That doesn't look like a service lane to me. It's the only lane in that direction for that stretch of road. Take a look at the streetview link posted up thread. There is one lane in each direction, with a streetcar station in the middle.
There are also has multiple no stopping signs (I count at least three).
OK, I took the reference to it being a service road from a prior poster, who seemed to know. It still doesn't change my opinion that the law promises what it cannot deliver, mainly protection against getting doored on the curb side. The no stopping signs make it more illegal, but not more unpredictable.
Here's an analogy. I live in NY. Central Park is open 27/7, but most people know it can be dangerous at night. I decide to ride my bike around the loop which includes a hill climb in the known to be dangerous northern end of the park. I get mugged and my bike is stolen. Yes, we all know mugging people and stealing bikes is criminal, but even my closest friends will tell me I was as dumb as a rock, and ask me WTF was I thinking by riding my bike alone in Central Park at night.
Laws are laws, and realities are realities. Hopefully they're aligned but when not, reality trumps law. People need to understand that and act accordingly.