Can cars use a bike lane to parallel park?

I have tried to find the answer to this question on the internet and even asked a cop but have not found an answer.  For a street with the typical bike lanes, when a car is parallel parking, can they pull into the bike lane to make the maneuver or do they have to stay in the vehicular lane and only cross the bike lane when parking.  Is the law specific on this?

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Permalink Reply by JeffB on March 9, 2017 at 11:53am

No idea on the law, by my opinion would be Yes they can use the bike lane for the maneuver. It should be a temporary obstruction. I think it falls under the category of Share the Road, which goes both ways.

Permalink Reply by Tricolor on March 9, 2017 at 12:03pm

It's what I do when I have to parallel park. Anyone that's been trained how to do it knows you need to start next to the car you're parking behind. It's nice to use your turn signal as you pull up to make the maneuver, though.

Permalink Reply by Stephen P. on March 9, 2017 at 12:25pm
I also is the bike lane to park because I am not sure you can effectively park without doing so... but I have had bikers yell at me.
Permalink Reply by Tom A.K. on March 9, 2017 at 4:26pm

My understanding of the law would be that vehicles wishing to parallel park in an area that has a bike lane must YIELD to bikes before merging into the bike lane, then proceed to parallel park into the parking space. 

Permalink Reply by Yasmeen on March 10, 2017 at 3:40am

Makes sense. I think the key is to be mindful to any cyclists before entering the bike lane to park. I don't think it would be reasonable to expect people to parallel park staying out of the bike lane. 

Permalink Reply by Alex Z on March 10, 2017 at 4:01am

The relevant Chicago ordinance that bans parking or idling in the bike lane has an explicit exception for parking:

9-40-060 Driving, standing or parking on bicycle paths or lanes prohibited.

The driver of a vehicle shall not drive, unless entering or exiting a legal parking space, or stand, or park the vehicle upon any on-street path or lane designated by official signs or markings for the use of bicycles, or otherwise drive or place the vehicle in such a manner as to impede bicycle traffic on such path or lane. Any person who violates this section shall be fined $100.00 for each offense. Any vehicle parked in violation of this section shall be subject to an immediate tow and removal to a city vehicle pound or authorized garage.

Permalink Reply by Stephen P. on March 10, 2017 at 4:15am
Well there is the definitive answer, thank you!!!

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