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Knoxville, TN Mobility & Curb Rules: Bike Lane Rules (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Bicycle lane use
exclusive to bicycles
Motor vehicle entry
an offense, few exceptions
Exceptions
curb stops, turns, emergency yield
Adopted by
Ord. No. O-166-2016

Summary

Knoxville makes it an offense to drive a motor vehicle inside a marked exclusive bicycle lane, with narrow exceptions for curbside stops, turns, and yielding to emergency vehicles.

As used in this section, "bicycle lane" means any portion of the roadway set aside for the exclusive use of bicycles. It is an offense for a person to operate a motor vehicle within a bicycle lane, except under the following situations: (1) When parking, stopping, or leaving standing the motor vehicle as provided by law...; (2) When turning into an intersecting or adjoining highway, drive, road, or driveway; or (3) When yielding the right-of-way to...an authorized emergency vehicle or police vehicle as provided by law.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 80).

Full Breakdown

City Code § 17-211 defines a "bicycle lane" as any portion of the roadway set aside for bicycles' exclusive use and makes it an offense for a motor vehicle to enter one. The only exceptions are lawful parking or stopping along the roadway's right side, shoulder or berm (including brief passenger loading by transit vehicles when the curb zone is blocked), turning into a driveway or intersecting street, and yielding to or momentarily stopping for an approaching emergency or police vehicle. Outside those situations, any motor vehicle travel, parking or standing in an exclusive bicycle lane violates the ordinance.

Violations & Fines

Operating a motor vehicle in an exclusive bicycle lane outside the listed exceptions is an offense under § 17-211, punishable under the Code's general penalty provision, § 1-9.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I drive in a Knoxville bike lane to pass a stopped bus?
No, § 17-211 does not create a general passing exception; motor vehicles may only enter a bike lane for lawful curbside stopping/parking, turning into a driveway, or yielding to emergency vehicles.
Can I briefly stop in a Knoxville bicycle lane to drop off a passenger?
Generally no -- parking is allowed along the roadway's right side "as provided by law," and transit vehicles get a narrow loading exception, but a bike lane is not a general drop-off zone under § 17-211.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Knoxville

Parking Rules: Overnight ParkingSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Street Parking LimitsSome RestrictionsShared E-Scooter RulesSome RestrictionsE-Bike ClassesSome RestrictionsRed-Light CamerasSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Leaf Blower RulesLight RestrictionsParking Rules: Towing & Impound RightsSignificant RestrictionsParking Rules: Curb Color RulesSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Commercial & Oversized VehiclesSome Restrictions

All Knoxville rules

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