OK, bicycles are allowed on either side of the gate, you just can't go through it? So you have to go back to Arastradero road, climb up page mill road, (increasing density of cyclists on a busy road with no shoulder), enter the park and go up the road to get 1 foot way from where you started? Or you could just go through the gate.
The idea that they would cite people crossing a line from one bike permitted area to another is ludicrous. You could could constructively redirect savings from enforcing a nonsensical policy and instead subsidize day trips to Foothill Park for kids from EPA for example.
The fact that there is a even a discussion about this is insane. It's reminiscent of the SF school board worrying about changing the name of Abraham Lincoln school during the pandemic.
If elected officials cannot solve such obvious trivial problems, then there is a problem.
Here is a simple solution: Open to the park to everyone free of charge! Bring your bikes, walk or ride up the gravel road in Arastradero preserve instead driving or biking up up Page Mill!
It seems like the city of Palo Alto is having control issues and trouble letting go.