In an effort to encourage the construction of bike racks, Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl yesterday proposed legislation that would allow businesses to install any number of racks on a given stretch of city sidewalk after payment of a $25 permit fee and a City Planning Department review.

"It's important that we show residents and our bicycle community that we are serious about Pittsburgh's role as a bike-friendly and green city," Mr. Ravenstahl said in a news release.

The legislation requires that the bike racks conform to city standards, and that they leave 5 feet of unobstructed sidewalk.

Since the 2004 installation of bike racks in a partnership with Bike Pittsburgh and the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership, there has been continued demand for new racks. The city is putting up 100 more racks as part of its neighborhood business district improvement effort, and expediting private companies' requests to put up racks is another way to make the city more bike friendly, according to administration officials.

City Council could cast an initial vote next week.