency, maintenance, farm, snow-clearing, and access crossings) or § 25.05 of the state Parks and Recreation Law, no motor vehicle may be operated or parked on a path, lane, shoulder, or portion of a slope that has been designated for bicycle use. The section was amended in 2025 by Ord. No. 24.81.24, keeping the ban current for the city's expanding bike lane network.
Violations & Fines
Blocking or driving in a designated bike lane is a ticketable parking or moving violation. Under § 359-26, any vehicle parked in violation of city ordinance is a declared nuisance the Police Department can tow and impound.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I stop in an Albany bike lane to unload?
What happens if my car is left parked in a bike lane?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Albany
New York rules heatmap·Compare Albany to another location·View the New York mobility & curb rules overview
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