REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: SCOTT L. MOZIER, PE, Director
Public Works Department
THROUGH: JILL M. GORMLEY, TE, Assistant Director
Public Works Department, Traffic & Engineering Services Division
BY: ANDREINA AGUILAR, Chief Engineering Technician
Public Works Department, Traffic & Engineering Services Division
SUBJECT
Title
Actions pertaining to a Bill for Introduction amending Sections 14-310 through 14-312, 14-811, 14-812, 14-1706, and 14-1707 related to bikeways and bicycle regulations:
1. Adopt a finding of exemption from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) of the CEQA Guidelines;
2. BILL - (For introduction) Amending Fresno Municipal Code Sections 14-310 through 14-312, 14-811, 14-812, 14-1706, and 14-1707, related to bikeways and bicycle regulations (Citywide).
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the City Council 1. adopt a finding of exemption from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) of the CEQA Guidelines and 2. approve the proposed Bill to amend the Fresno Municipal Code, related to bikeway and bicycle regulations (Citywide).
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
On August 28, 2024, at their regular meeting, the Active Transportation Advisory Committee (ATAC) discussed the importance of understanding how the Fresno Municipal Code (FMC) impacts bicyclists and established a task force to review existing ordinances.
On February 26, 2025, at their regular meeting, after extensive review and discussion of the FMC Sections pertaining to bicyclists, ATAC approved a list of recommended ordinance modifications to be evaluated by City Staff.
Upon further evaluation of the FMC and ATAC’s recommendations, staff introduces to City Council the proposed Bill to amend the FMC, as detailed in Exhibit A.
BACKGROUND
The City Council established the Active Transportation Advisory Committee ATAC, formerly known as the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC), to advise the City Council and staff on bicycle and pedestrian matters throughout the City. The goal of the ATAC is to ensure sensitivity to bicycle and pedestrian issues in the design and implementation of all Public Works projects which impact bicyclists and pedestrians and other vulnerable roadway users.
On August 28, 2024, ATAC initiated the creation of the Ordinance Review Task Force. The purpose of the task force was solely focused on reviewing the existing ordinances found in FMC as they pertain to bicycle facilities and bicyclists.
On February 26, 2025, after a series of meetings reviewing and discussing the applicable FMC Sections, ATAC formally approved a set of recommended ordinance modification requests to be evaluated by City Staff.
City Staff reviewed and further evaluated ATAC’s recommended ordinance modification requests, focusing on their feasibility and alignment with existing codes and ordinances. Staff made adjustments to prevent incidental opposing code sections and to ensure compliance with the California Vehicle Code. City Attorney’s Office reviewed the ordinances and staff report. In addition, City Staff also reviewed existing FMC Sections as they pertained to pedestrians.
On October 22, 2025, Staff attended the ATAC meeting to present an update on the recommendations that will be considered by City Council. ATAC offered further modification requests and expressed overall support for staff’s recommendations.
The proposed bill amends the FMC as follows:
• Removes Section 14-310 and adjusts the code section sequential numbering,
• Renames Bicycle Routes to Bikeways in Section 14-811 and adds language to align with California Vehicle Code (CVC),
• Adds language in Section 14-812 to align with CVC,
• Modifies Section 14-1706 to allow bicyclists to use crosswalks while yielding to pedestrians, and
• Modifies Section 14-1707 to provide clarity to the intent of the section.
Staff recommends that City Council accept the introduction of the proposed Bill to amend the Fresno Municipal Code, as detailed in Exhibit A. The sections are related to bikeway and bicycle regulations: 14-310 through 14-312, 14-811, 14-812, 14-1706, and 14-1707.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
Pursuant to California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3), CEQA applies only to projects which have the potential for causing a significant effect on the environment. The approval of Bill to amend the FMC text, as described above, does not have the potential to cause a significant effect on the environment because it only makes minor changes to the FMC Sections affecting bicyclists and pedestrians within the City. Therefore, approval of Bill to amend the FMC text, is exempt from the requirements of CEQA pursuant to the Common Sense Exemption set forth in Section 15061(b)(3). Refer to Exhibit B for the prepared CEQA Exemption.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Local preference was not implemented because introduction and adoption of the Bill does not include a bid or award of a construction or services contract.
FISCAL IMPACT
There will be no impact on the General Fund.
Attachments:
Exhibit A: Amended Ordinance
Exhibit B: CEQA Exemption