Santa Monica has introduced an artificial intelligence-based system to enforce laws against illegal parking and stopping in bike lanes, making it the first city in California to employ such technology for this purpose. The Automated Bike Lane Enforcement program uses AI cameras mounted on parking enforcement vehicles to detect violations across the city’s nearly 40 miles of bike lanes, which run along the beach and other areas.

The system, developed by Hayden AI, automatically captures evidence when a vehicle is parked or stopped improperly in a bike lane. This includes the date, time, location, and photographic stills. A municipal officer later reviews the recorded footage before issuing a $93 citation to the registered vehicle owner. The review and ticket issuance typically occur within days, according to Trevor Thomas, senior transportation planner with the city.

A pilot phase of the program ran in May 2024 with cameras installed on two parking vehicles. During this trial, approximately 1,700 violations were identified over six weeks. The program officially began operating on July 1, and since then, the city has averaged around 150 infractions per month, including a warning period that started in early May.

The city allocates roughly $200,000 annually to operate the program, with fines from citations expected to offset these costs. Thomas emphasized that the primary objective of the initiative is to promote safer road conditions and improve motorist behavior, rather than generate revenue.

Santa Monica is also using AI technology to oversee enforcement in other areas. In 2025, the city implemented the Automated Bus Lane and Bus Stop Enforcement system, also developed by Hayden AI, targeting illegal stopping or parking in bus lanes and stops. Fines in that program are set at $293.

While some residents have voiced concerns regarding surveillance and ticketing practices, the city has received largely supportive feedback, particularly from cycling groups and advocates. Thomas noted that enforcing regulations against parking in bike lanes is not new, but the AI system enhances accountability and promotes safety for all street users. The program is expected to continue indefinitely as part of the city’s broader effort to improve transportation safety.