MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – Select parking meter posts throughout Minneapolis will be fitted with bike racks in an effort to decrease sidewalk clutter.

According to the City of Minneapolis, a partnership between the city, the Minneapolis Bicycle Coalition, area businesses, individuals and neighborhood organizations has formed to expand bike parking options.

If an individual or sponsor business contributes $50 for a two-bike rack, the city matches the contribution and installs the rack at a parking sign post of the contributor’s choice. This arrangement saves the business money towards the cost of installing their own stand-alone racks, which may contribute to crowded sidewalks.

The program began in early May when Minneapolis began retrofitting new parking sign posts throughout the Lyn-Lake and Uptown business districts, resulting in more than 80 racks installed.

Similar efforts are underway in the Calhoun, Lowry Hill, Lyndale, Downtown West, Downtown East, West Bank, Stadium Village and Dinkytown neighborhoods.

Although most of this year’s racks are already spoken for, a limited number are still available for sponsorship.

The two-bike racks are designed by the Minneapolis-based Dero Bike Rack Company.

For businesses and individuals interested in sponsoring a rack, click here to learn more.

For more information on the City’s Bicycle Rack Cost Share Program, click here.