Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl this morning oversaw the installation of the first of a planned 200 new bicycle racks.

"As the city continues to add bike lanes and shared lane markings, more and more city residents will choose the bicycle as a safe, convenient, and green way to get to work, shop, and visit entertainment destinations," Mr. Ravenstahl said in a press release.

"Bike racks are one of the most important indicators of a bike-friendly city," said Scott Bricker, executive director of Bike Pittsburgh. "They do more than provide support and security to bicycles; they act as a visual cue that bicycles are a welcome mode of transportation in our city."

The first new rack sits in front of Enrico Biscotti in the Strip District and is the product of the Small Business Bicycle Rack Program involving the city, Bike Pittsburgh, the Richard King Mellon Foundation and the William Benter Foundation. They will finance the installation of the racks, half of which will be provided by Bike Pittsburgh and half of which the city will buy from Dero Bike Rack Co. of Minneapolis, which was the lowest bidder in a competitive process.

Groups or businesses in the Strip District, Bloomfield, South Side, Polish Hill, Squirrel Hill, Carrick, Lawrenceville, Friendship, Garfield, Shadyside and Brookline have requested racks. Businesses can ask to be considered for racks at the city's Web site, city's Web site..

City crews will install the racks. The $25,100 the city will pay for the racks comes from a state grant.

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