The bicycle lane must remain free of obstructions. It’s not easy or safe for a parent trailing children or a motorized wheelchair user to dodge obstructions and dash in & out of the traffic lane. If you see an obstruction, contact Public Works at 541-766-6916. For cars in the bike lane, call Parking Enforcement at 541-766-6924. Both departments primarily respond to citizen requests (as opposed to being proactive), so it’s important that citizens call in. They’re “complaint driven”, so frequent citizen input on lane obstruction helps them justify future action and attention.
Individuals or businesses may not shut down a public street unless a Public Right-of-Way permit has been obtained from Public Works.
ORS 811.550(23):
Stopping, standing, and parking is prohibited on a bicycle lane
Corvallis Municipal Code Section 6.10.060.060 Obstructing streets.
No person shall park or leave any vehicle or any part thereof, or any trailer, box, ware, or merchandise of any description, or any other thing that in any way impedes traffic, or obstructs the view, upon any street, including an alley, parking strip, sidewalk or curb, except by such lawful use and parking of vehicles upon streets and alleys as is allowed hereby or by other laws of this City.
City of Corvallis instructions about leaf piles
Do not place leaves in curbside bike lanes. Use a yard debris cart or consider starting a compost pile.
.
EXAMPLES OF ILLEGAL LANE OBSTRUCTIONS IN CORVALLIS.
PART 1: Household residences intentionally blocking the lane
Enormous leaf pile.
.
Garbage cans.
.
Parked trailer.
.
EXAMPLES OF ILLEGAL LANE OBSTRUCTIONS IN CORVALLIS.
PART 2: Businesses using bike lanes for parking, or to conduct private business (other than actively loading or unloading).
Car carriers regularly park on 5th Street bike lanes for over an hour. Auto dealers have some of the largest parking lots in Corvallis, so there’s no reason to conduct their private business on city streets.
.
Terrible parking job downtown. Oregon Parks & Rec truck is off-center and well into bike lane. Side-view mirror extends through bike lane nearly into traffic lane.
.
“Chimcare” chimney sweeping services, based in Portland, obstructed this Corvallis bike lane for over 30 minutes. They were ticketed thanks to a call to Parking Enforcement.
.
Commercial truck blocking an intersection. No workers anywhere in sight.
.
EXAMPLES OF ILLEGAL LANE OBSTRUCTIONS IN CORVALLIS.
PART 3: Miscellaneous
Even at the hospital. Parked car.
.
If a government road sign impedes a lane, it must have an associated traffic control plan. If a sign looks unneccessarily obstructive, it likely doesn’t have a plan. Call Public Works and the sign will typically be moved the same day.
If you encounter atrocious situations and want them added to our image gallery, email pictures to CorvallisRightOfWay@gmail.com.
Corvallis Right Of Way 