Just because the left lane of 15th Street between Cleveland Place and Larimer Street is shut to motorized vehicle traffic doesn’t mean the space is available for parking.

We’re looking at you delivery trucks and free weekend parking scouts.

Denver’s Public Works department on Thursday said since the bike-only lane opened it has been clogged with weekend visitors and by delivery trucks making stops during the week.

Motorized vehicles are only allowed in the bike lane to make left turns or to enter a driveway. In all cases, bicyclists have the right-of-way.

“We’ve been getting pictures sent to us,” Denver Police spokesman Sonny Jackson said. “Cyclists are frustrated.”

More importantly, he said, by blocking the bike lane, motorists are pushing cyclists back into the mix with cars, trucks and buses, which is dangerous.

The 15th Street Bikeway, which officially opened last week, is marked with green bike symbols and is visually separated from other through-traffic lanes by terra-cotta colored striping.

The bike lane is intended to make the route across downtown more safe. Bikes are segregated into the left lane. Cars and trucks can drive in the middle lanes and motorists and buses can travel on the right.

“People are going to have to be patient with each other as they learn” the bike-lane system, Jackson said. “It’s new to us. Please respect it and respect each other.”

People parked in the bike lane can be cited for parking in a tow-away zone, which carries a maximum fine of $175, depending on whether the vehicle is towed, Jackson said.